Things hadn''t been the same since Wayne''s whereabouts became unknown.


    For the better part of six months, Rosalynn sent a single message each day, her emotions surprisingly steady, always opening with, "Today marks day N since you started your treatment." Until the veryst message.


    "Today is day 299 since you sought treatment, Wayne. Penn brought over some bad news, and after much thought, I sent your old cell phone to you. If you must give those five years a meaning, I hope it''s the motivation toe back to us, not a never-ending fear that keeps me waiting."


    Wayne yed that voice message over and over.


    After a while, he exited Rosalynn''s chat and clicked on his daughter''s icon.d2


    Ivy''s messages were less frequent, about one or two a day.


    During the time Wayne was missing, she''d send a message to Wayne every night before bed.


    Upon opening the first one, Wayne listened as Ivy tried to hold back her tears, "Daddy, I miss you so much. I''m scared every day. When will youe back to hug me..."


    Her message ended with sobs she could no longer contain.


    Wayne felt his heart breaking.


    On Christmas, she cried, "Daddy''s a big liar. You promised we''d spend Christmas together. I had everything ready. Where are you?"


    Half a monthter.


    "Mommy was crying again today, and the housekeepers are whispering. They say you''re dead, that my brother and I are so pitiful, just found our real dad and now he''s gone. Are you really dead, Daddy? What''s Mommy supposed to do? I don''t like when Mommy cries. I''m not mad you broke your promise, nor am I mad that you didn''t want Cory and me before. Please, Daddy, don''t be dead. Come back to us, I''m begging you."


    A few days passed.


    "Daddy, Mommy told me today that you went missing at sea trying to save her. To be honest, I''m kind of happy because Uncle Calvin was lost at sea once, too, and he came back alive. You''lle back too, right?"


    "Mommy says a lot of people know you fell into the sea, and I might hear some nasty things at school, but don''t worry. Before youe back, I''ll be your super brave girl. Mommy taught me how to handle bullies, and I will protect myself!"


    "Daddy, today Laura made your favorite soup. I missed you with every sip. I hope you''re well and wille back to us soon."


    "Daddy, Liam''s been too strict. I just carelessly made three mistakes on one problem, and he made me write it out twenty times. My hand''s about to fall off. Doesn''t he know I have hands meant for drawing?" "Daddy! Liam turned out to be an excellent tutor after all. I got first ce in my grade group! Mommy''s making a big album for all my certificates so you can see them when you get back. By the way, spring has arrived. Uncle Calvin''s orchard is blooming. Daddy, why haven''t you found your way back home yet?"


    Other than right after Wayne went missing, Ivy rarely cried-maybe twice a month.


    Wayne knew it was because she missed her dad so much.


    Otherwise, she was a cheerful little songbird, sharing joy andints alike. And she would tell him how much she missed him.


    Wayneughed and cried through her messages, feeling a tug at his heart when she talked about scraping her knee and how the teacher had to clean the gravel from the wound while she winced in pain. After going through his daughter''s messages, Wayne finally opened his son''s chat.


    Just three messages.


    The day after Wayne''s mishap, Cory sent his first message, "When are youing home?"


    The second message, on the following Christmas'', "Merry Christmas, may you find sess in all you do."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    And the third one, also unread, the veryst one.


    It was a video.


    The small boy sat in front of the camera, saying, "This... marks the 100th day since you''ve been gone. With my limited understanding, given such harsh conditions and your prolonged absence, you''re likely no longer with us." The young voice spoke words that seemed far too mature for his tender age.