Lost and Found by Lorhainne Eckhart

Maggie.
    “Dad, Dad!” Ryley shouted while racing into the kitchen. She didn’t miss the fear that pierced his voice as he reached for his dad .
    “Whoa, it’s okay. I just burned the sausage.” Richard laughed while he held Ryley tight and rubbed his back. This time when Richard looked over at her , she saw the warning and how fragile her boy really was, and with it came self-recrimination. What a bad mother she was for turning on him. Why hadn’t she seen the signs? She couldn’t touch him now. He wanted Richard not her. And she was afraid to find out if he’d push her away. So she stayed safely where she was.
    “See ? They’re perfect , just the way I like them. Why don’t you go wash up , and this time I’ll start the eggs . They’ll be ready to dish up by the time you get back down.”
    Ryley didn’t spare her a passing glance, but she saw how shaken up he was. It wouldn’t take much to set him off. Her kid needed help. He carried an awful burden, and she now realized , in all her grief , she’d forgot about his.
    Richard grabbed her arm. “Don’t. You’re not going to creep away , to take this on too and hide out and lick you’re wounds. Suck it up , Maggie. Talk to him.”
    She gazed longingly at the door as terror filled her and made her want to run out the door and hide. Richard must have seen it too because he raised his eyebrows in a way she knew he meant what he said.
    The toaster dinged , and Ryley raced back in the kitchen.
    “Butter the toast , Maggie.”
    She couldn’t speak , so she nodded. At least doing something helped her to stop thinking . She’d worked herself up so much, she’d become untouchable.

Chapter Sixteen
    Maggie clutched a damp cloth and scrubbed the last remnant of jam from the round oak table. She volunteered to clean up after their late morning breakfast so Richard and Ryley could take off for a few hours on the ATVs. Ryley followed his dad , revving the powerful four wheeler and taking off , a little too fast, south on an old trail at the back of the property that led onto an old logging road near the state park.
    Breakfast had been tense, but Richard remained vigilant through everyone’s anxiety and kept the stilted conversation flowing. She felt like a guest and through each bite, stared obsessively at Ryley. She knew she was making him nervous when he gawked at her with big startled eyes each time the conversation lagged. Richard covered her wrist with his supportive hand and squeezed gently. That was enough of a reminder to pull it together. But her mind continued to reel , desperately trying to find a way to bridge the gap between her and Ryley.
    The telephone rang , and she dumped the rag in the sink, and after wiping her hands on a dishtowel , she grabb ed the cordless phone. A quick glance at the call er ID display , she read Private Number . “Probably someone just selling something.” She hesitated for one ring wondering if she should answer. “Hello.”
    “Richard…” Static crackled in the background.
    “No , he’s not here right now. Can I take a message?”
    But the strangely familiar male voice was impatient. “No , I’ll call his cell.”
    A rude disconnect clicked in her ear. Uneasiness burned her stomach , and she grabbed the counter to settle herself. “No , it can’t be.”
    But then the phone rang again—same display, Private Number .
    “Hello Dan.”
    “Hey Maggie, how’s it going?”
    “What do you want?”
    “I’m sorry , really sorry , about Lily . I never got a chance to tell you.”
    He hadn’t changed. And for a second , she could almost believe his sincerity as his deep voice took on a soft edge of caring, which made you want to believe. Except , all his smooth kind words were a mirage. Because she knew better.
    “Um , listen Richard isn’t answering his cell , and I really need to talk to him.”
    She closed her eyes. She should hang up. “Sorry Dan , he’s not here. I don’t know when he’ll be