54. Maggie
54
maggie
I’m picking at the loaf of bread, wearing his t-shirt, and I know I have to get out of here before he comes back with the girls. Even if they think they’re okay with all of this, they don’t need it shoved into their faces. And they really don’t need to see me naked from the waist down. I take a hunk of bread and head upstairs. I feel like we said, ‘I love you’ about a million times.
I put on my dress from last night and shove my destroyed panties into my clutch. I glance around the room and see all the different things and positions and relish how sore I am today. But my favorite time was in the middle of the night. He woke me up, and we said nothing. We came together in a rush of love and sweet kisses. I love all the ways we choose to have sex but that one, well, that one was more about our history and future than about lust.
Maggie: So, we’re in love.
Mak: Duh.
Maggie: I mean like from now on.
Mak: There’s been no change in the universe or cosmic shift. You’ve always been this much in love.
Mak: I’m married to my absolute soulmate, and we’ll never be as sickly in love as the two of you. It’s like another level.
Maggie: Thanks!
Mak: Girls, okay?
Maggie: I think so. They set up our first date; you know the one where I told him I wanted him for eternity and then we had so much sex that it almost makes up for lost time.
Mak: I get that.
Mak: Take it slow. No one has more baggage than the two of you.
Maggie: Nope. Done with slow.
Mak: Okay, then.
Maggie: And I’m pretty sure Law has more baggage than any of us.
Mak: HA! Yeah, whenever he gets hit with love, let’s hope she’s a simple, uncomplicated therapist, with a heart of gold and a forgiving nature. Who can cook and doesn’t mind Liliana up in their business.
Maggie: HAHA.
Mak: Running to class. You good?
Maggie: Yes. Love you.
Mak: Back.
I make my way down the stairs, and right the room. We knocked over lamps and pillows. I shove the tea towels we used to clean up all the fluids into a grocery bag I have slung over my shoulder. I quickly fluff the pillows, toss the glasses in the sink and hustle to the front door. I fling it open as their car pulls up. I slam the door and run into the backyard. I duck down below the set of windows, and I hear him yelling for me. He’s ruining the hiding. I crouch down behind the deck. I’ll wait for them to go about their business and creep out the front door because there’s no side of the house when all the houses are basically attached.
I’m holding my dress between my legs in case a breeze kicks up. No one needs to see my butt in this type of situation. A woman hangs out of her kitchen window and starts rattling off Italian, and I’m only getting every other word. I wave to shush her, and I lose my balance and end up on the grass bare assed with my dress spreading out around me. But she’s screams louder.
Then I hear, “Mi scusi signora. Questo è il mio amino. Va bene.”
I turn my head and close my eyes as Sloane stands with her hands crossed over her chest, and the woman next door disappears.
“What are you doing?”
“Hiding.”
“You’re not good at it.”
“I know.” I blow my hair out of my face.
Sloane says, “If being here was the plan, I’m not sure what you’re doing?”.
“Um. Let’s call it the hide of shame.” I shrug.
Daisy and Colt appear at the door and bust up laughing at me on the ground.
“Okay, fine. Laugh it up.”
Colt tries to help me up, but there’s no time to tell him about the bare ass situation until Sloane yells, “I see a full moon rising.”
My whole face blushes and eyebrow starts jumping. Colt’s eyes get wide and he grabs my dress and pulls it down. Then puts a finger on my eyebrow.
I bury my face in his chest and realize he’s holding me like this in front of them. I leave my arms dangling at my side and say into his chest.
“Is this weird? I think it’s weird. And what’s with that woman yelling at me? She has no idea if I belong here or not. I don’t look like a stalker. I could be the gardener. This yard is super overgrown, and the flowers all look like they need more water than you’re providing. And I have no idea what that shrub in the corner is going to ---”
“Shhh. Focus, Meerkat.”
I pull my head out of his chest and look at the girls.
Daisy’s on her phone not paying attention to me at all and Sloane smirks and says, “You’re the one who made it weird. Want a yogurt parfait?”
I nod yes and she turns inside the house.
I yell after her, “Are you still married?”
“Ernesto and I agreed to give it another day and try couples therapy at recess with the girl whose mom is the school nurse. But only if he brings the goods.”
“Cookies?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“You know a healthy relationship shouldn’t involve bribes.”
She scoffs. “Slow your roll. It’s only day one.”
“Of what?” I ask, totally confused.
Daisy answers for Sloane, “Stepmom much?” My mind panics and is kind of flattered but laugh it off. Daisy laughs too and walks inside, and I look up at Colt.
“What the hell goes on at that school?” He kisses me with a long lingering moment just an affirmation that he wants me here too.
“I have a hunch it’s not so much the school as my free spirit daughter. I’m pretty sure she’s one of those people who makes life happen for those all around her.”
“They’re amazing, you know?”
“I do. I’m glad you think so.”
He takes my hand and leads me into the house. I don’t know what comes next. This is totally unwritten and unexpected. Breakfast with the girls who I kind of have to date now.
Sloane is on a chair and swaying to the song Age of Aquarius while Daisy is ignoring her. I whisper to Colt, “I think Daisy’s the one that makes life happen and, Sloane’s the one that lets it all happen.”
“Probably. Now, go pick the grass out of your ass.” He smiles and kisses the top of my head. Daisy slides a bowl of granola and yogurt with perfectly cut fruit down the counter. Colt, without a word, grabs nutmeg grates it over the top. He does it with a second parfait and then hands me one, holding onto the other. I take it from him as he says, “Can I cook for you tonight?”
“Sure. But it has to be here.” I sigh.
Daisy finishes chomping her first bite and looks over at me. “Why?”
“The house is being cleaned and fumigated because someone believes the bats and their business are toxic. After the last of them are relocated to the little houses, they’ll get down to the chemical cleaning.” I run to the bathroom and then return to them to sit at the kitchen island while they all lean against counters and eat.
Colt pulls his navy cotton shorts down a bit, and I’m not sure why he’s turned on but I love it. I grin at him as I rub my hands over the island, picturing what we did here last night. I reach over and nudge the disinfectant spray I used while he was gone, and he licks his lips. And now I’m not sure if I’m the one who turned him on, the memory of riding him here or how clean the surface is. He does love things clean and tidy.
Daisy panics, “What about the mongoose?! They’ll destroy the mongoose too.” My eyes get wide. She’s right.
“Oh My God. How could I forget about the Mongoose! I blame love!” I scream.
Sloane yells, “Daddy, we have to save the mongoose. If we don’t, it will die.”
“Women. It’s a wild animal that attacks and kills other animals and could be very dangerous.”
I stand up and grab my bag. “I’ll be back.”
“Maggie, you can’t go save that thing. The walls need to be cleared out. It’s not safe,” Colt yells but I ignore him.
“Maybe, but try telling that to the mongoose. Who was my only friend for a while. I will not abandon a friend.” I turn tail and run out of the house to my car, which is parked two blocks away at the café where this whole magical night started.
I hear the sound of footsteps thundering after me, and Colt yelling for us to stop and think.
I grin as the girls catch up to me, and I yell back to Colt who is now jogging in our direction. “Stopping and thinking got me separated from the right person for a decade. We have to save the mongoose.”
Sloane puts her fist in the air and yells, “Power to the mongoose.”