Page 5 of The Penitentiary
“In that case, start buttering this fuckin’ bread. I can’t spread butter for some damn reason!” I retorted, and Levi offered a weak laugh.
Callie
“I love this; it’s great,” Madisen said as she sat on the couch. “Who does most of the driving?”
“We take turns. Sunny helps with other stuff on the team, so it frees him up,” I replied.
“I’m surprised he lets you drive.”
“Sunny doesn’t have a choice.” I laughed.
Madi smiled weakly, and I knew something was up. Providing emotional support was well out of my comfort zone, but there was an aura of grief around Madi that was almost painful.
“Are you okay, Madi?” I asked delicately.
“Callie…” She sighed. “I miscarried a baby girl six weeks ago. I was eighteen weeks pregnant and should have been out of danger, but wasn’t.”
“Oh, Madi!” I exclaimed as my palm went to my own bump. I immediately removed my hand as I realised what I’d done, but Madi stopped me.
“Callie, don’t feel guilty for checking your baby is still there. I guess it’s selfish of me because I have Lily and DJ, but this baby was so wanted.”
“I’m not sure what to say, Madi. We all know I’m kinda emotionally stunted. But I’m so sorry; my heart bleeds for you.”
“Thanks, babe.”
“You and Levi are such excellent parents. Your grief must be huge. I’m no good with emotions, but I am a great listener,” I offered, feeling inadequate. Nothing would make this better for Madi.
Madi forced a smile. “This week has actually got me out of my funk. I’m tired of idiots telling me I’m young enough to have another, or it was only a foetus! She wasn’t just a damn foetus, she was my baby girl. Levi had nicknamed her Bean, and he used to talk to my tummy, so she’d hear his voice. And all the bullshit,time heals, shit. The pain is getting worse each day because I understand how the pregnancy should have been progressing.”
“Fuck anyone who says that crap to you!” I exclaimed. “How dare they!”
“I know, right?”
“Jesus Madi, get Levi to kick their ass,” I snapped, and Madi laughed before sobering.
“Levi’s hurting too, but he’s burying it to help me.”
“Did you name her? Bury her?” I asked, unsure if I was asking the correct thing.
Madi nodded. “We called her Mary, and we insisted she was buried. Usually, the hospital cremates foetuses. But Lynda, Doc’s Paul and Gibbons got involved and swung it so we could lay her to rest.”
“Mary is a sweet name,” I murmured, swallowing my own tears. Madi needed strength, not a weepy pregnant woman.
“Yeah.” Madi fell silent and stared out of the window.
“I’m surprised you came,” I said, and Madi turned her attention back to me.
“Because of what Sunny did to Levi?”
“Yes,” I answered honestly.
“Did I like it? No. Did I hate Sunny for months while Levi recovered and beyond that? Yes. But did I forgive Sunny and walk in his shoes? I sure as hell did. While I’ll never forget Sunny’s actions or what they led to, I understand his thought process. I just wish Sunny weren’t so hot-headed, and he’d spoken to Levi before beating him badly,” Madi stated.
“You’re a bigger person than I am. I’d still be holding a grudge,” I admitted.
“Oh, trust me, I plan to have Sunny owe me for a long time,” Madi replied with a genuine grin.
I laughed. “Sunny hates seeing tears in a woman’s eyes. That shit cuts him deep. Liv and Cherry learned how to play Sunny with that. He’ll break his back to clear any sign of tears up!”
