She downed a sip of her Diet Coke. “Whatever.”
“I’m just gonna go grab a chocolate bar. I’ll be right out,” I told her. “Don’t go anywhere.”
When I came back out, she was still sitting there, obviously still upset. She always hid her emotions. I knew I’d have to dig. I took a seat next to her in the empty Adirondack chair. I ripped open the red wrapping of my Kit Kat, slid out the chocolate and admired it for a long beat. I broke off a stick and offered it to her. She accepted, a whisper of a smile on her lips. I broke a piece off for myself, and ate the chocolate covering first.
“Where have you been?” she asked again, but this time there was an accusatory note in her words. “I miss you. Sometimes, a girl needs her best friend, ya know.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, genuinely apologetic. “I’ll try to be around more.” I was surprised by this turn of events. Izzie was surrounded by an amazing family, relatives at every corner who adored her, and she lit up a room with her charm, beauty and charisma as soon as she entered it. She never struck me as someone who needed anyone.
“Are you okay?” I asked because she didn’t seem okay.
We both stared at the wooden planks on the porch floor. I wondered how many dropped coins were hiding under there. “I just…” she hesitated. “Things have not been going that good…” her words trailed off.
Good with what?I wondered.
“I’m seeing someone older,” she went on. “I told you before…”
“Yes, you did but you won’t tell me who it is.” I wasn’t the only one with secrets.
She raked a hand through her long golden hair and that’s when I spotted a bruised wrist. “What happened there?” I asked. “Your wrist?”
She quickly jerked her wrist and hid it again in the sleeve of her sweater. “It’s nothing… I was helping my mom with stuff.”
This was suspicious. Izzie wasn’t exactly the helping type, as lazy as they come, used to everyone pandering to her. I was concerned. Was this older guy being rough with her? If anyone could handle herself, it was Izzie. She was girly, but also rough around the edges. We all were, having grown up at the park.
“Where did you get that necklace?” she asked, briskly changing the subject.
I was confused for a beat, but then as my hand reached for the heart pendant Gavin had given me, I remembered. I’d forgotten to take it off. I usually never wore it out in public. “Oh… this…” I said. “It’s just a cheap necklace I got at the mall.”
“It’s pretty.” She smiled. “I didn’t think you even liked jewelry that much.”
I shrugged. “I guess I’m getting girly in my old age.”
She laughed, and so did I.
We were both laughing, and neither of us said another word. I should have told her about Gavin then, and she should have told me about her mysterious man. Perhaps if I’d opened up to her then, everything would have turned out differently. And maybe both she and Gavin would still be alive today.
Perhaps I’d still be in my hometown, living a completely different life.
* * *
It’sTuesday afternoon when I find out about Madison’s custody case. I’m smack in the middle of eating a BLT sandwich when Melanie tells me the news. Custody has been awarded to Colette’s sister for a six month trial. If all goes well, it will be a permanent arrangement until Madison reaches the age of eighteen.
“Her parents are surprisingly okay with it,” Melanie tells me. “I think they realize it’s what’s best for everyone involved.”
I think about Madison in her new pretty room, and I smile. “Will we be closing the case?”
She shakes her head, and steals one of my potato chips. “Oh no… we’ll still need to monitor them. Three court appointed visits in the next few months.”
“Let me guess… me?”
She smiles. “Of course.” She steals another potato chip. “You’ve been doing a great job, by the way.”
My heart swells at her words. This is what this is all about after all… helping people and being good at my job, making a difference.
As soon as she leaves, I pick up the phone and call Noah. Normally I would call one of the girls, but lately I’ve been calling Noah every time, good or bad.
“That’s amazing,” he says. “Congrats.”
