Maggie's Story

by Sheila O'Flanagan

  “Evening all,” he said. He walked over to Maggie and kissed her on the cheek. “How was your day?” he asked.

  “For God’s sake!” Maggie banged a spoon into the sink. “Would you all stop asking me how my day was?”

  They stared at her.

  “I thought you wanted us to ask?” said Tom.

  “Well, I do,” agreed Maggie. “It’s just a bit weird the way you’re all doing it.”

  “So you’re mad at me if I ask and mad at me if I don’t,” said Dan. “I can’t see how I can win in that situation.”

  “You’re supposed to ask and mean it,” said Maggie.

  “I do mean it,” he said.

  Maggie began to mash the potatoes.

  “I’m not good at this stuff,” said Dan. “But I do love you, Maggie. And I appreciate you.”

  “Oh, really.” She mashed the potatoes a bit more.

  “And I’m sorry if you think we don’t care about you. We do.”

  “I know,” she said.

  “But we haven’t been very good at showing it.”

  “I know that too,” she said.

  “But we want to show it,” said Dan. “And we tried to think of a good way.”

  “And what did you come up with?” asked Maggie. “A maid for me?”

  “Don’t be mad,” said Dan. “Not quite. Come with me.”

  They trooped into the hall and out to the driveway. There was a car in the driveway. Not Dan’s Honda Prelude, but a Ford Fiesta.

  “It’s for you,” said Dan. “So you can get around a bit more. It’s not new, of course. But it’s in great nick. I’ve checked it myself.”

  “And this is for you too.” Tom opened the door and handed her vouchers for driving lessons. “We knew you wouldn’t let Dan teach you.”

  “And this way you’ll be able to pick me up from places.” Diana beamed at her. “So you won’t have to worry about me.”

  Maggie laughed. “Is this car for me or for you?”

  “It’s for you,” said Dan. “From all of us. With love.”

  She stared at the car. Then at Dan. At Tom. And at Diana. They were beaming at her. She felt tears in her eyes. She loved them. And they loved her.

  “Thanks,” she said. Her voice was shaky. “Thanks a million.”

  Dan put his arms around her and hugged her. Then he kissed her.

  Dan was a good kisser. That was why she’d fallen for him in the first place.

  “We’d better look after the tea,” said Diana. “God knows how long they’ll be out here.”

  Maggie was sitting watching the TV when the doorbell rang. Nobody got up to answer it. They were all glued to the telly.

  “Maggie Fagan,” said the man outside. “These are for you.”

  Maggie stared at the biggest bouquet of flowers she’d ever seen.

  “Are you sure?” she asked.

  “Certain.” The man smiled. “Someone loves you.”

  “To Maggie,” said the card. “From Dan. With all my love.”

  “Someone certainly does,” she said. She held the flowers to her. “And I’m so lucky. I really am.”

  OPEN DOOR SERIES

  Sad Song by Vincent Banville

  In High Germany by Dermot Bolger

  Not Just for Christmas by Roddy Doyle

  Maggie’s Story by Sheila O’Flanagan

  Jesus and Billy Are Off to Barcelona

  by Deirdre Purcell

  Ripples by Patricia Scanlan