Page 37 of The Me I Left Behind (Tuckaway Bay #4)

“I know where the things are.”

“You do?” This was getting interesting.

“Yes.”

“And…?”

“I moved them.”

That came from left field. “Why would you do that?”

“Because your husband paid me to.”

Maggie’s curiosity piqued. Again, she asked, “Why?”

The gatekeeper grumbled. “I found a note in his envelope that said he should be contacted if anyone besides him wanted to access the unit. I didn’t see it until after you left.

I texted him and he called, wanting to know who was here.

I told him it was you, his wife. Then he said he’d pay me five hundred dollars to move everything to a new unit. ”

“Wow.” Max was desperate. “So you did?”

She nodded. “Look, I don’t make much money here and I’ve got two kids to feed. My old man ran off with another woman five years ago. That was a lot of money.”

“I understand. So, which unit are the things in now?”

Again, she exhaled long. “I can’t tell you that. Strict orders from your husband. He might be an ass—and I suspect he is—but he said if you came back, I was to call the police. Now, I won’t do that, but you’ll have to not do all those things you said earlier.”

Maggie got it. Louise was playing the game, just like women have done for ages. “Look. I’m leaving. But I may very well be back, and if I am, be prepared to hand over the key. I’ll deal with my husband.”

Louise ran her tongue over her lower lip. “Sure.”

She headed back to her car, unsure whether to feel relieved or frustrated or thankful that at least, they knew where the stuff was. Before she headed home, she dialed Julia.

She picked up the call quickly. “Mags?”

“Julia, you were right. It was Louise.”

“I freaking knew it.”

“But she was doing Max’s bidding.”

Julia paused. “That’s interesting.”

“Yeah. So, here’s the deal…” She chattered on, telling Julia what had happened. In the end, they opted to sit on the information, especially since the things in the unit weren’t going anywhere. At least they knew where everything was, and they knew Max was still keeping tabs on things.

“Not the time to let our guard down, Maggie.”

On Thursday morning, Maggie busied herself in the kitchen, thinking over the events of the past few days, realizing that it had been a fast but quiet week.

Julia had sold the desk and the golf clubs, and she now had money in her pocket.

Knowing that made her feel all-the-more secure.

She’d taken some of that money and invested in new phones for Jason, Carol, and herself, opening her own account at the phone store.

That was an accomplishment because she had no credit history.

But they worked with her and made it happen.

Was she on her way to independence? Yes, ma’am!

The kids were surprised and happy. Jason even hugged her. They all agreed to a “no contact rule” with their dad. “I’ll jerk those phones so fast your heads will spin,” she’d told them. “And you’ll never see them again.”

She was pretty sure neither Jason nor Carol would risk it.

Max hadn’t surfaced since the storage unit fiasco—which could be a good or a bad thing—but at the moment, she’d take the lull in the action. She was nervous about Carol’s graduation next week, though. Would he show up?

They were all settling into their new normal.

She set out a fourth plate on the kitchen island for breakfast. Today was pancake day, she’d decided, with scrambled eggs and sausages for anyone who wanted them. She’d set out the butter and syrup—maple and blueberry—along with ketchup because she knew her kids wouldn’t eat eggs without ketchup.

How that paired with the maple syrup, she didn’t know. And didn’t ask.

Carol came down first, sitting in her usual place. “Four plates?”

Maggie faced her. “Yes. Text Logan and tell him I want him to come inside and eat breakfast with us.”

“Oh, Mom, he probably won’t want to. He’s usually dirty and tired from work, and besides, he’s….”

“Shy. I know. But there’s no better time than the present. And besides, he can wash up here and get his tummy full before he has to go to sleep for the day.”

Carol breathed heavily. “He is usually hungry. And his mom has to leave for work before he gets home.”

“Then it’s settled. Text him, please.”

“Alright.”

Maggie watched her fingers fly over the phone keyboard.

“Done.” Carol looked at her and smiled. “Thanks, Mom.”

Maggie grinned back.

The other two kids came rushing in. “Pancakes!” Chloe said. “My favorite!”

“And blueberry syrup,” Carol added.

“Yum!”

“Got coffee, Mom?” Jason stumbled to his seat.

“Of course. Coming up.”

Carol’s phone pinged. She turned it over and read the text, then looked up at Maggie. “He’s coming. Almost here. And he said thanks!”

Maggie grinned. She loved seeing her daughter happy. “I’m looking forward to spending a little time with him other than a fly-by.”

“I know.” Carol nodded. “Me, too.”

“Sausage patties and scrambled eggs are ready.” Maggie placed platters of both on the island. “Pancakes coming up.”

“Goody!” Chloe called out.

Maggie had to laugh about her enthusiasm for food. She wasn’t concerned about her eating habits, right now. She hadn’t gained weight, and she was eating healthy foods mostly. Besides, she was a growing child. Let her enjoy.

“I’ll help you, Chloe,” Carol said, filling her little sister’s plate.

“Hey, leave some for me!” Jason said.

“Kids, there’s plenty. I have more over here on the griddle.”

The doorbell rang and Carol looked up. “I didn’t even hear his truck.” She ran off to open the front door.

Maggie turned back, flipping pancakes. Since Logan was here now, she’d need to put a few more on. Grasping the large measuring cup full of batter, she poured two more cakes onto the flat griddle.

Footsteps sounded behind her, and she turned with a smile. “Hi Logan. It’s—”

She made eye contact with the person standing on the other side of the kitchen, slightly behind Jason and Chloe. Her heart jerked, and her hand went to her chest.

The measuring cup of batter slipped from her hand, crashing to the floor.

“Max…” she whispered.

“I’m sorry, Mom.” Carol rushed toward her. “He just came on in.”

“Dad!” Jason jumped up and gave him a hug. Max didn’t fully reciprocate.

Chloe’s eyes flashed wide, and she shoved her eggs away. Turning slowly, she looked at her father, then slid off her chair and rounded the island to Maggie.

Maggie grasped Chloe’s slim shoulders, tugging her closer.

Her child turned, burying her face in her tummy.

Maggie circled her little body with her arms.

“You need to leave, Max,” she said calmly and directly. I will not let this escalate into a scene.

He simply stared at her, a stupid Cheshire cat grin on his face. “We have some things to discuss.”

Maggie glanced from Carol to Jason, trying to gauge their reactions. “We talk through our attorneys. You are not supposed to be here.”

Jason took a step forward. “Mom, it’s fine. Let him stay. We haven’t seen him in months.”

She shook her head. “No, Jason. He can’t be here.”

Max ignored Jason and lowered his gaze to look at Chloe. “There’s my baby girl. Come see Daddy, won’t you?”

Chloe clutched Maggie’s hips tighter. Maggie rubbed her shoulders.

“You changed the locks,” Max added.

“On the advice of my attorney. Yes, I did.”

Max huffed and cocked his head. “Julia? Huh. I suppose she’s doing this pro bono? You women, always sticking together….”

Carol interrupted. “She’s good to Mom, Dad.”

He eyed his oldest child. “And you! I didn’t even get a hug.” He spread his arms, urging her to come closer.

Carol moved in the opposite direction, sidling up to Maggie. “I don’t want to hug you, Dad. The last time you hurt me, jerked my arm and called me names. Why are you even here?”

“Do you think I would miss my oldest child’s high school graduation? I’m so proud of you.”

She narrowed her gaze. “I don’t want you to come. I don’t even want you here right now. I don’t trust you.”

“Sweetheart, that was a terrible night. So many things were happening. I was out of line.”

Maggie snorted. “Out of line? Max, you were out of control. And I want you to leave now, before that happens again.”

“Not happening.” He locked his gaze with hers for several heartbeats, then jerked away and smiled again at Carol. “I brought you a present, sweetheart. For all your hard work.”

Maggie could sense Carol’s hesitation. Glancing sideways, she caught the uncertain expression on her face.

“I don’t need anything,” Carol said. “Mom takes care of me just fine.”

Max reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Here. These are yours. If those dates don’t work, just call the airline and change them. Let me know if I need to pay the difference. Come see me in Australia when you’re ready. Bring a friend. We’ll have fun exploring the Outback.”

Maggie noted the name of the airline on the outside of the envelope. Like hell she would let her go to Australia!

“Cool!” Jason exclaimed. “Take me with you!”

Max gave him a quick glance, then settled again on Carol.

Her lips thinned out and Maggie was sure she was clenching her jaw to keep from reacting. Carol grappled for Maggie’s hand and squeezed it.

Suddenly, Chloe screamed and pointed. “Pancakes!”

Maggie turned to the smoking griddle. “Shit!” She turned it off and quickly scraped up the burned pancakes with a spatula. Flustered, she tossed it all in the sink, then turned back to Max.

“Go, please. The kids need to eat breakfast and get to school.”

“They can wait.”

“Max, look,” Maggie said. “Let’s find another time to talk, just you and me. You are upsetting the kids.”

“I’m not upset,” Jason said. “I think he should stay.” He turned a smiling face toward his dad.

Max held eye contact with Maggie, dismissing Jason, once again. “You don’t want to talk about things in front of the kids? Why is that, Maggie? You have things to hide?”

“I have nothing to hide, Max. You, on the other hand….”

She stood firm, staring him down. Her brain rolled through any number of things he could accuse her of… But what the hell? She had more on him.

Max frowned. “I’m trying to figure you out. Something’s different about you.”

If that were true, then she knew exactly what it was. She wasn’t up for his bullshit any longer.

“Time to go, Max.”

“Wait. Dad,” Jason said. “If Carol doesn’t want to go, can I come? And can you go upstairs with me for a minute? I want to show you this new video game. I’m really good at it and—”

Abruptly, Max coiled back and backhanded Jason across the face. “Won’t you just shut the fuck up, you whiney screwup kid!”

Jason pitched to his right with the blow, then staggered into the back of the family room sofa.

“Get the fuck out of my house now!” Maggie yelled.

“Jason!” Carol screamed and ran to him, pushing past Max.

Chloe started wailing, her tears wetting Maggie’s shirt. Her little arms clutched tighter around the hips.

“What’s going on?” Logan burst into the room. “Is everything okay? The front door was open and…” He looked around, a questioning expression on his face.

“No. It’s not,” Maggie warned. “Get help.” Her brain suddenly flashed back to the night in January, with Carol and Tyler.

“Logan!” Carol shouted. “Be careful. He’s my dad.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Max glared at him.

Logan stood his ground. “The guy who might take you down if you lay a hand on anyone in this room.”

Max laughed.

“I’m calling 9-1-1,” Carol said, then spoke into her phone. “Yes! We have an intruder at 358 Calvin Way. Please hurry!”

Twisting away from Logan, he glared at his daughter. “Now, why in the fuck did you go and do that?”

“Mr. Oliver. You need to leave.” Logan put a hand on his shoulder.

Max whirled back and swung.

Carol screamed.

Logan ducked.

Max stumbled when the force of his swing didn’t make contact. “You little fucker.”

“I hear sirens,” Jason said.

“Great,” Maggie said, taunting Max. “Now we can have an official witness to the madness and since you are in town, I can finally file those assault charges against you from January.”

Max gave her a look that could kill. “No need to rush things, darling. I’ll be back to finish what I started here.”

“I believe that’s a threat. Did you all hear that, kids?”

Max glared, then turned and headed for the front of the house.

“Thank God,” Maggie breathed. “Carol, come take Chloe.”

She peeled her youngest off her and handed her over to Carol, then raced into the entryway. Max jogged down the driveway. She slammed the door shut and locked it, before he reconsidered and returned.

The sirens grew louder. They’d be there soon.

She quickly texted Julia, asking how soon she could get a restraining order.

Back in the kitchen, she rushed to hug the kids. All four of them, at the same time. Logan included.

“Thank God he’s gone,” she whispered. To Logan, she said, “I’m sorry about all that, but am grateful you came when you did.”

“You saved us, Logan,” Carol whispered. She looked up into his eyes and gave him a sweet kiss on the lips.

Maggie’s heart swelled. She turned to Jason, inspecting his jaw. “Are you okay?”

He shrugged, his eyes lowered.

“I’m so sorry, buddy.”

Carol agreed. “Me too. He’s an asshole, Jason. We told you that.”

He finally looked at Maggie, his eyes misty. “I know. I’m sorry, Mom. I just wanted him to notice me.”

“Oh, Jason.” She bear-hugged him, holding him close. “ I see you, every single day, and you are an awesome, incredible young man.”

Jason buried his face in her shoulder.

After a moment, Chloe tugged on her shirt. “Mommy?”

Maggie released Jason and redirected her attention. “You okay, honey?”

Chloe nodded. “Got any more pancakes?”

She smiled. “We certainly do. And just so you know, I’m declaring this an official skip day. We’ll all stay home. Maybe watch movies and eat pancakes all day. Logan? Can you still stick around for breakfast? Or as long as you like?”

He nodded and grinned. “I can.”

Carol gave him a hug.

“Good. I feel like having my family close today.”