Page 130 of Broken Grump

“And what’s all this?” I ask, referring to the new interior garden.

Instead of answering me directly, she picks a vase up and hands it to me. Among the beautiful flowers is a clear stake with a note attached.

“Go on, read it,” she encourages.

“Okay.” I take the small, white envelope in my hands, and I pull out the handwritten card inside.

Each petal represents an “I’m sorry.”

Please forgive me, Addie.

~Hayden

I want to roll my eyes, but the pride on Penny’s face stops me.

“Isn’t it just so romantic?” Her hands clasp underneath her chin, and her body starts to sway a little. “Oh, and they’re all different. See?” She goes over to another bundle, takes out the card, and then hands it to me.

I don’t want to know what my life looks like without you and Luna in it.

Please forgive me, Addie.

~Hayden

As much as I appreciate this latest gesture, it doesn’t change the fact that he screamed in my face. I was just trying to help his sorry, drunk ass, and he treated me like an intruder in his house. I will not subject myself to that again, and I don’t want my daughter around someone who acts like that. It’s not okay.

“And they’re not going to stop,” Penny whispers.

To emphasize her words, the doorbell rings, and there’s a courier with yet another bushel.

“Addie Flores?” The man in the khaki hat asks.

“Yes, that’s me.”As much as I wish it wasn’t in this very moment . . .

“Great. Please sign here.” I accept the wrapped parcel from him and scribble my initials on his electric pad. “Thanks. Have a wonderful d—well,” he chuckles, tips his head a little, and scratches his head saying, “I suppose I should save that. I’ll be back again in an hour or so.”

Bloody hell.

Usually, Luna would have been enthralled by all the pretty flowers. But today, after I told her about us moving last night, she remains completely aloof.

“Can you take this for me, baby?”

“Yeah,” she responds without much emotion. Then, after taking them from me and setting them down, she hangs her head and carefully walks up the stairs.

“She isn’t always like that,” I explain to Penny.

She just nods. “Don’t worry. Mine could be temperamental little buggers too from time to time. Just wait until she becomes a teenager.”

I shudder at the thought. But then I explain, “Well, I actually just broke the news to her that we’re moving back to Phoenix.”

“You are? But I thought you were going to live here.” She gestures to my abuelo’s grand home.

“We were. Except the plan changed.”

“Is that why that strange man is in your grandfather’s office?”

Right.I completely forgot about the purpose of my visit—to meet up with Steven and sign everything over to my mother once and for all. “Do you mind?”

“No, no. Go right in.”

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