Page 88 of Clean Slade
“Maybe she’s shy?”
“My daughter? Shy? Have you met her?”
I didn’t know what else to volunteer.
“Wait, you don’t think she…? Do you think she’s gotten her period?” I asked.
“Maybe? But I’m sure I’d have noticed in her laundry. Besides, I’ve talked to her about it since she was little. I wanted to raise her with honesty. As if that hasn’t come back to bite me in the ass.” The last part he said more to himself than me.
“It’s not your—” I started, but he cut me off.
“I know. And you’re wrong, but that’s a conversation for another time.”
Not that I imagined he would willingly touch that subject ever again.
But I agreed with him, at least for now. Whatever was going on with Mac was getting worse with every passing day.
“Let’s just forget about it this weekend, and I’ll chase Wesley about it. Let’s try to have fun.”
King nodded, and Mac returned.
“Sweetie, do you want to walk on the promenade? What do you want to do today?”
She shrugged.
“Maybe go and see Hwan?”
“Of course. Let’s do it,” King answered.
Lilian returned with a takeout bag and handed it directly to Mac.
“Now, promise you won’t let these two eat your pancakes, okay? I’ve put extra toppings just for you.”
Mac huffed and dropped the bag on the floor.
“I don’t want pancakes!” she cried and walked out of the shop.
King ran after her, and I picked up the bag.
“I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into her.”
Lilian smiled and squeezed my hand.
“Seems like someone is carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Here…” She walked away and returned with a couple of wrapped cookies, adding them to the bag. “These might help the truth come out.”
I thanked her, and she kissed my cheek before returning to her counter.
I walked out, looking into the bag and wishing these things would work, but by now, I knew it was all fake.
“Everything okay?” I asked when I joined both Mac and King outside.
“Yeah, we’re good,” King said, and I noticed Mac wiping her eyes.
“Come on. Let’s go see Hwan,” I told her, and she took my hand.
I looked at King, hoping he’d gotten an answer from her, but he shook his head.
“Oh my God!” I said and stopped in front of a window farther down the road.
