Surrounded

Please don't let them find me, oh, please don't let them see me, Abby silently begs, nervously arranging the toys in front of her, hoping to obstruct the officer's view. 

"I have to help her."  In a state of panic, Thelma turns around but doesn't see a thing. "I thought she was back there." She then sees a group of officers heading toward her car. "It's probably a good thing she's not."

A cop taps on the window. Thelma rolls it down. "Can I help you?"

"We need to search your van." He nods to his partner. With his gun in hand, the rookie steps inside.

Hearing heavy footsteps tromp toward the back, Abby holds her breath. The need to relieve herself suddenly hits her. Not now. She tries to push the thought from her mind. The urgent need worsens. I hope they finish soon. 

"May I ask where you're going?" The first officer asks.

"I'm an OB nurse in Branson." She glances at her watch and then at him. "And I will be late if you don't hurry this up."

The rookie steps out of the van. He turns towards Thelma and says, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, ma'am." He starts to close the door when he realizes he hasn't checked under the far back seats. "Hold on a second." Stepping inside, he flashes his light around. Seeing something suspicious, he motions to his coworker standing by the door.

"We need for you to step out of the vehicle nice and slow," the first officer instructs, reaching for his gun.

***

Rachel sees children running around when she pulls into the community center's parking lot. Exhausted parents are chasing after them, their arms loaded with various gear.

That'll probably be Joe Jr. and me in a few years. 

Climbing out of her car, she eyes the brick building again. I hope they can help us find Abby. One of the neighbors said she volunteers three days a week.

Walking into the spacious building, Rachel glances around. It's doubled in size since I was last here. The new additions include an indoor pool, a weight room, and a track. It's not just for kids anymore.

"May I help you?" The receptionist asks.

"My name is Rachel Bower, and I'm with the Berryville PD." She shows the lady her badge. "I need to ask you a few questions about one of your volunteers."

The secretary rolls her eyes as she sighs. "What did Jack do now?"

"It's not about Jack; it's about Abby Miller."

Her expression softens. "Ah, sweet little Abby, what would you like to know about her?"

"How long has she worked here?"

"Almost two years. Abby's students love her, and she loves the kids too."

"What does she teach?"

"Sports, but she helps us with other things as well." Sighing, the lady adds.  "Her working here has been a blessing to us all."

"It sounds like you care a lot about her."

She waves her hand through the air. "We all do." 

"Where does her family live?"

"Abby doesn't have any relations. Well, none she's aware of anyhow. Her parents put her up for adoption at birth."

"Is there someone she's close to that she'd confide in?"

"She has lots of friends, but she's not close to anyone in particular. She tends to push people away if they get too close and don't share much about herself with any of us. I imagine it's because of her background, being shuffled around so much growing up."

"Would you mind if I talk to her students?"

"You'll need to ask their legal guardian. See, the children she teaches are all wards of the state. Some are from the foster home, while the special needs children are from the group home in town. Abby's background makes her a perfect fit. It's like she knows what's wrong before they say anything." 

"Does Abby have a drug problem that you're aware of?"

"Abby? Oh, heavens, no. She wouldn't even drink a glass of champagne at our Christmas party." Recalling how Abby reacted when she handed her the bubbly, she laughs and adds, "You would've thought I was handing her a jigger of poison the way she pushed the flute away." 

"Can you think of anyone she might turn to for help?"

"Not really. Abby is a sweet girl and will give you the shirt off her back if you ask, but she keeps her problems to herself. She says she doesn't want to burden anyone. Like she could ever be any trouble."

Maybe the guy at the gym was telling the truth. Rachel closes her notebook. "Well, thank you for your time."

"May I ask what these questions are about?"

"Someone broke into her house early this morning, and we're trying to locate her; make sure she's alright."

A concerned look crossed her face, "Oh, dear, I hope they didn't hurt her."

"Do you have any way to reach her?"

"We either call her cell or the gym. Would you like the numbers?"

"We already have them. If you see Abby, tell her to call." Rachel hands the lady her card.

"Her next class is on Saturday. You might catch her then."

I don't think she'll show. "Thank you for your time."

***

Abby lies motionless under the seat, debating on what she should do. She didn't want her dear friend to go to jail because she stowed away, but she didn't want to go to prison either.  Abby's mulling over her options when a puzzling thought comes to mind. If I'm the one they're after, why didn't they haul me away, too? Maybe they didn't see me, and they're arresting her for something else. What could it possibly be?

The driver's door opens. An officer climbs inside. 

What are they doing now?

Starting the car, he throws it in gear. 

They're not taking it to the impound, are they? She pictures herself trying to escape the lot, a hungry St. Bernard chasing her. She shakes the gruesome scene from her head. I have to stop binge-watching horror films.

The vehicle moves a few feet and stops. Turning off the van, the driver hops out. 

He must've just moved it off the road.

"What did I do?" Thelma asks as she's led away. She turns to find her vehicle moving. "Hey, wait, where is he taking my van?"

The officer looks back. "He's moving it out of the way."

Thelma pulls away. "Why, what's going on?"

The officer holds up a baggie of off-white powder. "Do you care to explain this?"

"That's the baby's formula. I keep some in the van in case my daughter needs an extra bottle when we're out." 

The officer shakes his head. He and the others have laughed at some of their zany excuses, but this is the craziest one yet. "Baby formula, huh? Well, I'm going field test it just in case."

She rolls her eyes. "Knock yourself out."

The officer takes a pinch of powder and puts it in a tube. "Here we go." He glances over to see her reaction.

"Just do it so I can go."

He secures the lid and gives it a few shakes. "The judge will go easier on you if you come clean."

Shaking her head, Thelma rolls her eyes and says, "You don't give up, do you?"

He holds the container up to the sunlight to find it has stayed the same. "It must've been a faulty kit."

"Or maybe it's baby's formula, like I said." 

Giving her a dagger look, he tries again. Like the first time, nothing happens. "I don't understand." He checks the expiration dates on the packages. "That's not it." The officer scratches his head.

"I told you it wasn't drugs."

His commanding officer steps up beside them. "Is there a problem, officer?"

"I thought this was drugs, so I did two tests, and they both came back negative."

The second officer glances down at the small baggie. Shaking his head, he snatches the bag from his coworker's hand and sniffs. "This is baby formula, you moron."

A perplexed look crosses the officer's face. "Are you sure, sir?"

"I have four kids; I know what formula smells like." He hands the bag to Thelma. "I'm so sorry for your inconvenience, ma'am." The officer turns towards the rookie. He puts his hands on his hips and says, "As for you." 

Thelma rushes to the van. Jumping inside, she starts the vehicle. She glances in the rear-view mirror to find the officer giving the rookie the business.

"I almost feel sorry for the young schmuck." The humor behind it all suddenly hits her. "Wait until I tell the girls that I almost went to jail for having baby formula in the car."