As I drive home from the counselor’s office, I make a mental note to contact a lawyer tomorrow and have divorce papers drawn up. I’m sure it won’t take that much digging to find out Ewan’s exact address.
My head is feeling kind of dizzy and strange. It’s probably just being out of my comfort zone after talking to a stranger about Ewan.
Focus, Maddie.
Right. The divorce should be simple. We have no property to divide, and we haven’t seen each other in a decade, so the process should be quick and straightforward. If I can’t afford the lawyer, I can always pawn the ring. Weeks before our first anniversary, I’d bought a simple but real gold band that I thought Ewan would like. I never got the chance to give it to him.
As I pull up to my rental house, I notice one thing is off. The lights are on in the house across the street, and there’s a car parked in the driveway. My landlord has been working on fixing that dilapidated Craftsman for months, and there have been work trucks and lots of activity there all day, every day. It’s so loud that it was one of the reasons I rented an office to start my business instead of working from home. As I drive past slowly, the house now looks like someone’s home. The work trucks are gone, for one thing. The windows are curtained. There’s a swing and potted plants on the front porch. Someone moved in, and moved in fast.
I lean against the trunk of my car and stare at the house, searching for signs of activity, but nobody comes outside. Should I go over there and say hello? That might be a bit much. This whole street is a lot of vacation renters, so it could be someone temporary. Besides, my muscles feel strangely achy, and I’m suddenly so tired. And my throat is scratchy.
If I’m catching a cold, that’s all the more reason not to go over and introduce myself to a stranger. And it’s probably just someone from Charlotte visiting the mountains for spring break. Or they’re here for the Saint Patrick’s Night Parade tomorrow. Yes, I said Night. It’s not the biggest parade, but our local arts guild creates incredible floats that light up downtown. We do get a lot of visitors for that.
I trudge up to my front door and stop short of putting the key into the lock.
On the mat in front of me is a small cardboard box.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I realize there’s no post office or parcel post stickers on it. Just a plain, unmarked box. I notice a chill deep in my body.
I text the group chat.
Did one of you leave me another care package?
I wait for the replies as I pick up the box.
Ari
No, maybe it was Riley. Riley?
Riley
Wasn’t me. Maybe Rowdy dropped something off.
It’s not marked. And it’s small.
Riley
Don’t open it; it may be a bomb.
Ari
Really? A bomb? Because our perfect angel Maddie has so many enemies?
Riley
LOL! She does have inside information on lots of people in town.
Ari
Maybe someone didn’t like who you matched them up with and they’re exacting their revenge.
Riley
Or maybe it’s a thank you gift.
But then they would send something to the office, not to my house. I’m very careful not to let clients know where I live.
Ari
