Page 126 of Ravaged For You

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MADDIE

The next morning, I decide to finally call my mother. It has been a long time since we’ve last spoken.

Well, we’ve actually not spoken since that disastrous lunch.

There are things I need to get off my chest. Things I need to go over with her about. I’m searching for closure.

And now it’s time.

I tell Axel what I’m planning to do, and that I’m going on a walk to do so. He asks me if he should come. No, I need to be on my own for this.

I need to do this alone.

I walk around the block before I bring up the courage to dial her number. Surprisingly, Mom picks up.

“Maddie?”

“Hi, Mom.”

I hear her take in a deep breath.

Time to ready myself…

“How are you?”

“I’m okay, Mom.”

“I saw you and that boy on the news.”

“Did you?”

“And I got the newspaper because I was walking past the store and saw your face on the front page. Again, you were with that musician.”

“Oh. Well, that’s nice.”

I would very much like to tell my mother that his name is actually Axel, but I hold my tongue back. There’s no need to fall into that trap. That is not what this phone call is about.

“What are you calling me about, Maddie? You better not be wasting time.”

Here goes.

“I’m just calling to let you know that you were wrong.”

There’s a pause.

“Wrong?” she asks me. “When was I wrong? Wrong about what, Maddie?”

My hand is shaking. I’ve never spoken to Mom like this. Her sharp tone of voice… I feel like I’m just a little girl again getting into trouble. About to be sent to my room to read my Bible from cover to cover.

Stand up for yourself, Maddie.

“You were wrong when I was a child and you told me over and over again that all men can’t be trusted, but I’m calling to let you know I’ve got some evidence to back up the exact opposite.”

I can practically hear her eyes rolling on the other end.

“Oh, come on, Maddie. Don’t tell me you’ve actually gone soft over this sinner. What possible evidence do you have?”