Chapter 6 News

Vanessa got home. She sat thinking about her predicament. Just last Tuesday her father had informed her he was going to sell his restaurant which was doing poorly so she could go to college. And now that she was pregnant there was no way she could go to college, at least for the time being. She couldn't bring herself to tell her parents about her pregnancy. They would be so disappointed in her. There was only one thing she could do.

The next day found Vanessa en route to Las Vegas. She had made up her mind on her next plan late last night. She'd left a written note addressed to her dad and another to Jacqueline. She couldn't bear seeing the shock and disappointment on her dad's tired face if he found out she was pregnant. She hoped Jacqueline would do as she had written and keep her mouth shut. She closed her eyes as she sat on the plane that would take her to Las Vegas.

Peter came home late that Friday night. He hadn't expected Vanessa to wait up for him. She had been working all day and needed her rest. Hunter barked as he opened the front door. He walked to his room and kicked off his shoes. It had been a busy week. He showered quickly, changed into his pyjamas and crashed into bed. He turned to the side of the bed where his wife usually sleeps. He was lonely. He missed Mia. He missed his family. Things had changed drastically in a few years. Things had happened over which he had no control. He had lost Leonard, his only son and now was losing his wife gradually. If he could take back the hands of time and bring back his son he would.

He sighed. Vanessa. She had been strong. She had pulled herself together and faced life head-on. She had lost her brother and didn't have her parents around anymore yet she never complained. She had gotten a job and began saving up money. She was a good daughter and he was proud of her.

The next morning Peter woke up late. It was Saturday and he didn't have any plans today. He would visit his wife later in the afternoon. He decided to take Vanessa out to eat. It had been quite a while since they spent quality time together. He got out of bed and strode to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. Hunter came running up to him, trying to lick his fingers. He poured out his food and sipped his coffee while watching him eat. Vanessa should be awake. She was an early riser. He walked to her room and knocked on the door. There was no response.

"Sweetie?" He called out.

There was no response. Maybe she was in the shower. He turned to go to his room. He showered and pulled on a light sweatshirt and jeans. He grabbed his car keys and strode to the kitchen. He dumped his cup and turned off the lights. Vanessa had not come out of her room yet. He walked to Vanessa's room and knocked again. There was no response. There was no way she was still sleeping till now. He glanced at the clock. It was 10:11 am. He turned the doorknob and pushed open the door. Vanessa wasn't in bed and the bed didn't look like it was slept in. He walked into the room.

"Sweetie?" He called out.

He reached for the bathroom door and pushed it open. Empty. Where was she? He pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialled Vanessa's number. It was switched off. He dialled it again, his eyes sweeping across the room. It was switched off. His eyes caught a sheet of paper on her nightstand. He walked over and picked it up. It was addressed to him. He opened it and began to read.

Dad

I have been thinking a lot these past weeks about everything that has happened in the past few years and decided to hold on with college for the time being. I spoke with Miss Darnell a woman I met at the park about employment opportunities in Las Vegas and she hooked me up with one of her female friends who is a chef and lives in Las Vegas. So I would be away for a couple of weeks perhaps months but will be back soon. Send my love to mom.

Love you.

Vanessa

Peter stared at the letter in stupefaction. He re-read it all over again. This doesn't make sense. Who was Miss Darnell? Where does she live? He took up his phone and dialled Jacqueline's number. She answered at the first ring.

" Hello Mr Alan," she said cheerfully.

"Hello, how are you?"

"Great. How are you doing? "

"Alright.. Err... Is Vanessa with you?"

There was a brief silence. The Jacqueline said. "No. Is she out?"

"Yes. Do you have any idea where she might have gone?"

Jacqueline's sigh came through the phone. "No," Silence then she added, "I'd come over."

Jacqueline hung up and quickly dialled Vanessa's number. It was switched off. What was going on? Where had she gone? This wasn't their plan. Jacqueline quickly put on her shoes and hurried out of her house after telling her mum she was headed to Vanessa's house. She got a taxi and in a few minutes, she arrived at Vanessa's house. She ran up the front steps and rang the doorbell. She could hear Hunter's barks from within. Peter opened the door and ushered Jacqueline into the house.

"I came as fast as I could," Jacqueline said mentally prepared for anything that might come up.

Peter handed her the note. She read it as fast as she could and stared at Peter who stood watching her. Whatever this was Jacqueline should know because she was her best friend Peter thought. Jacqueline was confused. Who in Christ's name was Miss Darnell? What employment opportunities? And in Las Vegas of all places? Las Vegas. It suddenly dawned on her.

"Oh!" Jacqueline exclaimed. Vanessa had gone to Las Vegas to see Greg. Christo. She should informed her at least. Peter watched her, observing her different facial expressions, the clueless look at first, then an understanding look and the astonished look. She knew something.

"Where did she go to?" he asked breaking into her thoughts.

Jacqueline was in a dilemma. She couldn't tell him about Vanessa's pregnancy because Vanessa didn't tell him herself in the note she had written. She could have done so if she wanted him to know. Jeez. What would she say now?

"I.. don't.. Know," she stuttered uneasy.

No. She had to know. They are close.

"Come on Jacqueline. She would have told you where and why she was leaving,"

"Yesterday she said she would call me today but she hasn't. I have called her but her number is switched off,"

"Why would she call you?" Peter asked worried. "What is going on?"

"Well... She said she had something to tell me.. "

"About what?"

"I.. Don't know... She is to tell me today,"

Peter groaned. He hoped Vanessa hadn't planned to kill herself. It wasn't like her to do so but you never can tell. Teenagers deal with stress and grief in different ways. Jacqueline watched him think. She should tell him so that he could stop being worried about Vanessa. But if she does it would create more problems. He would call Greg and...No. Vanessa would call her. She won't leave her in the dark.

"I have to go to the hospital. If she doesn't call any of us till noon I'd call the police," Peter said and strode out of the house.

Jacqueline sat on the couch. Hunter tried to get her to play but she was too lost in her thought to notice. She heard the sound of Peter's car as it eased out of the driveway. Vanessa had gone to Las Vegas alone without informing her. Had she planned to live there permanently? Jesus Christ.

Jacqueline walked to Vanessa's room. The door stood ajar and she walked in. She opened the closet. Most of her clothes were gone. She glanced all around the room. Vanessa had taken her Macbook, some of her shoes and her toiletries.

Jacqueline sat at her dresser. She picked up the textbook she had lent to Vanessa and opened it. A note fell out and Jacqueline picked it up and began to read.

Jacqueline

Hey! I thought about it and made up my mind that I needed to see him in person over an issue like this. Well, I should be home in a few weeks if I have his consent to keep... you know. If I don't I will be home after I have..... you know.

Please let this be between us. I'd call you to let you know what....

Don't crack!!

Love

Vee

Jacqueline understood what she had written and hoped Greg accepted his child.