The tall police officer stood in the doorway, his shiny badge intimidated me. It took awhile for the officer to fully understand the situation, I could hardly speak in full sentences. But once he figured out what happened he wrote his report and left. All he did was promise to update us if they had any news.
My Mother hugged me tight, I didn’t want her to touch me because I didn’t want to cry again. But I knew she was hugging me to comfort herself more than to comfort me. I couldn’t help but let out a loud sob as I went limp in my Mother’s arms.
“Everything will be okay Chloe.” She brushed her fingers through my hair. Her words sounded bitter in my ears, none of this is okay.
“How about, tomorrow you print off some missing posters and hang them around town? Maybe some of the locals could help us.” Who would help us after five whole years? Aren’t people sick of us talking about Grace?
“Actually I think I still have some missing posters for Grace in the basement. Why don’t you stop by tomorrow to pick them up?” She asked.
“Why can’t you hang up posters yourself?” I mumbled.
“Don’t be so bitter Chloe. Plus I’m busy tomorrow.” She backed away from me, a chilling shiver crawled down my spine.
The next morning I got the missing posters from my Mother’s house, she looked a little upset that I actually showed up. Why does she still have no hope for Grace? I’m leaping with joy that she is still alive! Why is she not? She even looks disappointed that I’m still hanging up posters for her even after five years. Me and my Mother talked for at least ten minutes, then I left to go hang up the posters.
Down town was dead, not many people walked by. I saw a few people out walking their dog, a couple sitting at a bus stop and an older woman walking down the street with her cane.
I walked over to a bare telephone pole and pinned a MISSING poster to it. There were red and green thumb tacks already sticking out of the wood, probably from previous posters.
Just looking at another Grace MISSING poster made me wish my heart would stop, why did this have to happen to us? Why Grace? Why not me instead? I was at the party too! It was my fault she disappeared! It was my idea to go to that stupid party! Whoever the creep was that took her could have taken me as well. So why not? Why her and not me?
I walked a few blocks away before I hung up another poster, this time I accidentally caught my finger with the tack, a little drop of blood fell to the pavement.
“Ouch.” I mumbled.
I spent the rest of the morning hanging up posters. Hanging up posters for your sister who has been missing for five years is mentally draining. I just wanted to cry, to breakdown and let all of my emotions wash over me. But I had to stay strong, for Grace.
As I was hanging up a poster outside of my favourite cafe an older woman comes up to me and asks, “Excuse me, but who is this in the photo?” She asked in a worried tone.
“Oh, it’s my sister, Grace. She Disappeared five years ago.” I tried not to let a tear escape my eye as I spoke.
“Oh dear. Well I am very sorry, God bless you.” She said, then walked away. Did I say to much? Or did I say to little? A wave of embarrassment washed over me. I had a few posters left to hang up but I was exhausted. I deiced to take a break and go grab a latte at my favourite cafe. The Lavender Cafe.
I pushed open the heavy glass door, the cafe was painted in the colours lavender and black. The booths were lavender and the floor was black and lavender checkered tile. This has been my favourite place to go to get coffee or hot coco since I was in my teens. Most people come here because it’s quiet, so they come here to work or to read or even to write! It’s a very calming and peaceful place. Luckily there was no line up and I walked straight up to the counter. The woman behind the counter had sandy coloured hair, it also looked greasy like it hadn’t been washed in a couple days.
I ordered a foamy pumpkin latte and sat at a booth by one of the big windows. The window was looking out on central park, the biggest park in the city. It was famous for it’s towering willow tree right in the centre. No one really knows how tall it is, some people believe the tree is three stories tall, while others believe it’s only two. A small flurry of snow started outside, the sun hid behind large clouds making the city look dull and grey.
Until he walked in.
I like your imagery.