Page 101 of The Me I Left Behind

Maggie jumped up. “What the fuck?”

Both women headed for the front door. By the time they got outside, the car was gone. But the “For Sale” sign tucked in between her mailbox and her driveway was not.

“Fucking cocksucking bastard,” Maggie hissed. “He’s put the house up for sale.”

“It says ‘Coming Soon’ though, so it’s not officially listed yet.” Julia hooked her arm in hers and led her toward the door. “He’s just scaring you. Come on. You have wine to drink, and darlin’ it’s been one hell of a day already, so you deserve it. Don’t let this throw you. I’ll get on it first thing in the morning.”

“You know it’s retaliation for today, right?” Maggie felt the anger rising inside her for the first time today.

“Of course. That’s the way he rolls.”

“I want to roll his fucking head.”

They entered the house and shut the door behind them. “No head rolling. Let’s just sell his fucking golf clubs.”

“And anything else I can get my hands on,” Maggie added.

The next morning,Maggie deliberated over making breakfast, but made no moves toward preparing anything, while waiting for the kids to come downstairs. Julia was up too, sitting on the family room sofa, her nose in her laptop. She’d been there since before Maggie got up, apparently, and had already made a full pot of coffee.

“Thanks for the coffee. Much needed this morning.” Maggie yawned, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. “You’re up early.”

“Doing a bit of research,” Julia said.

“Oh? For…?”

“This and that. The McDowell case. The autopsy report. The value of those golf clubs. Louise at the storage unit. You know, stuff like that.”

An interesting list, to be sure.Maggie smiled and let her be. Her friend was in her element and would likely have answers before noon.

The kids straggled down on their own time frame, so she was glad she’d waited to make breakfast. No use cooking things they didn’t want.

Chloe came first, asking for chocolate pops cereal and a banana. Frowning, Maggie said, “We’re fresh out of chocolate pops, sweetie. How about some granola instead?”

“Okay, fine.” Chloe sighed.

Maggie grinned, watching her settle into her seat. “This granola is my favorite.”

“Mom,” Chloe said, dismissing the cereal discussion. “I have to take the selfie project into school today, so it’s ready for Monday. Don’t forget you have to come for selfie show-and-tell then.”

That’s right.There were so many things going on, she couldn’t forget about Chloe’s art debut. “I won’t forget, sweetheart. I can’t wait to see you to show your art to the world!”

“I have to talk about it too, why I drew myself the way I did.”

“You’re going to be great. I’m excited.” She turned to the magnetic calendar on the refrigerator and added a reminder for Monday. “Got it inked in right here.”

She glanced at Chloe, who beamed.

Jason stumbled into the kitchen, complete with bedhead and still wearing the sweatpants and a T-shirt he’d worn to bed.

“Can I have coffee? It smells good.”

“Coffee?”

“To wake me up.”

Maggie stared at him and thought, what the hell? He looked like he could use a caffeine jolt.

“How about if I make you a coffee drink with protein powder and some cocoa—sort of a mocha thing. You want it hot or cold?”