Out of Focus by Nancy Naigle

path of scarred trees that marked the path Nick’s truck had taken down the embankment. The incline was steeper than it looked. She sidestepped her way down to the water’s edge. Debris marked the high water line left from the storm.
    If Jake had somehow climbed ashore, where would he have headed?
    She squatted.From this level, Jake’s level, she couldn’t see the road.
    He could’ve made it to shore if the water had been as low as it was today . She stepped out on the rocks. They were slick, but plenty big to walk on.
    She stood in the center of the river on the large rock where Nick’s truck had once lain crooked, its interior sucking up water like a sponge.
    I probably cried enough tears last week to crest this river.
    To her left was a large clearing. She walked back across the rocky waterway, climbed the sloping terrain, and headed to that area.
    She snapped off a twig from a tree and poked at the brush in front of her as she walked. No sense stepping on a snoozing snake. “Where are you, Jake? Help me find you.”
    I’m not crazy.
    After three hours of wandering the woods, she knew, crazy or not, that she couldn’t stay out much longer. Mosquitoes had begun nibbling on her as if she was a buffet. She swatted at one buzzing around her head.
    She hiked toward the highway noise to her car. Her legs ached and so did her heart.

    The next morning, Jeremy stopped by. It was Wednesday—the day Grem got her hair done each week. He’d been stopping by every Wednesday since the accident. Kasey wasn’t sure if it was Grem’s idea or his, but she’d started to appreciate his visits.
    Still in her nightshirt, Kasey opened the door. Dots of pink calamine lotion highlighted her itchy mosquito bites.
    “What happened to you?” he asked.
    “Promise not to laugh?”
    Jeremy smiled. “Hell, no. If you’re going to make me promise, it has to be funny.” He followed her into the living room.
    “Fine. I went back to the accident site to see if I could get a connection or idea about where I might find Jake.”
    He sat down in the chair across from her. “I wouldn’t laugh about that. I know how you’re hurting. I wish I could fix everything for you right now.”
    “You’re so sweet. It was stupid, I know, but it seemed like it was worth a shot. Better than sitting here wondering.”
    A glazed look spread over his face.
    “I’ve brought you down, too.” She sat next to him. “I’m not very good company these days.”
    He patted her leg. “Don’t be silly. It’s just so hard for me to see you so sad.”
    “I just wish I knew. I’ve memorized every angle of the terrain near the accident, and I’m no closer to finding Jake. I’m running out of ideas. And to make matters worse, the police don’t seem to have the same sense of urgency they had before.” Tears slid to her chin. She swept them away with her sleeve. “I know he’s alive. I know in here.” She tapped her heart. “But I need a glimmer of hope that I’ll find him.”
    “I’m so sorry.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and sat silent for a moment. Then he lifted his head and looked her square in the eye. “I have an idea, but I’m not sure you’re going to like it.”
    Kasey’s eyes brightened. “Anything.”
    He started to speak, then paused. “Well.” He cleared his throat, then scooched to the edge of his seat. “I know this gal. It’s a long shot. She does tea-leaf readings.”
    She leaned back and rolled her eyes. “Oh, no. You know how I feel about that black magic. It’s just tempting bad stuff to come your way. I don’t think I could do that.”
    “No. It’s not like that. Tasseography is a divine practice.”
    She grimaced. “Tassy-whatever-ography doesn’t sound divine. It sounds scary.”
    “Just think about it.” He shrugged. “The practice is based on meditation and stuff, so you probably need to believe and trust that it will work. You said you’d do anything.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “I know, but I