The Name on the Broadcast novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: Going Home

"What people, Daddy?"

"Don't." He breathed out hard. "Don't do that thing your grandma does."

I heard a chair scrape on the kitchen linoleum.

Then a second voice, close and clear, like she'd been standing at his elbow the whole time.

"Give me that, son."

The phone changed hands.

"Laney Jean," Grandma Verna said. "Sweetheart. How's my scholar?"

Her voice was warm as a pie window.

"I'm fine, Grandma."

"You don't sound fine. You sound tired. Are they working you too hard at that kitchen?"

"A little."

"Well, I had the nicest call this afternoon. Our sheriff. Some state fellow phoned him about an old missing girl, and your name came up." She laughed softly. "Can you imagine? Our Laney."

I didn't say anything.

"I told him it's a mix-up. You've always had an imagination. All those books."

"It must be a mix-up," I said.

"That's what I said." I could hear her smiling. "Now. Harvest Sunday is this weekend."

"I know."

"You're coming home for it."

It wasn't a question. It never was.

"I've got a paper due."

"Bring it with you. And wear something nice Sunday night. There's a man I want you to meet at the supper. He's got the hardware store now, and he's a deacon, and he's been very patient."

"Grandma, I'm still in school."

"Until May," she said. "Six years of school is plenty for a girl."

"We had an agreement, your daddy and me and you. I kept my end."

The kitchen clock ticked behind her.

"Friday," she said. "Before dark. The roads up here aren't safe for a girl alone after dark."

I closed my eyes.

Somewhere in that house was whatever happened to my mother.

Nobody was ever going to find it by calling the sheriff.

"Okay," I said. "Friday."

"That's my girl."

She hung up first.

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