Golden Bird

"Sis still in the land of the missing? You know, David, she can be pretty scatter-brained at times, right Dad?" Joey laughed until he noticed the serious expression on David's face. "Did you check with all her friends..."

"No, Joey, I was just telling your Dad ..."

Edith came running out of the kitchen and interrupted him again. "What? No Sara yet? My goodness, it's almost nine. Where could she be?" She saw the look of concern in David's eyes and a feeling of dread came over her which expressed itself in the tone of her voice. "What is it, David?"

"I found the car. Out on Old Telegraph Road. But no sign of Sara."

"What do you mean? Had the car been an accident?" Edith tried to keep the concern for her child from becoming panic.

"No it didn't seem as though there were an accident. The car is just parked along the side of the road. I can't imagine what happened."

Joey went to the hall closet, got out two jackets, and threw one to his father. "Come on Dad, I'll take my car and you take yours. She's got to be around there somewhere, we'll find her."

"Just a minute, son. I think I'll give the sheriff a call and have him meet us over there."

"That's probably a good idea," agreed David. "Edith, you better stay here in case she calls." He looked into the older woman's watery gray blue eyes and gave her a hug for reassurance. "We'll find her."

Edith nodded, mutely.

Edward hung up the phone and turned to face the others.

"Sheriff Parker is going to meet us out there with two of his deputies."

"But it's dark ... and cold, what if she's hurt, or sick ... I better call the hospital," said Edith, trying to stay calm.

Edward embraced his wife. "Now don't go letting your imagination run away, Edith. If she was in the hospital, someone would have called us by now."

"Maybe, but I think I'll call anyway."

"OK, if it will make you feel better. Be sure to give Louise Jennings a call if you hear from Sara, so she'll radio the Sheriff to let us know. OK?"

Edith nodded, then stood at the door and watched as the three men drove off to look for her missing daughter.

One patrol car, his blue light flashing, was already there, when David, Edward and Joey arrived. Another pulled up as they got out of their cars. While Joey and David joined the deputy who was checking out the Lincoln, Edward walked directly over to Sheriff Parker.