Ding,

The iPhone 11 sitting on the table next to me goes off, and I look at it. There's a message from a girl I went to high school with. I click on the message, which takes me to the high school reunions page.

It's been ten years since I graduated from Milford High School in Lake Harbour, a small town just outside of Savannah, Georgia. The population here is just over a thousand, and we're a close community.

If someone were to go missing in this town, people would notice, which is why there has never been a missing person case open at this time. We often get drifters coming through, but that's about it.

Turning my attention back to the phone, I read the invite.

Hey, Y'all.
      You are invited to attend the ten-year reunion at Club 21. Assorted food and drinks will be available at the event. I'm looking forward to seeing you all at the reunion. RSVP before June 22, 2020.

Regards

Mischa Coleman

My finger hovers over the decline button as I don't want to attend an event that everyone will attend. They're only coming to town for the reunion and heading back the next day or Monday, depending on if they get the day off from work.

I see the list of people that have accepted and click on it.

Knowing who's coming will make my decision easier. If my Austin is there, I'll be there, too.

Going through the list, I saw Austin's name and clicked on his response.

Austin Wilde: I can't wait to see y'all and discover what's been happening in your lives. I hope you've all had a great ten years.

A few people have responded to him, telling him they were excited to see him.

Hopefully, I can see him after all this time. I want him to see how much I've grown since we last saw each other.

There is a light tap on the door, and I spin the chair around, facing the entryway. "Come in," I say.

The door opens, and Mom drags her right foot across the ground as she enters the room. "Sweetheart, I need to go to my appointment. I'm not feeling well and was hoping you'd take me to it."

Closing the computer, I look at the beautiful woman in front of me. She has dark hair and blue eyes that look like mine. Her clothes are hanging loosely off her frame, and her face is a bit white today.

Smiling at her, I say. "You don't have to ask me to take you to the appointment. Besides, when do I allow you to handle this alone?"

"Since you started working for your father. You keep yourself hidden here while finishing off the tax paperwork. He should be doing that. It's his business, not yours." She leans against the wall, then holds it again and drags her foot again.

I was drinking with my friends at the graduation party when I got a text. Opening it, I saw it was from my sister, Chloe.

Chloe: You need to get to St. Louis hospital. Mom had a stroke, and we don't know if she's going to survive.

Me: I'm heading over there now.

Chloe: Good,

My phone rang again, and I saw another message, this time from the sister I'm closest to.

Kat: Where are you? I'll pick you up. You shouldn't be going anywhere alone.

Me: I'm walking down the street.

Kat: Which one?

I can't remember the name of the street.

Stumbling over a rock, I fall flat on my ass and see a sign above my head. The phone rings, and I answer it.

Me: yellow.

Kat: where are you?

Me: woolybutt ave.

I start laughing as it's a funny name for a street.

Me: do you have a woolybutt, sis?

Kat: You're drunk, Liz. Just stay where you are. Is there anyone with you?

Me: Nah, just on my lonesome.

My head starts to spin, so I place it on the ground.

Me: Everything's spinning.

Kat: you better fucking stay with me, Eliza.

Me: I'm so tired.

After that, I closed my eyes and waited for my sister to get me. Hearing a car door slam, I lifted my head and saw Kat standing there. Her eyes were narrowed, and they held a little anger in them.

"You should have stayed at the party until I got you. Being out here is dangerous."

Shaking my head. "Nah, uh. Have you heard of anyone doing anything in this town? Besides, those people in the houses would have heard a commotion if anything were to happen. Being the small town we are, we know everyone and their business. We can't wipe our asses without the neighbours knowing."

Kat throws her head back and laughs. "Trust you to make light things out of a serious conversation."

"Blame the alcohol I was drinking." Standing up, I walked over to the car and climbed in. "How's Mom?"

"She's in the OR. They're doing what they can for her. All we can do now is wait and..."

Pray.

She's the only one in our family who goes to church, and that's her solution for everything.

"Can we stop by the drugstore? I need to get something."

"Whatever you need, I'll surely have it in my purse."

Grabbing her purse from the back seat, I go through it and find the painkillers I need. I take two tablets with a bottle of water in the glove.

When we get to the hospital, I'm led through different doors until we reach the waiting area. There, I see my father sitting with my younger sisters while my older brothers sit on the other.

"I'm bored," Nina says. "Can I go for a walk?"

"No," Dad yells. You're going to play on the phone I bought you and wait until we hear an update on your mother, and then you can go home." Lifting his head up, he looks at me. "I'm sorry we had to cut your celebration short."

"It's fine, Daddy. I wasn't having that much fun anyway."

Which was the truth? Austin ditched me when we got to the party so he could see friends. He told me he was leaving in a few days and wanted to spend time with them.

Grabbing the keys off the table, I help Mom to the car. Opening the car door, I hold onto her as she climbs in. "Thanks, Eliza."

"You're welcome." Closing the car door, I climb into my side and start the car, pulling it out of the driveway.

Turning the radio up, I started singing along to Walking on Sunshine.

Mom laughs, and then she starts singing along with me. "It's been a while since we've done this."

"I know, Mom. It was so much fun when Kat and I performed for you. Sometimes, I wish she lived closer."

Mom looks out the window. "I know. I miss all my kids being under my roof. Sorry, you're the one that had to step up and take care of me."