Upon hearing the news that Carlos was still alive, Mrs. Carter was so excited that her hands trembled, and a flush appeared on her haggard face.
"I must tell Maria this great news immediately!" She turned to go tell her daughter.
Emily Parker gently held her mother-in-law's wrist; her long eyelashes cast a shadow on her face. "Mom, Maria is a senior in high school; let's wait until we have confirmed news of Carlos before telling her."
Only then did Mrs. Carter notice the fatigue in her daughter-in-law's eyes, and she nodded with some heartache.
Returning to the bedroom, Emily Parker took off her coat and hung it on the coat rack.
She opened her laptop, the blue light of the screen reflecting on her pale face.
Outside the window, a night breeze swayed the curtains, bringing in the scent of gardenias from the courtyard.
The search continued until three in the morning.
