Missing Person

Chapter Five

The morning of Ashley’s disappearance, Spencer returned home with empty hands. Paula was waiting for her in the kitchen, her nerves already frayed, “Spencer, will you come in here please?”

The blonde girl entered slowly, her eyes watching the floor as she folded her arms across her stomach, “Yes?”

“Would you care to tell me exactly where you just were?” Paula continued, working hard to control her tone.

“I was trying to find Ashley.” She replied quietly, trying not to fuel the fire. She could tell by the icy way her mother’s blue eyes had hardened over that this would not be a short lecture.

“Spencer, you are 16 years old! You can’t just go wandering out on your own like that!” She stood up from her seated position at the dining room table and approached her daughter, “I want you to understand something Spencer. You are not allowed to see that girl again. Is that clear?”

“I don’t think that is going to be a problem, Mom. Obviously she doesn’t intend on seeing me ever again.” Spencer’s jaw was tight as she avoided her mother’s stare. She could feel the tears coming as she voiced the feelings that she’d been keeping suppressed. Why the idea of Ashley rejecting her hurt so badly she wasn’t sure.

“Do you promise me that you won’t go looking for her?” Paula inquired, surprised by the lack of opposition from the young girl.

She was quiet for a moment, trying to decide whether to lie or to argue, “Yes. I promise I won’t go looking for her.”

“You know I just care about you Spencer. I don’t want you to fall in with the wrong crowd is all.” Her mother spoke, wrapping her arms around the slender girl’s shoulders.

“I know.” She replied, returning the hug briefly before pulling away, “I think I am just going to go back to bed.”

“Okay sweetheart. I will be back from the hospital around 5 and we’ll do something fun. Get your mind off of all this.” Paula promised with a smile before kissing her daughter quickly on the forehead.

“Okay.” Spencer spoke, attempting a smile. She then trudged up the steps and into her room, letting herself collapse in her bed fully clothed.