Your son calls your sister

Dan rubbed Laura's back before disengaging from her hug. "I'll try Patricia," he suggested.

Laura pursed her lips as her eyes searched his face. She lowered her eyes, knowing he might be right and her sister might help them, before she gave the barest of nods.

"She'll help us," Dan said as he reached for his phone.

Patricia and Laura had never seen eye to eye. A party girl at heart, Patricia became the black sheep of the family. Before their parents passed away, she and her sister were close. However, Patricia never came to their parent's funeral. Laura knew her sister was on a ****-induced bender and simply forgot to show up. She'd never forgiven Patricia for that.

"Do you have a moment, auntie?" Dan asked with a glance at his mother. Laura gave him a raised eyebrow but didn't comment.

Dan took a deep breath before speaking again. "Auntie, our home partially collapsed. No, we weren't in the house when it happened. Yes, mom and I are okay. No, that's why I'm calling." He answered her rapid-fire questions as he looked across the street. "Oh, no," he muttered.

"What?" Laura asked and looked around.

"Someone didn't make it out," he whispered.

"Oh, dear," Laura gasped as she covered her mouth.

"Do you... know of anywhere we can stay? I know, the last time we talked, that you said you were going to buy up some real estate," Dan hesitantly asked. Laura squinted at her son. She hadn't been aware Patricia had spoken to her boy in years.

Dan pursed his lips. "Anything you can do," he said. "I don't want to ask for anything, if possible... but, well." He covered the receiver with his hand. "Mom, are you okay talking to Aunt Patricia?"

Laura took a deep breath. It was then she remembered she wasn't wearing a bra anymore as her hardened nipples brushed against the fabric of her blouse. "I'll talk to her," she finally answered.

"Son? Do you have a moment?" Officer Thomas asked as he eyed Laura.

"Patricia," Laura manged to get out as she watched the officer speak to her son.

"I'm so sorry about what happened. Listen, I can't help exactly, but I know someone who might be able to give you a good price on a place to stay. I'm going to text Dan the place and you two can check it out. Mack is a good guy. Are you okay?" Patricia asked in what almost sounded like a genuine question.

"No, but we'll get through this," she answered.

"Listen, I'm sorry but this function is important to someone I'm close to. I'll text you and Dan soon. Sorry, really," Patricia apologized.

Laura watched the officer give Dan something before glancing at her. She stepped over to hear better. "We'll go," Dan promised as he gently touched her shoulder. She looked over at him with a strained smile. "We need to move, the officer is worried the ground might shift again," he explained.

"We'll... talk," Laura managed to get out before ending the call. "We should take my car," she said after a few moments as she handed his phone back to him.

Dan nodded and slipped his phone back in his pocket.