It was Cotton.
Gram put the phone on speaker. This would be the first time any of us had heard Cotton’s voice.
"Um, hi, I hope this isn’t awkward. I’m sorry it’s so late there. I’m in California. But you know that already. Anyway, Neil was going to call me when they got back to the cabin today, but I haven’t heard from him."
She stopped, and we all looked at each other, wondering what we would say and who would say it.
Cotton must have wondered why no one responded. I could hear the tension in her voice now. "Um, so, I don’t want to worry anyone, but I did try to call him a few minutes ago. And—well, there wasn’t any answer. Have you heard from him at all?"
Gram’s hand covered her mouth, and her eyes began streaming tears yet again. I opened my mouth, but only a choking sound came out
