Page 114 of The Me I Left Behind

Again, she exhaled long. “I can’t tell you that. Strict orders from your husband. He might be an ass—and I suspect he is—but he said if you came back, I was to call the police. Now, I won’t do that, but you’ll have to not do all those things you said earlier.”

Maggie got it. Louise was playing the game, just like women have done for ages. “Look. I’m leaving. But I may very well be back, and if I am, be prepared to hand over the key. I’ll deal with my husband.”

Louise ran her tongue over her lower lip. “Sure.”

She headed back to her car, unsure whether to feel relieved or frustrated or thankful that at least, they knew where the stuff was. Before she headed home, she dialed Julia.

She picked up the call quickly. “Mags?”

“Julia, you were right. It was Louise.”

“I freaking knew it.”

“But she was doing Max’s bidding.”

Julia paused. “That’s interesting.”

“Yeah. So, here’s the deal…” She chattered on, telling Julia what had happened. In the end, they opted to sit on the information, especially since the things in the unit weren’t going anywhere. At least they knew where everything was, and they knew Max was still keeping tabs on things.

“Not the time to let our guard down, Maggie.”

On Thursday morning,Maggie busied herself in the kitchen, thinking over the events of the past few days, realizing that it had been a fast but quiet week. Julia had sold the desk and the golf clubs, and she now had money in her pocket. Knowing that made her feel all-the-more secure. She’d taken some of that money and invested in new phones for Jason, Carol, and herself, opening her own account at the phone store. That was an accomplishment because she had no credit history. But they worked with her and made it happen.

Was she on her way to independence? Yes, ma’am!

The kids were surprised and happy. Jason even hugged her. They all agreed to a “no contact rule” with their dad. “I’ll jerk those phones so fast your heads will spin,” she’d told them. “And you’ll never see them again.”

She was pretty sure neither Jason nor Carol would risk it.

Max hadn’t surfaced since the storage unit fiasco—which could be a good or a bad thing—but at the moment, she’d take the lull in the action. She was nervous about Carol’s graduation next week, though. Would he show up?

They were all settling into their new normal.

She set out a fourth plate on the kitchen island for breakfast. Today was pancake day, she’d decided, with scrambled eggs and sausages for anyone who wanted them. She’d set out the butter and syrup—maple and blueberry—along with ketchup because she knew her kids wouldn’t eat eggs without ketchup.

How that paired with the maple syrup, she didn’t know. And didn’t ask.

Carol came down first, sitting in her usual place. “Four plates?”

Maggie faced her. “Yes. Text Logan and tell him I want him to come inside and eat breakfast with us.”

“Oh, Mom, he probably won’t want to. He’s usually dirty and tired from work, and besides, he’s….”

“Shy. I know. But there’s no better time than the present. And besides, he can wash up here and get his tummy full before he has to go to sleep for the day.”

Carol breathed heavily. “Heisusually hungry. And his mom has to leave for work before he gets home.”

“Then it’s settled. Text him, please.”

“Alright.”

Maggie watched her fingers fly over the phone keyboard.

“Done.” Carol looked at her and smiled. “Thanks, Mom.”

Maggie grinned back.

The other two kids came rushing in. “Pancakes!” Chloe said. “My favorite!”

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