LOST AND FOUND

9:30 in the morning, the phone’s ringing breaks my train of thought, 5 letters-like some gases. Inert doesn’t work across. A familiar voice says, ‘Mrs. Clayton, it’s 9:30.’ ‘Bill, I know the time. What’s wrong?’‘Where is your husband? That’s what’s wrong. He isn’t here yet. He’s always here by 9 to open up. I have a door key but not the safe combination number. What am I supposed to do? I can’t put the beginning money for today in the register?’

‘Maybe Mr. Clayton had a flat. He’ll be there in time, but I’ll call his brother Joe, you know him, don’t you? He has the combination and if he’s home. He’ll be there before opening time. I’ll call you back.’ ‘Joe, thank heavens you’re home. Bill called. Gary hasn’t arrived. Bill has the front door opened but can’t open the safe. He needs money in the register. Maybe Gary had a flat or an accident. Don’t shave! Don’t eat! Just get to the store fast. OK?’ ‘OK, I’m out the door.’

By 10 Gary has still not arrived or called. I am getting very concerned. Joe stays at the store. By 12 I am not only concerned, I am desperate and call the police. No accidents matching our car have been reported today. Gary has disappeared. I tear up the crossword puzzle section and sit by the front window, watching every passing car. Two are the same color and model as our Subaru and I jump excitedly, slump down as they go on their merry way.

At 3 I bring the A t & T telephone book to the kitchen table where the light is strongest. The damn words are so small I need my magnifying glass and get it from the desk drawer. Every hospital in the area has an emergency number and I call all of them, even the ones in the county. No one fits Gary’s description. What else is there for me to do besides worry? Ah, I call every repair shop, garage until my eyes are bleary. No one has our car. Gary would have called me if he were near I phone. Is he at a funeral parlor?

It is 6 o’clock and I am an absolute total wreck. I call my brother, Ron, my rock when I need him, and cry so hard, I would drown him if tears could go thru the wires. ‘Calm down. Calm down,’ he advises. ‘I’m finishing dinner. See you in 15.’ Ron arrives, holds me, consoles me but I feel no better. He calls Joe, ‘Ron, the store is under control. I’ll close up and make the night deposit. Wait for me if you can.’

While we wait and worry we uselessly call the police again. Ron doesn’t ask me but fixes a cheese and turkey sandwich for me, a cup of tea and forces me to eat. I try but swallow rocks.

5 after 10 Joe is at my door. He opens it. Before it closes, headlights come up my driveway. I see no police marking but instantly imagine they are coming with bad news. I turn away, don’t want to see them.Then I hear music. ‘What’s going on here? Why are all the house lights on? Ron, Joe, what are you doing here?’ Nobody answers. We shoot out our own questions. ‘Where have you been all day? Why didn’t you open the store? What are you, Stupid?’ We thought you were dead by now!’

Gary looks stunned. ‘Where have I been? I left a note on my office desk for Bill about the men’s wear show in DC. I had to order some new merchandise, get sale prices. Didn’t Bill see it? Vera, I left an envelope on top of this morning’s paper with your name on it. I told you where I would be and you should wake Joe, ask him to help me out. Didn’t you bother to read it? ‘Gary, you aren’t even aware of what I do in the morning. I put the news, ads, sports sections on the side and open to the puzzle page. If you left me a letter, it went to the recycle bin.’

None of us have the strength to argue. I hold my guy, hug him, kiss him and whisper low in his ear, ‘I’m sorry.’