Page 20 of Medusa

“I thought you might want something hot after a day of being raked over the coals,” Finley teased.

“Still not in the mood. Talk after I’ve eaten.”

“Can I see your prison tattoo?”

“Shut the fuck up.”

CHAPTER6

One weekend passed,and then another. Maddie wasstillangry. At Jaden, at herself, at all the circumstances that led to… well, everything.

She’d been avoiding Chloe, which wasn’t as difficult as she’d thought it would be. Lucifer had been picking up Atlanta, which made Maddie feel even worse.

What Chloe must think of me!

I’m so embarrassed!

But today was a new day, and she firmly removed Jaden from her mind as she walked to work. She got there before Hestia, and did the security check around the backyard before unlocking the main door. Hestia arrived not much later, and they prepared for the day, talking quietly about the kids and what they hoped to do that day.

“Maddie!” exclaimed Alexander when he burst into the daycare.

“Alexander!” she replied back in the same tone. “What’s up, buddy?”

“Me practicing mine handstands!”

“Have you? Do you want to show me your handstands?” Maddie bit back a giggle, the child's enthusiasm and antics making the negative thoughts plaguing her drift away.

Alexander carefully checked around himself before bending over and putting his hands on the floor, feet still firmly planted on the ground. Then he popped up again, all smiles. “Did you see mine handstand?” he shouted excitedly.

“I sure did!” Maddie avoided eye contact with his mother, who had followed him in, sure she would break out into laughter if she saw her amusement. “You got your hands right down on the ground!”

“Yes!”

Damien entered next, a little more sedately, and the boys hugged before heading off in different directions for their favorite toys.

“Don’t take out too much, boys,” Maddie told them. “It’s going to rain this afternoon, so we’re going to play outside this morning instead.”

“Okay, Maddie,” Damien said, putting back all but the Stegosaurus.

“Thank you.” Maddie turned to the other adult. “Everything good?”

“Actually…” Alexander’s mother winced. “I was hoping you might have a suggestion.”

“About?” Maddie prodded.

“He’s not telling us what he needs at home. He gets upset and throws a tantrum if I don’t understand his gestures.”

Maddie nodded thoughtfully. “He’s got enough words to be able to tell you anything he needs. I think I might have a book about communicating that might help him. I’ll read it this afternoon.”

“Oh, thank you!” Alexander’s mother gushed as she left. “I really appreciate it.”

“No problem!” Maddie greeted Shana’s mother, who had just arrived, taking the child from her with a smile. “Have a good day.”

A woman dropped Lyta’s backpack just inside the door. “I’ll try,” she said with a weary sigh.

“Start with your mindset,” Maddie advised. “You’ll get through this day one minute at a time.”

“One second at a time,” Lyta’s mother grumbled. “It was a hard night.”

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