(DARIAN)
I told myself that I would stay away from anything related to Alice. I even threw away the report Jimmy had compiled for me.
So, why am I sitting across the road from the elementary school where Alice's daughter goes? Why is Jimmy's report sitting on the passenger seat next to me?
I try not to think about it, my fingers tapping on the steering wheel as I look at the school. Parents are arriving to pick up their children. Some of the kids are still exiting the building into the little playground where the parents meet them.
I see Alice pull up. She parks at the curb and gets out of the car. She's wearing a pale blue blouse with puffy sleeves paired with a dark pencil skirt that reaches her knees. Purse in hand, she strides over to the gate. One of the teachers greets her and then motions to somebody in the playground. That's when I see the little girl.
