Pig shit and body odor clung to every inch of dad’s old trailer. I went through another drawer, shaking each item, looking for something, anything to tell us where dad went to this time. Miss Ada, the property owner, had said dad got upset by the swine, went away, and left little behind. She said she had hired dad to tend her pigs but after farrowing season he was gone.

After pouring on the charm, I convinced Miss Ada to let us examine the trailer. Like a lot of farmers in remote locations, the older woman was stand-offish. We explained how dad had sent us letters saying how much he loved this farm. I even talked her into making us a pitcher of lemonade so we could search in peace.

Frantic, Junior was opening and closing the kitchenette’s cabinets. Lexie was tapping her foot and holding her nose.

“So can we all jump in the Mystery Machine and go. Dad’s fine. He’s always fine and he’ll show up down the road,” Lexie said.

“That’s just it he has never gone this long without calling,” I said. “Or writing. He sends letters every few weeks.”

“Godammit Alexis. The nutty old lady said he got upset by the swine and left little behind. But he has left everything behind all his clothes, his wallet, even Blue. He would never abandon his dog.”

The Australian Shepherd cocked his head at his name and whined. Lexie rolled her eyes and Junior slammed his fist on the counter. My big brother and sister squared off. When she was nervous, Lexie went all nonchalant. When Junior was scared he yelled usually at Lexie. Blue let out a soulful howl and I stepped between them.

A slip of paper fluttered out from the shirt I was holding. It was sun faded photo, our last family portrait with mom. I remembered how scratchy my dress shirt was and Junior had pulled Lexie’s ponytail and Lexie punched in the nuts. Dad and Mom were screaming and I fell over and knocked down the photographer’s backdrop. Disheveled and smiling, the five of us looked so happy, were so happy. We looked at one another. I covered a sob in my throat. Junior steadied me with a hand. Barking, Blue jumped up on the rumpled bed. Dad would have taken this photo.

“That’s it I’m done with waiting for dad to get his shit together. Play happy families if you want Dylan but here is where I get off. I’m upset and leaving nothing behind,” Lexie mocked.

Lexie slammed opened the trailer door. The dog raced past her and headed for one of the outbuildings. My sister stumbled and nearly fell onto Miss Ada. In a flowered sun hat and men’s overalls, the lady farmer made me think of a nice grandmotherly head on a line backer’s body.

“Don’t worry I’ll grab the dog. We can take turns watching him until Dad comes back,” Lexie said.

Carrying a tray with a pitcher and ice filled glasses, Miss Ada was walking up to the trailer.

“Thank you so much ma’am. You have been so gracious to allow us to look,” I said.

Junior reached for a glass. “Is there anymore you can tell us about our father’s last day here?”

“Well when you get upset by the hogs, little is left behind,” Miss Ada said sadly shaking her head.

Lexie screamed and ran towards us from the barn. Dad’s dog rounded the barn’s corner and beelined to me. Junior tossed his glass and ran to her. I stood stock still. Wagging his tail, Blue set a human hand down on my foot. I recognized Dad’s wedding band.

“Silly dog you found what was leftover.” Miss Ada chuckled and offered me a glass of lemonade.