Later that evening, Sarah texted Jessica a link to a post from one of the base spouse Facebook groups. Jessica didn’t always check that group—too many drama-filled threads and passive-aggressive “just wondering” posts—but the title caught her eye:
“Spouse Missing From Hudson Army Airfield Base Housing — Last Seen Near Community Playground.”
Jessica clicked the post. The details were vague, but the comments were out of control. Rumors, theories, people asking for updates while throwing in side-eyes about the woman’s marriage, behavior, and even her parenting. Someone mentioned they’d seen her walking alone late at night. Another said she’d been crying in her car a few days ago. One comment said her car was still in the driveway—keys and purse inside.
Jessica messaged Sarah:
Jessica: “Umm this feels way too real now. That comment about her purse still being inside?? Nah.”
Sarah: “Right?! I’m not gonna lie, it’s giving true crime podcast vibes and I don’t like it.”
By 10 PM, the admins had locked the Facebook post, and the original author updated it with one line:
“CID is involved now. No more info is being shared at this time.”
Jessica turned off her phone and checked her front door twice before heading upstairs. She paused outside her daughter’s room for a second, watching her sleep, then went into her own room and crawled into bed with a nervous ache she couldn’t quite explain.
Meanwhile, two doors down, Sarah was doing the same—locking doors, checking windows, and telling herself it was just base gossip getting out of hand. But something about it didn’t sit right.
At 1:14 AM, Jessica’s phone buzzed on her nightstand. She grabbed it quickly so it wouldn’t wake her daughter.
One New Text:
From an unknown number.
“You shouldn’t have laughed.”
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Krystel is the mom of two and an Army Wife. In addition to Army Wife 101 she is the Co-Founder of SoFluential.com a digital media agency that connects brands with the military market.
She has appeared on MSNBC ,FOX LA and formerly was a weekly contributor to HLN's "Raising America". She has written for various outlets including Sheknows and Lifetime and is a big fan of cupcakes and french fries.