Message Received by Rosemarie Naramore

unison.
    She nodded her head up and down, a sickly
expression on her face.  “Ike just called me, prior to boarding.”
    “ Boarding a plane for where ?” Brady
demanded.
    She gave a weak shrug.  “I have no idea.  He
simply said not to worry but that he and Liz were taking a trip together.”
    “But he didn’t say where?” Amanda asked,
wringing her hands nervously.
    “No, only that they’ll be back when they get
back.”
    “So they didn’t give you a destination or a time
frame,” Brady said, raking a hand through his thick dark hair.  “Okay, okay,
uh, this is getting out of hand.”
    “I’m going to call Grandma,” Amanda said, and
began dialing with shaky fingers.  The phone rang, but she failed to pick up.
    “I imagine she’s turned off her phone,” Mrs.
Williams said.
    Amanda turned toward Brady and jabbed him in the
chest, in synchronization with her words.  “My sweet, little grandmother has
never, ever run off before.  It’s not in her nature.  Your grandfather
obviously sweet-talked her into this, and I hold you responsible.” 
    “Hey, now,” he said, stepping back and out of
range of her finger, “for all we know, your grandmother instigated this whole
business…”
    Even Mrs. Williams appeared skeptical at that
suggestion.  “I … don’t think Liz is…”
    “Well, you just never know,” Brady countered,
and began pacing near his car.  “I do know, we have to find them.  They can’t
go traipsing off together, as if they don’t have a care in the world.”
    “Well, actually, they can,” Mrs. Williams said. 
“They are adults, sharp of mind, and neither one has given power of attorney to
anyone.”  She shrugged.  “They can do whatever they please.”
    “But Mrs. Williams, they don’t have luggage. 
They don’t have clothes or toiletries…”  Amanda pointed out.
    “Or medications!” Brady cried, letting out an
agonized groan.  “Granddad has to take his blood pressure medicine, not to
mention his blood thinner medication…”
    The director nodded.  “I know.  I did check his
room and he didn’t take any of his medications with him.”
    “He can’t go without his medications,” Brady
cried.
    Amanda could tell he was sick with worry and she
crossed the distance between them and took his arm.  “Listen, they’re both
intelligent people.  Your grandpa knows he needs those meds.  I’m sure he’ll
visit a pharmacy.  And even if it doesn’t occur to him, you mark my words, my
practical grandmother will assure he does what needs doing.”
    He searched her face.  “Do you think so?”
    “I know so.  Besides, we know they’ve been
checking their phones for messages.  We’ll both call and text them, to remind
him.  Brady, he’ll be all right.”
    “Oh, wow,” he said in an anguished voice.  “How
did this happen?  Is this all because we’ve neglected them?” he asked. 
“Because I feel enough guilt about that.  What if something bad happens to
either one of them?  How will ever we be able to live with ourselves?”
    “They’re going to be fine,” Amanda said, willing
it to be true, though she was terrified for her sweet grandma.  She’d never so
much as traveled out of state, let alone hopped a plane with a veritable
stranger to parts unknown.  She abruptly turned to Brady.  “You said you have a
particular skill set.  You own a security company.  Can’t you…?”
    It was as if a light bulb turned on in his
head.  He began nodding his head up and down with understanding.  “You’re
right.  I can find them.  If we have to, we’ll get on an airplane and bring
them back ourselves.”
    “Brady, you can’t force them to do anything,”
Mrs. Williams reminded him.
    “That’s true,” he conceded.  “But I can assure
they’re okay.”
    “We’ll do what it takes,” Amanda agreed.
    Brady nodded.  A partnership was formed.
     
    ***
     
    “Wow, I didn’t think this ice cream could taste
any better, but