Page 98 of Love me, Maddie Mendoza

I let myself out of the house, closing the door behind me and sealing the noise away. I took a deep breath looking to the night sky and only then, I heard the hushed voices.

“It’s not it, Maddie.” Aisha’s voice was saying. “I’m not stupid enough to go through this again. He made himself clear.”

“But…”

Their voices were coming from the side of the house. A small passage between the two neighboring houses. I saw the tip of a boot laying on the ground; it was Aisha’s shoe. I took a step back and plastered myself to the wall, shamelessly listening to them.

“No buts, Maddie. Nick wants nothing to do with me.” A beat of silence that Maddie said nothing. I frowned. She knew Nick liked Aisha. We told her.

“I’m sorry to unload this whole thing on you.” Aisha was talking again.

“I don’t mind. I want to hear it.”

“There’s nothing to hear about.” Aisha insisted. “It’s done and dusted. I need to…”

Move on were the hidden words. I wasn’t sure what was happening. It always felt like the other way around, that Aisha didn’t like Nick and he was clearly into her.

“How’s your mom?” Aisha asked.

Maddie sighed. “She’s ok. Eating well now. Dad is bringing her for daily walks. It’s cute.”

Aisha chuckled. “Do they have any news?”

“No. Nothing yet.”

“It will be fine.” She almost sounded like the Aisha I knew. “It won’t be cancer.”

Her silence crushed my heart. “I say that to myself every day. It’s not cancer. It’s my mantra.”

“You’re scared.” A statement, not a question.

Maddie hesitated to reply, but just for a little. “Yes.”

Her frail tone slashed me in two. She was scared, god, I was too.

Things were changing. People were sick, and we were holding onto each other in ways we shouldn’t.

“It will be fine.” Aisha was talking again. “Your mama’s strong.”

I could almost taste the little smile Maddie must have given. I knew all her expressions. “The strongest.”

“So very well”

They started to move, and I stepped back, afraid to be caught eavesdropping.

“Enough with boys and fears.” Aisha called. “Do you want to come over and order a pizza?”

“Yeah.”

I opened the front door again, tracing my steps back, so it looked like I was just coming out. My dry throat called, “Maddie?”

She rounded the side, holding hands with Aisha. “I found her.” Maddie smiled. “I’m going to sleep at Aisha’s tonight. Talk tomorrow?”

I nodded stiffly, trying to summon a smile that felt wrong on my lips. “See you tomorrow, Mads.”

They walked side by side, Maddie’s head on Aisha’s shoulder. I watched them disappear down the street. I drew a devastating breath. Maddie didn’t need me to be taking her kisses and her warmth. She needed a friend. She was scared and leaning on the only support she had. Someone who knew her inside out and knew the place she came from.

I shook myself and let the jagged breath out. I promised right then, once more, I wouldn’t touch Maddie Mendoza again.

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