Page 11 of Liberating Mia
“Hiya, Uncle Larry.” Maddie dropped a kiss on his cheek as she stepped past him into the apartment.
“Can I get you some coffee?”
“Thanks, that’d be great.”
“What brings you by so early, honey?”
“Um, is Mama around? I need to talk to her.”
Larry swung around to look at Maddie. Something was off, and he suddenly had a sinking feeling he knew what it was.
“Yeah, she’s in the bedroom getting dressed. She’ll be out in a minute.” Handing her a cup, he asked, “Is everything okay?”
He watched as she swallowed. “I got a call from the warden at Dad’s prison yesterday …” Tears welled, and his heart ached. He knew what was coming next, and there was nothing he could do to make it better for her. Clearing her throat, Maddie continued, “I’ll just wait until Mama’s here and I can tell you both at the same time.”
“I’ll go check on her quickly. Take a seat, I won’t be a moment.”
Larry found Tahlia in their bathroom, putting the finishing touches to her makeup. “Who was at the door, love?”
“It’s Maddie. She says she has something she needs to tell us.”
“That sounds serious.” Tahlia packed her things neatly in place, and with a last critical look in the mirror, turned to face him. “Did she say what it was about?”
He shook his head. “She said she’d tell us together.”
“Alright, well, let’s go see what it’s about then, shall we?” Tahlia stepped past him, heading for the living room.
They found Maddie pacing the room, her posture tight, hands clutched together. Tahlia rushed over to her daughter. “Is everything alright, baby?”
Flinging herself into her mother’s arms, Maddie cried, “Mama, it’s terrible. The warden from Daddy’s prison called me yesterday. He’s gone.” Once again, the tears welled, this time spilling over.
“Your father’s gone? Where? How?” Confusion was clear on Tahlia’s face.
“No, Mama, Daddy’s dead. He’s been murdered.”
“Oh, my precious baby girl. I’m so sorry, darling.”
Larry stepped closer and encircled the two women in a comforting embrace. They stood huddled as Maddie cried out her heartbreak at losing her father. Guilt at not saying anything to Tahlia the night before sat like a lead ball in the pit of his stomach.
He opened his mouth to say something at the same time as his cell phone alarm started buzzing. There’d be no time now either. He cursed a blue streak, but there was nothing else for it. Larry dropped a kiss first on the top of Tahlia’s head and then Madison’s. “I really am sorry, my loves. I wish I could stay. Unfortunately, I have a flight to catch.”
“Oh Larry! I was going to take you to the airport,” Tahlia cried.
“You have your hands full here, sweetheart. I’ll grab a cab. I’m just going to go phone for one. Excuse me a second.”
He stood watching the women holding onto each other as he placed his call. Tahlia was looking at him while murmuring words of comfort to her daughter, stroking a loving hand over the younger woman’s hair. Sadness present in her eyes.
Her marriage to Marcus had fallen apart years ago. Still, he could only imagine it may hurt to lose someone she’d once cared so deeply about.
“Sweetheart, I need to get going – the cab will be here in a few minutes. See me out?” Larry said after he hung up. Going over to Maddie, he pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m sorry I can’t stay, Tiger Lily. Just remember I love you, yeah?”
Madison nodded, returning the embrace. “I love you too,” she whispered.
Together, he and Tahlia went to the door. Stopping beside his duffel bag, Larry pulled her into his arms. “I wish I could be here for you and Maddie, and I would if I could stay, but I have to go,” he whispered, sincerely wishing with everything in him he could stay and be there for them. Putting a gentle finger under Tahlia’s chin, he looked deep into her eyes. “When this case is over, I’m retiring. I’m getting way too old for this shit. We can travel, go wherever you want to go. Yeah?”
“That sounds wonderful.” She swallowed and tears welled. “Please, please be careful. If anything happens toyou,I don’t know what I’ll do. I love you, Laurence. You’re my everything.”
“God, Lia. It’s hard enough leaving you as it is, sweetheart. Go take care of our girl, and I’ll call you when I get there.” Holding her tighter, he placed a kiss in her hair. “I love you, sweetheart.”
