Chapter 15: Tabby

Sunday. Tabby Grissler's Home, Washington, DC.

TABBY CHECKED HER PHONE again. Days like today she really missed her best friend. Yvonne had a whole life and exhausting days being a mother now. Tabby couldn't fault her friend for not answering every text or call immediately.

She armed her security system and dropped her purse on the table by the front door.

While her best friend might be otherwise occupied, Tabby's mother was not.

She stared at the missed call, dread sitting in her stomach like a twenty pound weight.

Better to just get it over with.

Tabby hit dial on the missed call and headed for the stairs.

"Teddy bear, darling."

"Hi, Mom." Tabby relaxed a tiny bit at the warm greeting.

"Where were you this morning? We missed you at church."

She bit the inside of her mouth. Tabby had gradually managed to back off attending her family's church. These days she was expected to attend once a month and she was running out of Sundays.

"Yeah, I was going to come, but