Isaac jumped and spun around. Tracy, Zac, and Taylor turned as well. Headlights flooded through the still-open front door.
“Someone’s here,” Zac whispered, clutching onto Tracy’s arm unconsciously.
Isaac took a step toward the door. Zac followed, pulling Tracy with him. Taylor went to investigate as well. Slowly, Isaac poked his head out the door and stepped out onto the porch. The automobile that had pulled into the driveway was parking up next to the house already. Zac’s grip on Tracy’s arm loosened gradually. When the passenger door of the van opened, he let go completely.
“Mom!” Zac called, running to the tall blond woman and wrapping his arms around her.
The woman returned the embrace almost unsurely, patting his back awkwardly. “Is everything all right?” she asked, looking from Isaac to Taylor, her eyes quickly passing over Tracy.
I’m sure this looks great, Tracy’s mind grumbled sarcastically. Standing here in Taylor’s clothes. Here we go.
A voice came from behind Tracy, Isaac, and Taylor. “We called and the line was busy, and then we called back and there was no answer. What’s going on?”
Tracy turned to face the man who had spoken. He was tall with dark hair and a dark mustache. He looked at her for a moment before looking from Taylor to Isaac to Zac, still in his mother’s arms.
Ike cleared his throat. “It’s a, uh, long story, Dad. Let’s go inside and we’ll explain every-”
“What on earth . . .?” The blond woman released Zac and walked over to the broken window Isaac had covered with a garbage bag. Critically, she eyed the broken glass still clinging to the edges of the pane. She looked at her oldest son. “Isaac?”
“That’s a part of the story,” he told her. “Let’s go inside. We’re all getting soaked.”
Zac spoke up. “Ike, do you think that’s such a good idea with . . .” He made a motion toward the house with his hand.
For a moment, Isaac just stared blankly at him. Finally, a look of realization washed over his face. “Oh, yeah,” he said quickly. “One second.” With that, he bolted for the front door.
Both of his parents watched their oldest son, dumb struck.
Taylor took a step forward so that he was right behind Tracy. “He’d better get back soon,” he said quietly into her ear, “else I’m gonna have to lend you another set of clothes.”
Tracy smiled and reached for his hand with hers. He held onto it without hesitation. She closed her eyes slightly and squeezed his fingers. Taylor returned pressure in hers.
Just then, Isaac burst out the front door. “She’s gone.”
