“Honey,” he says, “I’m so worried about you. Call me.”
I can’t believe my ears. I jump up, screaming, shaking.
Is this for real? Am I hallucinating?
I need proof. I replay the message. “Elliot,” I say. “Who’s that on the phone? Who is it?”
“Daddy! It’s Daddy!” Even his asthma can’t stop him from bouncing.
I check the date of the message. Last night. Just before midnight.
Is this a trick? Did some technical genius at the police department rig this up to fool us into calling?
I don’t care. I dial the number.
Dad picks up on the first ring. “Ria?”
My hand slaps over my mouth. I can’t answer for the longest time. “Is that you, Dad?”
Dad laughs. “Yes, it’s me, honey.”
“But…but…” I’m suddenly overcome by sobbing. “I thought you were dead. They said you were dead.”
“Calm down, sweetie. It’s a long story. I’ll explain it all later. It’s you we’re worried about now. You and Elliot. Your mother says he needs his medicine.”
I try to pull myself together. “He does. Please help me.”
“Don’t worry. We will. Tell me where you are. Someone will come and get you, right away.”
“I want you to come, Dad,” I say. “I want you to do it, Daddy.”
I sound like a baby, but I don’t care. I have to see him. I won’t believe this isn’t a trick or a hoax or just my wild imagination until I actually see him again.
He’s talking to someone. I can’t hear what he’s saying. Is my mother there? Maybe they’re back together. Maybe she was so happy to find out he’s alive that they’re back together again.
My old life. My family. My house. Maybe this was all just some big misunderstanding, and everything will be okay again. Mom and Dad and Elliot and me.
And Colin.
“I’m coming for you, Ria,” Dad says. “Just tell me where you are.” It’s only about an hour before we hear the first thwack-thwack-thwack overhead. Elliot and I run to the cabin door. The rain has stopped. The first glint of sun hits the blue and white police helicopter like a spotlight. Only Dad could have arranged that. It makes me think of an angel coming down from the clouds.
Elliot looks at me, confused. “Why are you crying, Ria? It’s Daddy!” He says something else, but I can’t make it out. The sound of the helicopter landing in the playground is deafening.
A policeman jumps out and races over to get us. We crouch down and run under the blades with him. I can see Dad sitting in the helicopter with that big beautiful smile of his. I’m so happy to see him.
I jump on board and throw my arms out to hug him. Last time I saw him, he hugged me so hard he made my bones squeak. This time, he doesn’t even hug me back.
I’m surprised and hurt—until I pull back and see the handcuffs.