Page 51 of The Me I Left Behind

Fine.“We won’t be long.”

His eyes closed and his head dropped back against the headrest.

As she and Chloe entered the store, she glanced at the enormous clock on the wall. Three-twenty-seven. Plenty of time.

“Wow, Mommy. This is a great store.” Chloe’s eyes widened as they stepped into the aisle she’d visited earlier.

“I know. Look at all the colors,” she said. “I just love the colors.”

“Me, too.” Chloe ran forward, straight for the rows of paint tubes. “Can we get these?”

“Those are oil paints, sweetheart. I think, perhaps, you should start with acrylics. Those are over here.”

“Okay.” Chloe joined her. “Are these good? I need paintbrushes, too.”

“You really want to use paint? Not markers or pencils or crayons?”

“No.” She looked at Maggie. “I really want to paint, Mommy.”

Her heart swelled.Me, too. She did not know Chloe was so interested in art. Oh, she’d always loved the little crafty projects they did around the house, but it hadn’t dawned on her that her baby girl might have inherited her love for all things artsy. That notion thrilled her to no end. “Maybe we’ll get enough supplies for both of us.”

Footsteps sounded behind them, and Maggie turned. A college-age girl, wearing the same artist’s apron as the man this afternoon, approached. “May I help you?”

The paper.“Oh, yes. I was here this afternoon and spoke with a gentleman about my daughter’s school project, and I think I left the paper with the instructions with him. Do you know if he is still here?”

“That would be Mr. Ryan, and no, he is gone for the day. I think he may have left this for you, though.” She reached into her apron pocket. “Mrs. Anderson’s second grade selfie project?”

“That’s it. Oh, thank you.” Maggie took the paper. “No, wait. This isn’t ours. It has a list clipped to it, and something else.”

The young woman leaned in. “Yes. Mr. Ryan attached a list of supplies for you. Just some suggestions, he said. Looks like he added a class schedule, too.”

Classes?They do classes here? She quickly scanned the list and dates.Watercolor for Beginners. Mastering Oils. Pen and Ink Landscapes. Acrylics Refresher.The list went on.

“That was very nice of him. Please tell him thanks.”

“I will. Now, can I help at all with finding supplies?” She looked directly at Chloe.

Chloe beamed. “Yes! I want paint. Lots of paint. Did he put paint on that list?”

“I believe he did. Let’s go look at all the kinds we have.” She glanced back again at Maggie. “I’m really good with kids. Do you mind? I’m an art major. I want to teach younger kids.”

Maggie smiled and suddenly felt the sting of tears. A very long time ago, she’d wanted that, too. “Of course. Thank you.”

The two girls meandered down the aisle.

Maggie smiled at how happy Chloe looked, then glanced again at the paper in her hand, scanning the list of classes.

The first thingMaggie noticed as she turned down their street were two pickup trucks at her house. One was Logan’s, parked on the street. The other truck was angled in the driveway, blocking her from getting to the garage. Both things pissed her off.

She turned into her driveway, pulling in behind the mystery truck. She stared at the house momentarily while trying to get a grip on her anger.

“Somebody’s gonna get into trouble,” Jason sing-songed.

Maggie rotated toward him. “Whose truck is that? You know? Does Logan have friends?” Unless Maggie was home, boys were not allowed in the house with Carol. Alone. That was the rule.

“Nope. No clue.”

“Mommy, let’s go inside. I want to paint.”

---