Page 156 of Messy Strokes (Wrecked Roommates)

He sighs. “I dunno.”

“Do you know what happened?” I prod, my voice nothing but a whisper as I pinch the bridge of my nose.

“All I know is Milo left the exhibit early, you two are havin’ troubles, and you missed your shift yesterday. You think our customers wanna see my ugly mug when they could be seeing you?”

With a pathetic laugh, I shove my hair away from my face and pat Penny’s bum again as she continues blubbering away, oblivious to her parents’ woes or how much her mom has screwed up in her life.

“Sorry I didn’t call in,” I murmur.

“Like I said, I knew you were havin’ troubles. But I’m not gonna let you sit around and wallow in self-pity. It isn’t healthy, Maddie. Come to the shop. Bring Penny. She can be our mascot for the day.”

“And if Milo shows up?” I ask.

“You two can finally move past whatever’s bothering you. ‘Cause let me tell ya. It isn’t worth the pain.”

“Yeah. Well, I’m not sure we can move past this one.”

“You don’t think?”

“I screwed up.”

“We all make mistakes.”

“Not ones as big as this.”

“Tell me about it.”

So I do.

I let it all go. Word after word. Mistake after mistake. Each and every confession tumbling out of me, gaining momentum as if being pushed down a hill. Now, it’s gravity taking over, and I’m simply along for the ride.

By the time I finish, all I get is silence.

Deafening silence.

Pulling my phone away from my ear, I check to see if the call is still connected. “Jos? You still here?”

“You love him?”

“Of course, I do.”

“So, get your ass to work, sweetheart.”

“Jos––”

The call goes dead.

Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I scoot off the edge of the bed and pick Penny up.

“You heard the man,” I mutter. “Apparently, we gotta get to work.”

* * *

With Pennyon my hip and a diaper bag full of toys to entertain her, I pull open the heavy glass door to Etch 'N Ink and scan the place. I can’t stop myself from looking for him.

But Jos wasn’t kidding.

Milo isn’t here.

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