Chapter Ten: Amy:

Kathy stood in front of a house with a golden door. She looked at the address on the paper in her hand. Yes, this was the right address on her route. Kathy knocked on the door.

“Coming!” a woman’s voice said. Kathy moved her arms behind her head. The door opened a crack.

“Yes?” the lady asked inside.

“Uh… Ms. Amy?” Kathy asked.

“Yes?”

The carer pulled out her clipboard. “Hello, my name is Kathy and I’m here to check on you.”

“Okay…”

“How are you feeling?”

“Good, I guess.”

“Have you been eating or sleeping well?”

“Yes.”

“No headaches or other illnesses?”

“No.”

Kathy took down all of the notes. Good so far. She had heard that Amy was generally a calm person. She didn’t have any known illnesses or mental issues. Still, this next question might be a trigger of emotions and memories. Kathy took in a deep breath and clutched her clipboard.

“Have you heard from Sergeant at all?” she asked. The woman’s eye widened on the other side. The carer could hear her gasp.

“Ma’am… I’m so sorry, but I have to ask these questions,” Kathy said. The door opened wider, revealing a slender woman with short dark red hair. She looked like she was going to cry.

“Miss?” Kathy asked. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” Amy replied. “Please come in. She moved aside and let the carer step inside. The older woman led her into her living room. The lights were off and the blinds were closed. Amy and Kathy sat down on the couch.

“No,” Amy replied. “I haven’t heard from him. Not since that day the sand disappeared.” She moved her hand to her chest as she looked down at her lap.

“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Kathy said. The older woman shook her head.

“It’s okay,” she said.

“Have you heard from Joel or Horst?”

“Joel is still around. I see him every day, but we barely talk.”

“And Horst?”

Amy shook her head. “No.”

“I see.” Kathy takes down more notes. The older woman looked at her hands on the paper.

“Is this all you do all day?” she asked.

“It’s my job,” the younger woman said.

“That must be lonely.”

“Not really.”

“What about you?”

Kathy looked up at her. “What about me?”

“How are you coping with this?”

The carer sat back and started thinking. How was she doing? She appeared to be fine, but she seemed to be just going through the motions. Kathy just took this job because it was a job. It didn’t pay too much and it didn’t require too much for her to do. She just had to ask questions, take notes, and listen. Aside from Abraham, none of the people on her list asked about her well-being.

“I’m doing fine, I guess,” Kathy said at last. “This job isn’t too bad. I am kind of lonely.”

“How many more houses do you have to stop by?” Amy asked. The carer did a quick count on her fingers.

“Three more neighbors,” she said. “Then I have to stop by one of their houses for dinner and then go home.” Amy put her hand on Kathy’s shoulder.

“If you want to talk to someone, I’m always here to listen,” she said. Kathy gave her an awkward smile.

“Thank you,” she said. “It looks like it’s going to rain today.”

“Do you have an umbrella on you?” Amy asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Kathy said. The carer leaned back on the couch. She ended up staying a little longer than she had planned.