The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand

No, it's bedtime and I still don't know where my precious little Pumpkin is.

I rang Brooke but she didn't know.

I rang the school but they said she left with the other kids.



Don't panic, don't panic.

 That really only left me with one possibility. Catherine is at her mother's place.

I worried the entire drive over. What was I going to say to Alaina?

I said nothing at all to Alaina. She had left Catherine at home by herself.

Perfect.

Catherine told me that her mom picked her up outside of school. That her mom is thinking about moving  the family back to Sunset Valley.

I told Catherine that the family would be her and her mom. She was trying to keep me from being near my daughter.

For tonight, I just took Catherine home and put her to bed. I don't know when Alaina might be back. It's obvious that I'm going to have to watch it or Alaina is going to disappear with Catherine.

What a night, first Alaina takes Catherine away and now this. The stove? He stole the stove?

What is it with burglars and stoves? I think one stole Dad's a long time ago.

And our tv? Hey, don't take the tv!

The cops got here in time and handed him his butt on a platter. Thank goodness for that.

Before she left, she told me I had a nice place and I shared one of my favorite recipes.

Nothing beats using a chainsaw to ease tension and after tonight, I am very tense.

I did finish the statue of Shannon. It went well, I had to sell it while I could. It was worth a pretty penny while it lasted but my ice sculptures don't last forever.

Catherine needed homework help. Her mom did all the fun stuff with her yesterday. Typical really, Alaina isn't into hard work.

All work and no play would make Shannon and Johnny dull. Fortunately touring the courthouse leads you past several empty chambers. That was the best tour ever.

I wanted to meet up with Brooke in the park. We had to talk about the situation with Alaina.

We had a long chat about Alaina, and a nice jam session as well.

I realized that this dude has a couple of sons about Catherine's age. I decided to have a chat, get to know some of the other parents in town. His name is Thomas, his wife is Zayne.

He and I were having a nice chat, up to the point where he mentioned Alaina. This is such a tiny place that everyone here knows everything and he knows that she entertains every important male in town. You could have knocked me down with a feather when he said he provided a similar service for the ladies. Except he didn't chase them over town, they all found him.

Speaking of the Leman family, Catherine brought one of the boys. I think she told me his name is Clayton.

I know that Alaina's going to find a way to twist this into something sinister but I've asked Shannon to move in. She helps me keep an even keel in life.