Silence of the Missing by Rick R. Reed

Author:Rick R. Reed
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2023-07-14T23:00:00+00:00

III

We stood on the Blue Line L platform at its terminus—O’Hare Airport. People hurried to and from the airport proper all around us. Trains chugged, waiting, in the gray and uninspiring station. Mom’s three-day visit had been worthwhile, but far too brief.

“I wish I could stay longer, honey, but I’ll lose my job.”

I followed her up the escalator and into the airport proper.

I hated that she couldn’t get away for more time from the industrial pottery where she worked. She’d been there so many years, working herself quite literally to the bone, and they couldn’t even give her some kind of compassionate leave. I hated even more that this first-ever visit to me in Chicago had to be cut short, especially since she’d stepped out of her comfort zone and flew for the first time in her life. It was a bigger step than she’d allow herself credit for.

But I knew the realities of her work—piece work labor. Despite hard, thankless work that drained her, she could be replaced in the blink of an eye if she challenged the pottery’s rules. In St. Clair and the surrounding areas, jobs like hers were hard to come by. Once upon a time, the place was heavy with industry, steel and pottery mostly, but those were bygone times and had been since before I was even born.

“I know, I know. The fact that you overcame your fears to come out here and support me means more than I can say. It really did help—just being here made me feel less alone with my fears.” I drew in a shaky breath. “Nothing compares to a mother’s love, even when you’re an old fart like me.”

Mom rolled her eyes. “You’re hardly old, honey. If you’re old, what does that make me? Ancient?”

Travelers hurried around us. We were a small island in a human stream.

“Well, I hardly did anything.” She toyed with the handle on her roller bag.

“Stop. You did a lot. You made me feel supported and even allowed me to hope a little. And you gave me a name that might lead somewhere.” I shrugged. “Who knows? This whole thing is just unreal.”

She hugged me too hard, but I didn’t mind. “I really need to get to my gate.”

I chuckled. “Your flight doesn’t leave for two hours and you’re already here. Relax.”

“I know, I know, but I worry. Please try to understand.”

And I could see she really was concerned about being on time. Her fear was irrational, but I understood.

“You’ll call that private investigator we found?”

We’d looked up a few private investigators the day before yesterday and vetted them on Yelp, thinking someone with better internet and access to other resources might help us locate who this Chris Sgro person was. I knew, even if we found him, it could lead to another dead end, and certainly might not help us find Marc. My funds were severely limited, so it’s not like I could use someone for very long.

“I will. I’ll call her as soon as I get home.

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