“Didn’t know? Didn’t know what?” He grips the fabric covering his chest as his heart quickens, standing on edge in anticipation at the words about to exit her lips. She shakes head head, “Eshe didn’t come in today… This was the first time in the entire time she’s worked here that she was a no call, no show. We all thought she ran away with you…” She stiffens, panic filling her features as she clutches the cross pendant hanging from around her neck. As the woman leans in, preparing to drown Damien with questions, he turns on his heels and runs outside.
Jumping in the passenger seat and buckling his seatbelt, he urges Zeke to take him to her house.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost boss, what’s wrong? She wasn't there?” Zeke asks, winding through the after-school traffic. Damien shakes his head, exhaling in dismay while resting his elbows on his knees and gripping his hair.