Page 136 of Bossy Hero

I hit the greensend callbutton, close my eyes, and lift the phone to my ear.

My sister picks up on the third ring. “Maddie, is it really you?”

I’m momentarily speechless. Not only at the sound of her voice but also because I’m shocked she has my number saved in her phone.

I stammer, “Uh. Yes. Hi. It’s me.”

As soon as I spit that out, my lungs freeze. Since I’m holding my breath, my pounding heartbeat is the only thing I hear. Not even the girls surrounding me make a peep.

When I open my eyes, Sammy’s smiling warmly at me. Lettie continues caressing my upper back. And Sue still looks like she’d rather be anywhere but here.

Me too, kid. Me too.

“It’s nice to hear from you,” Tilly says, sounding almost believable.

A confession leaves me in a rush. “I wasn’t sure if you’d answer.”

“Sammy told me you’d be calling today. So I had a chance to get my thoughts and feelings in order.”

I narrow my eyes at Sammy. “Oh, did she now? That sounds like my daughter.” Not sure if I should be angry with her for interfering or grateful she did.

Probably the latter.

If Tilly hadn’t taken my call, it’d be years before I got the courage to try again. If ever.

“You’re welcome,” Sammy whispers, then turns to the girls. “Let’s go. She’s good now.”

Lettie inclines her head, brows arched in question. I dip my head in a grateful nod. They disappear in relative silence.

Then it’s just me, my sister, and a phone. And decades’ worth of mistakes to apologize for.

“Tilly, I’m glad you answered.”

“I’m glad you called.”

The line crackles with my frantic breathing.

She’s the first to break the silence. “How have you been?”

“Uh, well. Mostly good. A few life-threatening situations to deal with. A hit man shot me in the arm a few weeks ago. I’m about to be fired because I’ve missed so much work. I’m in love with Leo’s boss. And I’m currently stuck at Redleg Security on lockdown because the mafia is out to get us.” I pause, my mouth quirking into a sarcastic grin. “So, you know... the usual.”

“I’m gonna assume you’re joking.”

I cough out a blend of nervous and cathartic guffaws.

“Madeline, please tell me you’re joking.”

“I’m not kidding, Tilly.” My laughter booms, rapidly approaching hysterical territory. “I wish I was.” I gasp for oxygen, still fighting the biggest giggle fit I’ve had in years. “But it’s all true.”

Each throaty laugh removes another layer of tension from my soul.

Between my bouts of temporary insanity, I catch Tilly snickering along with me. It hits me how I never thought I’d hear her laugh again.

It’s a dreadful thing. Like a braying donkey. I’ve missed it.

Once I’m able to steady myself to speak, I start with an apology. One of many. “Sorry for cracking up that way. Things have been tense, and I really needed the laugh, I suppose. Didn’t know how much until it all just poured out of me.”

“Well, it’s like Mimi Jean used to say. It’s better to crack up than break down, right?”

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