“I can check Eat’n Park, the mall . . . local hangout spots,” Mac offered.

“Sure, that’d be great.”

“Hey—” Mac’s momentary silence sounded louder than her words. “We’ll find her.”

“Thanks. I gotta go. I’m heading to the police station now with Grant, but if you hear anything, please call me. I’m so scared, Mac.”

“Don’t worry—I’m sure she’s fine. I’ll call around and get the word out. Hang in there.”

“Thanks.” I was about to hang up, then said, “I love you, Mac. I’m sorry for everything.”

“This doesn’t mean we’re okay, but that’s not what matters right now. Let’s just bring Willow home.”

The call ended and I slipped my phone in my back pocket. I wiped the stinging tears away, staining my finger black with runny mascara.

“What exactly happened?” Grant asked. I’d never heard his voice so tense, so emotional. He was just as scared as I was.

“Nothing—that’s exactly the issue. I can’t get a hold of Ryan, and Willow’s not here or at school. We need to report a missing child.”

“All right, let’s go. You grab Collette. I’ve got pictures of Willow on my phone I can give the police.”

Sharing missing child photos. Filing a police report. None of it felt real, and yet I sped through each moment on auto-pilot. With Collette firmly pressed to one hip and a diaper bag bumping against my thigh, I ran to meet Grant at the minivan.

My fingers fumbled over the car seat clips as I hurriedly adjusted Collette in place. The clip was stuck shut with something sticky, and the more I fidgeted with it, the more stubborn it became.

“Please fucking click shut!” I screamed at the lock, sending Collette into fearful tears.

“Shhh, I’m sorry, sweetie,” I tried to soothe Collette, but she was already pink-faced crying now. Her wails grew louder and louder, and everything crashed in on me all at once. The insurmountable debt. Grant’s aloofness. My out-of-control family. Lies piling on top of lies. And the sleepless nights trying to calm the cries of a colicky baby. Love held no sway over exhaustion, frustration, and pent-up anger.

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!”

“Get a hold of yourself!” Grant jumped out of the car and ran to me, pulling me against him. “It’s going to be fine. I promise we’ll find her.”

He led me to the passenger-side door, guiding me into the seat.

“Try to relax, Robin. We’ll deal with Collette when we get there.” He swiped a dangling toy from the rearview mirror, handed it to Collette, and fastened the buckle with an easy click. “You’re all worked up. Close your eyes and breathe.”

I did as he said, my chest aching with each painful gasp.