Read Online When Memories Fade by Tyora Moody - Free Book Online Page A

Rick grab his bag and camera.
    Rick called over his shoulder, “Wes, I will see you outside in a bit.”
    â€œThanks, Rick.” Wes turned his attention back to Mrs. Yarber. “Now, you mentioned you had concerns about Melanie’s home life.”
    She swallowed and fidgeted in her seat. “Well, neither of her parents ever came to support her. They missed teacher conferences all the time. One day I made a trip out to her home. Her mother was there taking care of some younger children. She seemed to be more interested in her other children and didn’t seem to care that Melanie had been missing her classes.”
    Wes asked, “Melanie was skipping classes?”
    â€œYes. Now, I understand the mother had her hands full. I believe all the other children were under the age of four. The mother . . . Well, I should stop referring to her as the mother. She was really Melanie’s stepmother.” Mrs. Yarber shook her head. “She just kept saying, ‘Melanie can take care of herself.’ At the time, Melanie was only fourteen years old. Children still need guidance at that age. Teenagers need adult guidance even more so because they are learning about themselves and witnessing so many new experiences.”
    â€œWhere was her father?”
    â€œNow, that really disturbed me. I never met Melanie’s father. I heard later that her dad was serving time in prison. Something about getting caught with drugs. That’s terrible.”
    He looked down at his notes. Serena had spoken to the stepmother; in fact, they had some clips of her talking to the media. There was no footage of Melanie’s father, even with his daughter missing and showing up on the news each night. Larry Stowe had to have been released from prison in the last year, though. Melanie’s father had found a way to see his daughter on American Voices. Wes wondered if Larry might have worked out something with his parole officer that allowed him to leave the state.
    Wes planned to head out to Melanie’s home after the interview. “Mrs. Yarber, I have one more question. Do you remember any of Melanie’s friends or boyfriends?”
    â€œIn my class, Melanie was especially chummy with a girl named Lisa Sloan. I don’t think she was involved with any boys when I had her, but I do remember the boy they talk about on the news.”
    â€œJay. Jay Strong.”
    â€œYes. He wasn’t in any of my classes, but he was a young man who had quite a reputation with the staff. Jay was a least a few years ahead of Melanie. I think he eventually dropped out of school. He stayed in trouble all the time. It’s a shame that she got caught up with him. Do you think he has something to do with her being missing?”
    â€œI don’t know. He’s a person of interest right now with the police.” Wes stood and held out his hand. “Thank you, Ms. Yarber. I appreciate your time.”
    â€œNot a problem. I do hope they find her. She was such a talented girl.”
    Wes headed out into the high school hallway. It was in between classes, but a few students were still walking around, giggling and talking. He remembered his high school days. While he enjoyed some recognition as a reporter, in high school he was “church boy.” No matter her hours at the hospital, Wanda had made sure they were in church during the week and on Sunday. It didn’t help that he liked the idea of dressing professionally when he went to school. This usually meant one his favorite vests and a bow tie. Good grades were expected of him, and he liked the challenge. A chick magnet, he was not.
    He headed into the parking lot, toward the car, memories following him. Rick was standing at the back of the car, packing up the gear. He turned toward Wes. “Hey, did you get what you needed here?”
    â€œYes, I did. Do you know how far Melanie’s family home is from here?” Rick was the driver and had been