Page 138 of Book and Ladder
By midnight, the two men blur together—the one who broke me and the one who healed me by becoming everything I never believed he could be. Same voice. Same heart.Patrick.
My phone rings, slicing through the quiet like a bell at the end of an exam. I exhale—I think I got the hardest answers right.
Who would be calling this late?
I pick up my phone and smile. Winona’s name glows on the screen — because, of course, it’s her.
I barely say hello before a squeal detonates in my ear.
“You heard the podcast tonight?” I ask. “Tell me that’s why you’re calling—and screaming.”
“Yes! I’ve been hooked since you told me about him at the corn maze. I didn’t catch it live, but I just finished and—Ohhhhmahgoodness! He’s Patrick! And you’re M&M!”
“He is, and I am.” Saying it out loud brings a smile to my face. He dedicated an episode to M&M—broke his anonymity for me.
Her squeal could power the grid. I hold the phone away from my ear until the decibel level drops.
“Ohmygoodness. Ohmygoodness. Ohmygoodness.”
“Winona, take a breath,” I say, surprised at the calm settling over me. “You okay over there? Do I need to call for backup?”
“I’m okay. The question is: are you?”
“I am. I wanted to go next door and knock. But I’m nervous to see him now.”
Her voice softens. “Patrick hurt you before. I know. But he’s risking everything now. Nobody risks everything for attention, Daisy. He’s doing it for you.” As quickly as she downshifted, she revs back into overdrive. “That said? I’d be halfway through his front door by now—climbing him like a jungle gym.”
I chuckle. A strange wave of jealousy washes over me at the thought of Winona doing anything with Patrick.
“He has a plan,” I remind her. “I kind of want to let it play out—even though I’m terrified.”
“Plans were made to be broken,” Winona sing-songs. “Want me to come and light something on fire? Any first responders around? Oh wait—lookie here. It’s Patrick! Podcast host, town hero, mystery man, and the guy who just laid it all on the line for you.”
“What do you mean, laid it all on the line?” I ask. “By telling everyone who he is?”
“Mmm … maybe. Maybe more.” Her excitement practically vibrates through the phone. “Just meet him tomorrow and see.”
“What do you know, Winona?”
“Daisy, not just me. Everyone knows.”
“About me and Patrick?” I frown. “Not that there’s a me and Patrick in that way. Or any way. Just—what do you mean?”
She exhales a giggle she can’t contain. “I’ve already said too much. Just show up, okay? You’ll see.”
“You’re making me crazier than I was before you called—which I didn’t think was possible.”
“I don’t know how you’re going to sleep tonight—with all the anticipation,” she says.
“Me either,” I say, my nerves buzzing like it’s midday instead of midnight.
Patrick is the host. I can barely believe it. And he’s right next door.
I spend the morning trying to distract myself from the clock, but checking it every five or ten minutes. I want to camp out in front of Patrick’s door, but then I realize he left for work at six thirty. He’s at the station now.
Did he really mean to meet him today? At noon? That’s the middle of his shift.
What did Winona mean, we all know? Was she just being Winona, or is there something bigger going on? I purposely postpone my shower, hoping the delay will help me fill time and then I can rush to be ready.
