Even though our night starts off tense, the atmosphere slowly softens. Andrew sits across from me, eager to learn everything about my mom and my life. He especially wants details about the schools I went to, the sports I played, where we lived, and why she chose Sleighton as our last name. He bombards me with so many questions that I don't know where to begin. The one he's most desperate to ask is whether my mom ever married. He doesn't say it outright, but the hints are obvious.
"My mom was a single mother," I tell him. "She devoted her entire life to raising me and keeping me safe. She went on a few dates, but there was never anyone serious," I said, thinking of her and how loving she was to me. "She always mentioned she was in love once, and I was the result of it, but that is all she would say on the matter. I was never into sports; I was too clumsy. I trip over my own feet, often. Mom was afraid I would break my neck," I laugh. "We mostly lived in an apartment; she was afraid to settle down too much. It was easier to move if we had no ties. The only people we were close to were Zeke and his family. About our last name, I never thought to ask; I thought it was her family name until recently."
"Honestly," Andy says. "If I'd known you two were out there somewhere, I would have moved mountains to find you both. I loved her and you so much. I begged my father to look into the disappearance, but he said no; he had better things to worry about than some useless family. He didn't even care when I told him she was pregnant with my daughter. He just told me I dodged a bullet. I hated him for that. He was no longer my father in my eyes, and I left home the minute I graduated high school."
I glance at Sharon, worrying about how she might feel hearing all this. But she seems fine and rubs Andy's arm gently for support. Since we first met her, she has been friendly and offered us warm smiles that put our nerves at ease immediately. She must notice me watching her because she gives me one of her warm smiles.
"I know all about your momma because Andy talked about her a lot," Sharon says. "I'm not upset about how he feels about her or you because I know he loves me as well. In fact, I would love to get to know you better, too." Her words pull at my heartstrings because they seemed genuine. I hoped to get to know her better, too; I think my mom would want me to.
"Every time I asked mom about you or her family, she would get upset and say we didn't have any family, it was just us," I say. Zeke grabs my hand and links our fingers together for support as I work through my emotions. "After asking, she would get upset and cry herself to sleep at night. I eventually stopped asking. Her tears broke my heart, and I didn't want to be the cause of them."
"I'm sorry you both went through that," Andy replies, "but I thought she'd met the same fate as her family. After I lost both of you, I never wanted to have kids again. The desire to settle down also left me until I met Sharon. My biggest fear is going through the heartbreak of losing my child again."
"Do you know what happened to the rest of the family, my grandparents, uncles, and aunt?" I ask.
"The only one I've seen since the disappearance is your uncle Donovan," he says. "When he saw me, he tried his best to avoid me and act like he didn't know who I was. Which was crap, because of how he reacted when he saw me." His words make me hopeful. If Uncle Donovan is still alive, then perhaps the rest of the family is too.
"Did you get to have a conversation with him?" I had to know.
"Yes, I did, actually," he says. "It took a long time for him to admit who he was. He seemed scared of me, which was weird. I even asked about your mom and you, but he had tears in his eyes at the mention of your names."
"Did he feel the same as Mom about finding the rest of the family? Did he think it was dangerous?"
"He never mentioned anything. All I know is that after the family went missing, everyone around town was sure they were murdered and possibly buried in the woods behind the house," he answers.
"Well, we know for sure Mom and Uncle Donovan got out okay back then, but what about the other four?" I mutter more to myself than anyone else. Andy must hear me.
"No one knows," Andy says softly. "After that night, the family was never seen again. I cried every night for weeks over the loss of you, my unborn daughter at the time, and your mom." He reaches out, grabs my other hand. It's weird for me to realize I have an actual father. Hopefully, he means what he says about staying in my life and having an actual relationship.
"I'm going to figure out what happened one way or another," I say, squeezing Andy's hand in reassurance.
"Just be careful," he warns, "because one thing I know about my father, your grandfather, is that he will do anything to keep his name clean." I was well aware of the sheriff's attitude. I've felt his cruelty, and I'm sure it has no end. Zeke, who's been quiet most of the evening, chimes in on the conversation.
"Don't worry, Mr. Dawson. We will take every precaution for her safety," He says and smiles down at me. Andy gives him a serious look.
"I'm entrusting my daughter's safety to you. Protect her with your life and call me if my father causes any more problems. I'll deal with him." Zeke nods and shakes his hand. We talk for a bit longer and look through pictures from my childhood. Before they leave, Andy has one request for us.
"Let me help you upgrade the security in the house with cameras and better locks on the doors and windows. As your father, it will ease my mind." We agree and walk them outside. Before Andy heads to his car, he wraps his arms tightly around me. His embrace is warm and protective, and something in the house seems to settle as if it approves of our reunion.
He whispers in my ear, "Now that I've found you, I'm not letting you go, kiddo. Hopefully, you will feel comfortable enough to call me dad one day. I love you as much now as when I found out your mom was pregnant with you." Tears well up in my eyes. I finally have the father figure I've always wanted. However, dealing with my grandfather, Andy's father, is not going to be easy.
After Andy and Sharon leave, Zeke checks the upstairs windows while I check the downstairs, but the house feels tense again, like it's bracing for something. When I reach the window by the front door, I see someone staring back at me. I scream in fright and jump backward, falling onto the floor. Staring back at me is Ted, the neighbor from across the street. His beady eyes were locked on me. He's been watching me through the window. How long has he been there? We didn't see him when we were outside with Andy and his wife. Better yet, why is he looking in my window?
"Zeke, get down here quick. Zeke!" I yell at the top of my lungs. My voice makes him jump. Ted bolts across the street towards his house and doesn't even try to hide. I could see Zeke running down the stairs.
"Rocky, what's wrong? What happened?" He asks, concern lacing his voice.
"Ted was just in that window staring at me," I tell him as I point out which one he was looking through.
"Where is he now? I'm going to kill him." He says as he storms to the front door.
"He already took off across the street," I say shakily.
"Are you ok?" Zeke asks me as he turns back around and kneels beside me.
"No, I'm freaked out. That scared the daylights out of me."
"Call the sheriff's office and report him." He says firmly. He isn't going to let this slide. We call, and thankfully, only a deputy comes out; the sheriff went home early.
The following week passes quickly without any sign of the sheriff. However, we did spend more time with Andy and Sharon. We told them about the incident with Ted. Andy advises me to keep a safe distance from him, because he hasn't liked him since high school. He says he was just as strange back then, and he never felt at ease around him, fearing he might hurt my mom. Thankfully, we haven't seen Ted since the incident. Usually he sits on his porch watching our house, but now he has been avoiding us. I'm okay with that. More than okay, I'm glad, but it still feels strange, and I try not to think about it anymore. Andy and Zeke install the security system while Sharon and I make dinner.
Andy calls me every night to talk about our lives. His voice is soothing and gives me comfort, knowing that I have someone other than Zeke and his family to care for me. Meanwhile, Zeke spent his days working on opening his construction branch, while I worked on my blog and conducted research into the family's disappearance. I need to know who the key players in this mystery are. Ted and the Sheriff are two people on my list of suspects, but I'm not sure who else to look into.
Andy gives me my uncle's phone number, and I decide to call him. I hope he can shed some light on what happened that night years ago. I pick up my phone, feeling a mixture of anticipation and anxiety, and carefully dial his number, each digit echoing in my mind as I prepare for the conversation.
"Hello," says a deep rumbling voice.
"Uh, yes, hi. Is this Donovan St. James?" Apparently, that's the last name he was going by.
"Who's asking?" he replies defensively.
"I'm his niece, Roxanne. My mother was Amber." I blurt out, hoping he doesn't hang up.
"Excuse me, what did you say?" he chokes out.
"I know this sounds strange, but I'm pretty sure you're my uncle. I bought the family home in Sugar Creek. Could we meet to talk sometime, please?" I plead.
"Um, I -i-i-i-I think you have the wrong number." He starts to hang up, not wanting to let me say anything else.
"My father, Andy," I say quickly. "He told me he ran into you and you were my mom's brother. Please don't hang up." I was desperate to keep him on the line.
"Ok, I'll meet you," he says, giving in. "But I won't go to that house or town. Not yet. Would you come to my town, Vandolia? It's about an hour and a half away from you." There was no way I was going to refuse him. I have no problem with his request as long as I get to meet him.
"Yes, I can. Just tell me when and where," I state, excited. I heard him sigh before he starts talking again.
"Saturday, around noon, at a café near my house. I'll send you the address to the number you called from." He hangs up, not giving me a chance to say goodbye or anything else. Maybe he can tell me stories of my mom when she was younger and about the other people in the family.
As soon as Zeke came home, I told him the news, but unfortunately, he can't go with me that day. He will be helping his father with purchasing items for the new location. He suggests I take Andy with me. If he isn't able to go, he says not to go alone. He's right; I'm not going to make that mistake again because it's too dangerous.