Now, let's get you to bed. He carried her to her room, helped her change into pajamas, and tucked her in with the stuffed elephant she'd had since she was a baby. When he leaned down to kiss her forehead, Ella grabbed his hand. You missed my song, Daddy. The words were simple.
Matter of fact, delivered without accusation. That somehow made them worse. I know, baby. I'm so sorry. But Angela recorded it and I'm going to watch it first thing tomorrow morning.
I promise. Ella was quiet for a moment. Okay, she finally said, and the easy forgiveness in her voice nearly broke him. Harry pulled a thin blanket from her closet and spread it on the floor beside her bed. He lay there in the darkness, staring at the glow in the dark stars Ella had stuck on the ceiling 2 years ago, and listened to her breathing slowly deepen into sleep.
In the living room, a stranger lay on his couch, and every minute that passed wound the knot in his stomach tighter. Morning came too quickly. Harry woke to gray light filtering through the curtains and the sound of movement from the living room. He checked his phone 653, then carefully extracted himself from the blanket and crept to the door. Carara was sitting up on the couch, her head in her hands.
Even from the hallway, Harry could see her shoulders shaking. He should give her a moment, let her collect herself, read the note, understand the situation before he appeared. That would be the smart thing to do. But before he could retreat, Carara's phone, now charged from the outlet where he had plugged it in, lit up on the coffee table. She grabbed it with trembling hands and dialed a number.
Harry froze in the hallway, close enough to hear every word. "Rachel." Carara's voice was raw, barely above a whisper. "Rachel, I need I don't know what happened." A tiny voice responded on the other end. Too quiet for Harry to make out the words. I woke up in someone's house.
A man's house. I'm wearing clothes that aren't mine. Carara's breathing grew ragged. I don't remember anything after the party. I don't remember how I got here.
I don't know if Rachel I don't know what happened to me last night. Harry's blood turned to ice. He could hear Rachel's voice rising on the other end. Sharp and urgent questions being fired in rapid succession. His name is Harry.
He works for me. Cara was crying now, the words coming out in fragments. I don't remember getting in his car. I don't remember coming here. I woke up and I was wearing his clothes and I don't I can't.