Chapter 14: The New Week, On Pins and Needles

Everything about this Monday was routine, except for Melanie’s feelings and nervous tension. Amy went to daycare, work was hellish, pickup at daycare was on time, and they returned to the complex.

Melanie was surprised on this evening to find an empty mailbox. No card. No sweet for Amy. This had become such a routine over the past two weeks.

She pushed away her sudden anxiety and focused on making their dinner, and later, reading a story to Amy and tucking her into bed.

Then, she allowed herself a small glass of wine and sprawled on the sofa, waiting for Jacob’s call. The expected time, 8:30, came and went. No call. Not even a text. Then it was 8:45. 8:55. 9:15. Nothing.

Melanie had the horrible feeling of being stood up. Her eyes glistening with unshed angry tears, she flipped open her laptop.

To: chary974@proton.me
From: fourscars@beltwest.net
Subject: You Did Not Call!

Monday, January 30, 2023, 9:30 p.m.

Jacob,

I was expecting to hear from you. But there was absolutely nothing. I am trying very hard to give you the benefit of the doubt. But, if talking was too much, you could have texted, you could have sent an email.

But nothing. This is very discourteous, and I am angry.

Please contact me by whatever means you can manage, as soon as you can. If I don’t hear from you very quickly, this “whatever it is” between us will be OVER.

Remember, I still have that Sharpie pen with the red ink.

I am Thinking of You — 15 — but you would not appreciate the content of my thoughts right now.

Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

To: chary974@proton.me
From: fourscars@beltwest.net
Subject: I am Sorry, Please Write!

Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 9:30 p.m.

Jacob,

I was so angry last night. I have been thinking, since then, that the telephone was a big step for you, and I should not have been so harsh.

But, please, in whatever media you choose, just send me a line or two. I wouldn’t want us to end this way. Even one of your little cards in my mailbox would mean a lot to me.

Thinking of You — 14 —

Melanie

Wednesday, February 1, 2023.

To: chary974@proton.me
From: fourscars@beltwest.net
Subject: Please, I am Worried

Wednesday, February 1, 2023, 9:30 p.m.

Jacob,

It’s like you have dropped off the edge of the world. It doesn’t make sense that, in only the 24 hours after your message on Sunday evening, you have gone completely no contact.

I can’t imagine what I might have done to cause our ending like this.

Or, are you in trouble?

I am begging you for anything, any kind of message.

Thinking of You — 13 —

Melanie

Melanie put away the email screen. It was time to dig for information. She went back to the state’s Division of Behavioral Sciences web site for everything they had on Virginia Matson-Steeds.

This revealed a practice address of 253 Belmont Way, in a nearby high-income community. Next, Melanie started searching through the property records, and found that the home’s title had been recorded to Jacob Katz.

She grabbed her keys and headed down to the lobby. She found the box marked “J. KATZ” and noticed that his box was figuratively bulging with uncollected mail. Now, she had his apartment number, and she went to check it out.

She didn’t actually expect to find anything except the usual featureless white door in a boring gray hallway, just like the scene at her own apartment’s door.

But there was something to see. A pizza flyer had been mostly pushed under the door, with the edge still visible. The flyers had been distributed through the complex on Monday, Melanie remembered.

If Jacob had used his door on Monday afternoon, on Tuesday, or on Wednesday, he would have picked up the flyer off the floor and thrown it away.

Jacob was MISSING! And I might be the ONLY person who would know, or care, that he might be in trouble.