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.

several calls, there was still no word

Carl, but

was about to change and head out when his phone rang. It was Albert

a close friend of Clayton's father. Clayton quickly answered, "Hello,

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

her. Can we talk over the phone, or can it

of your mother's situation. She was here just

Clayton paused, "Recently? Today?"

Let's talk when you

call ended,

moved into the cabin in the woods not long after Irene disappeared, turning her back on worldly matters and devoting herself

years since

suddenly go

quickly changed into fresh clothes

later, Clayton arrived at

only Albert was there, but

Clayton's father, Randal Hawkins. Though they had no business dealings with the Hawkins

had always been there to help him. After Randal passed, Clayton continued to look out for them. Though the Watson and Miller families hadn't been able to assist

in age, with limited influence in

elderly gentlemen, "Albert,

motioning for