Page 69 of The Me I Left Behind

It all boiled down to one thing: the children were her priority.

Her uppermost goal was to see that they were loved, safe, protected, emotionally secure, and had their needs met. They were all going to lower their standards somewhat, as this fight with Max rolled on, and she was going to have to soften that blow to make things easier for them.

Plus, she had her marching orders from Julia:

Change the locks on the house.

Keep Max out, no overnight stays.

“No comment” to anyone who asks about Max or the divorce.

No conversations with Max. Period.

Keep life stress-free for the kids.

Keep her own nose clean—meaning nothing to suggest she was a less than stellar mother, wife, general good person, and upstanding citizen.

A lot to live up to. Hopefully, some of her past transgressions would not come back to haunt her.

Her phone rang and Carol’s name popped up on the navigation screen on her dashboard.

She pressed to answer. “Sweetheart? Everything okay?”

“I’m fine, Mom. But you’re not home.”

Does that mean she is?“No, I’m not honey. Why?”

“Well, I’m here and—”

Maggie interrupted. “Carol, why are you home from school this time of day?”

“We had early release today, Mom. I’m here and so is Logan and….”

Maggie jumped in again. Two things abruptly hit her. “Wait. Did the littles have early release too?”Shit.Were they waiting for her? Was she suddenly failing in the stellar mom category?

“Just high school.”

“Good.” Her shoulders suddenly relaxed. “I met Julia for breakfast at a diner between home and the beach. On my way back now. But what’s this about Logan?”

“I’m trying, Mom. I really am. I know Logan is not supposed to be here if you are not home—but I thought you would be. He picked me up from school and we got a pizza and wings for lunch and came over here to eat them before he goes to work. But when you weren’t here, I called you.”

She really was trying. Wasn’t she?

“Mom?”

“It’s fine, sweetheart. You can’t eat wings and pizza in the driveway. Go on in and don’t trip the alarm. Remember your code? I’ll be home after I run a few errands.”

“Okay, thanks! See you soon, Mom.”

“Save me a piece of pizza. Looking forward to chatting with Logan.”

There was a slight pause. “Oh, he has to be at work by two today.”

“Okay. Another time. And Carol?”

“Yes?”

“Stay downstairs.”

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