“Did you want him to call you?” she asked.
“No, why would I want that?” I stared into her hazel eyes. “Seriously, I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“What’s going on between you two?” she asked.
Avoiding her gaze, I got up when her eyes sparked with curiosity, then went into the kitchen and buried my head in the refrigerator pretending to search for a snack.
“Nothing.” I heard Mom’s chair scrape against the kitchen floor.
“All in good time, all in good time. You may not want to share now, but there’s something between you two. You’re not fooling anybody. I’ve said this before, Marjorie Jean, give it a whirl, you never know.”
I pressed my eyes shut. “He’s leaving his practice. He’s moving to Montana to help his dad.” I shut the fridge after grabbing an apple. I bit down hard and snapped off a mouthful. The juice squirted in my eye and my head jerked backward.
“Oh, that is a predicament, isn’t it?”
I cocked my head to the side at the lack of the concern in her voice. “Really?”
“No need to be snooty with me. Things could change,” she added.
I bit off another mouthful barely able to chew it. Resting my belly against the kitchen counter, I stared out the window into the backyard. The plants were fighting to come alive in the cool springtime air. I imagined lilac bushes and yellow daffodils bowing to me as I welcomed them in the warm days ahead. “How are they going to change?” I mumbled to myself. I was stuck. I had a career in Michigan that I needed to finish. My home was here, Grosse Pointe, Michigan, always had been, and always would be. I didn’t have family in Montana. The hefty breath of Mom’s sigh nudged my imagination. My shoulders slumped from the reality that nipped at my conscience. I finished my apple and tossed the core into the sink, then burped aloud.
“You survived a divorce. You survived Bradley moving away. You survived cancer, for crying out loud. You’ll figure this out, too. I didn’t think you cared so much about him,” Mom said.
Mom fiddled with her wineglass. My eyes stung from the sour aftertaste of the Granny Smith apple. “Well, I do,” I said, holding her stare. I rubbed the stabbing pain in my temples. “Good grief, this is too much.”
“You’ll figure it out. I’m sure there’s a plan even if you don’t know it yet.”
I detested these parts of life. I hated not knowing what was in store. Mom always seemed confident, strong enough to go with the flow, and unwilling to cave to uncertainty. “Why did you stop over tonight?” I asked, forgetting her original intention.
“Just to see you,” she said with a smile.
“Oh.” I twisted my hair into a knotted bun at the nape of my neck. “I’m not very good company.”
“Oh, you’re very good company,” she reassured me. “Well, I should be going. I have to get my house in order before I come stay with Chloe.”
“Chloe’s lucky to have you,” I whispered. Glad for the smile on my mom’s face, I walked over to where she stood and wrapped my arms around her, then hugged her.
“Thanks, but we’re the lucky ones and don’t you forget it.”
Mom rubbed my back as she spoke. “We have you. Life would be pretty boring without you, Maggie.”
A thin smile crossed my lips. “Thanks, Mom,” I said, leaning back to gaze into her eyes. “I think.”
She tapped my nose like I was a child, her pointer finger getting more crooked with the passing of time.
“I better get going. A mother’s work is never done,” she said.
“You’re right about that,” I added, helping her with her coat. “Bradley doesn’t need me much now that he’s grown and living in Boston.”
Mom buttoned her jacket. “He may be far away, but he’s close at heart. You’re with him whether you realize it or not. Babies always need their mommas and mommas always need their babies. You’re the voice in his head when he’s making a decision, my girl.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I kissed her cheek. I touched her knitted hat. “I like your hat. Did you make it?”
“Yup.” She tugged the knobby thick design over her ears then headed for the front door with a smile. “We’re not done talking about this John thing.”
Hastily, I opened the door and eyed her with warning. “Goodnight, Mom, be careful driving home,” I said, pecking her on the cheek. “I think you’re shorter.”
“I’m not falling for that,” she said with a smile. “This is going to be great living next door for a few days.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Don’t roll your eyes, Marjorie Jean,” she said with a tone. “It’s not polite.”
I gave her another peck on the cheek. “Okay, Glad.” I closed the door to the May chill then strolled to the living room window to watch her go. She was spry as ever even if she was shorter and a little more wrinkled. She was still my mother, and I loved her even if she did get under my skin.
Chapter 5
“Your mom’s all settled.” John glanced down at the paper in his hands. “I know you’re not happy with me for calling her, but I was stuck, really stuck and Chloe wasn’t helping.” He held out the list of phone numbers in my direction. “I hate to ask, but can you keep an eye on them?”
“Oh, geez.” I sighed. “You’re as bad Chloe. Of course I’ll keep an eye on them.” I took the paper that John handed me then scanned the names in case of emergency.
“Glad has a copy, but I just want to make sure you have one, too.”
“Did you ask Brook to help?” I regretted the question as soon as it left my lips. John’s stare questioned my intention. “Sorry, I just thought maybe she might help.”
“Not that lucky, not in her genes. I don’t think Chloe needs her mother her right now anyway,” he said. “Chloe was a mess after Brook left her behind last summer. Don’t need to test the waters.”
I took a deep breath remembering it took months for Chloe to get back to her old self after the last disappointment. He was probably right. If Brook were my ex-wife, I wouldn’t call her either. “Just curious.” I shrugged, trying to appear indifferent.
John stepped inside the house, checked over his shoulder, then rested his hands on my shoulders, proximity his secret weapon.
“Have a safe trip.” I crossed my arms in front of me as I peeked up at him through my eyelashes.
“Maggie.”
“What?” I asked softly. He didn’t answer immediately, but held my stare. “What?” I pressed my lips tight trying to hold in anything cutting that might slip out.
John leaned in and held my face in his hands. I stifled the quake rumbling through me. His lips kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes like I’d done before not wanting to forget how it felt to be close to him.
“Don’t go,” I whispered as he turned to leave.
His eyes filled with question. “What did you say?”
I held his gaze. “Don’t go.” I shifted my weight with conviction.
“Maggie, this is what I have to do. I’ll be back in a few days.” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “You really don’t want me to go?”
“Jesus, John, you’re just as irritating as I am,” I said. “I told you I loved you the other night and you didn’t say it back. I’m asking you not to go. We slept together for crying out loud. You’re always prodding me to admit my feelings. Now I have and you’re not sure what to do with me?” I tilted my head to see through the blurry tears. “Figures,” I murmured.
“Maybe it’s just bad timing,” he said after a long pause.
“Or you’re a big fat chicken, too.” I waited for a reaction. With a heavy breath, my heart pounded against my chest walls. “Have a safe trip,” I said before walking away.
“Maggie.”
“What?” I snapped, glancing over my shoulder feeling the sting of abandonment.
“Nothing,” he said.
Why so many tests? The sooner he went, the better. I had a friend who used to say
that there would always be someone else, no matter the circumstances. What if I didn’t want someone else? Maybe, I only wanted him. Maybe, I didn’t want a man after all. My head pinged in every direction. “I’ll check on them. Don’t worry. Enjoy Montana.”
“Thanks, Maggie. You’re a good friend.”
His words burned like the kiss of death as he shut the door behind him. Angry, I cursed myself for allowing him to get closer. Scrolling down to Brook’s phone number in my list of contacts, I poked out a message then deleted it. I went to my laptop and logged into the retirement website for teachers. My teaching years equated to almost twenty-seven years. I had more time in than I realized, not remembering substitute teaching counted for something. My eyes scanned home page. To the left of the screen there was text stating the rules for buying additional years. Eager to understand the options, I scoured the information.
The rumble of John’s Harley knocked at the window. I got up and peered next door. Shocked by the sight, I put my hand on my chest, squeezing my sweater shut. John kicked up the stand, rolled his bike backward, and then pointed it toward the road. With a rev of the engine, he slowly picked his feet up then rode away. A thin smile crept across my lips even if it felt like he was taking my heart with him. “Damn you,” I muttered.
“Sometimes you have to let go.”
I jumped with surprise. “You could at least warn me when you come in,” I scolded my mother, trying to catch my breath.
“You should be used to it by now,” she answered.
“Thought you were next door.”
“Almost. John’s going to get Chloe. She’s with Walter and Harry,” Mom said.
“On the bike?”
“Yup, she has a helmet and everything.”
“Guess those classes really paid off.” I shrugged, wishing I were the one holding tight with my arms wrapped around John’s waist peering over his shoulder at the open road.
“He’s leaving at seven.”
Mom’s eyes flickered. I ignored the jest. Bones barked wildly at the front door. I padded softly to see what the ruckus was all about. There was nothing. Pulling the phone out of my pocket, I checked for calls and texts. I thought about John’s ex-wife, Brook, thinking she should be the one taking care of her daughter. With Mom next door, I may as well have said Chloe could stay with me. I thought about sending Brook a text again, but what would that accomplish? Nothing. I tucked the phone back into my pocket. “So, you know what time Chloe needs to be dropped off at school and what time she needs to be picked up?”
“Yup. We leave at eight sharp and I pick her up at half past three. I’ve been to the school, know where I can park, and have been put on the emergency card.”
“Wow, John was thorough.”
“Oh, stop looking at me that way. It’s only three days. He’ll be back before you know it.”
I gnawed at my thumbnail as I plopped down on the sofa. “Yeah, long enough to put the house up and be on his way.” I leaned back, my eyes glued to the majestic beamed ceiling, wondering why I didn’t have the guts to leave too, follow a different dream now that I was alone. “What if I decided to move? How would you feel about that?”
Mom’s face wrinkled with question. She plopped down at the other end of the sofa, wedging herself in the corner to get a better look at me.
“Seriously, you need more furniture in this room. I’d like to sit across from you so I don’t have to crane my neck. I’m getting too old for this.”
“What if I moved?” I put my feet up on the table I inherited from my grandma. Images of the the ocean or maybe a cabin in the middle of nowhere drifted in and out of my mind.
“Not sure. I’d miss you, that’s for sure, but what about your job?”
“I’d make sure I had my ducks in a row. Just thinking. What’s really grounding me here?” Mom cleared her throat as I rambled. Her eyes glimmered with hurt. “I didn’t mean it that way,” I said, raising my left eyebrow. “What if you came with me?” I wanted to retract the statement as soon as it left my lips. I’d lived within a five-mile radius of my mother all my life, with the exception of college. Obviously, I’d missed any opportunity to break free. Maybe John had the right idea. Maybe it was my time to go. Mom sighed. He was moving back to his childhood home while I wanted to run away from mine. The seasons were changing and not just outside my picture window.
“Really, you need more furniture in here. I don’t see you going anywhere. It’s not your style.”
My gut twisted with irritation. She was right, it wasn’t my style to pick up and go, but I yearned for the inclination. “Yeah, you’re right. I hate that,” I whispered.
“I’m sure you do, Marjorie Jean, I’m sure you do.” Mom giggled and fiddled with her hair.
“What are you middle naming me for?”
“Because I can, my darling.”
The front door slammed. I rolled my eyes at my mom then peered over my shoulder. Tension seized my neck muscles as Chloe bounced in wearing a purple motorcycle helmet.
“Hey, people, I’m here,” she announced, throwing her hands in to the air.
“Nice helmet.”
Her head bobbed as she grabbed the sides of the helmet and forced it off her head.
Bones barked.
“How heavy is that thing?” I asked.
Chloe brought me her helmet.
“Here,” she said, pushing it toward me. “It’s heavy. I’m surprised my head can hold it up. Crazy.” Chloe shook out her helmet hair. “You should try it some time. It’s fun! Dad wouldn’t let you crash.”
I handed the helmet back to her. “I like the skull-and-crossbones sticker on the back. Classy.” Mom leaned over, her shoulder touching mine.
“Yeah, that’s nice,” she said.
Chloe wrapped her arms around Mom’s neck. She squeezed. “Hi, Glad,” she whispered. “I can’t wait to get this girl-fest started. What are we going to do first?” Chloe asked.
“Yes, Glad, what are we going to do first?” I asked.
“Watch your tongue, young lady. I can still scold you.” Mom focused on Chloe. “And we will be doing homework first.”
Chloe wrinkled her nose. I smiled at the possibility of a clash of the titans. “Yuck, can’t you show me how to knit some more? Maggie can learn, too.”
I lifted my eyebrow. “I’ll watch. Knitting makes my eye twitch. Too much thinking, knitting, and pearling for me.”
“Party-pooper,” Chloe grunted.
“What’s for dinner?” I asked Mom, thinking she would be cooking for Chloe. She crossed her arms as she hemmed and hawed. “Not sure. What are you making?”
“Yeah, what are you making, Maggie? Let’s have dinner together.” Chloe tucked her hair behind her ears.
“Oh brother.” I huffed as Chloe stood with clasped hands begging. I got up, stretched my arms to the ceiling as if the day hadn’t been long enough. I checked the clock on the mantle then ran my fingers across the silver frame that held the photo of Judy and me raising our fist in victory. John was leaving in little over an hour. Bones faced me and barked. His front legs came off the ground with excitement. When the doorbell rang, Mom answered it, and I meandered into the kitchen. Chloe’s voice filled the air as I rummaged through the refrigerator wondering about dinner.
“I’m sure Maggie wouldn’t mind,” Mom said.
John’s deep voice followed. I slept with him, told him I loved him, and then he reassured me he was leaving. Hurt seethed within me. Getting tangled between the sheets didn’t change the facts.
Chloe bounded into the kitchen. Bones nipped at her heels as she skidded to a stop in front of me. “What?” I snapped.
She wrinkled her nose at me. “That didn’t sound very nice,” she started. “I was just gonna ask if Dad could eat with us seeing he is leaving in a little while.”
I swallowed my pride. Somebody had to be the adult here and I thought it should be me. It wasn’t Chloe’s fault her dad was being a jerk. “Sure,
” I said, seeing the flash of excitement in her green eyes.
“Yay!” It can be a going away party. “Dad, you can stay,” she hollered with her hands cupped around her mouth.
Chloe stuck her fingers in her mouth and blew. A loud whistle pierced my ears. I grimaced as Bones skidded across the kitchen floor. He still respected Chloe more than me.
“Fine, take her side,” I chided. Taking Bones to dog school last year seemed to help Chloe more than me, although I was getting better about making him obey. I wondered if I’d ever bloom.
“Dad taught me how to do that. Pretty cool, huh?” Chloe said.
“Way cool, but save it for outside.” Secretly I wished I knew how to do that. It would come in handy during outdoor recess.
“I can do it louder,” Chloe boasted.
“How about we grill hamburgers? It’s quick.”
“Hamburgers?” Chloe questioned as if I had offered her seaweed and tofu.
“I have cheese.” Her dubious expression irritated me. “It’s either that or cereal,” I said, showing her the American cheese. “What do you say?”
“You really shouldn’t ask her,” John interrupted with a smile. “Beggars can’t be choosers,” he added, ruffling Chloe’s hair.
His thin smile tugged at my heart.
Mom peeked into the kitchen. “Come on, Chloe. Let’s run up to the market and get a cake. Make your dad’s last night here special.”
I shot her a look. Chloe clapped. She hugged her dad and scooted out of the kitchen as I busied myself at the counter. I raised my hand as John started to speak. “Just a second. Let me make sure we have propane for the grill.”
“I’ll get it,” he said.
“Thanks.” I watched him walk out to the patio. His shoulders seemed hunched, not straight and strong like usual. He was at a crossroads, too, but damn, it was at my expense. I continued working on dinner and John sat at the counter across from me fiddling with the saltshaker.
Maggie's Fork in the Road (Montana Bound Series Book 2) Page 3