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"Because I've been driving all over town looking for him. I checked the other fields in case he got his schedule mixed up. I also checked the center." |
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Maybe he was at Christopher's. Or Gina's. "Never mind," she said. "I'll call around." |
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"Terry, don't panic. He's probably at Jackie Stoneblacker's." |
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Jackie Stoneburner. How much Calvin knew. He and Matty hated each other. "Keep looking," she said, "then call me." |
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She slammed down the phone while Calvin was still talking. If he wasn't at any of his friends' houses, she'd call the police. |
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God, don't let this be happening. |
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But another voice told her to hold on, not to lose it. He had simply forgotten about practice. He was probably riding around the pond with some kids. Or in his tree house. If she couldn't find him by phone, she'd head into the woods. |
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She went out to the garage. Matty's bike was up against the wall. |
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She ran back inside and called Christopher's, Evan's, Gina's, and Jesse's houses. No Matty. No idea where he was. She called his teacher. She had seen him leave school at the usual time but that was all she knew. |
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By the time she got off the phone, Terry was frantic. He wouldn't be out this late without calling. It wasn't like him. He always called . . . |
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She was halfway out the door when the phone rang. |
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Dear God, please let it be "Hi, mom." |
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For a moment, the name meant absolutely nothing to her, as if the woman had uttered a foreign phrase. "Yes?" |
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"I'm calling about your son." |
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"Well, that's what I'm calling about." |
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"What happened? Is he hurt?" |
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There was a long, maddening pause. |
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