Page 85 of Must Love Flowers
Unable to speak, tears filled her eyes and she slowly shook her head.
Phil gave her a knowing look. “That’s what I thought. Come on, I’ll make you a cup of tea and you can tell me what’s upset you.”
Chapter 29
It took Maggie a full week to find space in a rehab center for her father. It was hellish as her father had stopped drinking, which was exactly what she wanted. However, he was terribly sick and suffered from withdrawals. She’d begged and pleaded, claiming how desperately her father needed help, but there was no space available for those first torturous days.
She missed Nick and Joan something terrible. She’d hoped once Nick got over his anger, he’d regret breaking up with her. Apparently not, as she hadn’t heard a word from him. A dozen times a day she had to stop herself from texting him. She might have given in if her father hadn’t required nearly constant attention.
Once Roy Herbert decided to get sober, he gave it his best, weaning himself off all alcohol. She spent countless hours on the phone searching for a rehab center. When she was able to locateone, she learned they charged astronomical fees, far more than what either Roy or Maggie could possibly pay.
“I don’t know what to do.” Completely overwhelmed, Maggie wept over the phone to Joan. She stood on the lawn, or what was left of it, in front of the house as she replayed the information she’d been given.
Joan had been the lifeline Maggie had desperately needed. They spoke every day, often more than once, and Joan had stopped by the house to relieve Maggie when she was scheduled to work.
“What did the bank say about getting a loan?” Joan asked.
With the cost of the rehab facility, the only way Maggie could make it happen was to mortgage the house. Joan had been the one to make the suggestion. With the value of homes in the Seattle area escalating, it was the only viable option. Maggie had sat with a loan officer earlier that day.
“As I’d hoped, the title to the house is free and clear. That’s a blessing, but I’m afraid that once the bank sees the condition of the house, they won’t even consider the possibility.”
When she wasn’t caring for her father, Maggie had spent every minute doing what she could to make the house livable again. She’d scrubbed and cleaned as best she could. After three trips to the garbage recycling center, the house’s interior was in the best shape it’d been in since before her mother’s passing. That, however, wasn’t nearly enough. Not with a leaking roof and a badly needed paint job, front steps that were crumbling, and a multitude of other problems.
“Things have a way of righting themselves,” Joan told her. “Don’t lose faith just yet.”
“I’ll try not to.” But it was hard. Her father was sober, andthat was a step in the right direction. Maggie would be risking everything if he lost his sobriety. She wasn’t entirely sure he understood the full ramifications of what getting this loan would mean.
“Have you heard from Nick?” Joan asked.
Maggie swallowed down her disappointment. With everything in her, she desperately hoped he’d have a change of heart. Clearly, he’d meant what he said, and they were finished. Although she tried to put him out of her mind, it was impossible. She’d given up hope of hearing from him and wondered how the trivia team was doing without her. That he could so lightly dismiss her from his life told her everything. Her heart was broken, but she had more problems than an ill-fated romance to occupy her mind. Nick was avoiding her. No longer did he frequent Starbucks. It was as if he’d completely wiped her from his life. That he could walk away so easily proved he hadn’t felt nearly as strongly for her as she did for him.
“Maggie?” Joan asked, breaking into her musings.
“No, nothing,” she answered, trying hard to hide the hurt. “Have you?” Maggie had resisted asking Joan, not wanting to draw her friend into the middle of her and Nick’s disagreement.
“Not a peep,” Joan said, her words heavy with sadness. “I’d thought one of us would have heard before now. Don’t lose faith. My son can be stubborn as a mule, if you’ll excuse the cliché. I believe in time he’ll come around. He cares about you.”
Maggie wanted to believe that, too, but she had serious doubts.
“How’s your dad today?” Joan asked, changing the subject away from Nick.
“Better, I think. He’s miserable and cranky.” Her father curseduntil he lost his wind and could barely breathe to lambaste her, the world in general, and all creation.
To his credit, even with the cravings and physical discomfort, Roy had remained determined to stay sober. Maggie could only pray that same resolve would carry him through each day for the rest of his life. She could handle his mood swings knowing that was the release he needed from his discomfort. Twice in the last week, he’d taken her hand, looked at her with tears in his eyes, and whispered, “Thank you.” Both times, Maggie had to battle back her own tears.
Keeping his word, Roy had attended an AA meeting every day, even when he insisted they were no help. He still wanted to drink. Nevertheless, he’d gotten a sponsor who had fifteen years’ sobriety. Maggie had met Lyle and liked him. Like her father, Lyle had been addicted and had nearly lost his family. Lyle was an encourager and had done his best to help steer Maggie to the rehab center that had been life-changing for him. He’d even called the facility himself to help smooth the way.
“I need to go.” Maggie was reluctant to end their conversation. Even with helping her father as best she could, she still needed her job. The Starbucks manager had given her every shift she’d asked for and had been understanding. Maggie was grateful.
“Do you need me to stay with your dad?” Joan asked. She’d come twice in the last week, giving Maggie a badly needed break, helping with Roy, cooking, and encouraging Maggie. Joan wasn’t someone who would put up with Roy’s attitude and had put him in his place, reminding him of the sacrifices Maggie had made on his behalf.
“Al’s already here.” Maggie told her. “He’s been a trouper and he’s kept his word. He doesn’t drink in front of Dad, andalthough he hasn’t told me, I have a suspicion he’s attended a couple of AA meetings with him, too.”
“Good for him. Your father needs his friends now more than ever. I might stop by anyway to check on things, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. You’re welcome anytime.”
After disconnecting the call, Maggie returned to the house, where Al sat with her father. As she came through the door, she overheard the two men talking and caught the last of their conversation.
