“We’re about to watch another movie.”
“Apparently she’s determined to ruin my taste forever.”
Maddie laughed.
And then I heard something behind her.
A man’s voice.
Older.
Loud.
“That is cheating!”
Several people laughed.
Not Frances.
Not a television.
I stood up.
“Maddie, where are you?”
The laughter stopped.
I heard something behind her.
She went quiet for a second, then her whole tone changed.
“Mom, I have to go.”
“Maddie.”
“I’ll call you later.”
The line went dead.
I called back.
No answer.
Again.
Straight to voicemail.
My first instinct was to grab my keys.
Then Carol called me.
“Mom, I have to go.”
I answered immediately.
“Susan, do you know where Maddie is?”
“No,” I panicked. “She said she is with Frances.”
“I’m calling Frances now,” Carol blurted.
“Carol, what’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Frances told me she was spending Friday evening with Maddie. Something’s not quite right.”
