Chapter 32—Jade
The next morning, I sleep longer than usual. I was totally exhausted from the plane rides and the emotional rollercoaster. When I enter the kitchen, everyone is already busy with their day. Food is out and they have obviously all eaten. Hope and Raine are on her laptop. “Any word on Ezekiel’s whereabouts today?” I ask hopefully. Raine looks disappointed and replies, “Nothing yet. The police said there has been no movement at the compound. The women and children are all doing well though. One family will be picked up later today.” Hope looks away from the computer screen to add, “There is one more comment on the board this morning. It says, “Central California” from an anonymous poster again.” That’s not good at all. He’s getting too close. Dad puts his hand on my back. “Don’t worry Jade, I’m not letting anything happen to them.”
“Mom is going to call my Dad today.” Raine says, probably trying to change the subject. “That’s right, I was going to wait until noon. We also contacted your school, and you are both out sick still, by the way.” “Thanks, I don’t think I could mentally handle that right now.” I tell her. “And I don’t want any of you out of my site.” Dad says with concern in his voice.
Time feels like it’s at a standstill until noon. I can’t wait for Raine to speak to his Father. I am so excited for him. I see the worry etched on his face though. He has been pretty silent this morning. He’s pacing back and forth through the kitchen. Then he starts doing dishes. He must be stressed. I join him at the sink to dry. “You okay?” I ask. “Honestly, my nerves are kicking in. I'm worried about Ezekiel finding Mom for starters. Then the thought of talking to my Father has got me just a little on edge. I'm excited but also worried that he won’t want to speak to me.” I place my hand on his back and my head on his shoulder. He places one quick kiss on the top of my head. It’s about as close as we can get to each other right now. Dad and Hope seem to be engrossed in conversation.
Eventually, we all sit together at the kitchen table when Hope decides it’s time to do this. She calls the cell number that her Dad gave her. After it rings once, it goes to voicemail. “Hi, Zack, um this is Hope. I know it’s been a long time. I just need to talk to you and catch you up on some things. Please give me a call back if you would like to talk. I'm sorry to bother you, but it’s important.” She leaves her number and hangs up. She takes a deep steadying breath. “Well, that was easier than talking to him in person.” She says, trying to sound as upbeat as possible.
About 3 minutes pass before the phone rings. She looks at all of us with big eyes before picking up. “Hello?..Yes, it’s really me…It’s a very long story…Okay, that’s fine, I would like that...I’m in Big Sur California, but I’m not safe, I need you to be very careful who you speak to…Yes, I will text you the address where I am staying…Thank you Zack…See you then.”
We all look at her with eagerness. “He said he wants to talk to me in person. He’s going to drive up here right now. It will take him about 6 hours. I hope that’s okay Jonah. I'm sorry, I didn’t even ask you.” Dad envelopes her in his arms. “Of course, I want you to talk to him. And I want Raine to meet his Father. This is the best scenario possible.” She looks at Raine and I notice moisture in her eyes. He’s smiling a little hesitantly.
We all keep busy throughout the afternoon. I call Skye once she’s out of school and I tell her we are fine. I explain that Raine and his Mom have some serious things going on in their lives. She apologizes again about the YouTube incident. She was afraid I was avoiding her because of it. I reassure here that I'm over it and we have just been super busy. I hadn’t even realized how I left things with her. I'm a terrible friend.
All of us are eagerly anticipating Zack’s arrival. Raine has been playing his guitar for the last hour. He’s still working on the song I have been hearing for the last month. It’s beautiful. I wonder if he is going to play it for his Dad. Hope’s phone rings and we all jump a little. “Hello…yes…we are ready…okay…see you in a few minutes.” She turns to Raine, “This is it.”