Mom folded her arms across her chest with a firm look on her face that all us sons recognized as her, 'It will be a cold day in Hell before I approve,...' look. I started digging into my backpack for the one thing that could change her mind."And, Mom... You have a granddaughter," I told her holding up a 8x10 color, glossy reprint of the first ever photograph of Stormie. Mom snatched it from my hand and the three of them sat staring at it until Mom asked if I was sure..."Mom, there is absolutely no. I thanked god for self-serve checkouts but I was extremely nervous as Iscanned my purchases, looking around to see if anyone was payingattention but at this time of day the store was almost empty and no onepaid me the slightest notice.I returned from my car sweating profusely, even though it was autumn. Ihad checked out the offerings of the women?s apparel section online so Iknew what I was after and made my way to women?s wear grabbing a shoppingtrolley on the way and throwing in a few. “Who can we call for her?” Bethany asked.I used the controls to raise the back of the bed so I was in more of a sitting position.“Her parents are in Thailand and are expecting her to get on a plane tomorrow morning. She has a brother somewhere in the area, but I have no idea how to contact him. I talked to a police officer; I think his badge said Jackson. He has Wen’s name and knows she’s an IIT student. Hopefully the police can get someone on campus, maybe the campus police, to figure out how. I locked the three year old Ford before I walked to the entrance of the nationally advertised pancake house. Marty was waiting at the door for me. He opened it and I walked through just like I had at all the other breakfast restaurants across the country. The fancy pancake house was the first of its kind for the trip though. Generally we stayed where it was more likely a cafe or local diner for breakfast."Welcome to IHOP," the just past high school age girl said in greeting. "Two in your.