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 Nancy was dying to talk to Jeff, but ever since he got back he'd been too busy. With Michael gone, Jeff had to pick up a lot of the cooking; he just felt he wasn't ready to find replacements for the three of them. Maybe, just maybe...he wouldn't have to.
She stood in the kitchen, watching as he closed the door after the last customer, waiting for the new ritual to begin...but it didn't. She was amazed to see him just flip over the Closed sign, close the blind and whistle.
Whistle? What was wrong with this picture, she thought to herself. Just who did he talk to? As he started to calculate the day's business she came up to the table.
"Okay, give."
"What?"
"I can't remember the last time you whistled, where did you go today?"
"You'll think I'm crazy."
"Anything that makes you this happy, especially now, has got to be important. I won't think you're crazy-spill!"
"I talked to my mother — there see, there's the look!" Jeff teased as she started to say something then stopped. "I felt her there, I smelled her perfume, she told me Liz is fine and safe."
"I don't doubt you. I know how close Liz and Claudia were, if anyone could connect in some way, it would be those two." She came up behind him and put her arms around his shoulders and gave him a hug. "Right now, any sign, any message will help get me by."
"I'm sorry, I have been so caught up in my pain, that I forget that this has got to be killing you too. You have been so busy keeping me grounded and sane that I didn't think...now I know where Liz gets her strength and determination. Thank you." Finally, she could be a mother that had lost her only child; he would be there to hold her up. But she wouldn't cry, that wasn't her way, she would stay strong and fight to find out where they went, she would fight for Jeff and Amy and the rest, but mostly for herself. Because she wouldn't give up until she saw her daughter again, no matter what it took.
 The next morning, the usual breakfast crowd was there. Jeff was in the kitchen helping out; when he looked up, he saw Jim Valenti walk into the café.
"Keep an eye one this; I have to talk to someone.” He tells the morning cook.
"Morning, Deputy, can I get you something?" Jeff picks up his order book just as Jim sits down at the counter.
"A little formal aren't we this morning? I'll just have some coffee for now."
Jeff picks up a cup and saucer, sits it in front of Jim, and pours the coffee. "I usually like to save my pleasantries for friends, someone that doesn't put other people through Hell, when they have answers that could make a difference..."
"Jeff, please, it's killing me not to tell what I know...I'm only thinking of you..."
"Damn it Jim!" Jeff starts to shout, until he sees everyone in the restaurant looking their way. Everyone in town knew how the kids left town during the graduation ceremony; they were all chomping at the bit for some gossip. Lowering his voice he continues. “Have you talked to Amy DeLuca lately? Well, after our conversation the other day, I'd watch my back if I were you. She's like a mother bear looking for her cub. When she catches up with you I don't think it will be pretty.”
Practically whispering, Jim tries to defend himself. "If I told what I know, if you knew what I know...everyone and I mean everyone would be in danger. Not just from the government but from people you can't even imagine. Please understand, my son is with them too, and I can't do a thing to keep them safe, except keep their secret. I'll take the coffee to go, please." He stands up, puts his hat on his head. Laying the money on the counter, he picks up the Styrofoam cup and walks out the door.
As Jeff watches the door close, he was starting to understand what Jim was going through. He was a father too, they had all lost their only children...and the Evans, they lost both of theirs.
Nancy comes out of the kitchen carrying her purse and sweater. "Was that Jim Valenti? Did he tell you anything?”
Jeff sighed, "No, he insists he can't tell us anything...I hope I didn't just lose us a good friend."
She pats his arm, "Because he is a good friend, and is living this nightmare too, he'll forgive you. I have to make a run to the bank; I saw we were getting low on change. I shouldn't be too long." Just as she walks out the door, a FedEx driver walks in, he nods to her and walks to the counter.
"I have a package here; I need some one to sign for it." Handing the clipboard to Jeff and waits for him to sign. "Have a good day, Mr. Parker."
"You too, Jerry." Taking a quick look at the box, it wasn't too big, and it was flat, like a book “I wonder what Nancy wants to read about now." He takes the package and slides it under the counter to give to her when she gets back.
Just about the time she walked back in, it had all hit the fan. A tourist bus had broken down and all the passengers had taken up residence in the cafe while they waited for a replacement bus. It wasn't until almost 11:00 pm before the last person left. Exhausted, Jeff started to clear the last of the mess on the counter when he bumped something tucked underneath. It hit the floor with a thud..."What the h....?" He bent over to pick the object up. "Oh yea, the book Nancy ordered..."
When he flipped it over, he saw it wasn't something she had order, the address was written in a hand that looked all too familiar...Oh my God! His eyes began to fill when he realized that the writing belonged to Liz.
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