Page 48 of The Curve
“I’m ready,” says Paige.
Mallory grimaces, but it’s different this time. There’s fear, but there’s also anticipation.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
We exchange our goodbyes and I give my final instructions. “Don’t leave the party. Watch out for each other. Have fun.”
As the door closes behind them I say a silent prayer.Please God, watch over my sweet girl.
* * *
I must have lookedat the clock ten times in the last three hours. Nine thirty. Atticus is at the game and not available to soothe my soul. I turn to the TV to distract.
The sound of my cell brings me back to reality. When I see who’s calling, I’m surprised.
“Brick.”
“Charlotte, I’m on my way to pick the girls up. I. Not sure what happened yet, but I got a call from Paige to get over there as soon as possible.”
My stomach turns. “Is Mallory alright?”
“She was crying in the background. I don’t know what happened, but Paige called Jeffrey Midas an asshole, so I think he did something to upset her.”
My shoulders sink with the news. I’m so familiar with bullying when it comes to my daughter.
“Okay. I’m going to try to call her. Let me know if I should go there too.”
“I don’t think it’s gonna come to that. But I’ll call you as soon as we’re in the car.”
“Okay. Thanks, Brick. You’re a good friend.”
After we disconnect, I sit and wait. Mostly staring into space for ten minutes while I steel myself. I call Atticus and leave a short message, telling him what I know and to text me later. I don’t want him calling when I’m in the middle of comforting Mallory. Sometimes it’s an all-night thing. She ends up in my bed.
Damn it.
Why tonight?
Couldn’t she have had one day without having to endure cruelty? This is bad. She’d let her guard down for once.
My cell rings. I answer right away. “Brick?”
“She just got out of the car. She’ll be at your door in a minute. She didn’t want Paige or I to come with her. Poor thing. She wouldn’t talk about it. But Paige said that kid Jeffrey, he posted something…”
The doorbell.
“She’s here. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I hang up without thinking twice. He’ll understand.
“Mom!” she hollers between sobs.
I quickly move to the door and open it. She falls into my arms, sobbing her pain.
“Honey! What happened?”
“I’m a complete fool. I thought he liked me. As a friend at least. But…”
She pushes me away and runs to her room. I follow.
