Everyone in My Family Had AC Except Me-So I Walked Away Chapter 04

Everyone in My Family Had AC Except Me-So I Walked Away Chapter 04

Back at the Carter house, it was not until two hours after Erin left that Lily finally rubbed her eyes and slowly

emerged from her air-conditioned bedroom. Breakfast was waiting on the dining table, still warm and ready

to eat. She sat down and immediately began eating.

“This tastes better than the last time Erin made it,” she mumbled through a mouthful.

Mom sat beside her with a smile, watching her eat as she gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Lily’s

ear.

“Slow down. No one’s going to take it from you.”

After finishing most of the food on her plate, Lily rubbed her stomach and complained in a spoiled voice that she was thirsty. Mom immediately got up, took mangoes and milk from the refrigerator, and blended them into a smoothie. Lily took a large sip and closed her eyes in satisfaction.

“This is so good.”

She looked up at Mom, a little foam clinging to the tip of her nose.

“Mom, you’re amazing.”

Mom wiped it away and lowered her voice with a laugh.

“I made this especially for you. Your sister didn’t get any, so don’t tell her. She’s been unusually emotional lately, and I’m afraid she’ll think I’m favoring you again.”

Lily wrapped her arms around Mom’s neck and kissed her cheek.

“You’re the best, Mom.”

After clearing away the dishes, the two of them changed their clothes and headed to the mall together. Lily tried on several dresses, and every time she said she liked one, Mom immediately paid for it. Soon, their arms were loaded with shopping bags. At noon, they ate at a cafe inside the mall.

Before leaving, Mom pointed at the unfinished cinnamon roll on the table and said to the server, “Could you box this up for me, please?”

Lily looked confused.

“It’s already cold. It won’t taste good anymore. Why are you taking it home?”

Mom smiled. “Your sister likes these. I bought you so many clothes today and didn’t get her anything. If I

don’t bring something back for her, she’ll probably cry again.”

“Fine,” Lily muttered. “Erin always makes such a big deal out of everything.”

A little after five that evening, they returned home carrying shopping bags of every size. Jordan leaned

halfway out of his bedroom.

“Mom, what are we having for dinner?”

Mom kicked off her shoes and rubbed her aching ankles.

“Ask Erin. She’s home, so of course she should make dinner.”

“Erin isn’t here,” Jordan said. “The workers came this afternoon to install the AC in the living room. I called

for her to open the door, but she didn’t answer. I went into her room and realized she’d already gone out.”

Mom frowned. “She still isn’t back? Where did she go?”

She walked into the kitchen, checked the refrigerator, then took out her phone and sent Erin a message.

Mom: Erin, did you go buy groceries? Pick up a bottle of Coke on your way back. Lily wants barbecue

chicken wings tonight.

Erin had always replied almost immediately, but this time, there was no response at all. Mom did not think much of it. After sending the message, she sat down on the couch and began watching television. An hour passed, an entire episode ended, and Jordan started complaining that he was hungry. Only then did Mom

pick up her phone again.

“Why hasn’t Erin answered yet?”

She sent another message.

Mom: When are you coming back? It’s time to make dinner. Jordan and I are both hungry.

There was still no reply.

Mom finally sensed that something was wrong and called Dad. “Do you remember where Erin said she

wanted us to drive her this morning?”

Dad thought for a moment.

“I think she said somewhere near the airport.”

“The airport?” Mom’s brows drew together. “What would she be doing there? She still hasn’t come home.”

“She hasn’t come back, and she isn’t answering your messages?”

“She isn’t picking up her phone either.”

Dad’s voice immediately turned serious.