1950s Summer

Chapter 23- Invisible String

The second you got back to your room, you grabbed your suitcases and packed them into your car. You were going to stay the night and leave in the morning, but now you couldn't.

You wouldn't be able to sleep, and you couldn't see Carol in this much pain.

Tears streamed down your eyes and you rushed from back and forth gathering all your things.

Abby stopped you one time, wiping away a stray tear that was sliding down your face.

"Are you sure about this?" She asked. You just nodded your head again. "I hope you're right." She gave you a big hug and let you go on your way.

As you passed by the kitchen one last time, you paused and walked into Alicia's bedroom.

"I know how much it hurts that she's not here, but I hope you will be able to enjoy the rest of your summer." You said.

"I'm sorry. I tried to control my emotions. I wanted to enjoy it. I wanted to enjoy our time together. I really did." Alicia hugged you with a loose tear falling from her face.

"I know." You said as you left and walked out the door to your car.

As you turned on the ignition and heard your car roar to life, your headlights lit up Carol, who was standing on the front porch watching.

You closed your eyes hard, pushing out the tears in your eyes so you could see clearly, and without another thought pulled out of the driveway with the destination set to home.

______

4 Years Later

You were on your way to your old house, which was the one you had lived in for years. You now lived in a new house with a man named Danny. He was nice and thoughtful. You weren't married, but planned to be in a few years or so. Danny was trying to get enough money to live easily before getting married, so the both of you agreed on waiting until the right time.

However, some mail still got shipped to your old address, because you hadn't told many that you moved. The problem was that you always forgot to go out and check that mailbox. This time you made a note to yourself to ensure that you remember. You couldn't even guess the last time you had stopped by. You really needed to sell the place, but you didn't think it would be worth much.

You grabbed a big stack and put it all in the passenger's seat as you made your way back home.

Looking through the big stack on your couch, you saw something that immediately caught your eye. It was a letter addressed to you, in Carol's handwriting. You quickly opened it to see a wedding invitation. Carol and Hargess Aird were getting married. You were almost glad that you saw it too late because then you would have had to not go on purpose. At least now you had an excuse although you wish you had known sooner. You missed it by 2 years.

The day was ending, and you knew that Abby liked to go out at night, but you called her anyway. You hadn't talked to her in years either.

"Hello."

"Abby?"

"Y/N? Is that you?"

"Yeah."

"Oh my gosh! How are you doing? I haven't heard from you in forever." She seemed so happy.

"I'm good. I called you because I moved homes and I just picked up my mail from my old house and you'll never guess what I found."

"What?"

"It was the invitation to Carol's wedding." You wanted it to sound lighthearted even if you were a bit hurt.

"Oh. Yeah. That was a while ago. How long has it been since you checked your mail?"

"A while." You let out a little laugh. "Did you go to it?"

"Yes. Of course. It was nice. I will say that I don't like the mother-in-law. But it was a nice wedding. She would've liked you to have been there." Abby said.

"I don't know. I found it too late and I feel like I would've ruined it if I showed up."

"Well she did invite you, so I think she wanted you to go."

"Maybe, but I can't now." You should have been there. For Carol.

"Have you not talked to her at all?" Abby sounded surprised. "Like since you left?"

"No" You replied blankly.

"I think you should know that she has a daughter now, named Rindy."

_______

2 More Years Later

Still living with Danny, and still unmarried, you came home from working as a secretary at the local bank. At dinner, you received an unexpected call.

It was Abby to which you hadn't really talked to since the last call that left you stunned.

"Hello."

"Y/N?" Abby's voice quivered like she was worried.

"Abby, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm okay. But ummm... have you heard from Carol by any chance?"

"No. Why?" You were really confused now. "Should I have?"

"Well, the thing is that Carol is missing."

"Missing?"

"Yes, and she's been missing for a week now." Abby was saying it almost casually, but you knew she had to be scared.

"Why are you calling me? Why not the police?" You were more confused than ever. "Did you not think to call the police?"

"I thought about it, but there's more you need to know."

"Okay?"

"I'll start from the beginning to help you understand better."

"Okay. Just tell me." You were running out of patience.

"To make a long story short: Carol and Harge got a divorce, and while she was getting a divorce, she met a girl named Therese. They went on a trip out west and fell in love and now they're living together in an apartment. We can't call the police though because they'll find out that they're living together."

You were supposed to go on that trip with Carol.

Abby continued. "Therese had told me that Carol just up and left without saying anything to her and never returned." She paused. "And I thought that you might know where she would be."

"How would I know? She has a whole new life now. Shouldn't Therese know?" You were a bit upset at this point.

"Therese doesn't know." Abby said flatly. "Look, I know you and Carol were in love. Isn't there a place where just the two of you knew about, a place Therese and I wouldn't have known to look at?"

"Umm, maybe." You were thinking. "Okay, I'll help you look for Carol, but I don't know what to say if I find her."

"You can think of it while you're on the search. I have hope in you." Abby was sincere.

"Thanks, I'll let you know if I do find her."

"Good luck." Abby hung up and you had a job to do now.

You left the house telling Danny you wouldn't be out long and drove.

You drove to the only place that Carol would be at. The only place where you knew she would be. The place where everything happened.

The beach house.

The End.