Finding Molly Parsons, page 10
Faith nodded.
“Molly is the kind of person you always want to be around. She’s warm and comfortable. We had a great time as housemates.”
“Do you know why she moved?”
“Her girlfriend, Ruth, got a job in Phoenix.”
“Oh, so she’s got a partner?” Carmen asked.
Faith eyed Carmen. Was that a brief flicker of annoyance in her friend’s eye? Interesting.
“Yeah, well, as far as I know. We haven’t spoken in a while. Hey, if you catch up to her, tell her to call me. I miss her. And tell her to stop changing numbers. How’s a girl supposed to keep in touch?”
“Absolutely. Thank you, Felicity.”
Mateo and Enid must have guessed the outcome as Faith trudged back to the car, feeling a little defeated.
“So where to next?” he asked with abundant enthusiasm.
“Phoenix,” Carmen answered.
“You don’t have to take me to Phoenix, Carmen. I appreciate all this, really I do, but we could be just chasing another dead end.”
“Hey, less of that. And this certainly wasn’t a dead end. We have an address. We will find Molly. I promise.”
Faith tried her hardest to believe the words Carmen was saying, but in the light of another failed search, it was becoming harder by the minute.
Chapter 10
Carmen
The drive back to Seattle had been long and almost silent. No matter what Carmen said, she couldn’t get Faith to perk up. Understandably. She couldn’t imagine the weight of disappointment she must be feeling. But, true to her word, Carmen was determined to find Molly. Faith deserved that.
Once Enid bid them farewell and Mateo locked himself in the bathroom, for what would likely be a full body treatment, Carmen took Faith outside to talk.
“Listen, I know you feel down. I can’t imagine how frustrated you are, but please, Faith. Trust that I will get you to your aunt.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Carmen. Of course I do. It’s just with every day that goes by, I feel further away from her. Does that make sense?”
“I think so.”
“I spent so long building the moment up, where I would finally meet her. And it just hasn’t happened the way I thought. That makes me wonder if anything I imagined would happen is going to go the way I want.”
“You’re still thinking Molly won’t want you, right?” Watching Faith revert to the scared child she was when she first turned up in Seattle was difficult to stomach.
“I know there’s no reason to think that, but… Ugh, I just thought I would know by now.”
“I get it. Really, I do. You’ve had Molly in your head as your safe harbor. That’s what got you through the last few months. You can’t give up now. I know we will find her, even if it’s not in Phoenix.”
“Are you sure you want to keep helping? You have two businesses to run, and Mateo has the boutique.”
“Believe it or not, this last week, driving to and from Vermont has been exactly what I needed.”
“Really?”
Carmen took a second to organize her thoughts. “Mateo was right you know, about me staying in the house too much. I convinced myself it was just easier to work, less distraction, but that’s a stretch. I could literally work from anywhere. I could go to the park and enjoy the outdoors, or find a quiet coffee shop. But neither of those options felt like… well, options for me. I realized I’ve spent so long making sure Mateo was okay that I neglected myself a little.”
“And being stuck in a car for the better part of six days helped you look after yourself better?” Faith asked with raised eyebrows, making Carmen laugh.
“Actually, yes. Ever since you turned up on my porch, I’ve felt better. Faith, you are inspiring, you helped me see that hiding away isn’t the answer. I’m proud of you, and a little in awe if I’m honest.”
“Carmen,” Faith hiccupped.
“Ah shit, don’t cry. Mateo will bust a gut if he thinks I upset you again.” The levity in her voice helped quash the rising emotion in them both. “Come on, let’s go sort out our laundry and repack.”
“When do you think we should go to Phoenix?”
“ASAP. We can rest up tomorrow and then hit the road. I’ll check in with Mateo and Enid.”
“They don’t have to come, really, I don’t want to—”
“Hey, let them decide. Come on, let’s get to it.”
Taking some time to unpack, wash clothes and then repack was a godsend. The past few days had been intense. Carmen needed a few hours from Mateo, so she didn’t end up strangling his sassy ass. God, that man could be a diva.
When everything was done, Carmen lay on her bed staring at the ceiling, soft music playing from her JBL speaker. A calm settled over her. That was until the shrill sound of her phone interrupted her thoughts and music. Frowning, Carmen reached blindly for the offending item. Stabbing the answer button, she closed her eyes and spoke. “Hello?”
“Hey, Carm,” Rachel answered. The noise of keyboards clattering and phones ringing told Carmen the detective was at work.
“Hey, Rach, everything okay?”
“Yes, and no. We had a disturbance call to your address while you were out of town.”
Carmen bolted up. “A disturbance?”
“Yeah, one of your neighbors reported a man shouting and hammering on your door. A squad car was dispatched. I’d asked to be notified if your address came up.”
Carmen had the good sense to let Rachel know she was taking Faith to Vermont. They’d also spoken at length about Faith’s parents and the worry they would turn up uninvited. “What happened?”
“The guy screamed and shouted for a while. The officers called me.”
“Was it Faith’s dad?”
“A Mr. Alan Parsons. Yes, it was him.”
“Shit.”
“Listen, I convinced him we would haul him off to jail if he returned, but Carmen. I know men like that. He’s not going to give up.”
“I need to speak to Faith. She should decide what to do next.”
“Okay. I take it that things didn’t go to plan in Vermont?”
“Not quite, but we are traveling to Phoenix next. I’ll feel better about all this business with her dad once Faith has found Molly. At least her aunt might know how to deal with him.”
“Alright, keep me updated. I’ll make sure nothing and no one messes with your house.”
“Thanks Rachel, we appreciate it.”
“Take care.”
The phone line went silent, unlike Carmen’s racing mind. Goddamn it, she knew the son of a bitch would turn up. What she didn’t know was how protective she would feel about Faith when it happened. It was a good thing they weren’t home because God only knows what Carmen would’ve said or done if she’d had to face him. The mother as well.
“Mateo?” Carmen called. Pacing her bedroom, Carmen could feel herself getting more and more irate. Who did that fucker think he was? Turning up to what? Drag Faith back to the prison he called home? Force her to marry some man?
“Whoa, you look like you’re about to explode. What’s wrong?” Mateo closed the bedroom door. His body clad in his favorite pink robe. The smell of vanilla and pears permeated the air.
“Faith’s parents were here.” Carmen’s voice quivered with rage.
“Shit,” Mateo hissed. “How do you know?”
“Rachel.”
“Does she think he will come back?”
“Possibly, but not right now. I think she scared him enough that he won’t push it.”
“Does Faith know?”
“Nope, I wanted to tell you first. I’m so fucking angry, Hermano. That asshole was here to take her.”
“I know. I understand your anger, but you need to dial it down. Faith needs us to be calm.”
“That’s why I called you in here first.”
Mateo stood and made his way to Carmen, blocking her path. With both hands firmly on her shoulders, he ducked to look into her eyes. “Deep breaths, Hermana. Center yourself.”
“Okay, I’m okay.” Carmen nodded. “I’m good, thanks Mateo.”
“Let’s call her in and tell her together. I’m already packed to travel to Phoenix, and so is Enid.”
“Is the boutique covered?”
“Of course. It’s in expert hands. I just want to focus on Faith right now.”
Pulling Mateo into her body, Carmen held him for a few moments. “Te amo.”
“Yo también.”
“Carmen, have you seen my… oh sorry,” Faith said, pausing in the doorway. Neither Mateo nor Carmen had heard it open.
“Just the person we wanted to see,” Mateo chimed.
“Everything okay?” Faith couldn’t disguise the worry in her voice.
“It seems your parents stopped by when we were away.” Carmen gripped Faith’s arm when she felt the young woman falter, her legs going weak. “Sit down.”
“They were here?”
“Yes, but don’t panic. Rachel, my detective friend, was here to help.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing overly exciting. She just made sure your father wouldn’t be back.”
“That won’t stop him, Carmen.”
Carmen drew Faith into a hug. Mateo stepped up and engulfed them both with his long arms. “No te preocupes cariño.”
“Change of plan. We are setting off in the morning. Even if they come back, we won’t be here.”
“I’ll call Enid and tell her to be here at half past seven,” Mateo added.
“I’m sorry,” Faith sobbed.
Carmen gripped her. “Nothing to be sorry for. Let’s get some rest and be ready to rock and roll tomorrow.” Feeling Faith nod against her chest, Carmen relaxed her embrace.
Maybe she could plan a few stops to cheer Faith up? Carmen would do anything to wipe that overwhelming look of sadness from the girl’s face.
◆◆◆
The trip to Phoenix had been a lot less fraught than the Vermont escapade. Mateo had reined in his whining and his Cher obsession. Faith was clearly trying to stay upbeat but couldn’t fool Carmen. Enid got herself stoned on weed gummies less than half an hour into the journey. Turns out Enid was a lot calmer when high.
Pulling into the street where the house they were looking for was located, Carmen sent up a prayer to any deity listening. Please let Molly be here.
“Jesus, I can feel the heat already,” Mateo panted, wafting his hand in front of his face. Considering they’d had the A/C jacked up since entering the sweltering state, Carmen couldn’t disagree with his statement. The road looked as if it were shimmering.
“It’s heaven,” Enid squealed. She was aptly dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts.
“Alright, shall we try this again?” Carmen asked Faith when the car came to a stop outside a sprawling house, the color of sand. Palm trees as far as the eye could see.
“Yeah, fingers crossed everyone.”
Carmen slid out of the car and swore under her breath. The heat was simply ridiculous. How she craved Seattle weather, hell, even the rain.
Following slowly behind Faith, Carmen literally crossed her fingers. The bell Faith pressed chimed loudly. Moments later, the door opened. A very attractive woman with long black hair greeted them. Not Molly, but hopefully the girlfriend.
“Hi, can I help?”
“Yes, I’m looking for Molly Parsons.” Faith’s hands were as shaky as her voice. Carmen didn’t miss the hurt that passed over the stranger’s face. Oh no!
“Molly doesn’t live here anymore.” The women went to shut the door, but Carmen had quick reflexes and her hand stopped the motion. “Um… do you mind?”
“Sorry, but have you got a forwarding address?”
“I’m her niece,” Faith interjected. “I’ve been searching for my aunt for months. Please, if you can help, tell me where she went.”
Faith’s pleas hit the mark. The woman opened the door wider. “I’m Ruth, Molly’s ex.”
Why did that news make Carmen feel happy? “I’m Carmen and this is Faith.”
“Do you want to come in?”
“We have two more people with us,” Carmen said, gesturing over her shoulder. At least this time Enid wasn’t acting like a dog. They looked a tad warm, though.
“Invite them in. I’ve got some lemonade in the fridge.”
Carmen looked around discreetly as Ruth ushered them to a table at the back of the house. An enormous pool glimmered under the sun. The house was sparse, but Carmen guessed that was on purpose. She couldn’t see herself living in a house that was so devoid of personality. Carmen needed things around her. She also needed a color that wasn’t just beige.
“Um… so do you know where Molly went?” Faith wanted answers, and Carmen couldn’t begrudge her impatience.
Ruth sighed, her eyes shining with unshed tears. If Carmen was a betting person, she would wager Ruth wasn’t happy with the break-up. “Molly moved to California. A town called Woodland, in Yolo County, to be precise.”
“Are… are you okay?” Carmen asked stupidly. Obviously, the woman wasn’t okay. Tears had spilled over her cheeks.
“Sorry, this is embarrassing,” Ruth choked.
“Don’t be sorry, dear,” Enid cooed.
“I’m still very much in love with your aunt,” Ruth cried. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t get past our differences to make it work.”
“I’m sorry,” Faith whispered, taking Ruth’s hand.
“Molly is a free spirit. It’s the thing I fell in love with first. She’s also kind and generous.” Ruth swiped the tears from her face. “When we moved here, it was for my job. Molly worked at a LGBTQI+ shelter in the city until she was given the chance to work with a woman in California who’d opened up her ranch to help house LGBTQI+ kids that had been made homeless.”
“Has she always worked for shelters?” Faith asked.
“Yes. It’s her passion. I knew when she received the offer, she would want to go. Unfortunately, I’m tied to Phoenix for the foreseeable future.” Ruth’s shoulders slumped. “I couldn’t ask her to stay, not when I could see how badly she wanted to go.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Faith admitted. Carmen mirrored that sentiment.
“You don’t need to say anything. It’s sad. I should have just gone with her. Molly isn’t the kind of woman you just let go. Not for a job.”
“Couldn’t you go after her?” Faith’s question jarred Carmen.
“No. I think her leaving showed me that no matter how much I love her, I would always come second. And that’s okay. What Molly does is so important. She also moves with the wind. There would be nothing stopping her from leaving California in a few months to work somewhere else. I don’t think I’m built for that kind of life.”
“Would, um, would you like us to pass a message on when we see her?” Mateo asked tentatively.
“No, thank you. We said everything we needed to. I’ll write down the name of the ranch. I’d give you her number but… Well, I had a bad night after she left and the bottle of wine I drank made me do some questionable things. Deleting her contact for one.”
They fell silent when Ruth left the room. A state of contemplation descended upon them all. Carmen couldn’t speak to the others’ thoughts, but hers were firmly on Molly Parsons. Who was this enigmatic woman that everyone seemed to love? Why did her name stir something in Carmen’s chest?
“Here you go,” Ruth said, breaking the spell.
“Thank you, Ruth. I… thank you.” Faith smiled warmly.
The group stood to take their leave. “Take care,” Carmen said before shaking Ruth’s hand.
In the car, the atmosphere was an odd mix of hope and sadness. Ruth’s pain was hard to witness, but Carmen knew in her heart that Molly was still in California and that was what she needed to focus on. It’s what they all needed to focus on.
◆◆◆
“How many fucking gummies has she eaten?” Mateo hissed from the back seat.
“How should I know? I’m driving, Hermano.”
“Well, I think it’s time to switch out. I cannot sit here listening to her read aloud any longer. Do you know how disconcerting it is to have a sex scene read to you by a senior citizen? Carmen, she’s even making grunt noises. I’m going to be put off sex for life at this rate.”
“Oh, I have a lesbian romance she can read from if that would be better,” Carmen laughed.
Enid was in a complete world of her own. Lost in her imagination, her eyes scanning the raunchy book feverishly.
“Carmen, please, I need a break. I know what Enid’s breathy voice sounds like. I should not know that.”
“No one should know that, Mateo.”
“Carmen,” he growled.
“Alright, keep your heels on. I’ll pull over in a few miles, although we’re literally an hour from Woodland.”
“I can sit in the back with her,” Faith said, taking out her earbuds.
“No,” Mateo and Carmen chimed together. “I’ll take a turn,” Carmen added. No way was she going to subject Faith’s innocent ears to Enid’s “breathy voice.”
Twenty-minutes later, Carmen found herself next to a smiling Enid. The way the older woman was looking at her was a little concerning.
“I’m glad you’re back here with me,” Enid said smugly. Hold on a minute. Had Enid planned this?
“Nice to be here?” Carmen replied with more of a question than a statement.
“So Ruth was nice.”
“Yeah, it seemed so.”
“Not Molly’s forever person, though.”
“Um, okay?” Where was Enid going with this?
“Molly needs someone who will nurture her need to help young people, but will make her feel safe enough to stop running.” Well, this conversation was a tad on the heavy side. Carmen almost wished Enid would start reading her smutty book out loud again. Looking toward the front of the car for support, Carmen was out of luck. Faith had her headphones back in, typing furiously on her phone, and Mateo was singing obnoxiously to a Madonna song.
“I’m sure Molly knows what or who she needs.”
“I know Molly. I watched her for a long time. I’ve watched you, too.”
