After work, I try to call Maggie. Her phone goes straight to voice mail. Maybe she turned it off to get some rest. I leave her a message because right now it’s the only thing I can do. Tommy stays up with me watching football and then a basketball game. He finally heads to bed around midnight. I can’t let myself worry. I’m sure she’s fine. After a long, exhausting day, I pass out the minute my head hits the pillow.
Tuesday goes by without a single word from her. Now I’m starting to get worried. This doesn’t seem like her. Something terrible must have happened. I even went by the school today to see if maybe she went. I asked Joey if he saw her but he isn’t even in the same grade level. I looked all around for Amanda but never saw her either. I’m really trying to figure out what’s going on. I’ve talked to Tommy but he just says I’m overreacting. If you didn’t know Maggie like I know her, you would think everything is fine too. She puts on a good show but I know deep down that something serious is going on at home.
After a restless night and another day of work with no news from her, other than a quick text message that says she has the flu, I decide to do something. I can’t take it anymore. I drive straight over to Amanda’s house. I nearly break her door in with my fists. She finally peaks out at me from a side window with a look of apprehension. After another minute, she opens the door slightly, leery of some strange guy at her house. I can’t say I blame her.
“Hey. Vincent…right?” She seemed pretty drunk last Friday night but apparently she remembers my name.
“Yes. I know we haven’t been formally introduced but I’m pretty sure you know exactly who I am.”
“I do. What do you want?”
“I want the truth. Where the hell is Maggie and what happened to her?”
“I don’t know what you mean. She’s at home with the flu. Didn’t she text you?”
“Please don’t treat me like an imbecile. Of course she texted me but she isn’t telling the truth and neither are you.”
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about and I think you need to leave. I have three older brothers inside who are very protective of their little sister.”
“Please. I’m begging you. I know something is wrong. I don’t know exactly what she’s told you about us or our friendship but I know this girl. I’ve seen the marks on her body that she tries to hide, I’ve noticed when she can’t seem to move around as well because something is hurting her. Please, Amanda. Just tell me that she’s okay. Please.”
She stands perfectly still while listening to every word that is coming out of my mouth. I wish I knew what she was thinking. Just when I think she’s about to go back inside her house without uttering a single word, she opens the door a little wider and steps closer to me.
“I can’t. Vincent, I just can’t. She would kill me.”
“Please, Amanda. I won’t tell her, I just need to know what’s going on.”
“Fine. But if she suspects anything, I’m coming to kick your ass.”
“Agreed.”
“Things at home are rough for Maggie. She lives with her mom who has some mental health issues but she won’t get help. Look Vincent, I only know what I’ve seen in the past. I’m not stupid either but Maggie doesn’t even open to me about it anymore. I can tell when it’s been a rough night but if I push her, she just closes herself off. She feels like she’s trapped in this situation.”
“What exactly do you mean by rough, Amanda?”
“I mean when we were younger I watched her mother slap her across the face and push her to the ground. There were a few other times I heard Maggie cry out in pain from the other room but then she stopped having me over. It has taken everything in me not to report that woman.”
“Why don’t you?”
“And then what? Maybe you don’t know this but our town’s foster care system isn’t exactly stellar. And her Grandfather is too old to take care of her. She doesn’t want to put that burden on him. She’s just holding on until she graduates. I know you have good intentions but you’ve only been a part of her life for what…a month? Maybe a little longer? I’ve known Maggie since the first grade.”
“If she isn’t at school tomorrow, then I will go to her house and carry her out if I have to. I don’t care what the consequences are. If she’s hurt that badly, it can’t be good.”
“I don’t think you know what you’re doing. You could ruin everything for her.”
“I don’t care. Amanda, if she can’t even come to school, the thing that gives her the most drive, then what the hell happened to her?”
“I see your point. I’m worried too but I don’t know what else to do.”
“I’m picking you up in the morning and we’re both going to her house to check on her. I’ll stay a couple of houses away if that helps but I need to know she’s okay.”
“You really care about her, don’t you?”
“Of course I do. I wouldn’t be breaking her best friend’s door down if I didn’t.” That earns me a small smile from Amanda.
“Fine. I guess I’ll see you in the morning. Give me your phone so I can put my number in it. You can text me when you’re on your way.”
“Sure. Thanks, Amanda.”
“Don’t thank me yet. This could totally blow up in your face, depending on her reaction.”
“I understand.”
Even though it isn’t much, I do feel slightly better. I can tell Amanda is just as lost as I am. I see her sympathy for her best friend’s pain. I wish I had someone to talk to about all of this but I would never betray Amanda’s trust. Or Maggie’s for that matter. She hasn’t been able to be honest with me yet, so how could I ever talk about her situation to Tommy or my mom. I just have to give her time.
Later that night I get a text from Maggie saying she’s feeling better and will see me tomorrow. I immediately text Amanda and tell her that I’m still picking her up in the morning. I have to see her with my own two eyes before I will believe that she’s alright. Amanda’s reply is one word. “Fine.”
Good, I’m glad she isn’t fighting me on this. I just hope Maggie doesn’t hate me for showing up at her house unexpected. I’m trying so hard to prepare myself for what I might see tomorrow. The condition her body could be in after…after…I can’t even fathom what might have happened to her. I haven’t prayed in a very long time but I’m pleading right now for her to be okay.
I fight off horrific dreams about Maggie beaten and bloody before I finally decide to get up. After a cold shower, I sit down at our tiny kitchen table to have a hot cup of coffee. Tommy walks out of his bedroom rubbing away the sleep from his eyes.
“Hey, man. What’s up?”
“Not much. Just couldn’t sleep.”
“Still worried about Maggie?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s just the flu. Remember when you had it in tenth grade and had to miss an entire week of school? She’s only missed what…three days? I’m sure she’s fine.”
“You’re probably right.” I go back to drinking my coffee without another word. Tommy turns around and heads toward the bathroom to get ready for work. He doesn’t say anything else to me. I think he can tell that I’m worried and nothing he says is going to stop that. After he leaves, I put my empty mug in the sink and head over to Amanda’s. Twenty minutes later and we’re pulling up to Maggie’s street.
“Pull over right here. I don’t want her mom seeing you. That wouldn’t be good for anyone.”
“Okay. Is this good?”
“Yep. Now let’s see if I just lost a best friend because you are too damn stubborn for your own good. Wait here.”
“Fine.” I say with a huff.
Amanda gets out of the car but before she even reaches the front door, I see Maggie coming outside. I have never been so relieved to see someone in my entire life. She looks okay from a distance but I can’t be sure until I get a closer look. Screw Amanda and her wait here bullshit.
Just as I’m approaching the two girls, I can hear Amand
a begging Maggie not to be mad at her. That’s when I say her name to get her attention. She turns around slowly, unintentionally showing me her injuries. She never, and I mean never wears lipstick. That’s a dead giveaway. I notice a small cut on her bottom lip that she tried to conceal. She even tries to joke around with me trying to hide the fact that something awful happened to her. For a minute or two, I hear voices around me but I can’t seem to focus on the actual words because I’m trying to make sure she’s truly okay. I scan every inch of her body looking for any sign of distress. I have to give the girl credit; she hides it well. If I didn’t know her better, I would totally believe she was home sick with the flu. After reassuring myself to the point that I can be satisfied for now, I snap back to reality. Maggie is looking at me, watching my face carefully.
“I’m fine, Vince. See, fit as a fiddle.”
“I want to give you a ride to school. I parked down the street. Amanda can ride along too.” It’s not a request and thankfully she doesn’t argue.
“So, are all of us going to hang out after school?” Amanda asks.
“That’s the plan if it’s alright with Vince?” She must see the worry still in my eyes because she reassures me again that she’s fine. “Vince, I’m okay. It was just the flu. Plenty of fluids and three days of rest was just what I needed.”
“You do look okay. I guess. I just got so worried when I didn’t hear from you. But if you say you’re fine then I guess I have to believe you.” I take a deep breath and force a small smile because I don’t want her to feel like I’m upset with her. I’m just concerned about her well being.
“So is it okay if we both come over after school to hang out until I have to be home? Do you have work you need to do?”
“I would love for you guys to come over. I can push a couple things around. It’s no big deal. I’m the boss so if I want to cut out early every once in a while I should be able to do it. Right?”
“Only if you are sure. I really don’t want to disrupt your life or make you change your schedule around just for me.”
She’s actually worried about me if you can believe that. She doesn’t want to disrupt my schedule by asking to come over after school. Does this girl not see what she’s done to me? How much I care about her? I decide it’s time to be as honest as I can, given the circumstances.
“Magnolia, you have become someone important in my life. I care about you. If nothing else, you have become one of my closest friends. I will do anything I can to help you when you are in need. You aren’t alone in this world. You will always have me. Whatever I can do to make your life a little easier please let me do it. That’s all I ask from you. When you are ready, you can tell me the truth. If you never feel ready, I understand. But I hope that someday you can trust me enough to let me into every aspect of your life.”
I really hope I didn’t just say too much. If I push too hard, I know she will shut down. I see the compassion in her eyes as she looks at me, trying to figure out what exactly she’s hearing. Every time I think I see her start to open up, start to accept that this is so much more than friendship, her brain kicks into high gear and she pulls away. I see it the minute it happens. Dammit. I decide to let it go for now. She’s been through enough. I lean down to hug her tenderly, trying so hard not to hurt her because I know there has to be more injuries under her clothes. I whisper softly in her ear before letting her go.
“I’m here for you.”
Chapter Thirteen
Each day that passes, I see the light coming back into Maggie’s eyes little by little. I was so worried about her because she seemed different. Almost defeated. Every time I see her, I try to say three positive things to her. At least three but it usually ends up being more. I don’t have to make things up. I just speak from my heart. I want to lift her up instead of tearing her down. I can only imagine the things her mother says to her. Any parent that puts their hands on their child in such a violent manner probably isn’t saying the nicest things while doing it.
We’ve been talking on the phone a lot lately. It’s the highlight of my day since we haven’t had much time together. Apparently there is nothing distracting her mother right now so she has to spend a lot of time at home. I hold my breath every single time I have to drop her off. I worry every second I’m not with her that something awful is going on at her house. I don’t know how Amanda has coped with this secret for this many years.
The next few days are spent catching Maggie up on her school work and helping me study for my GED in December. We only get an hour here and an hour there. Add Amanda to the mix and we’ve had zero alone time. Maggie doesn’t seem to mind nearly as much as I do. She is so focused on school. She brings up college at least once a day. That’s her ticket out of here. Maybe that’s how she survives. Taking it day by day, praying for graduation. I can see her determination growing stronger the closer she gets to June. I have no idea what that means for us. I don’t have space in my head right now to even consider her moving away.
“Let’s take a brain break. Want me to fix you something to eat?” I lean over until I’m right next to her ear to be sure she hears me. When she gets really caught up in something, she zones out. It’s really cute and yet another thing I like about her.
“I’m down for some junk food. Whatcha got?”
“All your favorites. Doritos, Oreo cookies, blueberry muffins, and lots of water. All the water you could possibly want because that’s just how I role.”
“Decisions, decisions…I think a blueberry muffin sounds perfect and it won’t give me Dorito breath.”
“I don’t mind your Dorito breath, it’s the blackened teeth from the Oreo’s that drives me crazy.”
“Crazy good or crazy bad?” She gives me a sly little smirk hoping to get me riled up.
“Crazy good every single time.” I give her a little wink before grabbing her hand and pulling her off the bed as she laughs at my response. As soon as we reach the kitchen, we hear Amanda.
“Finally decide to come out for air?” She always has some kind of smart aleck remark whenever she sees the two of us together. Maggie used to respond back with something witty but she’s given up. Now she just rolls her eyes.
“Want something to eat, woman?” Maggie says to Amanda over her shoulder.
“I guess. But only if it’s something with zero calories.”
“I’m having a blueberry muffin and I have no clue how many calories are in it but I’m guessing it’s more than zero.”
“We have plenty of junk food but no rabbit food.” I say while grabbing myself a soda.
“Never mind. You two are so boring. When are things going to heat up?”
“Sorry we can’t all be as entertaining as you.” I glance over at Maggie who is smiling back at me. We give each other a look to say we both know exactly how entertaining Amanda can be especially when she’s cranky.
“I saw that. Just get over yourselves already and do it.”
That must have crossed the line for Maggie because she gives Amanda ‘the look’ and she immediately stops talking. They just stare at each other from across the room for an entire minute or two until Amanda finally lets out a loud huff and sits back down on the couch flipping through channels on the TV. Maggie turns to me and mouths an apology. I just smile in return. I know Amanda doesn’t mean anything by her comments. Most of the time we think she’s pretty funny but she must have hit a nerve.
“This thing is huge. Want to share it with me?” Maggie holds the already bitten into muffin up to my face waiting for my reaction. I take the biggest mouthful I can and grin.
“Thank you.” Little bits of crumbs start falling out of my mouth at my attempt to speak, which just makes both of us laugh. We hear another loud huff from Amanda that brings on another round of laughter.
“Okay. That’s enough entertainment for one day. I’ve still got mountains of homework. Break time is officially over.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“I like the way that s
ounds.”
“If you like it so much, I will say it all day everyday.”
“Now you’re just being a tease.”
“I promise to say it whenever you like, ma’am.”
“Hmmm…a girl could get used to this. All her favorite junk food, a free tutor AND being answered with a yes ma’am.”
“Don’t let it get to your head. He’s just doing it because he desperately wants your body!” And she’s back! Amanda can’t stay quiet no matter how hard she tries. That earns another eye roll from Maggie and a chuckle from me.
I have to admit it’s been awhile since I’ve been intimate with anyone but I could swear Maggie is flirting with me more and more lately. She dishes it out just as much as she takes it. I try really hard not to get too suggestive but bantering back and forth with her is just easy. Everything with her is easy. We always have something to talk about and even when we don’t it doesn’t matter. I like just being next to her. Sometimes that’s enough.
The time goes by quickly, too quickly. It always does when I’m with her. It’s time to take her back to her house. I dread it. I can tell she does too. Her whole body gets tense when she knows it’s time to leave. I suck it up and deal. I know it’s a thousand times worse for her, so I suppress my anger and frustration for her situation hoping she tells me the truth soon.
*****
I really wish Maggie could spend the weekend with Amanda. At least then we could spend more than an hour or two together and I would know that she’s safe. Her mom has had her on lock down every since that horrific week that she had to miss so much school. I count my blessings that she’s allowed out for work and school otherwise I would never see her.
I’m looking forward to her birthday weekend. It’s just around the corner and she agreed to let me throw her a party. The only downside is that I have to plan it with Amanda. If I thought she was annoying before, it’s just been magnified by like a thousand. Not only do I have to bring her to my house most days after school if I want to see Maggie, but now she talks my ear off the entire time. Since it has to be a surprise, Maggie can’t even be in the room while we’re talking about it. Which gives me almost zero time with her.
Sublime Forgiveness (Sublime Series Book 3) Page 8
