My dad comes to the bathroom door, viewing the damage I just inflicted. “Michael come with me. Let’s leave the apartment.” He touches my arm.
I shake my head. “I can’t. I need to be here, someone needs to be here.”
“Michael, please.”
“No! Everyone wants me to believe she is gone but she’s not. I saw her in the car with Josh, yelling my name with her hands pressed against the glass. She was pleading for my help.”
“But the police found nothing at the crash site. No sign of Jamie at all.”
I look up at my mom. “She wouldn’t just leave me. Something is keeping her from me or she’s hurt.”
My mom starts to cry. “Harrison, help him back to the bed.”
“Son, your hand is bleeding. Laura, go find something to clean him up.” She leaves and he helps me sit on the bed. “You need to eat. If you’re sick, you can’t help Jamie.”
Mom returns, standing in front of me as she cleans off the cuts on my hand. I look at her wiping tears off her own face, which makes me realize we have all been affected.
My dad stands. “You are in love with a woman who vanished, and no one can explain to you where she is or what happened. She would not have left you if there wasn’t a damn good reason. Trust your gut. You have unlimited resources to help in your search. I just need to know what we can do to help.”
At that moment Harrison Tucker is the dad I need. He knows I won’t give up, no matter what the police have said. He is with me now, backing my decision.
“Mom, how about some food?” She smiles, finishes my hand and then leaves the room.
“You know that is probably the best thing you could have done for her.”
“It’s hard to see her upset. I’m going to shower.” My father looks at my bathroom. “I’ll go to Jamie’s room and use hers.” I grab some clothes, then look back at him. “I guess I’ll call Ruby and Susan to check in with them.”
“Good idea.” I go to leave and hear him exhale.
I stop. “Thanks for your support. It means a lot.” He smiles.
I walk into her room, wanting to see her, but only find the purple dress she wore to the fundraiser laying across the bed. After the police cleared the apartment of any clues, my mother came in and straightened up the room. I touch the material, thinking back on that night then go into her bathroom. I step inside the shower and let the water hit my skin for the first time in weeks. Then I place my hands on the tiles, letting my head be covered with the hot water. I will keep her tucked in my heart until the day she is found and releases me to love her and only her again.
Thank you for reading “My Heart” and look for the sequel, “Release My Heart” available at the end of 2018.
I want to extend my thanks and love to the following:
Thank you to my patient and understanding husband that sat back and watched me take this journey not knowing where it was going to take us. My dream came true because of your love and support. You are my heart! I love you!!
Thanks to Amy, my beautiful daughter. Thank you for helping me achieve my dream and answering my many questions about the computer, photos and book cover. You helped me more than you think, but always do. I love you!
Thank you to my son, Taylor. You helped to get my thoughts in order at the beginning and encouraged me to write my way. Thank you for always asking, “Are you done yet?” I can finally say, yes I am! I love you!
Thank you to my sister, Cheryl. You helped in putting many words into a readable form, you supported my breakdowns and just listened when I needed to talk. Thank you for always encouraging and believing one day I would get here. I love you!
Thanks to Genna for giving me your valuable input on the story when it was new, for proofing and being sweet to listen to me talk about it over and over. I love you!
Thanks to my mom, Shirley for reading it at 76 and enjoying the story. Love ya!
Thanks to Christine and Ashley for proofreading and your comments and concerns.
Thanks to Alexis for promotional pictures. I appreciate all you have done!
Thanks to Philip Andrews Photography for the Author headshots and making it fun!
Thanks to Meg Reid for the beautiful book cover and Amy Elizabeth Bishop for editing.
Thanks to Tieka for reading it at the beginning and for your encouragement and kind words. Now write that children’s book!
Thanks Terry for reading it when it was all kinds of crazy and sharing the love of reading!
My Heart Page 20