The house was otherwise of no use and had been ordered burned. Gasoline was the chosen accelerant. The house was an inferno in minutes and the black SUVs had left as quietly as they had come.
Standing off in the field, two goats stood chewing and watching the blaze. One flicked its tail, turned and walked away. The other followed.
Chapter 13 We’re in Kansas Now, Toto
The Kansas City airport was tiny compared to DFW’s. The first thing we had to do when we got off the plane was use the facilities, though I was eager to go claim Maze. I was sure he had all the excitement he could stomach for one day, but the boys were taking forever in the bathroom.
Dr. Andrews went in to see what was taking them so long. Moments turned into minutes and my patience turned into fury. What in the heck were they doing in there?
I was not in the mood for this: Our mom is missing, we’re on the run with a stranger, I’ve left my home, I flew on airplanes, I walked through a human jungle of people at two airports, and my furry best friend had been in a cage all day. My nerves were shot. What was taking them so long in the stupid bathroom?
Just when I was about to march in to the men’s room myself, the door swung open and there stood my brothers with the doctor. Evan was wet. Not a just little wet, but…well, like he had stood in a shower, wet. Alik was a bit damp himself but he looked just as disgusted as I did.
“What happened?” My eyes shot back and forth between the brothers.
“Don’t look at me, Meg. Talk to Mr. Fixit over here,” Alik said the last part while rolling his eyes back at Evan.
“What did you do, Evan?” I asked between clenched teeth. “And why are you soaking wet?”
“Oh, calm down Meg. I was just figuring out how the faucets worked—motion sensors, by the way—when I noticed one of the faucets wasn’t working like the others. Well, I thought I could fix that myself, so I found the storage closet, jury-rigged the lock, found some tools and started to get to work. It would have been fine too, had Alik not come up behind me and kicked the back of my knee. My leg buckled, my hand slipped, the faucet exploded—could have happened to anyone.” Evan said all this with his typical infuriating nonchalance.
“I’ll let someone know they need maintence in there, and quick.” Dr. Andrews looked like he was trying to keep from laughing, which was a good call because I was about ready to kick someone’s butt and at this point, I really didn’t care whose.
The special claims agent was standing nervously at the counter when we walked up. She looked from the doctor, to the soggy boys, then to me. When she saw our claims ticket was for the large, toothy canine, she was quick to process us.
The moment I unlatched the cage, Maze started licking my face like it had been smothered in gravy. Touching his warm thick fur was an immediate tonic to my racing mind. For just a moment, while Dr. Andrews loaded our bags into his personal SUV, I allowed myself to burry my face in Maze’s thick coat. I breathed deeply and felt a wave of nostalgia. I missed my home. I missed my mom. Maze can read me so well; he let out a soft whine on my behalf. I loved my Maze, and he loved me.
Chapter 14 Everyone Likes Pizza
The ride to Dr. Andrew’s house was uneventful, so I found myself watching the scenery. Growing up in Texas hasn’t exactly given me the opportunity to experience true seasons. It’s pretty much hot at the ranch. The live oak, mesquite, and pecan trees that are so prevalent at home were nowhere to be found here. These trees were huge! And the colors! I had never seen a tree make such mesmerizing reds, oranges and browns. The painted leaves danced in the breeze as we drove. What a beautiful place.
We drove south for a while. I only know this because I overheard Alik talking to Dr. Andrews.
“We live in a suburb south and west of Kansas City. It’s called Olathe. Great schools, beautiful homes, lots of shopping, not too crowded but close enough to the city. My wife, Michelle, and I bought a house together two years ago when we married. She’s anxious to meet you three, but she won’t be home till late. She’s stuck at the office right now. She’s an attorney.
“But my son Cole will be home. He’s about your age, Meg. He’ll turn sixteen in December.” I heard two things in his voice when he talked about his son: 1) He loved him very much, and 2) He felt an old sadness. I had a gut feeling so I ran with it.
“You and Michelle were just married two years ago? So, where is Cole’s mother?” As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I regretted them. The doctor’s face flinched as though I had physically struck him.
Nothing like a little gentle probing, Meg. I scolded myself. Geez!
“Cole’s mom died eight years ago. Cancer. He misses her a lot.” I could almost hear him add, and so do I. But I just felt those words; he didn’t actually speak them aloud.