Page 110 of The Me I Left Behind

She searched Carol’s eyes. “You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

“And what did Logan say?”

“He said he still loves me, no matter what. He wants me to go to college because he thinks I’m smart. He didn’t have the chance to go.”

“Oh?”

“You know, he’s really smart, too, Mom. He should have stayed in school, and he knows it.”

“Why didn’t he?”

Carol released a sigh. “His dad died last year. His family needs the money coming in.”

“Oh, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”

“He works hard, Mom. And I know I need to have him in for dinner. It’s just that he works so much and he’s a little shy. He’s sure you will not like him.”

Maggie reached for Carol’s hand. “Tell him he’s welcome here anytime. Maybe we need to start over.”

Nineteen

“And that’s why I painted myself like I did.” Chloe smiled and her classmates clapped. The Monday morning selfie art project show-and-tell had gone off without a hitch.

Maggie wasn’t sure she’d ever seen her child grin so broadly. When her teacher, Mrs. Anderson, gave her the nudge that it was time for the next student to share, Chloe ran across the room and into Maggie’s arms.

“I’m so proud of you,” Maggie whispered into her ear. “You are a beautiful artist.”

Chloe hugged her tight. “I love you so much, Mommy.”

Her heart swelled bigger than her chest wall. Could people actually see that? “Oh, sweet girl, I love you too. More than anything.”

Chloe tilted her head and looked into Maggie’s eyes. “Thank you for the glitter. That rocked.”

“It absolutely did.”

Maggie stood and held Chloe’s hand, waiting for the next classmate to share. She glanced across the room and saw Andy Ryan, from the art supply store, looking her way. He stood behind a little girl Chloe’s age, his hands resting on hershoulders. She remembered his daughter was in Chloe’s class, too.

He smiled and gave Maggie a thumbs up.

She gave him a tentative smile back.

After the show-and-tell was over, Maggie kissed Chloe goodbye at the classroom door and headed toward the exit. In the parking lot, she was about to lift her car door handle when someone called out to her. “Hello, there.”

She turned. “Oh. Hi.”

He stepped closer. “I’m Andy. From the art supply store.”

“Yes, of course. I remember you.”

“Maggie, right?”

It felt good that he remembered her name. “Yes, that’s me.” Pausing for a moment, she added, “Your daughter’s presentation was quite fun and unique. Who would have thought she’d selfie herself as a unicorn?”

“Oh, my Anna is definitely one of a kind.” He laughed and shrugged. “But honestly, your Chloe literally shined.”

Maggie leaned toward him. “You mean sparkled.”

---