Search for Maylee

Chapter Two-1

Chapter TwoOne single tear trickled down Autumn's face as she wondered how her sister's heart had grown so cold. The encouragement their mom had shown in finding Maylee burst into Autumn's memory. Hannah Brown was a strong woman and had raised her daughters well. There was no telling why Candace ended up the way she did.

Hannah's ability to speak clearly had been altered by the stroke, yet she was still able to consistently manage an expression of concern. She too was completely dedicated to Maylee's search, and insisted that Autumn never give up. Maylee was Hannah's only grandchild and she had all the faith in the world that Autumn could find her.

Autumn absorbed the emptiness of her home, feeling as stripped down as each wall. Her guts felt as hollowed out as the rooms she moped through. Over time she'd grown to love everything about the condo. It offered her a sense of safety and deep rooted security. She'd lived here for eighteen long years and was heartbroken to let it go. After locking the front door one last time, packing an arm full of clothing tightly between her dresser and a well wrapped mirror in the back of the U-Haul, she turned around to take a long look at the soon-to-be deserted home.

It was imperative that the move be made in one trip, so she had sold her car along with some other appliances that couldn't fit in the truck. The last two weeks had been like a free-for-all. Bargain shoppers trickled in from all over town, ready to haggle and drop the price on anything they could get their grimy fingers on. Fridge $50, stove $27, oversized propane barbeque equipped with a tank and utensils $32. With every item sold, the void in Autumn's chest widened. Everything she had left was crammed into the largest U-Haul she could afford.

“Goodbye.” An airy whisper escaped her.

Autumn flew to Denver a couple months prior, and stayed for a week to find an affordable place. The one she settled on was in the nicest neighborhood she could manage, but it was dicey nonetheless. Paperwork had been signed and prepared, even the first and last month's rent had been paid along with a cleaning deposit. Despite the feeling of chaos and frigid loss, life was actually in order. Every possible kink had been ironed. She was ready for the move, physically if not emotionally.

Autumn stuck her hand in her pocket and squeezed the small pink piece of paper. Just to make certain it was still securely on her person. Everything about her future and Maylee's – if she was still alive – depended on this address. Candace sure did cut it close in getting it to her. At least Autumn didn't have to postpone her planned departure date to go flipping over rocks in search for her sister. If there's one thing that irritated Autumn to no end it was unplanned inconveniences.

The giant step it took getting into the U-Haul was awkward, Autumn had to pull her weight into the vehicle with the aid of the seat and the steering wheel. Driving something this size would surely take some getting used to. The two day trip was sure to be long and weary. Though she was nervous about maneuvering such a load on unfamiliar roads, the sickening anxiety of leaving the town she spent her entire life in was even stronger. The drive would be manageable, if she could learn to control her shaking hands. The homesickness that had settled before even pulling away was crushing, it wouldn't be so easily dismissed. Autumn took a long intense look into her side mirror as she drove off. The condo grew smaller and smaller until it was gone.

After the emotional departure from her home, the realtor's office was Autumn's first destination. It was a quick stop to drop off her key and sign the last of an exasperating stack of necessary paperwork. A stout balding man took the pages from her fingertips. He played the busy role of a secretary for the entire office of realtors. There were seven total. Autumn had only sat down with her own agent a handful of times. It was usually this same jolly man she had grown accustomed to dealing with. She didn't mind, he was always in a joyful mood and was very easy to talk to.

“And that's it, my dear.” He said with a grin. “So what's your next big adventure, now that that beauty of a condo is sold?”

“I'm moving to Denver.”

The answer all but stuck to the back of her throat.

“Wow, big change. Hope it all works out for you.” His smile was genuine.

Autumn choked back the tears. Something about overly friendly people, they have a real gift for drawing up the waterworks. Talking about Maylee and the quest to find her wasn't exactly a subject Autumn was prepared to discuss. Especially to some strange man at her realtor's office. Despite how insane it would make her seem, Autumn was mostly worried about the puffy eyes and shaky voice that would surely accompany the explanation. So, rather than elaborate details, she stuck with a short sweet farewell.

“Thank you, Sir. I'm hoping to meet up with some family there, eventually. Good luck to you and your future as well. It's been a pleasure working with you.”

“The pleasure is mine, Miss Brown.”

His short chubby fingers extended toward her. She took them into hers and forced a full smile to accompany the handshake. Then she turned abruptly on her heels and practically ran for the exit. This entire day was already proving to be every bit as hard as she anticipated it to be.

Next stop, the police station. She drove up and down the street in front of the station a couple of times trying to find somewhere to park. The maneuvering of such a giant vehicle was far from an easy task. After a few ridiculously embarrassing attempts to parallel park, Autumn finally settled on leaving it at a gas station a couple of blocks down. She stepped out of the U-Haul and straightened her top.

A plain old faded black tank hung casually from her shoulders, and her most relaxed pair of jeans hugged loosely on her hips. Built for comfort, it was a great travel outfit choice. Now, glancing down the street toward the station, she wondered if it had been the best choice of dress. A short tiff in her mind commenced on whether or not to rummage through the back and at least find a dressy jacket. The practical side of her won out, and she decided to just suck it up and deal with the situation at hand. Autumn had to get past this conversation with Chance, and it really didn't make a difference on what she was wearing.

It was a short walk to the station, and she took it at quick pace. She had only seen Chance a couple of times since their awkward encounter three years earlier. Each time they bumped into each other, the pleasantries were short and awkward. There was something about this man that she couldn't quite put a finger on. Aside from the fact that his decision to put Maylee on the back burner practically ruined her life – for a second time – there was more. Something very unnerving always circled the air when she tried to talk to him. Autumn chalked it up as hate, of course. Hence, it was best to avoid him altogether.

The tall wooden door was heavy, but with some effort she was able to pull it open and step inside. The office was noisy and hectic with ringing phones and busy voices. Men and women in uniforms, suits, and skirts hustled from one side of the open room to the next. There were far too many desks crammed into such a small space. None of the faces turned to look at her. It was a sickening reminder of how ignored she'd been three years earlier. Her trips to this building were as regular as breakfast, yet not a soul gave her a sliver of recognition.

Autumn made a turn to her left, exiting the overstuffed and well-trodden entryway. The air she inhaled smelled of paper and old carpet. The hallway she moved through was stuffy and narrow. It was far too skinny and cramped to allow even a fraction of comfort. She stopped abruptly and stared at the name on the door in front of her. It read 'Detective Chance Rupert Lizhalia III' in large gold letters. She shook her head faintly and shoved the doubting thoughts out. Hesitantly, she pushed the door open and crept into his office. There was a striking young woman sitting at a small desk. The woman glanced up at Autumn and grinned from ear to ear.

“Please take a seat. Are you here for the detective?” She looked to be in her early twenties and was far too exuberant for Autumn's taste.

Lightly, Autumn eased herself down onto a thinly cushioned leather chair and replied quietly.

“Yes, please.”

It was a simple response. Autumn didn't see the need for small talk with this uncomfortably attractive woman. The woman stood and walked around a small corner into Chance's slightly opened office door. Autumn couldn't help but to spectate at the age of this attractive little tart. She also wondered what happened to the white-haired woman with a pearl string on her glasses who used to occupy the desk in front of her. Anita was her name, and she was practically the opposite of the new girl.

Autumn wondered if Anita had retired or if the detective traded her in for a younger, more attractive model on purpose. There was no denying the strange swirl of growing jealousy. Weird, she thought, then tucked the notion away. A quick glance at the nameplate on the young woman's desk read Vanessa. It was beautifully displayed in swirly silver letters. A gorgeous name to match the flawless face behind it.

It didn't take long before Vanessa was back to her desk flashing that perfect toothy grin.

“He'll be just one moment, Ma'am,” she confidently beamed.

Vanessa took her seat and went back to typing whatever it was she was working on. Autumn straightened her back and stretched her head toward the ceiling. What did she care if Chance had a beautiful young assistant? She reminded herself of the detest she once had for the man. After obliging Vanessa with a courteous nod, Autumn turned her head away, as to not make eye contact again.

In a matter of minutes Chance poked his head through the opened crack of his tall heavy wooden door. Clearly, he was temporarily dumbfounded. Those audacious eyes of his widened and jaw clenched, causing a tensed bulge in his neck at the sight of Autumn. She sat perched on the dark brown leather chair in front of his assistant.

“Miss Brown,” he managed to cough out, “come in.”

The words were stammered, he was unable to take his eyes off of her. Chance couldn't help but to notice the manner in which Autumn carried herself. She seemed much different than the frumpy, chubby, yet still attractive woman he'd grown to know and admire years earlier. Autumn was now lean, tan, and in very good shape. She wore little makeup, but didn't really need it as her skin was smooth and her bold green eyes were framed with thick, long, naturally black lashes. There was no question to her beauty, nor to his attraction to her.

Autumn swallowed her nerves and lifted her head in a managed confidence, willing him not to notice the slight shaking of her fingers. The pulsing liveliness in Chance's chest skyrocketed as he held the door open, allowing her to pass. Instantly drawn to her, he tapped a thumb on the door's handle, his growing tension a wreck. A comparison engaged through his mind, batting back and forth between the puffy eyed matted hair woman he remembered, to the clearly healthy woman she'd become. Seemed to him, she were two completely opposite people.

The old Autumn vs. the new, Chance couldn't get a grasp on the change, he was entirely engulfed by shock and disbelief. A hard lump formed in his throat causing him to choke on his spit. A balled fist was raised to his lips in aid of coughing it out.

“Excuse me.” He mumbled before taking a seat across from his unexpected guest.

Caught off guard by a waft of his cologne, Autumn instantly remembered the scent. He smelled the exact same as he had years before, memory of it flooded up her nostrils, sparking a strange flutter in her stomach. Maybe that's why he had made her so uncomfortable, she thought. That has to be it – it's because she loved the way he smelled, nothing more. She chuckled in her head at the silliness of the thought, reminding herself that she hardly even knew him. That's not to mention the fact that he angered her on a regular basis not so long ago.