Page 139 of Bossy Hero

“She’s a fantastic kid.”

“Jokes aside, do you remember if Mama told us to hide or if that was just something we did?”

“Not only did she tell us to hide, she helped us find the best spots, Maddie. She intentionally left out those big blue storage crates for us to hide in, and there were always tarps in the garage. That wasn’t an accident.”

A lone tear streams down my cheek as her words confirm my recent revelations. I don’t know why I needed her to corroborate it, but perhaps it’s because I don’t trust my memories of this crud.

Turns out, I didn’t just physically hide. I mentally shielded myself too.

“I’m surprised you didn’t remember it, but I’m sure there’s plenty of shit I’ve suppressed. Maybe on our next call, I’ll ask you something equally tragic from our youth. Deal?”

Gradually, we run out of things to rehash. I’ve apologized for my failures and weaknesses in every way imaginable. She’s apologized for slamming the door in my face and telling me she’d see me at my funeral. There’s not much else to say, and we agree we need time to process what we hashed out today.

Is it solved? No.

A single call can’t fix what’s happened.

Yet there is hope.

After we say our goodbyes, I set the phone down on the table, cradle my face in my hands, and cry. I just cry and sob. Letting everything out.

I don’t know how long I stay there, wallowing in my sadness and clinging to the glimpses of the future that might be.

A warm hand cups my shoulder, and a voice I’d know anywhere caresses my ears. “It’s only me, Maddie baby.”

He’s here. Of course he is. Because he knows I need him.

I glance up at Alan through puffy, tear-filled eyes. What I can see of his face through the curtain of moisture calls to me, offering me solace from whatever I’m suffering through.

He takes the seat beside me, squaring his body to mine. I push away from the table, crawl onto his lap, and bury my face in his chest.

I don’t care that we’re in a break room at his company. I don’t care that someone might walk in and find him comforting me like a crying child. I don’t even care that I’m probably too heavy for him.

I just need him to hold me.

And he does.

Chapter24

Will she ever stop coming?

Big Al

Igaze at Maddie over the top of my computer monitor, grinning at how precious she looks when she’s engrossed in a book. Judging by her facial expressions, this is a good part.

Her eyebrows dance, and her feet start bopping. Perhaps the character’s running, and she’s mimicking the motion. A gasp escapes her rounded lips. It’s soon replaced by a pouty frown.

I could watch her all day. She’s more entertaining than any movie I’ve ever seen.

She turns the page, inhaling sharply and shaking her head. It reminds me of the mom glare I’ve seen her use when Sammy’s being Sammy or Leo’s being overprotective. I wonder if she’s mentally chastising the characters for doing dumb shit.

Unable to bite my tongue any longer, I ask, “What are the chances you want to make this arrangement permanent?”

She rests her open paperback on her lap and hits me with a faux scowl. “Was that another proposal?” Her eyes dart from one wall to the other comically. “If I didn’t say yes when you had the fancy dinner on your boat with the flowers and a ring, what makes you think the outcome will be betterthisway?”

I laugh softly, holding out my palm and preparing my rebuttal.

She continues before I have a chance. “Free tip, Alan. If you want something from a woman, don’t interrupt her when she’s reading orhangry. And you just did both.”

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