by Kate Swain
“Maddy… what the…” Adam stared at her.
“What Mark said is true,” she said, facing him with a firm gaze. I could see she was clenching her jaw, trying to find the strength to confront her brother. I knew she was close to tears. I still wanted to hit him.
“We can talk later,” I said, fixing Adam with a hard glance. “All that matters right now is that Maddy is safe and healthy.”
“Yeah. And you managed to do that really well, didn’t you mister?”
“No!” Maddy spoke, her voice protesting. “Leave Mark alone. He did nothing.”
“Adam, stop it.” I was too tired for this. I looked at him and he must have gathered some sense because he looked down, nodding slowly.
“I’ll talk to you later,” he said. He turned to Maddy. “You’re hurt. We need to take you to the doctor.”
“Adam…”
“I’ll come with you,” Becca said firmly. She looked at Adam. “And you can get a hold of yourself,” she said, giving him a blistering look. “Your sister needs us all to get along.”
“Fine,” he said. It was obvious to me how much Adam admired her, because she was the only person who could have got him to calm down then. Adam nodded. “Maddy, let me take you. Please. I’m sorry.”
“Okay,” she said softly. She looked at me.
“I’ll come too,” I said.
“You…” Adam began, but Becca held up a hand.
“That’s enough, Mister Barnes.”
He nodded in agreement with her command. I looked at Maddy.
“I’ll come with you, Maddy,” I said gently.
Becca asked us to wait while she went to the bathroom.
While we stood there, it all came to me and I immediately felt terrible. I now knew what had happened and who was responsible for the attacks. The mirrors gave it away. Addison had left a pink lipstick mark on my mirror. Maddy’s mirrors also had pink lipstick. When I thought of that, I knew that it was Addison.
Becca returned and as we got ready to leave for the hospital, I said to everyone, “I know who did this. And it was my fault.”
Everyone turned to me, waiting to find out who the attacker was.
“Shh, you,” Maddy spoke said gently, putting a hand on my shoulder. “It’s got nothing to do with you.”
I looked at my boots. I felt guilty. “Actually,” I said. “It’s all my fault. All of it.”
“No!” Maddy said, and to my relief she sounded cross with the idea that it was my fault. “Mark, stop talking nonsense. You did nothing.”
“Maddy,” I said gently, and I rested my hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes. “I did. The person responsible for the attacks and vandalism was Addison.”
“Addison?” she frowned, eyes round. Then she nodded as everything became clearer to her. “You mean that…”
“Yes. The woman who drove me home from the bar the other night.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said. She looked away. Then her eyes met mine. “You know, Mark, you really know how to pick them, don’t you?” her smile wasn’t friendly, but it had a sort of humor to it.
“I don’t,” I said gently. “I picked the most wonderful woman in the galaxy. Unfortunately, I messed that up. But at least she still talks to me.”
She looked into my eyes. “Oh, Mark,” she whispered. Her face was happy, her eyes filled with tears.
“Easy, girl,” I said gently. “I didn’t want you to cry…” I dug into my pocket, finding a tissue. I pressed it to her cheek.
Her damp eyes held mine and she blinked, her lips forming a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Can you take me to the hospital, please?”
“Wait,” Becca said, “someone needs to contact the detectives about Addison.” We all agreed that Becca was right.
“I have the most information,” I told everyone, “and I will call the detectives once we were on the way to the hospital.”
“Let’s get going Maddy,” I said.
We said good bye to Matt.
I took Maddy’s hand as we all headed to the front door.
“Becca, it’s okay,” Maddy said to her gently. “I’ll go with Mark. You go get some sleep.”
“Only if you’re sure it’s okay,” Becca said. She looked around as if none of us were to be trusted. She put a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll come whenever you call.”
“Thanks, Becca,” Maddy said. “You’re a great friend.”
I watched Becca leave. I was glad that Maddy had such a good friend.
“Come on,” I said gently. “Let’s go.”
Adam got into the driver’s seat, Maddy in the passenger seat, and I into the back seat. Maddy turned around, her eyes wide open and looking into mine. I took her hand and squeezed, then let it go. Adam put the car in gear and we were off to the hospital.
I called the detective and explained the series of events and why they needed to talk to Addison as soon as possible. Speaking Addison’s name out loud in the car brought a slightly awkward silence into the car.
Adam broke the silence. “I would never be angry with you,” Adam said gently to Maddy. He acted as if I wasn’t there. I didn’t mind. As long as Maddy and he were okay.
“Adam, I know that,” Maddy said softly.
“I just wish you’d told me earlier,” Adam said. His voice was a landscape of remorse. “I could have handled it differently, if I knew that…”
“Adam, it’s fine,” Maddy said gently. “You were trying to protect me.”
Adam then said nothing. After a long pause, he cleared his throat. “There’s not much of a difference between a safehouse and a prison,” he said. He looked at Maddy, his eyes pools of pain.
“No,” she said gently. “There isn’t. But there’s no harm done anymore.”
“There could have been,” he said sadly. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” she said.
Nobody said anything else the whole trip and we arrived at the hospital in silence. I got out and went to the passenger door. I held out my arm. Maddy leaned on me. Adam turned around with a look of fury on his face. I let it go and walked with Maddy. He turned around and walked into the emergency building.
Maddy went to register, and Adam hovered around her, so I stayed out of their way.
It was my fault. I should have reached out to Maddy weeks ago. I should have texted, mailed, called… I should have ignored Adam and done what felt right. But I, I mean we, had to move forward.
Adam and Maddy returned from the counter.
“Adam,” she said. “I want Mark to come in with me to see the doctor. Okay?”
“I…” Adam glared at me, but shrugged. “If you want that.”
“I do,” she said. “Thank you.”
Maddy was clearly not pleased with Adam, though I noticed she was trying to understand his point of view. I decided that all I could do was not interfere. I stood beside Maddy and waited for the doctor to arrive.
We went in and the doctor stitched Maddy’s head, and did an ultrasound to check on the state of the baby.
“All is fine,” the doctor said, beaming at the two of us. “I’ll give you something to relax you given everything that has happened,” she added. “By tomorrow you’ll start to feel better.”
“Thank you,” Maddy whispered.
“Thanks.” I had never felt more relieved in my life.
I walked with Maddy to the entrance, where Adam was waiting for us. He ignored me, but took Maddy’s hand.
“Everything okay?” he said.
“Yes,” she whispered.
He looked at me and then at her, and I could see a softening in his glance. “I’m excited. I want to be an uncle.”
She beamed and I felt my heart fill with happiness. “Thanks, Adam,” she said. “I’m so happy.”
He took her hand and they went to the door. I followed them.
“Goodnight, Maddy,” I whispered.
She loo
ked up at me, and took my hand. I squeezed her fingers tight. “Thanks, Mark.”
“See you soon,” I whispered.
“See you.”
Adam looked at me, and I thought that there was some relief mixed in with his anger now. At least, Maddy was alright and that was all that really concerned him. He nodded to me icily, and then took Maddy’s hand. Together they walked out into the dark.
I stood where I was for a long moment, my heart filled with relief and sadness and joy. I was going to be a father. I would cherish that moment for as long as I would be alive: when Maddy had come to me and told me she was pregnant, I was happy.
“I’m a father,” I said to the rain, falling down out of a black night. “I’m going to be one, anyway.”
I was still grinning as I got into my car and drove back to the studio.
Matt met me, coming out with a hammer and extra boards. He grinned and shook my hand. “Mark, congratulations.”
I grinned and he hugged me briefly. I felt his grief. He still mourned the mother of his son, Connor, I knew. I also felt his joy.
“You know,” I said as I walked to the car, arm in arm with him. “Being an uncle looks good on you.”
27
Maddy
I woke up feeling well-rested after a night of dreamless sleep. I sat up, looking out at the sky beyond the windows, where pale sunlight flowed through clouds. I got out of bed, feeling strong.
“I wonder what’s for breakfast.”
I went down to the kitchen. Adam had left for work already, but there was a note propped up on the table. I read it, feeling my heart glow.
“Coffee in the pot. Pancakes in the microwave. I love you.”
I shook my head and pressed the button, warming up the pancakes. He knew he had hurt me by not accepting my relationship with Mark and he was trying to say sorry. I appreciated it and knew he meant it sincerely. I finished my pancakes and checked my list of things to do.
“Get a window.”
I sighed. I did have insurance on the building, but the damage wasn’t enough to warrant a claim. All I needed was to replace one pane. I called the glass people and they agreed to come around that afternoon to assess the damage and, ideally, to replace the pane.
I thought about what Mark had told me as I cleaned up the breakfast dishes. I didn’t want to let my mind visit that chapter of my life when he had gone home with the other woman. I thought the best thing I could do was to forget. After all, he did not remember anything from that night.
It was time to let the past go.
I opened the door and headed out into the day. I was going to do some shopping. Then I’d meet Becca and go to the studio for the window repair.
I wondered how Mark was. He needed a new window now that I thought about it. I might ask the glass people for a quote for him, too.
While I waited for the window guys to measure up, I checked through my messages. There was a call from Mark. I smiled and considered calling him back. I would ask the window people, I decided, and then go around to his for dinner. I was about to call him back when he called me.
“Maddy?” he said. “Just calling to check how you are. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” I said, my heart full of relief. “And you? How’s the window?”
“I boarded it up,” he said. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I repeated, feeling my joy grow. He was clearly very concerned and it touched me deeply. “I am at the studio now,” I added. “Having the window replaced.” I looked over as the guys carried in a big piece of glass. It seemed to fit, because they started to break out the boards and remaining shards of glass.
“Can I come over?” he asked. “It’s lunchtime. I’ll bring pizza?”
I laughed. “I’d like that,” I said gently. “And not because you have pizza.”
He laughed too. “Coming right over,” he said, ending the call.
I looked around the studio, feeling better by the moment. The window was being fixed and someone had washed the mirror, removing the horrible word. I felt my heart fill with relief. Still, when I look at the mirror, I felt uneasy. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this space. I would have to do something drastic with it if I wanted to feel comfortable again.
“Excuse the noise, but we’re going to use a cutter now,” the glass-installer said, coming over to me. I nodded, smiling.
“Thank you,” I said.
I winced as the whine and grinding sounds started as they removed the last of the jagged teeth of glass and cut the pane so that it would fit. They glued the pane in and I guessed it would take an afternoon for the glue to dry. I waited while they worked, glad that my studio was already getting new life.
“Maddy!”
Mark came in with a box of pizza in his hand. He held out a hand and I took it. He kissed my forehead, wincing at the stitches.
“Whew. How is your head?” he asked.
“Okay,” I said. It was getting better, clearly. In two weeks, the doctor will take the stitches cut.
“And the window?” he asked, looking up at the three guys working away. “They’re still busy,” I said. I planned to stay until it they were done, just to be sure the place was safe.
“Great,” he nodded. “It looks good.”
“Yes,” I said.
He looked around the studio, and I could see that he was checking the damage. His eyes focused on the mirror and I saw the surprise when he saw the vandalism had been cleaned. He stared at the spot and I knew he was experiencing the same feelings I had when I saw it, though I could see anger and sorrow in his face. As I was about to speak, he exclaimed “No!” in disbelief.
“What?” I asked. “Mark?”
He was staring at the mirror, and I wondered what it was that he could see. My eyes focused on the spot, then he seemed to shake himself, and put a hand on my shoulder. “Maddy,” he said. “I remembered something from that night.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“The mirror. She left a kiss on my mirror. I remember saying that I didn’t want her lipstick on me. Maddy, I didn’t do anything!”
“Mark,” I said gently. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care what you did. It’s the past. We’re starting fresh. This is our new start,” I said. I felt my heart twist painfully, though, and I knew that I was still hurt about what he’d done; whether he remembered or not.
“I didn’t!” he protested. “I remember. Maddy, I’d forgotten, but I told her to go. No wonder she was mad…” He grinned. “Maddy! I’m so pleased!”
I frowned. “Mark,” I said gently. “It doesn’t matter. We’re together now. That’s what counts.”
I reached out and took his hand. He smiled at me, and his eyes were clear and without shame.
“Maddy, I am more pleased and honored than I can tell you that you say it’s okay. But I’m also so glad that I remembered this part of the night. I do remember telling her to go. I did nothing. She was angry because I did nothing. And when she heard about you…” he shook his head. “I’m sorry, Maddy.”
“Don’t be,” I said. I smiled too. I was relieved, even though the thing that relieved me most was that I didn’t care anymore. He loved me, he cared for me, and he cared—so much—about what he’d done.
“I am sorry,” he said gently.
“I’m not,” I said.
He frowned at me. “Maddy, what do you…”
I grinned up at him, cutting off his protests with a smile. “Mark, it doesn’t matter to me what happened, except for the fact that you and I are together. We’re here and who knows what steps in the past, what tiny ones or what huge ones, brought us to this moment. I am here, and I am the happiest woman on earth.”
Mark stared at me, surprised. Then he wrapped me in his arms and pressed his lips to mine, ignoring the three workmen. I held him close, kissing him with intensity. He squeezed me tight and then took my hands, grinning.
“Come on,” he said, grinning over at the astonished workmen, wh
o were staring at us like we were the biggest cinematic experience ever released. “Let’s go and eat.”
“Yes!” I grinned, taking his hand. “Let’s go and eat.”
We went outside into the small garden attached to the building, screened from the road by bushes and hedges. There was a picnic table there, clearly unused for a long time, and some chairs. I sat down opposite him and he put the pizza box on the table between us.
“I talked to Adam at work,” he said as we ate.
“You did?” I stopped eating. I felt nervous. He grinned at me.
“You must see the bruise on my arm, where he thumped me,” he said.
“What?” I covered my mouth with my hand, staring in shock. He laughed. “It’s okay,” he said gently. “I’ll recover.”
“Mark…” I trailed off but he just smiled. “I had to let him do it. He was right. I could have behaved better. I’m sorry, Maddy.”
I looked at him, a mix of wonder, shock and relief all running through my veins in a mixture that spiraled dizzily through my head and made me grin. “Mark Brand, you have nothing to apologize for.”
“Nothing, eh?” he grinned at me. “I could think of a few things...”
I gave him a look. “I mean it,” I said. “You have no need to say sorry. Now or ever. Not unless you really make me mad,” I added with a grin. “Now, leave it behind and eat.”
His laughter filled his sparkling blue eyes. “Yes, ma’am.”
I raised an eyebrow. He laughed.
We ate pizza and listened to the sound of traffic, the men fixing the window and the distant noises of workers in the building coming back from lunch. I felt my stomach and my heart melt with joy. I looked over at Mark. He smiled back. I thought he looked happier than I had ever seen him.
“Maddy,” he said after a while.
“Yes?” I asked, wiping my fingers on a tissue, after a last slice of pizza.
“I was wondering. If you decide not to stay in Adam’s apartment, maybe… maybe we could move in together?” he asked.
I nodded. I couldn’t believe it. If I had been conscious about what I wanted most right now in my life, this offer would have been it. I realized now how happy I was. I nodded yes, blinking back tears. “Thank you,” I said. “I would love that.”
