Page 151 of The Me I Left Behind

“Mostly. I still have Mommy issues but I’m sure I’ll have those the rest of my life. I’m definitely handling things, though. Funny, though, how the Mommy issues were weirdly connected to the Max issues.”

“But you are okay. How are you holding up? It’s a lot.” Lia gave her a concerned look.

“I’m good. I’ve had time to reflect, have learned a lot about myself, about Max, and about why I got caught up in his drama. The kids are good, too. Honestly, we’re all still processing, and I’m sure we will continue to do that for some time. But right now, I couldn’t feel better about my life, and where it’s heading.”

“And where is that?”

Maggie laughed and shrugged. “I honestly have no clue, and that’s okay. I have some ideas, some things I want to do, but whatever happens, wherever the rest of my life leads me, I know I’m the one in control.”

The margaritas came and Maggie took hers, tipping her glass to the girls. “Here’s to the future. Our future, one and all.”

A couple of hours later,the women meandered up the back stairs of Tequila Sunrise and slowly rounded the deck toward the ocean side. They’d called an Uber to take them home because ofa second round of drinks at the restaurant. Mostly, they were all tipsy.

Halfway around the house, Maggie abruptly stopped. “Do you smell that?”

Lia, Alice, and Julia paused, almost running into each other.

“What?” Julia said.

“Weed.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am. Take a sniff.”

They all did. Alice’s eyes lit up. “You’re right. Someone is smoking pot somewhere.”

“Well, I want some,” Maggie said.

Julia held her back, grasping her elbow. “Now hold on, Mags. You can’t just go off….”

Lia had stepped ahead, still sniffing. “Wait. I think it’s coming from our deck.”

“No.”

“Yes. Seriously. Someone is smoking weed on our deck.”

They all froze for a moment, their eyes widened. Lia gasped. “It can’t be.”

In mass, they rushed around the corner.

Wren and Willow stood on the deck, facing them. “Surprise!”

“Shut. Up.” Maggie stopped stone still.

“How…?” Lia shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

Julia dropped her sunglasses. “What the hell?”

“Whatthe fuck?” Alice clutched at her chest. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”

“Good God,” Willow said, “it’s beach week. Where the hell else would we be?”

“You brought weed?” Maggie gave Willow a smile.

“I found a weed man.”

“I bet you did.” Julia rushed forward and hugged Willow tight. “You bitch you! Where the fuck have you been? And Wren…? Seriously?”

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