Chapter 36 Suspicion Rises

• My parents don’t normally call me without scheduling out time to talk first. We have a good relationship, but we don’t speak that often considering how busy my schedule is. Could it be an emergency? I wonder. I quickly answer the call and press the phone to my ear.
• "Hey, Mom," I say cheerfully, trying to keep my voice steady despite the knot of anxiety in my stomach. "What's going on?"
• “Hey, Carrie, it’s good to hear your voice,” my mom’s voice crackles through the speaker. Despite the cute nickname she uses for me, her words are laden with concern. My worry only grows.