A local woman missing- Mary Kubica

MEREDITH
11 YEARS BEFORE
May
I haven’t forgotten about Cassandra. I’ve been busy. But all the
while, she’s been on my mind. I want to be a better friend to her than
I’ve been. I’ve been so busy burdening her with my needs, that I’ve
forgotten about hers. Something is off with Cassandra. I have to
know what it is.
On a Friday afternoon, I pick up a Bundt cake from the local
bakery. After Delilah is in school and Leo with Charlotte, I walk it to
Cassandra’s house. I go to her door and knock. She answers with
Arlo in her arms.
“What are you doing here?” she asks. Her tone is curt.
I present the Bundt cake. “I thought we could talk. It feels like we
never have the time to just talk anymore. I miss you, Cassandra,” I
say.
She harrumphs, which is how I know that she’s really put out
about something. “Come in,” she tells me. I step inside and out of my
shoes. “You want coffee?” she asks. I tell her yes, following her into
the kitchen. Cassandra wears a dress, which she almost always
does. It’s long and cotton and comfortable-looking, but still a dress.
She looks lovely in it. I can’t remember the last time I wore a dress.
“I’m glad you stopped by,” she says as I help myself to a chair. I
watch her brew a pot of coffee one-handed, with Arlo in the other. It’s
effortless. I would have dropped either Arlo or the coffee by now.
“I’ve been wanting to for a while. Things have been so busy.”
“I have something I want to show you.”
“Oh?” I ask, thinking it’s something having to do with the kids.
Something having to do with Delilah, Piper, Lily and their little
squabble. I hope that Delilah hasn’t done something she shouldn’t
have, like give Lily Morris a mean picture.