Page 39 of The Me I Left Behind (Tuckaway Bay #4)

Julia smiled. “It’s still an item. We want full custody. So does Max. It’s truly unreasonable for the judge to move in his favor.”

“I can’t believe he thinks he can do the work he does, traveling and everything, and raise kids, too. Idiot.”

Julia nodded. “That’s one factor. He is ready to play hardball, though.”

“Such as?”

“He suggested, through his lawyer, of course, that he wants psychological evaluations done on all three children, and on you. He cited the history of mental illness in the family again and suggested that the children do not want to be with you. That the children have suffered from your instability over the years. I told him evaluations were fine, as long as he paid for them, and as long as a professional of our choosing also evaluated him.”

Maggie felt a little tug at her heart. She didn’t want to put her kids through any kind of testing. Not that what they might say about her was a concern, but that it might be traumatic for them. “What did he say?”

“He didn’t budge on the kids. Refused evaluation for himself.”

“Shit.”

“He is going to keep pushing it—until I pull the right cards.”

Maggie leaned closer. “But we have those cards. Right?”

A wicked grin broke over Julia’s face. “You bet your sweet ass. We were on a video conference call this morning. Max, his attorney, and me. I told them you were busy with graduation details, which was understood. I requested a laundry list of things regarding custody, school, college, and sports expenses, plus health insurance, and the like. I requested supervised visitation once a month, if he was in the country. I specifically said the children were not to leave the country without your permission.”

“And what did he say to that?”

“Oh, he laughed.”

“Bastard.”

“But not for long. You should have seen his face when I told him, and the attorney, that should he not agree with our demands, and drop his silly notions of mental illness and psychological examinations, then I would have no other recourse but to bring up the Carolyn Oliver wrongful death lawsuit and his negligent drunken behavior which lead to her death, in addition to the assaults on you and Carol and Jason. And that if he persisted, we would make sure all the above was public knowledge and that his concubine in Australia would learn all about it.”

“You really said concubine?” Maggie asked.

Julia laughed. “No. I just call her that in my head.”

I can go with that. “And what did he say?”

“He got angry, of course. Said a whole slew of things, which I, of course, recorded. Max’s attorney quickly ended the call. Then, about an hour before graduation, I got an email from the attorney. I’ll forward it to you later tonight, Mags.”

“What did it say?”

“That Max would drop the mental health issues and the psych evals—but only if we agree to never bring up the wrongful death incident and not file assault charges. He still wants to fight for full custody.”

Maggie stared at Julia. “He is an ass.”

“Of the biggest kind.”

“Don’t agree to that.” Maggie rose from her seat and stepped away from the group, thinking.

Twisting back, she said quickly, “I will fight for my kids, and I will not let up. I don’t care anymore what he tries to do to me.

He can bring up my mother’s mental illness and my depression all he wants.

I can certainly justify my depression. He can slam me to the curb if he wants.

But I will never, ever , give up fighting for my kids.

I want them with me. I want them safe and secure and loved.

I will work three jobs if I have to, and I will take care of them every, single, damn, day. And that is something he cannot do.”

She forcibly exhaled, instantly feeling a huge sense of relief.

Alice, Lia, and Julia stared back at her, smiling.

“We’re proud of you, Maggie,” Lia said.

“Mom?”

Maggie turned toward the house and saw Carol standing in the doorway, Logan behind her. “Sweetheart. What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to change clothes.”

Maggie nodded, swiping tears from her cheeks.

“Mom?” Carol whispered. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “I’m fine. More than fine, actually. In fact, I’m fabulous.”

Carol rushed into her arms. “I love you so much,” she whispered. “It’s going to be okay.”

Waffles and spicy sausages were on the menu for brunch.

After the tequila night, no one wanted to get up early to cook or eat—except maybe Julia.

Maggie took control of the waffle machine while Alice cooked the sausages.

Lia and Julia salvaged leftover Mexican ingredients to make a couple of Southwest style breakfast casseroles.

“If Sam were here,” Julia said, “he’d be digging into this enchilada egg dish about now.”

“Please take some home to him,” Maggie said. “My God, we have plenty.”

“You also have growing kids.”

“True.”

Logan and Carol cuddled together on the family room sofa, sleeping. It had been a long night for them at Project Graduation. Maggie heard them come in about five o’clock that morning and decided not to wake them until the food was ready.

But Jason and Chloe were up already. Julia showed Jason how to make the fake frozen margaritas in the blender. Chloe just sat at the kitchen island saying, “Yum!” to every new dish added to the brunch buffet.

“Jason, when you’re finished there, see if you can wake your sister and Logan, and let’s eat.”

He did, and for the next several minutes, chatter filled the kitchen while everyone filled their plates and then headed for the deck.

Once everyone found a seat, Alice set a champagne bottle and a pitcher of orange juice on the deck table. “Mimosas anyone?”

“Seriously Alice? After all the tequila last night?” Julia shot her a look.

“Now, don’t go getting all goody-two-shoes on me, Julia. Really, now.”

“Oh, gracious yes. Me,” Maggie said. “I’ll get a corkscrew.” She set her breakfast food aside and headed back into the kitchen. She checked the drawer where she usually kept her corkscrew, but didn’t see it. “Crap.”

She pulled open another drawer.

“We also need glasses.” Julia joined her.

“Okay.” She moved some things around in the messy junk drawer. “I can’t find the damn corkscrew.” Then her hand pushed aside a stack of plain postcards, held together with a rubber band. Immediately, something gripped her heart, and her breath caught. “Shit. I remember now.”

“I bet the corkscrew is still in Max’s office. Oh, I mean your studio.”

Maggie slowly lifted the cards and removed the rubber band.

“Maggie? Did you hear me?”

“Sure. Yeah. Studio.”

Julia stepped closer. “I’ll get it. What are you doing?”

She shuffled through the cards. There were over twenty of them. All with the same message. All dated and postmarked June 18.

Maggie looked at Julia. “I’d almost forgotten about these.”

“What are they?”

“Postcards. They come addressed to me every year. On June 18. The day Caroline died.”

Julia held her gaze for several seconds, then read the top card. “ Be careful. That’s all it says.”

“That’s what they all say.”

“But who…?”

“I don’t know. I never knew. I just stuck them in the drawer here. I never even told Max.”

Julia sat. “Shit, Mags. Someone has been sending you a warning.”

“To be careful I don’t end up like Caroline?” Suddenly, she didn’t want to dwell on that any longer. She took the cards from Julia. “Let it be. We will say nothing about this right now.” She peered into Julia’s eyes. “You hear me? Not a word. We’ll talk about it another time.”

Julia was reluctant, Maggie could tell, but she agreed. “Fine.”

Maggie nudged her elbow. “For now, we have breakfast to eat. Mimosas to drink.”

“Right.” Julia jerked a nod. “Take the glasses. I’ll get the corkscrew.”

With no further discussion, they retrieved the items and headed back to the deck. Alice played bartender, making mimosas. Maggie sat back and absorbed the banter and cheerful faces.

Nothing is going to ruin this day for me, or for anyone else.

After a while, Lia set her plate aside. “I have something to say, if it’s okay with everyone.”

Maggie shrugged. “Sure. Everything alright?”

She smiled. “Yes. I just wanted to say how proud I am of all of you. Carol, congrats on graduation and going to ECU in the fall. You know we all love that place, so it’s great you are going, too.”

“And,” Alice added. “You’ll get to see my Ella there this fall.”

Carol nodded. “Right.”

Lia continued, “You worked hard, and I’m sure it wasn’t easy these past few months. And Jason? You are such a good brother to your sisters and a big help to your mom. I’m proud of you, too.”

Jason smiled and looked a little embarrassed.

“And Chloe!” Lia added. “My goodness. I saw your selfie project—your mom sent us a video—you are quite the artist!”

Chloe beamed, her eyes bright. “I know! I sparkle.”

They all laughed.

Lia made eye contact with Maggie. “But you, my dear, I’m most proud of. In fact, we all are.” She glanced at Alice and Julia. “I’ll not say a lot right now but just know that we see you. We’ve watched the struggle, and we see how far you have come. We are proud of you, Maggie Oliver.”

Maggie almost had to choke back tears.

“But enough of that. I have one more thing—a gift for all of you. You, Maggie, and the kids. I hope you will accept it.”

Maggie shook her head. “Oh, Lia. You do not need to do that.”

“Please come stay at the Gull Cottage for the summer. It’s booked next week but I’ve cleared it starting the middle of June through the end of August. It’s yours. Rent free. Our treat—Zach and me. For you and the kids. I figure everyone needs a getaway sometimes. Right?”

“Oh, Lia. We couldn’t.” Maggie glanced at Carol, who was looking at Logan, and then at Jason and Chloe. “Or could we?”

Jason furiously nodded. “That’s actually perfect timing, Mom. Our last day of school is next week. Right Chloe?” He elbowed her.

“Beach? Yes!”

But she figured Carol might be the sticking point. She met her gaze. “What do you think, honey? I know you would be away from Logan, and he has to work, so….”

Carol looked at Logan again. He nodded.

“Mom, Logan got laid off from his job. He and his mom had a talk this week about that. She wants him to get his GED this summer and then apply to ECU.”

Maggie grinned. “Well, that’s excellent news, Logan! Congrats on making that decision.”

The young man beamed. “Thank you, ma’am. I mean, Maggie. My mom hated when I dropped out of school, so she’s happy.”

Alice piped up. “There is an adult education program in Tuckaway Bay. You can work on your GED there. I know the person who runs it. But—” She glanced at Maggie. “I may be overstepping here.”

Logan stopped her. “I appreciate that, but I’ll stay here with my mom for the summer and take my classes in Rocky Mount. I don’t need much to get the certificate. But since I’m not working, I can drive to the beach on weekends, maybe?” He looked at Carol, then Maggie. “If I am invited?”

“Of course, Logan.” Maggie watched them both, Carol and Logan, as they gazed into each other’s eyes. She also glanced from Julia to Alice, and then Lia. “I hear the beach is excellent therapy.”

“Best ever,” Lia said.

“I can attest to that,” Julia added.

After a minute, she finally nodded. “Well, kids. Looks like we’re going to the beach.”

Jason jumped up. “Tuckaway Bay, here we come!”