MIA: Missing In Atlanta. Debby Giusti

slid the panel door open as the van stopped.

      The girl on the street turned wary eyes toward Sarah.

      “Brittany, you must be hungry, working this late in the cold. We’ve got food back at Hope House.”

      The girl shook her head. “Don’t you ask me to come back to the house with you, Ms. Sarah.”

      “I bet you haven’t eaten all day.”

      “Damian’s gonna take me out for a steak dinner once I finish up tonight.”

      “Uh-huh.” Sarah stepped onto the sidewalk and walked slowly toward the girl. “Keesha said she misses you.”

      The girl’s face clouded. “Keesha still with you?”

      “She’s taking classes at Georgia State and earning money by helping out around the house.”

      “Don’t tell her you saw me.”

      “One night, Brittany. A hot shower. A good meal. A bed of your own. Then you can decide what you want.”

      The girl’s bottom lip quivered. “Damian said he’d kill me next time I go with you.”

      Sarah pointed to the van. “You know Bull won’t let Damian hurt you.”

      The girl peered around Sarah’s shoulder. “Who’s the other guy? A cop?”

      Sarah turned. “He’s a new volunteer.”

      “Don’t look like he belong around here.”

      Sarah studied Jude for a long moment. “Maybe not. But he’s trying.”

      Jude started to say something. Sarah flashed him a look she hoped he understood. Keep your mouth shut.

      Wrapping her arm around the girl, Sarah gently ushered her toward the van. “Jude, you move up with Bull.”

      Without a word of protest, he hopped out of the van.

      “Good to see you again, Brittany,” Bull said as she and Brittany climbed into the rear.

      Jude tugged the panel door shut, then slid into the front passenger seat.

      At the next intersection, Bull made a U-turn. “Hope you don’t mind, Jude, my man, but I’m gonna take the ladies back to the house. Once Brittany’s settled in, I’ll drive you to your vehicle.”

      In the rear, Sarah patted Brittany’s arm. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

      Hopefully, her words would prove true.

      Sarah sighed, tired of the pain she saw in the eyes of the kids she pulled off the street. She knew all too well the heavy baggage some children had to carry. Brittany had more than her fair share.

      Sarah thought of her own life. A mother who ran through men like water through a sieve. Always searching for love.

      Somehow Sarah had never filled those holes, no matter how hard she’d tried. Eventually, she’d realized her mother didn’t need her or want her. A hard reality for a child to accept.

      And what about the guy sitting in front of her? He’d be on his way soon enough. Having him underfoot reminded her of a promise she’d made to herself.

      Never get involved with men.

      

      When the van pulled to a stop behind the three-story brick house on Rosemont Avenue, Jude hopped out and opened the side panel for the women. Sarah held Brittany’s arm and ushered her toward the back door, the porch light shining a circle of welcome in the otherwise desolate night.

      Jude followed them into the large kitchen. An industrial stove and oversize refrigerator took up the far wall. The center of the room was filled with a large metal table that appeared to double as a workstation. A lower shelf held mixing bowls and baking dishes.

      A young African-American girl, early twenties, pretty with high cheekbones and a warm smile, entered the kitchen. “Brittany,” she shrieked, throwing her arms around the new arrival.

      The two hugged, tears streaming down their cheeks. Sarah rubbed Brittany’s back as Keesha jabbered.

      “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, girl. Where’ve you been? On the street? Honey child, there’s no reason to be doing that. Ms. Sarah, Bull and everyone here at the shelter, they want to help you.”

      “Keesha, why don’t you take Brittany upstairs to the girls’ dorm and get her settled?” Sarah suggested. “Then you two come down to the chapel. There’s leftover lasagna in the fridge that I’ll stick in the oven so Brittany can eat after night prayer.”

      The girls continued to chatter as they left the kitchen. Sarah glanced at Jude. “When was your last meal?”

      “Breakfast at the mess hall this morning.”

      “Bet that was tasty.”

      His lips twitched. “Are you always so feisty?”

      “Feisty?”

      “That’s right. You act like a first sergeant ordering everyone around.”

      She put her hands on her hips and tried not to smile. Pretty even when she was fussing at someone.

      “So tell me, Jude, do first sergeants get to pull rank on captains?”

      He couldn’t help but laugh. “Why no, ma’am. They work together to get the job done.”

      She pointed to the refrigerator. “Then grab the lasagna from the fridge while I turn on the oven.”

      “Maybe I’ll have to demote you, ma’am.”

      “Not a chance.” Sarah took the Pyrex dish from his hands and shoved it in the oven. “Should take about thirty minutes to heat up. You’re welcome to stay.”

      “I appreciate the offer, but Bull said he’d drive me back to my truck.”

      “After night prayer.” Bull stepped in from the cold. He slipped out of his jacket and hung it on a peg by the door. “Why don’t you join us?”

      Jude shook his head. “I really need to get on the road.”

      “Of course you do.” Sarah glanced at the clock on the wall. “But it’s almost 10:00 p.m., and you’re exhausted. Maybe you should eat something and then go back to your motel.”

      Jude pursed his lips. “Fact is I never got a room.”

      “But you changed your clothes?” she said as she arranged plates and silverware on the table.

      “In a public restroom. I guess the first thing I need is the closest motel.”

      Bull snickered. “Jude, my man. Fleabag is not what you want. Why don’t you stay here?”

      Sarah’s head flew up.

      Bull held up his hands. “Now, Sarah, you know we’ve got extra bunks in the boys’ dorm, and I could use the help. No telling when that funding will come through for another overnight employee.”

      He slapped Jude’s shoulder. “My advice, we get your truck, then you come back to the shelter. Nothin’ good happens on the street this hour of the night.”

      Keesha peered into the kitchen. “Everyone’s in the chapel.”

      “We’ll be right there.” Sarah glanced at Jude. “If you want to wash up, the boys’ latrine is downstairs.”

      “Latrine?”

      Her eyes sparkled. “Works with the first-sergeant persona.”

      He followed her out of the kitchen and down a long hallway. Photos of teens lined the walls. Black, white, Asian, Latino, all of them smiling.

      Sarah showed him the stairway to the boys’ dorm, then pointed down the hall. “The