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 "Thank you, and please come again." Jeff Parker says as he hands the change to the last customer of the night. After he walks them to the door, he locks it, then flips over the Closed sign, then stares into the darkness.
"Jeff, staring out that window won't bring her back." Nancy stands drying her hands, watching her husband doing his new nightly ritual.
"Nancy, it's been two weeks since graduation, we still don't know why they left. I've talked to Jim Valenti and all he can say is 'Its better not to know, at least for now.' He knows something, and I think the Evans know something too! Why won't they tell us anything! This is making me crazy!" He slams his fist on the counter so hard Nancy is afraid that he may break something, and not necessarily cafe merchandise.
"I know, it's not right that they are keeping things from us. Poor Amy DeLuca is on the verge of a breakdown. I saw her the other day and I don't think she's slept since they left." She walks over to him and puts her hand on his arm. It's been unbearable for him, with all the problems Liz and her father have had this year, things were just starting to look up with Liz being accepted in college. Now, she was gone and no one would tell them why.
Nancy went back upstairs, leaving Jeff to work on the daily receipts. He was sitting at one of the tables when there was a light tapping on the door.
"Sorry, we're closed!" More tapping. "I said we're closed!" He said again going to the door and lifting the shade. There outside stood Amy DeLuca, Nancy was right, she looked like she hadn't slept in about two weeks.
"I'm so so sorry, Jeff. I just can't stay home alone...I'm going crazy!! Where are they and why haven't we heard anything?!" She starts pacing around the cafe. "I've talked to Jim, he won't tell me anything. I can't take this!" It's all she can do to keep from crying.
Nancy, having heard another voice, comes back into the room. "Oh Amy, let me get you something, I'd offer you some coffee, but right now I think that's the last thing you need. Some tea, maybe?"
Amy just nods her head and sits down on one of the chairs. As Nancy goes to put the kettle on, she looks back at her friend, worried what this will do to her. She had Jeff to hold her together, but then again, she's had her hands full trying to hold him together. Taking a deep breath, she tells herself that she'll have to be the strong one for now. When they find out something, then she'll be able to collapse.
"You can stay on our couch tonight, if that will help." Nancy says as she sets down the cup of tea. She just didn't feel right offering Amy the use of Liz's room; she couldn't even bring herself to go in there.
"No, thanks anyway. Thank you for the tea." She picks the cup up and takes a sip, not even noticing that it is steaming hot. Burning her lip, she starts to cry. Nancy goes to her and puts her arm around her.
"At least they aren't alone, they have a big group, and they will be strong for each other." Nancy tries to comfort her, looking at Jeff, hoping that she is saying the right thing. "We'll find out something soon, I just feel it."
"But wonder if it isn't good, maybe they can never come back. What did they do to be attacked by the government that way! They're just a group of high school kids — what could they have done?!" Amy starts to pace again, finally sitting down the cup of tea; she picks up her jacket and purse and heads for the door. "Thank you for hearing me out...and I'll tell you one thing!" She starts to show some of the old Amy fight that they know. Pointing her finger at them she adds "If Jim Valenti doesn't give me a straight answer soon, he's going to be one sorry guy, and you're looking at the gal that can make his life miserable!!"
Jeff looks at her and grins, "Yea, I wouldn't want to be in his shoes when you get a hold of him." Then he winks at Nancy.
 The next day, Jeff is looking around the cafe. It seemed so strange not to have his two favorite waitresses here, heck he even missed all the squabbling between Michael and Maria. He got aggravated with the boy sometimes, he could be a real hot head, but he was also one of the best cooks he had. He never realized how much he depended on Liz to keep things on track. He never realized how much he just depended on Liz just to be Liz.
Things were slow now and the staff could handle things if he left for a while. He went to the back, looking for Nancy. He hears Elvis Costello coming from the other room. Must be laundry day, he thinks as he finds her folding some towels. "I have to step out for a little while; things should be okay while I'm gone."
"Okay. Jeff, is everything all right?"
"I'll be okay; I just need to go see someone, someone I really need to talk to."
Nancy nods her head, wondering who he's off to see. Maybe Valenti or the Evans, they all needed answers, soon.
Jeff stopped at the flower shop on the way out of town. As he walks around looking for just the right ones...he finally sees them, white roses and Lilies of the Valley. Walking over to the cashier, he pays for the half dozen roses and the couple of bundles of lilies, and then gets into the car. Driving out of town, he starts to feel some of the burden lift from him...once he has his talk, things will be better.
The car goes under the wrought iron arch of the cemetery, he hadn't been here since his mother's funeral, and he felt so guilty. Finding the marker, he gets out of the car. Looking down he sees the spot where his mother is. Crouching down, he places the flowers on the grave, white roses for Liz and the Lilies of the Valley for his mother, their favorites. Placing his hand on the cold marble of the marker, he closes his eyes, trying to think of what to say. "Mom, I'm sorry I haven't come sooner, but I need you now. Our girl is gone; no one knows where she is. I am so scared Mom, I don't know if I'll ever see her again I'm afraid they are in so much trouble. Is she safe, is she cold or hungry? Please, Mom, help me know, give me some kind of sign that you can tell if she's safe..." the tears start to fall down his face...
Far away, in a little white church that sits on the curve of a quiet country road, a young couple is getting married. Joining together their destinies. Destinies that have crossed time and space to bring them together again. The groom was in a suit, black but no tie, this was a happy time. The bride, was barefoot in a simple white peasant dress and flowers in her hair. They looked lovingly into each others eyes and pledged themselves to each other, in this life and the next, they would always be together. As their new "family" celebrated their new beginning Jeff Parker was getting his answer...
Jeff started to notice a slight breeze picking up, he lifted his head to see the perfect blue of the sky...then he heard it, the slightest tinkling of the wind chimes. He looked around; there was nothing there but a few trees, but no where the chimes could be hung. It was then that he caught the light scent of his mother's favorite perfume...now he knew. Now he knew that all was well and Liz was safe.
And he smiled...
 If you enjoyed this story or would like to have your story posted on this site let us know at mailto: Momosroswell@yahoo.com.You're the Poem, Liz - Part 1
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