Page 4 of The Me I Left Behind

“Sure,” Lia said.

Julia agreed. “Of course.”

Again, she took a deep breath. “Here’s the gist of it. You know Max is working the holiday in Australia. Well, the kids and I had scheduled a video call with him for Christmas Eve at midnight Brisbane time, which was ten in the morning for us here. He didn’t log on. About an hour later, Carol got back on the tablet and noticed that he had signed in—but apparently had forgotten to turn the thing off. The computer was in a bedroom and—”

“Oh no…” Lia gasped.

“Fucking shit. What did she see?” Julia stood too.

Maggie shook her head. “Not what you think.”

“Then what?” Lia joined them.

“It was what she heard first—a baby crying. Then she saw Max get up to get the baby. And then him talking with a woman.”

Both Lia and Julia stared for a moment.

“Wait. What?”

“I don’t understand.”

Turning, Maggie headed for the window and peered out over the ocean. “Evidently, Max is starting another family in Australia. It’s his baby. His and this woman’s.”

“Oh, holy fuck.” Julia came up behind her. “We will get his sorry ass, Mags. I swear. Just give me the word and I’ll file divorce papers.”

Maggie swiftly pivoted. “No. I don’t know what to do yet. I don’t know what Iwantto do.”

“Of course, you don’t.” Julia paused, studying Maggie for a minute. Her voice lowered, she went on. “I don’t mean right now, this minute. These things take time. But give me that time and we will make the sorry asshole pay.”

Lia moved in and embraced Maggie from the side. “Oh, honey. Are you okay? What can I do for you right now?”

Her words overflowed with concern and Maggie’s heart warmed. Turning, she gazed into Lia’s eyes and soaked up hercompassion. “I’m okay. I’m numb, actually, so I guess that’s a form of okay. Who knows?”

“Have you talked to him?” Lia’s eyes probed.

Maggie shook her head. “No. I’ve not. Carol has. He told her not to tell me, the bastard, and that he would call. Well, it’s been three days….”

“Goddamn sonofabitch.” Julia paced now, running a hand through her hair. “Tell me what you want me to do. I’ll start researching the legalities in Australia and then we can—”

“Stop, Julia.” Maggie grasped her forearm and met her gaze. “I can’t go there yet. I just need to think.”

Julia pushed out a breath. “Okay. I’m rushing you. But I will be doing some research behind the scenes.”

Maggie nodded.Let her work. It’s what she does. And maybe it will keep her out of my hair for a while. Until I’m ready.

“This is why you should stay, Maggie,” Lia said. “It will give you time to unwind from this and all the other chaos, talk things through with us, and perhaps spend some quality time with the kids for a few more days.”

“No.”

“Why?” Lia stepped closer.

“Well, for one, I am not concerning either of you, or Alice, with my crap right now. You have families to be with,” she said. “Besides, I’m not ready to talk this through, yet. And as for spending time with the kids? I can do that at home.”

“Can you?” Julia asked. “You know what will happen. You’ll get home and Carol and Jason will hook up with their friends, and you’ll not see them until school starts in January.”

She was probably right. “But this has been one hell of a holiday. With Max, and the storm, and Ella getting lost, and Belle’s baby— Good God, Lia, you don’t need me, my kids, or my problems hanging on, too.”

“Then come stay with us, if that makes you more comfortable,” Julia said. “Sam’s place is small, but there is an extra bedroom. The littles can camp out in the family room. Carol can bunk with Hannah until she leaves for Albuquerque. Might be nice for both of them. It would be tight but—”