Page 10 of Soul

The next day

Maci was having a tantrum because she didn’t want to attend school. I didn’t need this today. I’d a book to finish editing, and Maci kicking off was an unwelcome issue.

“What is the problem? Are you being bullied?” I asked, suddenly worried.

I was now unsure if Maci was being a pain because of her health, stubbornness, or bullying. If they were being tormented, then all hell would break loose. The school had reassured me they had a zero-tolerance policy towards it.

“Mom, I want to stay here,” Maci snapped, sticking her bottom lip out.

“Why?”

Maci suddenly looked cagey, and I realised she was up to something.

“Car! Now! Do not play me for an idiot, young lady. I don’t care what your reason for not wanting to attend school is, you’re going!”

“Mom, I hate you,” Maci wailed, and I shrugged.

“Fine, I don’t like you either. So why don’t I call your father, and you can live with him?” I asked.

Maci looked appalled, while Hamilton smirked.

“You can’t do that!” Maci shrieked.

“Why not?”

“Because you’re my mom!”

“But you said you don’t like me, in fact, you actually claimed to hate me. Why can’t I do that?”

“Ham!” Maci yelled, looking to him for help.

“You dug your grave, sis. I don’t mind if it’s just me and Mom. That means I get all the good stuff!”

“Mom!” Maci wailed.

“Car!” I ordered, and she moved her wheelchair as slow as possible.

Maci eyed me balefully and then I began pushing her, which caused her to shriek some more. I drove a wheelchair-adapted SUV, which Madden had paid for, and meant it had all the bells and whistles.

Hamilton was already inside waiting as I pushed Maci up the ramp and secured her.

“Sulk all you want. But I guess it means no pizza tonight,” I said.

“Pizza?” Maci looked up, interested.

“Oh no. Not for you. You’ll be on the way to your dad’s because you hate me so much. It’s cool. Ham and I can raise a thick, frothy milkshake to you!”

“That’s not fair!” Maci yelled, and I grinned.

“Neither is saying you hate me.”

“I love you really, Mom,” Maci said, all sweetness and light.

“Somehow, I thought you might when pizza’s involved,” I replied.

Maci scowled, and I laughed as I started the car and pulled out. As I did, my neighbour appeared. I stopped and let his Harley pass me, keeping my head down for more than one reason.

He rode off without a glance in my direction and disappeared down the road.

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