If Only It Were That Simple

Chapter 24- Missing Kids

"We need the money Benny, you know that." I tell him, "We have three bills due at the end of next week. A car that's running out of gas. And no money to pay for them." I pocket the money, "This gives us a weekly income."

"Ask mom for the money." Benny insists, as if it could be that easy, "You shouldn't have to put up with his jerky attitude."

"I really don't mind it anymore. I've gotten used to it." I tell him, and it's only when something gets in the way of the tutoring session. Or when he just doesn't get it. He's a genuinely nice guy when things are going well. "Besides we already asked mom for the money, remember?" I ask him he nods, "She said  no, that the money would come from our college accounts. We need that money for when we go to college. Or if we have an emergency."

"I could get a job." I give him a 'Really?' look, "Another job." He corrects himself.

"When would you do it?" I ask him, "You've already got two jobs. 1 shelving shelves, bagging, and cashiering groceries at the grocery store after school. The other busing tables and taking orders at Angelo's on the weekends and when you're not at the grocery." I tell him, "You can't quit school, mom would kill us both."

"When?!" He asks exasperated, "She's never home." He continues, "One more job, I'll get my teachers to tutor me when I'm not working." He continues, "So, why doesn't mom do her job and pay the bills?"

"Because-" My phone cuts me off, I answer it without checking thinking it's a new tutor student. "Hello?"

"Lorrie, the dance is over, Jacob's older brother offered to bring me home; is that okay?" Nikki asks. I look over to the clock, 725. the dance was over almost a half hour ago.

"Who is he?" I ask her, "You know how we feel about you riding home with strangers."

"Connor," Nikki continues, "Says he knows you?"

"Adams?" I ask her

"Yeah, so it's okay?"

"Hold on." I cover the mouth piece, "Benny, Nikki's dance is over, she's going to get a ride home with Connor, is that okay?" He nods his approval. "Okay, we'll see you in a few minutes okay?"

"Bye Lorrie." Nikki answers as the line disconnects. I pocket the phone and sit at the dining room table with Benny.

"Mom doesn't pay the bill because she's never home." I tell him, "She's home for five hours every morning, 12-5 for sleep and coffee before heading back out to work." I tell him, not that he doesn't realize that, as long as both of us can remember we were taking care of ourselves and Nikki. "I just wish she'd buy a small apartment by her firm and a small house for us in the school district."

"Did we make enough to pay the bills this month?" Benny asks looking over the bills.

"Every one but the phone one, and the cable bill." I tell him, "We're still short 250."

"Dollars!" Benny's eyes bulge and he steps back, "We never use the phone or TV."

"Nikki doesn't have a phone yet, and we all use the house WiFi for homework. Nik's up half the night talking to her friends on the phone."

"We've got to get that girl a cell with unlimited minutes." Benny mutters when someone knocks at the door.

"It's probably Nikki," I tell him, "I'll get it." I push off the counter I'd leaned against and grab my crutches heading for the door. I open it and step back before starting talking, "Nik, we've got some serious talking to-" I notice it's not my sister, but Connor standing at my door, "Hey Connor." I greet him slowly looking behind him for my sister.

"I came to pick up Jacob." He says looking over his shoulder carefully.

"Nikki called and told me you were bringing her home."

"That's not possible, Jacob called me on the way to the school and told me that Benny picked both of them up and brought them back to your house." Connor says. I step back and turn on my crutches, toward the kitchen I hear Connor talking from the door way as I take a few steps toward the kitchen.

"Benny!" I call out as I begin to panic, my best skill is thinking of all the things that could possibly go wrong. "Benny get in here for a minute!" Benny races to the foyer. "Nikki and Jacob are missing." Benny visibly pales, "Connor said Jacob called and told him you brought both of them here."

"I'm calling the police." Benny pulls out his phone after initial shock wave and begins to dial.

"I already did. I called my dad. His teams out looking now." Connor says, "He asked me to ask you to bring any pictures of your sister down to the station."

"Let me grab my camera." I tell them heading toward the kitchen where all the recent pictures of Nikki are still on the camera, "Benny, the car."

"It's out of gas Lorrie." Benny answers, "We haven't had enough money to fill the tank, it's been running on empty for three days, that race home killed it." He explains, "We barely made it home."

"We'll take my truck then, it seats five comfortably. Three in back two in front." Connor says, "We'll pick up gas for your car on the way back." I agree and go for my camera, I notice the darkening sky, not just because of the time. Dark clouds cover the sky. Please don't snow.