that night too, but my boyfriend at the time called and canceled on me. He was

always doing that, which is why I finally broke up with him.” “So you came over

at what time?” “Oh, jeez, let me think. It was so long ago.” “A ballpark is

okay.” “Well, it was after I had my dinner, that I do remember. So, say seven?”

“Do you know where she was going?” “No, she didn’t say. She did say she expected

to be home around ten or so.” “So she was definitely coming back?” “Of course

she was. What, did you think she was going to abandon you and Bobby?” “But she

didn’t come back,” said Puller slowly. “I know,” said Carol somberly. “Ten came

and went. And then eleven. And then midnight. I called my mom and told her what

was going on. There were no cell phones or anything like that back then.

 

My mom didn’t know what to do. But my dad was home and he called the MPs. Then

he came over to stay with me and you and your brother. I remember every hour

that went by I thought she would walk in the door. But she never did. The MPs

took my statement. Then I guess they followed that up and searched for her.”

“And my father?” “He showed up that morning. We had brought you and Bobby to our

house for the time being. I remember him bursting in our front door like he’d

been fired out of a howitzer. He talked with my father, and then the MPs came by

to talk to him. I wasn’t party to any of that.” She paused. “You say you don’t

remember any of that?” “Not until now.” “Well, it might have been a defense

mechanism, John. The brain is tricky. It can do stuff to protect us.” “What did

you think happened to my mother?” “There was a lot of speculation.” “Like what?”

Puller heard her clear her throat nervously. He said, “I’ve heard the rumors,

Carol. About my parents not getting along.” “I want you to know that I never saw

any of that, but I wasn’t really around when they were there together either.”