A crack in a friendship

Emily dialed the number Camille gave her for Ally. Unlike Camille, Emily’s phone got through. But it went to voicemail.

Emily quickly handed the phone to Camille. After the beep, Camille left a message. “ Hi Ally. This is Cassandra’s mother. I was wondering if you could call me back. She is missing, and I was wondering if you knew where she would be.”

Camille handed the phone to Emily. “That’s strange. You could get through, but I can’t.” She then got her phone and called Ally herself. Again, she got two beeps and dead air. “What the_”

She paused a moment. “Would you mind taking me over to Ally’s house?” It sounded more like a plea than a favor.

“Not a problem.” Emily started walking to her car. Camille followed. Once they were both in, Emily started the car and looked at Camille. “I know you’re scared and confused right now. But we will find her.” She backed out into the street and headed towards Ally’s House as Camille gave her directions.

Once they arrived at their destination. They both got out. “Oh my God.” Camille exclaimed.

“What?” Emily retorted.

“I forgot about my son. There’s nobody there to watch him. He’s going to wake up and wonder where everyone is.” She lifted her right hand and slapped her forehead. “God, I’m a terrible mother.”

Emily raced around the car and wrapped her arms around Camille. “Don’t say that. You’re just experiencing some disturbing

circumstances.” She released Camille and looked her in the eyes. “You’re a wonderful mother trying to hold it together.”

She pulled out her phone. “I’ll take care of this.” She touched her screen and placed the phone to her ear.

Camille mouthed, “Who are you calling?”

“Scarlet Danbury.” Emily said,”Yes, Scarlet, this is Emily. I was wondering if you could do me a favor? Could you go next door and take care of the boy at my home? Yes, his name is Mike. It’s Camille’s son. “Right, we had to run an errand... Really, thank you so much.” She disconnected the call. “There you go, Problem solved.”

Camille looked surprised. “ Thank you so much. You know, honestly, I never liked her. ButI’m glad she’s there.”

Emily put her arm around Camille’s back as they started walking towards the house. “Really, and why is that?’

“I don’t know, “Camille replied. “She just always has that holler then though attitude.”

Once they reached the door, Emily took her arm off of Camille and knocked on the door. When no one answered after a minute She knocked harder.

Finally, the door opened, and a lady Camille knew as Ally stood before them. She looked half asleep. She was wearing a San Jose Sharks jersey and a black baseball cap. “What are you doing here?”

Camille was taken back by Ally’s harsh tone, which left speechless.

“Sorry to bother you,” Emily said. “ We were wondering if you might know where Cassandra is?”

“Why are you asking me?” Ally replied in an even harsher tone. “Why don’t you ask her popular friends?” She made quotation marks when she said popular.

“Please.” Camille pleaded. “I don’t know what’s going on with you two. But I haven’t seen her since last night. And I’m really worried.”

“Your husband said she was off at a party,” Ally stated firmly. “A party I wasn’t invited to.”

“I thought_”

“Ever since she got a crush on Jeremy.” Ally cut off Camille. “It’s like I’m invisible to her.”

“Please.”Camille pleaded. “I’m sorry about how she’s been treating you. But she might be hurt. Can you please at least tell me where she might be.”

“I told you to ask her_”

“You b***h.” Emily exclaimed, cutting Ally off. “I can see why she ditched _”

“Get the f**k out of here.” Ally slammed the door shut.

Camille gave Emily a disgusted look. “What the hell was that?”

Emily shrugged her shoulders. “She is apparently useless. “She put her arm around Camille’s neck. “We’ll find her without Ally’s help.” She guided Camille towards the car. Camille walked on shaky legs.