Remember the Time

Chapter 50

“What's going on, Mike?” She asked, rubbing her eyes.

“I thought Mariah was in here.” He explained.

Alison shook her head. “I haven't seen her since dinner yesterday.”

He frowned. “She's not in the house and she left these huge jugs of milk downstairs.”

Alison’s eyes flew open. “She can barely move. What do you mean she's not in the house?”

“She's gone.” Michael said.

Alison groaned. “Fuck. Call Brenda, I'll call Morgan.”

Michael nodded and went to he and Mariah’s bedroom to get his phone. He called Brenda first, she answered shortly after he dialed.

“Hello?” Brenda asked, sounding a little discombobulated.

“Hey Brenda.”

“Hey Mike! How is Mariah? And the babies?”

She obviously doesn't know what's going on.

“The girls are fine, Mariah’s missing though.”

Brenda gasped. “Missing? What do you mean she's missing?”

“She's nowhere to be found and she's not answering her phone.”

Brenda’s voice trembled. “I'll try to call her but Mike don't worry. I'm sure she'll turn up soon.”

“Thanks.”

Michael soon called Rachel and Shawntae only to get similar answers. He ran downstairs, almost bumping into Alison.

“Morgan said he hasn't talked to her, but he'll be on the lookout.”

Alison huffed. “I hope she doesn’t get hurt.”

He glared at her. “Why would you say that?”

“I'm sorry.” She said looking down.

He sighed. “I'm gonna call your dad. She always talks to him.”

Alison nodded. “Mom and I are gonna head out, okay?”

Michael nodded and turned towards the phone. Alison and Pat got ready to leave to drop Alison off at the airport.

January 9th, 1998

“I don't think you should be driving.” Pat said.

Alison rolled her eyes. “Mom I've been driving since I was thirteen.”

“Where was your father?” Pat said, horrified.

“Work.” Alison laughed. “Bottom line is, I know what I'm doing.”

Alison was driving down the expressway.

“Isn't your license suspended?” Pat inquired.

Alison huffed. “Why you bringing up old stuff? It was just a DUI.”

“Alison!” Pat exclaimed.

“What? You know hard it is to drive when you're high?”

Pat shook her head. “Remind me to never let you drive again.”

“Whatever. Michael drives like a maniac and you still ride with him.”

The mother and daughter continued bantering back and forth until they got to the airport. They split up, looking around and checking the bathrooms before meeting back up.

“She's not here.” Pat said.

Alison sighed. “I know. Do you think she's already at a gate? Or worse, back in New York?”