"Do you have any idea why you've been called up?" She turns to me from her computer.

I shake my head, "No, M'am."

She smiles, "Lighten up," she says, probably sensing my nervousness, "I've been informed of your well hard-earned credentials and I've been wondering if you would be interested in seeing a financial aid manager."

I perk up in my seat. "R-really?"

She nods, "My good friend, pointed you out to me, and she wanted me to send you to her office. It's right next door, she'll tell you the details. Good luck." She smiles and truns back to her belovéd computer screen.

I take that as my cue to exit.

Once again, whilst still clutching the yellow slip of paper, I knock and stick my head in.

"Zayley!"

I've never seen this chick before in my life.

"Oh C'mon, don't be shy, sit!" The lady looks about to be in her mid forties, rocking that bun with her coild wavy dark brown hair, and small framed glasses.

"Okay, let's get started shall we. No, need to be afraid, Zayley, I'm a friend of your mother's."

My head goes back in shock.

"I know she's been missing for three years, but I need your help."

"Um okay."

She looked down at my hands where I still clutched at the small yellow paper.
She motioned it over and I handed it over. She flipped it and scribbled on the back side.

And she handed back, with her number on it. She smiled, "I'm not a lesbian so don't get that wrong idea, it's just, I-I, " she didn't finish. She couldn't finish. She smiled up at me with her gray eyes shining up on me.

"Your father suggested you come see me, so how 'bout we see each other after at a coffee shop not far from here. I'll give you a lift." She smiled sweetly.

"Um, yeah, sure, as long as it's okay with my old man."

She laughed.

"That'd be nice."