When Gilbert woke, dawn had already broken. He picked up his phone, seven-thirty.
He hadn't slept this deeply in ages.
"Daddy, where's Mommy? We're going to be late, and we haven't eaten yet."
As he stretched lazily, he heard Adam's small, sleepy voice calling from the door.
Gilbert froze.
At this hour, the children still hadn't eaten? What was Claire doing?
He jumped out of bed and opened the door.
Adam stood there in his Mickey pajamas, hair sticking up everywhere, a bit of sleep still crusted at the corner of his eye, clearly just awake.
"Where are Dean and Linda? And your mommy isn't home?" he asked in surprise.
Adam nodded. "I just woke up. Dean and Linda are still sleeping. I didn't see Mommy or Hilary."
Gilbert stiffened, quickly following Adam toward Claire's bedroom.
Linda was still asleep, cheeks flushed, but Claire and Hilary were gone.
He walked out, calling,
"Claire? Claire!"
The house was silent.
