It has been three months since her suspicious disappearance. She told me that she was going to see her sister Amity. She didn’t tell me why or when she will be back, she just left. It kind of hurt me since we’ve been friend since we both started school thirteen years ago. I felt a certain pain in my stomach, worried as to where Libby could be.

I had asked her parents and they refuse to tell me anything. They say it is a family matter, and they use to tell me these things. I didn’t want to cause problems so I didn’t keep on it. I’ve been calling all her old friends and they are in the dark as much as me. I wonder if it was something I did to provoke it. My fiancé tells me not to worry about it because it will work its self out. I believed him when he said it, but now it has been three months and it seems so suspicious.

I never did trust Amity much. She was always selfish or jealous of Libby. I couldn’t figure out why Libby would have to see her sister after the many things she did to her. The latest thing she did was post hateful things on her website. I would have never talked to my sister again if she did that.

One morning when I was sitting in the living room of our new house, Scott walked in. He was getting ready to go to work, while I was getting ready for our daughter to wake up any minute. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be ready for her to wake up. I didn’t want him to leave, but somebody had to pay the bills. After he left I got up and went to the mirror to see me looking back. I knew that I wouldn’t change over night but I was just weird that way. I wished every time I looked in the mirror I didn’t have to look at my boring black hair, bony cheeks or just weird shaped face. I envied Libby’s appearance. She has natural blonde hair, and blue eyes. I couldn’t get her out of my mind.

I was thinking that I must be losing my mind by now. I didn’t think to worry so much about one person. The one person I shared my secrets the past thirteen years had deserted everyone. I didn’t want to let this go. I was determined to start the process to locate her. That was my first goal. I knew it was a helpless goal, but I would try anyway.

Later that morning after I put my daughter down for a nap I connected to my laptop and stared at the screen. I logged on to some of Libby’s old accounts. I was shocked I didn’t think of doing this before. After looking through ten different websites, finding nothing that indicates anything, I found a message on one of her website that was posted two days before she told me that she was leaving. It said that she owed someone. I jotted down the other persons user name, when I got a great idea.

I created a new account, and I was going to pretend to be a stranger and maybe this person will slip something. I posted a message to her saying that I was new to this website and just wanted to know some people. I logged out and went to check on my daughter who was sleeping. I began to pace for a bit hoping that this person would post back. I had a feeling it was Amity.

I logged back on thirty minutes later and I was happy to see a new message. It said Welcome in big red letters. I replied back asking if there is anything I need to know. A few minutes later I got a reply saying the only thing you need to know is not to make people mad. I replied back saying what do you mean?

I logged off to go check on my daughter who was still sleeping. I went into the kitchen to get something to eat. I heard the phone ring. I went to answer it and it was a long distance call. I picked it up.

"Hello," I whispered

"Tuscany, stop logging on to that website," the voice said and hanged up before I could say anything else. The voice was so familiar and soon I released it was Libby’s. I picked up the phone a redialed the number but it rang on and on and on. I hanged up and wrote down the number.

I sat at the computer desk trying to figure out what this all meant. I was confused as what I was going to do regarding this. I thought maybe I can figure out by the number where she was. I went to a website that determined areas to area codes. I punched in 204 and it showed it was coming from Manitoba. I was upset because she lied to me.

I quickly checked my messages and I didn’t have a reply. I was shocked that she could have figured out that I had an account. Libby must know that I will not stop until I figure out what is going on. An hour later I called the number but I made it privately. The phone ran when someone eventually answered it. I decided to disguise my voice.

"Hello," the voice said and I released it was Libby’s

"Hello, I’m from the Food Brand Survey Company, and I’m wondering if you would like to complete our phone survey?" I wanted to get her to hoping reveal something to me with out her knowing.

"Sure," Libby replied

"Okay, so what Canadian grocery store do you shop at?"

"Extra Foods," she replied

"What grocery item do you purchase the most frequent?" I asked trying not to give up my disguised voice.

"Prime Chicken," she said, and I knew that was true because she is a chicken lover.

"Would you purchase any kind of No Name product?" I asked

"I might," she said in a low voice,

"Have you shopped in any other provinces Extra Foods in the last three months," I wanted her to open up.

"I’m sorry but I have a very important business meeting to get to," she said and hanged up. I knew something was wrong. It had nothing to do with the grocery store, but something that happened here. I wanted to know what was bothering her, or is it me that is bothering her.

I went back to my computer and logged on again checking to see if there were any replies. I read the message:

I decided to write back. I knew it was Libby who was writing these messages and I needed to find out why. I wasn’t going to give up until she answered me or gave me some indication of what is going on. I wrote back:

I sent it preying that I got back a response. I suddenly heard my daughter crying in the other room so I got up and took her in the kitchen. I gave her some milk before setting her in the highchair. I grabbed a clean diaper before changing her. I looked at the clock and it said four o’clock. I knew Scott would be home soon.

Scott and I went out for dinner that night at a fancy restaurant. The only thing on my mind was if she replied to me. I didn’t want to let Scott know what was going on. I didn’t want him to worry too much. As much as it hurt me to lie to him I need to figure out what is going on. It was too painful for words. Soon our meal comes.

"How was your day?" he asked me. "You must have been busy on that new music project with your sister,"

"I was looking at ideas," I lied

"Did you find anything intriguing?" he asked

"I found a couple potential songs for the main page," I said, "Born To Be Wild and Fishing in The Dark were the two that I thought of,"

"Well the reason that I took you out for dinner was to tell you the good news,"

"What good news do you have?" I asked, a little excited,

"I got a promotion as assistant CEO," he said, I smiled at him and I felt a little happier. "We can hire extra help so you can get out a couple days a week and do errands,"

"I’m so happy for you," I cried, "You deserve it after all the hard work you put in that company,"

"It has all paid off because starting next week I work one week and get one off, and get paid a premium salary," he stated. I smiled knowing that I would be able to buy that new jacket I wanted for the past month.

After dinner, Scott had to go back to the office to grab some stuff and finish his proposal. I paid the babysitter for watching my daughter, before I went to log on to check to see if she replied. I noticed that she did, nervously I read the message.

I almost cried when I read that message. I was convinced it was Libby writing it, but not convince she really meant it. I was going to reply one last time, because I didn’t want to be subjected to any harassment charges. I wrote a simple reply.

I went back to my normal daily routine, and I was starting to feel down on myself. A few minutes later I got a reply and this time I felt different.

I was feeling different, but it wasn’t a good thing. I knew something was up with her; there was no emotion to her pain. She was not the same person I knew. She was a bitter person now. It seemed weird to me since she was god knows where and I was here thinking of possible ways to believe what I was seeing. I felt it was a matter of time before I was going to lose it but I felt it was my duty as her best friend to be there for her the rest of her life. I felt so distant with her right now. In the middle of my pity thoughts I still needed to worry about myself and my family, but somewhere I knew that if I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her that this would impair my relationship. After a few minutes I got another message from Libby.

I stared at the message, and I was thinking to myself. Libby you will never get me to stop with this. I wanted know so badly what was going through her mind. She was acting weird. Her parents weren’t talking; none of her friends had any idea what was going on with her.

I just stared at the screen. I didn’t want to reply instead I wanted to intimidate her into slipping up something. I waited for a good ten minutes and there was no reply. I minimized the internet window and went to watch some television. I couldn’t focus on anything. I heard my baby Ashley starting to cry. I got up and headed to her bedroom to calm her up. I fed her and laid her down to sleep. I sat on the couch when I heard the phone ring. It was that mystery number Libby called from. I answered it.

"Hello," I said

"Log off and let it as it is," she cried

"Stop hiding things form me Libby. Talk to me because I’m not going let this go,"

"Tuscany I need you too let me be,"

"I can tell you want to talk to me. You are itching to let something out and I’m not going anywhere,"

"You are making this harder then it has to be," she whispered,

"I knew you for how long? I’ve known you for thirteen years so I know something big happened to you," I began starting tear up, "It hurts me that I can’t help you or even try to make things easier for you," I said crying softly now. There was a long silence; I knew she was still on the other line from her breathing.

"Tuscany, I know you want to help but I don’t want to bring you into this mess,"

"You had no problem involving yourself into the whole Salice scandal I was in. That is what friends are for, helping each other out in times like this,"

"This is different," Libby whispered, and I was tapping my foot on the floor nervously.

"I don’t understand why I can’t help you?"

"I don’t want to do this alone," Libby broke down, "My life is messed and I don’t know what to do. Salice Maroo was one problem for you but for me something happened that I can’t deal with. It is something big,"

"Where are you now?" I asked, "You told me you were going to Rome, and you honestly can’t expect me to believe you now that we are in contact,"

"I’m not in Rome. I never had any intention. You know how my relationship with my sister Amity is,"

"I remember that last time you seen her was three years ago, and she was getting mad over everything, thinking everyone was embarrassing her and she ended up making a fool out of herself," I smiled

"Those were the days," she laughed, before her voice turned shallow, "Now I think I should answer your question. I’ve been staying with my aunt but she doesn’t understand what I’m going through,"

"Is that why you are afraid to talk to me is because you are afraid I won’t understand?"

"You will probably be the only one to understand what I’m going through,"

"I won’t press it Libby. I can see you want to tell me but something is eating at you. If someone is threatening you, please tell me,"

"I need to go. I call you maybe in a few days. You’ve helped me by just talking to me. Good night," she said hanging up. I put the phone on the hook and looked puzzled at the wall. I got up and looked at the clock. It was getting late so she decided to go to the message board to log off. After that I went to sleep.

I woke up the next morning at around 8:00 am and I released that Scott already went to work and Ashley was still sleeping in her crib. I got up and went to my computer and went to check the message board knowing that I could just call Libby up but this was much easier. I don’t remember if I told Libby I moved out on my own with Scott just last month. I released I had a message from Libby.

I didn’t know what to think.

Tuscany

I’ve been thinking things over

I want you to know

I just not sure if I’m ready

I decided to send this message instead of calling

I’m in the city later this afternoon

Meet me at the spot at one

I know you want to talk

I can’t promise anything

Libby

You haven’t logged out yet

Please log out

Leave me to be

You are making this hard on me

Libby

Tuscany

I know you

You are stubborn

I want to talk to you

But I can’t

Libby

I’m not convinced

You should know me

Talk to me

When you are ready

I won’t bother you anymore

Farewell

Tuscany

There is nothing wrong

I need space

I can’t be friends with you anymore

Take a hint

You are harassing me

You need to let go

Libby

Libby,

I know it is you

You figured out it was me

So please talk to me

Tell me what is wrong

Leave me alone

I don’t want to talk to you

You are causing too much grief