Running Stitches

by Carol Dean Jones

  There was an upper level walkway overlooking the lobby and glass-sided elevators that carried people between the two levels. On the first floor, in addition to the lobby, there were numerous activity rooms. Many had large interior windows revealing the activities which were going on inside. There were exercise and ballet classes and a swimming pool. Sarah remembered her first visit to the community center. She had watched people laughing and cavorting in the pool, their wheelchairs abandoned by the side of the pool. She could imagine their joy at experiencing this freedom.

  The upper level was primarily classrooms and the resource room where people signed up for classes. “Sarah, it’s good to see you,” Marjory said warmly as Sarah walked into the resource room. “Are you thinking about signing up for another class?”

  “Well, I’m thinking about it.” Sarah responded. “Actually, I want to find out more about something that has tickled my fancy. What’s this hula hoop class all about?” Sarah asked, with a shy giggle.

  Marjory laughed as she picked up a pile of brochures and pulled one off for Sarah to read. “This will tell you all about it. It sounds like a fun way to get in shape.”

  “To get in shape?” Sarah responded with surprise.

  “Yes, read the brochure and you’ll see.”

  Sarah slipped on her new reading glasses. She was still getting used to using them, but it made life so much easier. She was holding things so far from her face that Sophie suggested she needed longer arms.

  The brochure was entitled “Hula Hoop Your Way to Health.” Sarah went on to read that hooping could strengthen and tone the whole body and improve posture, coordination, and balance. It told about other benefits such as stress reduction and weight loss. There were pictures of men and women of all ages hooping their way to health.

  “This could be fun,” Sarah said enthusiastically. “I just might try it.” Both women laughed and mimicked the hooping movement with their arms above their heads.

  “Maybe I should think about signing up too,” Marjory said excitedly. Sarah took two registration forms, one for herself and one for Sophie. She couldn’t imagine how she’d ever talk Sophie into taking hula hoop classes, but she was sure going to try.

  On her way home, Sarah wondered briefly if this was how she should be spending her time when there was so much to do to help Andy, but she immediately told herself how important it was to nourish the body and the mind. Sarah smiled as she wondered how she would talk Sophie into joining her.

  Chapter 10

  There was a message on Sarah’s phone but her Caller ID simply said unknown caller. She let Barney out in the backyard before picking it up.

  “Hi, Sarah. It’s Andy. I’m sorry I took so long contacting you. It’s been a crazy month. I hate this hiding out. Anyway, you can’t call me back, but I have a problem. I’m out of money, and I don’t dare go near my bank. I’ve been wondering if George was right and there might be a clue in that quilt about where my grandfather hid some cash. Would you check it and see and I’ll call back in a day or two.”

  Obviously, she thought, Andy was not the person who’d been in her house. At first, Sarah was relieved, but she immediately realized that meant someone else had been in the house. She called Sophie right away and, again, they speculated about who it could have been. “I think you need to tell Amanda about this,” Sophie said. “It’s more serious than we originally thought.”

  “I agree. I’ll call her this afternoon.” In the meantime, she picked up the phone to call Charles and tell him about it but, again, decided against involving him. He worries enough about me. Knowing someone got into the house would drive him crazy.

  The phone rang again, and Sarah picked it up on the first ring, hoping it was Andy. “Hi, Sarah. This is Amanda. I’m driving right by Cunningham Village and wondered if I could stop by your house. I have that name you wanted.”

  “That would be great, Amanda. I have something to talk about with you, too.” Sarah decided she would go ahead and report the quilt as missing. It was time.

  A few minutes later, Amanda knocked on the door. Barney, as usual, ran to the door and excitedly turned to look at Sarah to make sure she was going to open it for him. All guests, he was sure, came only to see him! As Sarah opened the door, he backed up a few steps, not recognizing the woman. Immediately, she smiled and held her hand palm down for him to sniff. He sensed that this was a friendly person and tried to wag his tail without his entire lower body wagging, but it was a losing battle. Both women laughed as Amanda stooped down and wrapped her arms around his neck. He appeared to swoon in her embrace. He added another person to his pack.

  “Hi, Sarah. How’s it going?”

  “I’m doing fine, but I’m eager to hear what you’ve found out.”

  “And you had something you wanted to talk to me about?” Amanda asked.

  “Yes, but you go first. Have you found out anything about the girl or Andy?”

  “I got carrot-tops name for you. It’s Bryce Silverman. He’s in for some minor brawling. I’m not thrilled that you two are planning a visit to the prison, but you might get more information out of him than the police would. And he sounds like an okay guy. He shouldn’t cause you any trouble.”

  “Great. Thanks Amanda. And how about Caitlyn? Are the Hamilton police looking for her?” Sarah asked eagerly.

  “They don’t have a missing person’s report on her. Once we find out who this Buck guy is, we can get him to file a report.”

  “Andy’s her father. Can’t he report her?” Sarah asked.

  “No. Legally, Buck is her father until the courts say otherwise.”

  The two women spent another hour in the kitchen sipping coffee and talking about family and quilts. Sarah pulled out the blocks she was working on and a picture of the completed sampler quilt.

  As they talked, Amanda said she would like to start coming to the Friday night group again on a regular basis. “I really enjoyed the people. There are some very talented quilters there, and they inspired me to pull out my stash and consider sewing again. There’s just so little time,” she added regretfully.

  “You just have to make the time. We all need time to rest, relax, play, and express our creative side. It can’t all be work.”

  “I don’t know that I have a creative side,” Amanda said.

  “We all have one!” Sarah responded. “We just have to take the time to find it. Do you do anything that you just get lost in where time passes, and you’re hardly aware of where you are or what you’ve been doing?” Sarah asked.

  “Yes. That happens when I’m designing a quilt!”

  “See?”

  “Oh, also when I’m hand quilting. The up and down motion of the needle lulls me into a very peaceful place.”

  “Okay, so there you have relaxation and creativity all in one activity. So…do you think you can make the time to get quilting back into your life?”

  “Yes!” Amanda said emphatically, slapping the table top. “I’ll do just that.” They both laughed.

  As the two women were walking toward the front door, Amanda turned suddenly and asked, “Didn’t you want to talk to me about something?” Sarah had enjoyed the time she and Amanda had spent together so much that she didn’t want to ruin it. She decided to talk about the disappearing quilt another day.

  “Yes, but it wasn’t important and we’ll talk about it another time.”

  Amanda looked at her questioningly. “Are you sure?” Amanda asked with a slight frown.

  “Absolutely.” She touched Amanda’s arm and said, “It was fun visiting with you today. I sure hope you decide to come to the quilt group. And just think how happy it will make Barney!” Barney had become a regular member of the Friday night quilt group.

  * * *

  “And why didn’t you tell Amanda about the robbery?” Sophie asked, using her most disapproving tone.

  “It’s hard to explain, Sophie. Amanda is just such a sweet girl, and I love spending time with her. It’s like having a dau
ghter.”

  “You already have a daughter,” Sophie said, still using the disapproving tone.

  “Oh, Sophie. I know. It’s just different. It’s hard to explain.”

  “Well, Kiddo. You have to remember that relationships take two people. Martha can’t be all to blame if things aren’t working out for the two of you.”

  “I do everything I can!” Sarah retorted indignantly.

  “Bull feathers.”

  “What do you mean?” Sarah demanded.

  “You’re as stubborn as she is. And this conversation isn’t for you and me to have. Go talk to your daughter.” Sophie headed for the kitchen, clearly ending the conversation.

  Feeling very annoyed with Sophie, Sarah picked up their tea cups and the leftover cookies and carried them into the kitchen. Sophie was warming up the tea kettle so obviously wasn’t planning to leave right away. Sarah set the cups on the kitchen table along with the cookies and two clean plates. “I’m sorry, Sophie,” she finally said. “I shouldn’t get defensive. I could do more to mend the fences with Martha, I guess. I just don’t know what the problem is.”

  “I should mind my own business,” Sophie began, “…but if you want my opinion…” Sarah clearly didn’t, but Sophie went on, “...you two need to talk and not about the weather! You need to talk about the problem. Yell, scream, get it out in the open.”

  “We never do that,” Sarah said quietly.

  “I know you don’t. But until you do, it will just continue to lay there between you two like a big dead rooster.”

  “A big dead rooster?” Sarah repeated, laughing. Sophie laughed too and the tension was relieved. They drank their third cup of tea and talked about what they would do next.

  “I think we need to go see this Buck fellow, and we can’t do that until we know where he lives,” Sarah said.

  “True,” Sophie said, sipping her tea. “So, we need to go see this carrot-topped guy, right?”

  “Right. Tomorrow I’ll call the prison and see when visiting hours are,” Sarah offered.

  “Why not call now?” Sophie asked.

  “Now? It’s nine-thirty at night,” Sarah said raising her eyebrows questioningly. “Do you think…?”

  “Do I think they’re closed for the night?” Sophie responded sarcastically. “No, I don’t think the prison closes. Give it a try.”

  Sarah dialed the number Amanda had given her and there was an immediate answer. “Yeah?” the man said.

  “Could you tell me your visiting hours please?” Sarah asked politely, feeling a bit intimidated by the man who’d answered rather gruffly.”

  “Two ‘til four every day,” the man responded and hung up.

  “Well, I was going to ask for directions, but I guess we can use Charles’ GPS,” Sarah suggested.

  “I thought it was yours. Didn’t Charles buy that for you?”

  “Yes, but I prefer to think of it as his. It doesn’t like me very much. The voice and I got off to a rocky start,” Sarah replied.

  “Do you want to go tomorrow?” Sophie asked.

  “Yes, let’s get this done. I’ll ask Charles to program the monster in the morning, and we can leave about noon. That will give us plenty of time to get there.”

  “It’s a plan,” Sophie said as she stood up to leave. Barney followed her to the door and attempted to go with her.

  “See? He loves you!” Sarah remarked.

  “Humph.”

  Sarah grabbed the leash and she and Barney walked Sophie to her door, then on up the street for a little exercise. “I have to leave you alone again tomorrow,” she told Barney apologetically as they walked. “Would you like to go stay with Charles?” Barney wagged his tail when he heard Charles’ name.

  The next morning, Sarah called Charles and arranged to stop by and get the GPS programmed to the prison and leave Barney for a visit.

  As Sarah and Sophie approached the prison, they both became apprehensive. “Have you ever been inside a prison?” Sophie asked.

  “No, but I don’t think this is like a typical prison. Andy told me the security is very loose. He said the men here aren’t career criminals or dangerous,” Sarah explained. Andy had been doing farm work when he first arrived, growing food that was used mainly in the facility. But, when they learned about his computer skills, they assigned him to the lab as a computer instructor. “He didn’t sound like it was too bad serving his time here,” she added.

  “How about this Silverman guy,” Sophie asked. “What’s he in for?”

  “Amanda said it was something minor. Let’s just hope he’s willing to talk to us.”

  As the guard led Silverman into the visitor’s room, he stopped and looked at first one and then the other woman. “I don’t know you!” he exclaimed. “Are you two my visitors?”

  “Yes,” Sarah spoke up. “We’re hoping you can help us.”

  “I doubt it. I don’t even know you,” Silverman said as he walked toward the table where they were sitting. He took a seat across the table from the two women and looked first at Sophie then at Sarah. “So…?”

  “We’re friends of Andy Burgess,” Sarah began.

  “Stop right there!” Silverman said standing up. “If the cops sent you in here to get information out of me, you can all forget it. The man was an idiot to walk off when he probably would have been out of here in a few months. But I won’t help you people find him, even if he is an idiot.”

  “That’s not it, Bryce. May I call you Bryce?” Sarah asked.

  “Whatever…” the carrot-topped man replied.

  “I’m Sarah and this is my friend Sophie. We’re Andy’s friends. We’re trying to help him find his daughter and we think you can help.”

  “Daughter? Andy doesn’t have a daughter,” Silverman responded, sitting back down.

  “Please wait, Bryce. Andy had a daughter with Catherine. She married Buck. You know them all. Buck threw the girl out after Catherine left him, and we’re trying to help Andy find her.”

  Sitting back down and looking interested, “Well, I’ll be horsewhipped! Is that why Andy left here?”

  “That’s exactly why he left.”

  “What makes you think I can help? I don’t know the girl.”

  “We know. But you know Buck. We don’t know how to find him, and we think he could give us a lead as to where Caitlyn might have gone. We’re hoping you could tell us his last name and, possibly, where we can find him.”

  “Why doesn’t Andy tell you that stuff?”

  “We saw Andy once. He let us know what he’s doing so we wouldn’t worry, but then he disappeared. We can’t reach him, but we want to help by finding Caitlyn before the police find him. Will you help us?” Sarah pleaded.

  “Heck fire. Andy’s a good guy. If the cops pick him up, he won’t see the light of day in this lifetime. Buck’s name is Buckley. I think his first name is Dan, maybe Daniel, but everyone calls him Buck. He hangs out at that biker bar on the east side. Hogs & Heifers, I think it’s called. But Gals, don’t go there alone. That’s one tough hangout.”

  “We were hoping to go to his house. Do you know where he lives?”

  “No, I don’t know the man other than having a beer with him and the guys now and then. We used to play poker with him, but he’s too mean even for us. You gals be careful.” After a short pause, Silverman added, “What’s with Andy and this kid, anyway?”

  Sarah and Sophie stayed another twenty minutes talking with Bryce and telling him what Andy had confided in them about the child. Sarah didn’t think Andy would mind since Silverman was helping them to find her. As they were leaving, he turned and looked at the woman with a very serious look on his face. “I mean it, gals. You be careful around that guy. He’s a mean one, he is. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s left a body or two behind.”

  As they walked back to their car, Sophie sighed and said, “What’re we getting ourselves into, Sarah? Maybe we should leave this up to Andy.”

  “The police will find him befo
re he finds Caitlyn. We both know that. He’s almost seventy years old. He’ll die in prison. He deserves better.”

  Sophie took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You’re right.” As they drove home, they decided to simply check the telephone book, and, if they don’t have any luck, they’d ask Amanda to track down his address. But they wouldn’t go near the biker bar.

  Chapter 11

  Sarah and Sophie arrived at Daniel Buckley’s house in the early afternoon. The drive to Hamilton was uneventful, and Sophie was unusually quiet. They’d decided to arrive around 1:00 p.m. figuring that would be late enough for Buck to recover from the previous night’s hangover, yet early enough that he probably wouldn’t be too drunk yet.

  The house was run down and weeds overran the yard, obstructing the walkway. As they started up the stairs to the porch, one step screeched as if it were about to collapse under Sophie’s weight. She quickly hopped to the next step and onto the porch. The paint on both the porch and house was chipping, and the screen door was ripped. The shade on the front window was hanging askew. They pushed the doorbell but didn’t hear a sound.

  “It must be broken,” Sophie said. “Just knock.”

  Sarah opened the screen door and knocked. There was no response. After a few minutes, she knocked again. “Awright. Awright. Give me a chance to get my pants on,” the angry voice snarled. Opening the door in a dirty undershirt and pants he was still zipping up, Daniel Buckley demanded angrily, “WHAT!”

  Sarah introduced herself and Sophie. “We’re looking for Caitlyn. We were wondering if you could tell us where she might be.”

  “What business is it of yours?” Buckley snarled.

  “We are…” Sarah began, not sure where to go from there.

  “We’re from the school,” Sophie snapped without looking at Sarah. “She’s been absent for several weeks, and we’re here to find out why. She’s required to attend, you know,” she said in her most official voice. “Is she here?”

  “No! She’s not here and she’s not welcome here,” he growled and slammed the door.