The Passenger by Jacqueline Druga (the giving tree read aloud TXT) 📗

Even with all the clutter, it felt empty.

Grant went for his run and ended up there.

Immediately upon entering, he started cleaning up, tossing clothes in a bag so he could launder them. He used a pine cleaner to give it a fresh scent and did the best he could with a broom. Jonas didn’t have a vacuum.

He was overwrought with worry and sadness, he needed answers. It had been two weeks since he saw his son, spoke to him or heard from him.

This was different than the last time Jonas disappeared.

When it happened before, Cate went immediately to the police. They told her to wait seventy-two hours. Sure enough, even though they hadn’t heard from him, Grant was able to see his phone was used because he was on their plan. Jessie said he was posting on social media and the gas credit card Grant had given him ‘just in case’ ended up being used as well.

Within a week they heard from him.

He called it a party train, but it was really an eight day bender.

Now Jonas’ phone hadn’t made a call or sent a text since before his gig. The gas card … untouched.

Were there even answers to get? Wouldn’t they have them already? Grant didn’t feel confident the police were giving their all looking for him. They had other things they deemed more important and Grant understood that.

Jonas’ laptop was on the coffee table, the battery had long since died and Grant plugged it in. He watched it boot up then entered the password. Grant knew what it was because he gave that laptop to Jonas.

Grant opened up the internet browser. Perhaps looking at his sons’ browsing history would give him a clue, then he saw the bank icon under frequently visited.

He hadn’t used the gas card, was he spending money with his debit? Grant clicked on the link to the bank. The login information was saved and Grant hit ‘sign in’.

Jonas had a low balance of forty-three dollars and the only recent activity was an automatic deduction for a streaming service.

He scrolled down, prior to that was an ATM withdrawal on the day he last saw Jonas and the only other transactions that day was before the withdraw and that was a Money Match transfer from Catherine Truett.

Money Match was a way Cate had sent Jonas money when he needed it through an app. Grant had no idea how often she was transferring money to him. It seemed like every couple days, which also coincided with a trip to the store. Grant was willing to bet it wasn’t all for groceries.

He closed the bank site and then hit Jonas’ social media. Again, he was able to log in with the saved password.

Jonas’ screen name was Jupiter Tee, with a skull and guitar tattoo as a profile picture. There were pictures of Jonas at gigs, at bars drinking with friends. Grant searched for the last time Jonas had posted and it had been weeks. Others had posted on his page.

Dude, where you been?

Get together at Patsy’s for Jonas June 30th. A good party may bring him out.

Grant hesitated. His fingers hovering the keyboard, then finally he started to type, and he posted on Jonas’ wall.

This is Jonas/Jupiter’s dad, Grant Truett. If anyone hears or sees my son, please let the family know. We are deeply concerned and want him safe.

Click – Post.

Without exiting the site or the browser, Grant closed the laptop, sighed out, bringing his hands to his face. He turned when he heard the door open. For a brief second, he thought it was Jonas and his heart skipped a beat.

Cate walked in.

“Hey,” Grant said.

“Hey.” She closed the door. “You stood me up at Sandy’s. I went to church, came home, you weren’t there. I thought maybe you went ahead to the restaurant. I was wrong. All these years of going there you’ve never stood me up.”

“I’m sorry. I am. I lost track of time.”

“Cleaning, I see.” Cate set down her purse and walked over to him, sitting next to him on the couch. “I popped by the other day. Just, you know, to see.”

“You didn’t say anything.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“How’d you know I was here?” Grant asked.

“A hunch. I remember the last time Jonas went missing, I came here daily. Each time hoping to find him sleeping.”

“When he came home, he acted like nothing was wrong.”

“I know,” Cate said. “I was so relieved to see him, I couldn’t get mad. I had it in my mind he was dead. At least you know those first couple days.”

“I know that feeling now.” Grant rubbed his hands together. “It’s been two weeks. Two weeks. He hasn’t used the phone or his debit card. People are posting on his social media looking for him. They’re having a party next Saturday hoping to draw him out. It’s like a memorial and it’s killing me.” Grant abruptly stood and started to pace. “This whole thing … is killing me. It’s like our kid is missing, but because he’s bad news or an addict, he ranks low on the importance scale.”

“I don’t think that’s it. It's just the last time I spoke to the detective they still have no evidence to point to foul play.”

“People don’t just vanish, Cate.”

“Yeah, they do. Always a reason, sometimes it’s never known.”

“How!?” He raised his voice. “Can you be so calm?”

“Because you’re not. And I just can’t do this anymore, Grant. I love Jonas, I love him with every ounce of my soul, but I can’t do this anymore. What you’re feeling, how you’re acting has been me. Every day, worse on Saturdays for the last four years. You know, this right now, is out of our control. There’s nothing we can do. But wait.”

“No.” Grant shook his head. “I can’t. Something is pulling me, and I just can’t. Tuesday is my last day of class before my leave, then I’m packing the truck and taking off.”

“I thought you weren’t doing that,” Cate