Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Clayton groggily woke to the sound of his phone ringing. "What's going on?"

"Betty's gone!"

Clayton's eyes snapped open, instantly alert. He sat up in shock. "Gone? But wasn't she at the cabin in the woods? How could she just vanish?!"

"Late last night, a wildfire broke out. It wasn't until dawn that they managed to put it out, and that's when they realized Betty was missing."

Clayton's breathing grew heavy. "Missing, or...?"

"She's missing. They got her out of there when the fire started. She wasn't hurt."

Clayton let out a sigh of relief.

"That's good she's not hurt. First, let's call the authorities, then organize a search party!"

After hanging up, Clayton carefully slid out of bed, trying not to wake Pamela who was still asleep.

He took his phone to the bathroom to continue making calls.

He called his mother's personal assistant, the local church, and the security guard he had stationed at the cabin.

calls, there was still no word on

calling Carl,

about to change and head out when his phone rang.

friend of Clayton's father. Clayton quickly answered,

a moment? I need to talk to you about something. Could you come

suddenly gone missing, I'm trying to find her. Can we talk over the phone, or

your mother's situation. She was here just before she

Clayton paused, "Recently? Today?"

when you get

ended, leaving

Irene disappeared, turning her back on worldly matters and devoting herself to prayer and

years since

suddenly

into fresh clothes and

an hour later, Clayton

only Albert was there, but Florian Miller was present

Though they had no business dealings

there to help him. After Randal passed, Clayton continued to look out for them. Though the Watson and

were advanced in age, with limited influence

greeted the elderly gentlemen, "Albert,

for Clayton