Page 38 of The Me I Left Behind (Tuckaway Bay #4)

Twenty

Carol handed Maggie her cap, gown, and diploma, flashed a tearful smile, then tucked her arm into Logan’s.

They all stood outside the football stadium—Maggie, Jason, and Chloe, along with Julia, Lia, and Alice—after the graduation ceremony had wrapped up.

Families mingled and lingered, taking pictures and praising accomplishments.

Some were relieved their kids made it, Maggie figured.

Others dreaded the next steps in their children’s lives.

Max didn’t show up. Julia had told her earlier in the week she didn’t think he would risk it, and apparently, she was right.

She’d not seen nor spoken to him since he’d come to the house the week prior.

She knew Julia was in negotiations with Max’s attorney and wouldn’t say much until she had firm news to share.

Maggie had been so busy helping Carol get ready for graduation, she didn’t mind.

Max had requested the Escalade, saying he needed it when he was working locally. She and Julia discussed, and Maggie gave over the keys.

Score one for Maggie. It was only the beginning.

She hadn’t mentioned him to Carol at all, and she didn’t plan to unless her daughter brought him up—which was doubtful.

“Can we go now, Mom? It’s hot.” Jason wiped sweat off his upper lip.

“Wait for me by the car. I parked in the shade.”

“Me too, Mommy.” Chloe looked up and grinned, then slipped her hand into Jason’s. “I’ll go with Jason.”

Maggie nodded. “Keep an eye on her. Okay?”

“Sure.” He turned to his big sister then. “And congrats. You made it, dork.”

Carol stuck out her tongue. “Like I wouldn’t?”

He grinned and nudged Chloe. “Come on.”

As they left, Carol gave Maggie a hug. “Bye, Mom. We’re leaving, too. I’ll touch base before we head to Project Graduation. Will you make breakfast in the morning?”

“Of course.” Maggie sniffled and dabbed at a tear in the corner of her eye. “Your favorite.”

“Waffles and those spicy link sausages?”

“You bet, sweetheart.”

“I love you!”

The couple sprinted toward Logan’s truck and, in seconds, were off to do high school graduation things.

“Wow. Our girl has grown up.” Julia eased an arm around Maggie’s waist. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” she said, “how the heck did that happen?”

Lia reached for her hand. “She’s grown up in so many ways. That girl has matured over the past six months.”

“She had to,” Maggie said. “Sometimes I am grateful that she’s grown out of that rebellious shit—and other times, I grieve the loss of her innocence, so damn quick.”

Alice leaned closer, whispering. “And that boyfriend of hers? He seems to be a very nice young man and kind of hot. Isn’t he?”

“Super cute—according to Carol. I’ll just leave it at that,” Julia remarked.

Lia laughed. “Alice. I thought you were into women.”

“Eh.” Alice shrugged. “I can go either way.”

Maggie smiled at that. Alice being casual about her sexuality was interesting. Her past few months were complicated, to say the least, since her rather involuntary coming out over the Christmas holiday at Tuckaway Bay.

Yawning, Lia stretched her arms. “I just have to say it. That was a really long ceremony.”

“I wouldn’t have minded it so much if the seats were a little softer,” Alice added. “Those bleachers were wicked.”

“There’s only one cure for that,” Maggie said.

“And that is?”

“Tequila on my deck. Or wine. Your choice.” She looked at Julia. “Except for you.”

Julia laughed. “No problem. I’ll own being the resident alcoholic. I bring my own bottle these days.”

They made all the fixings for Mexican food when they got back to Maggie’s, to go with the margaritas. She had shopped earlier in the day, keeping the tequila theme in mind.

They spread all the food across the kitchen island, buffet style—spicy beef, grilled chicken strips, refried beans, Spanish rice, chopped lettuce, peppers of all kinds, green and red chili sauce, mild and hot salsa, Mexican corn, shredded cheese and queso, sour cream, guacamole, chips, tortillas, and more.

Everyone helped themselves, making whatever they pleased—tacos, burritos, nachos, taco salad. Whatever.

While Maggie made margaritas on-the-rocks-with-salt for the drinking girls, Julia made a spicy non-alcoholic frozen version with margarita mix, lime, and a hint of jalapeno, and shared with the kids.

Jason was impressed. Chloe wrinkled her nose and asked for ice cream.

Later, with the kitchen cleaned up and Jason and Chloe off to their rooms, the four women headed to the backyard deck overlooking the golf course and settled into comfortable chairs. Maggie brought a platter of nachos with her and set it in the center of the patio table.

“Ooh, these pillows are so soft. Much better than the stadium bleachers,” Alice exclaimed.

“I’m really glad you all came for graduation.” Suddenly, Maggie realized how tired she was, and propped her feet up on a wicker footstool. Long day . “I didn’t expect you to, so that was a pleasant surprise—and honestly? I am more than ready for some girlfriend time.”

“I’ll second that emotion.” Julia tipped her drink glass.

“Me, too,” Alice said.

Lia sighed. “Gosh. I wish Wren and Willow were here.”

“Yeah. Weed.” Alice took a drink of her margarita. “But tequila is nice, too.”

They all laughed.

“Willow could sniff out a weed dealer a mile away. Couldn’t she?” Maggie said. “I wonder where in the hell those girls are. It’s been way too long.”

Alice put her feet up, too. “What’s it been? A couple of years?”

“They’ve missed two August beach weeks,” Lia said.

“Holy shit.” Julia set up, reaching for a tortilla chip. “I guess I was too tied up with my own crap for a while to realize.”

“I’ll second that emotion,” Maggie echoed, and tipped her glass toward Julia. “And my shit has kept you busy for the past few months.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way, Mags.”

She tossed Julia a heartfelt grin.

“I wish we could get them to come to Tequila Sunrise this year,” Alice said. “That beach house is not the same without them.”

Lia nodded. “True. Let’s see what the next couple of months bring. Gosh, I can’t believe it’s June already.”

Maggie thought about that for a moment. So much happened this past year. What would next year bring? Obviously, it was going to be a different one for her and the kids. Would they set out on fresh adventures? Or face more challenges?

She didn’t want to dwell on it.

Time to switch direction. Not going there tonight. “Speaking of weed, I wonder about those cannabis drinks. Have any of you tried them?” She looked at Julia. “Are they addicting? Just curious if you could try those.”

“Good question. And my answer is that I have no earthly idea.”

“Might be something to look into.” Maggie swirled the lime in her drink.

“Perhaps.”

They all sat for a moment, soaking up the silence.

“Hey,” Alice said. “Remember last summer when Julia got really pissed at us for smoking pot on the back deck at the Gull Cottage? Maggie, you were super stoned.”

Maggie sat up. “And you, Miss Goody-Two-Shoes, were just as guilty—and as high—I might add.” She glanced at Julia. “And yes, I made you mad. More than once that week, I think. I’m sorry.”

Julia waved her off. “Forgotten. Old news.”

Alice leaned forward. “Well, I guess it’s going to be up to me to bring up the elephant in the room.”

Maggie cocked her head. “Elephant?” She literally didn’t know what Alice was talking about.

“Max! He didn’t show. Do we know why?”

“I’m just thankful he didn’t.” Maggie laid her head back. “After the episode last week, I don’t care to see him again. I mean, I didn’t realize how much I truly despised that man until I turned around and saw him standing in my kitchen.”

“That had to be unnerving,” Lia told her.

“It was scary, coming totally from left field.” She stared off for a few seconds, looking over the backyard. “Man, I wish Willow were here. I could use a toke off a big fat doobie right now.”

Lia burst out laughing. “You sound like you just stepped out of the 70s.”

“Um, the 90s maybe? We weren’t even born in the 70s.”

“Sidebar convo!” Alice interjected. “But what about Max?”

“I don’t even have a clue, nor do I care,” Maggie said. “I’m just happy he didn’t spoil my daughter’s graduation.”

“I can fill in the blanks,” Julia said, looking at Maggie. If you want to go there. I didn’t want to say anything earlier, with all the graduation hype, but I have some news if you want to hear it now. Or we can wait until later.”

Maggie took a gulp of her margarita and leaned toward Julia. “These people,” she waved her arm. “These women , all of you, are my emotional support people. Share away, please?” She reached out her hands. Alice took one, and Lia grasped the other.

Julia smiled. “There’s good news, actually. So far, anyway.”

“Shoot me straight, Jules.” Her head was getting a little dizzy. Margaritas, do your stuff.

“Alright. First, Max agreed to ‘no contact’ with you or the children until there is a settlement about custody and the divorce is final. He realizes I am poised to file charges and a restraining order against him for January, and for last week, should he violate the verbal agreement. So, you shouldn’t have to worry about him coming to the house. ”

Maggie blew out a sigh. “Great. What else?”

“He’s backing off on selling the house for now, so the sign can come down—but he still wants to keep that on the table for down the road. That buys you time.”

Maggie thought that was fine. “I hate to think about moving from this house, but I know selling it is likely inevitable. I can’t afford it. But you are right, this buys time.”

Julia nodded. “Yes. And we agreed to let him have the Escalade, as you know. That’s a plus in your column for being reasonable.

He also wants to come at some point and get clothing and other personal items. We will work out those details.

You and the kids cannot be here when it happens, but I will be. ”

“What about custody?”