MISSING
"I'll race you to
the door." Antoni and Maria started to run. It was Friday afternoon and school
was over for the week. Antoni Corbero was fourteen; his sister Marie was
sixteen. The hot sun made them perspire and pant as Marie shouted, "I won."
"Mother, we're home!" There was no reply. "She'll probably be here soon. Want an
ice?" "Yes." Dropping their backpacks on the floor they got an ice out of the
fridge. "Did you hear that Mrs. Columbo is leaving? I wonder who will replace
her? God, I hope it isn't Mr. Bodgigus." "I'll get the phone. Hello, Grandmama.
No she's not home. Yes, we are o.k. How's Bandit and Beauty? Yes, we'll come
tomorrow. Love you, kisses, ByBy. Grandmama said we can ride the horses
tomorrow." Life in Barcelona, Spain for the teenagers was much the same as in
other countries. There was school and fun things to do. "I wonder when Mother
will get home? Maybe she and Papa are shopping for my birthday present." "No, I
know they already have that." "What is it?" "No, stupid, I won't tell you."
Another hour passed. "I'm going to call Grandmama. Grandmama, Mother's not
home yet. Do you have any idea where she might be? O.K. Love and kisses. ByBy.
Grandmama and Grandpapa are going to check on them." Exhausted from school and
the heat Marie said, "I'm going to the loft[her room.]" Antoni went and got a
comic book to read. The sun started to set, and darkness began to fall.
**continue**
