“Did you say anything about us?” Mom asked in a shaky voice. Before Darcy could answer, her mother continued. “I mean, did he ask if everything was the same?”

“No, he didn’t ask, and I didn’t tell him anything. I didn’t tell him about Grandma being sick or anything. He doesn’t deserve to know our business. He has nothing to do with us anymore,” Darcy said coldly. “He looks awful, Mom. He’s put on sixty pounds at least. You wouldn’t know him. I’m glad he thinks he caused Jamee to run away, because he did, in a way. I’m glad he’s suffering. He deserves it. ”

“Oh, baby, don’t let the anger eat you alive,” Mom cautioned.

“I asked him why he left us,” Darcy said.

“I imagine he gave you an earful,” Mom sighed.

“He says he’s sorry and he wishes he could take the five years back. He even said he’s here for me, whatever that means,” Darcy said bitterly.

“Why, then, there’s good still left in him. Only someone with good in him could feel that much guilt,” Mom replied. “Don’t you know, baby, truly evil people never feel guilt at all. ”

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Darcy sighed. “I don’t care what he thinks about anything. I just want my little sister home. I want Jamee home, Mom. I mean, there’s so little left of our family that we can’t lose another piece, don’t you see?” Darcy began to cry, her tears turning into wrenching sobs. “Grandma is so sick and . . . Mom, I just want Jamee home!”

Chapter 10

Sunday was rainy and cold. The chilly wind from the night before brought in a thick dark blanket of clouds. By midday, the sky looked like doom, as if it had never been blue and would never be blue again. Darcy could not remember a time in her life when she had ever been so depressed, except for when her father had left. But even then there was anger mixed with grief. Now there was only sorrow and relentless fear. She could not find it within herself to blame Jamee for what she had done. Jamee was hurt, and in her own mind it must have seemed there was nothing to do but try to outrun the pain.

Darcy felt so helpless. She felt as if she was staring through a solid glass wall and watching her sister drown in a distant sea.

By midday the rain had stopped, and the temperature fell rapidly. Darcy shuddered at the cold, praying Jamee was somewhere warm and safe.

Mom reluctantly left for work at 3:00, instructing Darcy to call if she heard anything about Jamee. “I’ll try to leave early, baby, but I’m afraid I’ll lose my job if I call out sick,” she explained as she went out the door.