“Is this the point where I’m supposed to feel sorry for you? That you cheated on me? Forgive me for being confused.”
He hangs his head, and I’d like to disappear into the hallway. “Pamela left. She was cheating with some kid, and I kicked her out.” The whole story follows, and by the time he finishes talking about the wedding cancellations and the return of all the wedding gifts and the spray paint on his car and side of his house, I almost feel bad for him. Magnolia is eating it up, the ultimate karma. Paul tells us he’s checked into the local hotel and will leave tomorrow, and when it’s finally time for Magnolia to respond to him, she wishes him a good day and shakes her head.
“Your affair is the reason I found true love, Paul. I won’t say I’m grateful for what I went through, because Kendall came along for the ride, but I’m grateful for the gift I was given because of it. Aidan is good for me. For us.”
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t have to rub it in. I gotta go. Nice to share my life story with a stranger,” Paul says, meeting my gaze. “As always, good to see you, Maggie. I hope you get better soon.”
Magnolia sniffles and confirms she’s set for release soon. After Paul leaves, closing the door, I sit next to her in the bed.She looks up at me, and I smile at her. Simplicity at its finest after an hour of unrelenting drama.
“That smile of yours. If I were sitting on a stool, I’d be falling on the floor right now,” she says, biting her bottom lip.
“If you were falling, I’d be catching. And looking at your black lace panties.”
“Spoiler alert, I’m not wearing panties. Hospitals force nude sexiness or mesh grandma panties.”
Taking her face in my hand, I bring my lips to hers again. “I don’t care what you have on, I’m just glad you’re mine. I meant what I said,” I say, mouth moving against her lips. “I want you forever.”
“I like that idea,” Magnolia says, wincing in pain when she tries to move her legs to change position to be closer to me. “Though it might be a while until you can unwrap your gift.”
“Good thing I’m patient.”
Magnolia pecks the tip of my nose. “Thanks for that. For standing up for us. For Kendall. Those things you said mean a lot to me, and I know they mean a lot to her. Paul will come around. He’s not good with change.”
He’s not good at a lot of things, and who the hell is good with change? Some people can pretend better than others. Paul can take his threats and his bad decisions and leave Magnolia alone. “Don’t thank me. This is us now. I’d do far more for you. I love you, Magnolia.”
“I’m glad you’re a thief,” she chirps. “I love you too, Aidan Mixx.”
She lays her hand on my chest, right in the center.
EIGHTEEN
Magnolia
Healing is a bitch.Recovery is slow-moving, and my desire to get up and go implodes on me most days. Aidan set up a bed for me in the downstairs living room, and I usually sit down on it at the end of the day, wincing in pain. Two compound fractures in each leg at different points. Three surgeries and about twelve red jagged scars later, I’m able to walk without the use of crutches or a walker. I still use a cane, as one side needs a little more help than the other. Kendall decorated it in her school colors, all glitter and strips of cloth, and deemed it a “swaggy cane.” I’m ready to return back to my life before. I miss the auctions and spending all day working on refinishing a piece without having to take a break.
The pain is something I can deal with because it only affects me. I can grin and bear anything life throws my way. The emotions that barrage when I think of the night of the fire are something else altogether. That breed of pain is inescapable, and no matter how many times I’m told that Andrea died in honor, doing what she was called to do, the guilt doesn’t ease. It’s amiracle I’m alive—that Kendall and Aidan made it out. It sure puts life in perspective when you almost bite the big one. It’s something I work at every day. Forgiving myself. Moving on. Being appreciative of the gift of life she gave while still honoring her sacrifice.
Kendall’s eighteenth birthday passed, and I bought her a car. Well, Aidan and Jenny helped locate something reliable, and I footed the bill. Now she’s driving all of the time. If a parenting manual did exist, I’m sure there would be a whole chapter devoted to the fear you feel watching your child drive away into the big, bad world surrounded by people who haven’t been vetted. Her independence is something she’s longed for—craved. No longer a child with a woman’s mind. She was forced to grow up and realize life’s hard truths before most of her peers. Initially I thought it wasn’t a good thing. Who wants their child to grow up too fast? But maybe this hiccup in our life will provide a solid foundation, something to learn from.
The front door slams as she runs into the living room, backpack slung over one shoulder. “Hey, Mom. Today’s the day, right? You’re moving upstairs to your room again? Are you sure you’re ready?”
“Yes,” I nearly shout. Laughing, I clear my throat. “I’m sorry. That was loud and obnoxious. I want my life back. This house is great and all, but I haven’t been out of our yard except for doctor’s appointments for weeks. Moving to my room is another step toward freedom. Upstairs today, and the sky is the limit next week.”
“It’s not that bad,” Kendall replies, redistributing the weight of her pack to the other shoulder. “You could be at Dad’s house recovering.” She laughs. It’s a little bit awful that she jokes like that, but I’m loosening my fists, letting her find her own self, and she’s doing a damn fine job. “Is Aidan coming for dinner?” she asks. He’s over almost every day after work. When he’s not,Jenny is here annoying me with Bronze Bay gossip and asking me if I’m finished being a princess because she’s bored and doesn’t have anyone to go out with.
“Did you call your father back?” I ask. “Aidan texted a bit ago, and he was running behind. Not sure if he’ll make it home for dinner.”
She rolls her eyes. “I did call him. He asked if I wanted to spend a couple weeks with him this summer. I told him I’d think about it. I have cheer camp and stuff with Juliet.” Progress.
I dip my head. “I think it’s a good idea. He’s trying. He’s lonely, too.”
My daughter shakes a finger at me. “Don’t feel bad for him. He dug his lonely grave, Mom. I shouldn’t have to remind you. Oh, did he say anything about dessert then? If he wasn’t going to be on time for dinner?” Kendall asks, her blue eyes sliding to the window behind me.
“Who? Aidan? Why would he say anything about dessert? Why are you acting weird?” We’re finally at a point when I don’t have to defend myself against Paul or the memories. They don’t get trapped in my mind anymore. The chapter of that book is closed. I’ve started something brand new. Or I’m trying to if my legs would cooperate. I snap in front of Kendall’s face to draw her attention. “Earth to Kendall.” I open my eyes wide and find her gaze.
“Sorry. Sorry. Thought I saw something outside for a second. Just a bird or squirrel, never mind. I have homework to do.” Juliet bustles in the door on the phone with someone, talking far louder than she needs to. Kendall sighs and says, “She was outside fighting with her boyfriend. I had to listen to that all the way home from school.” She scoffs and calls out to her friend, “Hang up, Juliet. We have homework! You’re fighting in circles. Wasting everyone’s time!”
Juliet hangs up the call, and the girls tromp upstairs, Kendall inciting a single girl’s mantra as she lectures her friend. I grin. She’ll never take crap from a man. Not even a little.
