A local woman missing- Mary Kubica

can’t burden them with my kids, too, especially not when there’s this
sudden untold strain on Cassandra and my friendship.
“It’s about Piper,” I say.
“Oh?” she asks. Beside me, Delilah looks up at the mention of her
friend’s name.
“Yes,” I say. “Delilah was wondering if she would like to come over
for a playdate this week. We were thinking about inviting little Lily
Morris, too.”
“Oh. Yes,” she says, “that would be lovely.”
“Wonderful,” I say. “I’ll call Amber and set a date.”
We leave. I go to Bea and Kate’s house next. I try not to worry
about whatever is going on with Cassandra. She’s being snippy. But
maybe it has nothing to do with me. Maybe it has something to do
with her, with her marriage. If I was a better friend I would ask her
about it. I would bring baked goods and ask her if everything was all
right. I will do that when things settle down and I have more time.
I ring Bea and Kate’s bell. Bea opens the door. Bea is a beautiful
woman. She’s as tall as Josh. At first glance, she’s seems
unapproachable. But she’s not, not at all. Bea has tattoos, too many
to count. They mean things. A bird in a cage. A woman’s name
written in Old English font. When she’s had a few drinks, she tells
you what they mean. The woman’s name, contrary to what I first
thought, is her sister, who has special needs.
Bea’s eyes light up when she sees Delilah and Leo. “How are my
two favorite people?” she asks. Bea dresses in an effortlessly cool
grunge style. I could never pull it off. If I tried, it would look all wrong
on me. But not Bea. Ripped jeans, Doc Martens, a newsboy hat.
At Bea’s feet, Delilah giggles. She tells Bea that they are good.
She’s bubbly as she says it, the word mixed up in her laugh. Shy Leo
says nothing. But he grins, the kind of grin that spreads to his eyes.
He’s happy to see Bea.
Bea looks to me. “What’s going on?” she asks.
I groan. “I hate to bother you,” I say.
Bea doesn’t let me get the rest out. “You’ve got a client?” she
asks.
I say, “Yes. Her water just broke. She’s on the way to the hospital.
It’s her third, so...”