The rain was a steady drumbeat in my ear as I thought of Francy, and wondered what had become of her. I decided to write it down to see if I could find a clue in my remembrances.
Francine Morefield, was my co-worker and best friend. We met when we both worked part time at the same cocktail lounge, while going to college. I was a bar maid, and she a waitress. We had known each other for almost three years, and became as close as any two friends can get. We even rented an apartment together off campus.
Between the guys we met in school and the ones at the bar we were very busy with dates, but we both made a pact to keep them out of our apartment, so it wouldn't become a three ring circus. We each liked to have fun, but also had serious goals. Guys only thought in terms of "give me some now!"
Francy was reddish blond 5'5 with green eyes,too slender, but nicely stacked and had a very demure persona, which belied her true nature. She could be a fiery bitch. Unlike my 5'4 petite frame,black hair
brown black eyes, and outgoing personality. I was always smiling, but I had my mysterious side too. We were totally opposite in looks and many beliefs, yet our bond was as strong as it could get!
I recalled the last time I had seen her.. "Callie, you make me so damn mad when you act like you know it all, about god, as if he were your private friend."Francy fumed at me! She was an on again off again believer,
and really had a problem with my faith. "You can get as mad as you want, Francy, What I know comes from experience and if you don't get it, that's your problem not mine. Stop trying to make me doubt like you, and I'll stop trying to make you believe."
Francy snickered "You and your smart answers, to hell with this conversation, I'm heading out to the mall." She was always going somewhere. I said " I'll probably still be gone when you get back. My sister always makes the most of our visits." Francy nodded and said "See ya" on her way out.
We hadn't been angry at the time, it was just the way our running dialogue went, we were so used to each other. I had been going to my sisters, and in fact wound up spending the night there. She lived 60 miles from the college. I saw her about once a month, and would stay over every so often. Francy came with sometimes , but wanted to do some other things that week-end. I had called to tell Francy, but she wasn't home so I left a message.
When I got back the next day, she wasn't there, and the apartment looked as I had left it. I looked around for a note or something. There was nothing, her bed was made and every thing in closets etc in place as she had left it. We were both neatniks one of the things we admired about each other. My call to her was still on the tape unheard, so she probably hadn't been home. I became concerned,because we had made a rule to leave a message or call if we were going to stay away.
I immediately called the bar where we worked week-nights. Neither of us worked week-ends that was when the regular waitresses made the most tips, so we just worked Monday through Thursday. But one could have called in sick. Jeff the bartender answered the phone said he hadn't seen or heard from her since she and I were there working, on Thursday. I held on while he asked around, but no one had seen her.
I made a cup of tea and sat to ponder where she may have stayed the night. Unlike me she had no relatives close by. Besides we made sure to tell each other where we'd be so there would be no worries. Neither of us had a steady boy friend, though she did see more of Norman than any of the others, just as I did with Brian. I phoned Norman first. He was there , but said, sorry he hadn't heard anything from Francy. I phoned Betty, another friend, but she hadn't seen or heard from her either. She said she'd ask around.
As the day went by I became more restless. I wasn't yet worried, but felt uneasy, wondering where she could be, and why not at least leave a note or message on the phone system. It was almost 9:00 pm when I phoned Brian. I asked him if he and Norman could ask around to see if anyone had seen or heard from Francy. He said he would, and then would come over so we could put our heads together.
It was after ten when Brian came. " Hi babe" I'm sorry but we've had no luck. Norman has several of the guys asking and looking around." I said, Hi, I'm beginning to get worried now Brian, if the mall were open we could go there and ask around.but it will have to wait until tomorrow." He came and put his arms around me" don't worry kiddo she'll be back before then. I'm thinking she met up with an offer she couldn't refuse." Brian chuckled as he finished his sentence and I had to smile at his choice of words.
"I sure hope you're right, but if so why hasn't she left a message?" Brian squeezed me a bit closer, and said "I'm sure I can spend the night discussing, that right?
I laughed,"You never pass up an opportunity do you? Yes, you can spend the night and I will be thankful if you do." With that I kissed him,relieved to have his company. The kiss turned into a tonguefest the foreplay before the most wonderful lovemaking.
Brian really was incredible making me forget to be anxious for over almost two hours.I felt guilty when I got out of bed and saw the time.
Brian followed me and put on some coffee while I went to clean up. After my shower, Brian took one, while I phoned a few people who still had no answers about Francy's whereabouts. It was about 2:00 A. M. so I didn't call anymore. Brian and I had coffee and tried playing scrabble while jotting down ideas and questions about what to do in the morning at the mall. We did mnagae to get a couple hours sleep. At 9:00
A. M. we were at the mall when it opened.
We first went to Windsor's a fancy dress shop where Francy had an account. I knew she was wanting to buy a dress for the holiday's. Sure enough she had been there and purchased a dress, and a pantsuit. The clerk said it was nearing dinnertime for it was getting dark. We left there and went to several other stores I knew she went to. No luck in any of them. Then some of the guys and gals showed up and I gave each of them a picture of Francy which I had made copies of, and they went door to door through the whole mall.
Afterwards we met in the parking lot, there had been a couple sightings but nothing else. Nothing unusual. One of the guys asked if we had looked through the parking lot for her car. It was something I hadn't thought of. We all took lanes and began to look, someone gave a shout, "Here it is!" Brian and I ran two lanes over to where the guy was who found it. Sure enough it was Francy's car. It was empty, and locked. We saw no packages in it or anything else for that matter. It was time to call the police!
Well you know the routine, Police came put out a manhunt came to the college spoke to everyone there, and of course my apartment and questioned me over and over. not that I was suspected or anything, but that I might remember something that could help. It was the biggest event to happen at our college. It isn't one of the huge Universities.
Well it's almost a year since that happened and we still don't know what happened to Francy. I wish they would have found her dead or alive just to have it over with. This way it's hanging out there like a bomb ready to drop but know one knows when. I hate the unsettled feel to it. I truly cry for Francy and pray she's alive and well somewhere, but if I ever find out she is, I'll want to kill her for putting us through this.
Hard to believe how someone can just disappear, but it happens more than we can imagine! It's still raining as I type this, and as I read it over I can't think of anything I haven't already thought of. I can only hope and pray that someday I'll know what happened to my friend Francy. I hope that day is soon!
eT
