Page 37 of Real Forever
Maisie eyed him suspiciously, like she wasn’t sure if he was kidding her or not. For a four-year-old, she had a pretty good bullshit detector, but it wasn’t helping her here. She scrutinized Madison, who only shrugged.
“You don’t know how to play Candyland?” she said, her little voice dripping with suspicion.
“Nope. I’ve never played before.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Never?”
He outstretched his fist toward her, only his pinky finger sticking out. “Pinky swear.”
That sealed the deal. Maisie solemnly shook Jake’s pinky with her own and they were ready to play.
As the afternoon wore on, they played four rounds of Candyland, followed by Jenga, Operation, and Hoot Owl Hoot, Maisie proudly explaining each game to Jake as they went. Soon it was supper time and Lauren still wasn’t home, so Madison sent her sister a text message.
Madison:Where are you?
Lauren: Sorry. Be home soon.
Madison rolledher eyes and slammed her phone down. Jake glanced at her and then to Maisie who had grown quiet.
“Auntie Maddie, are you angry?”
Madison sighed and combed her fingers through Maisie’s hair. “No, sweets. I’m okay. Everything’s okay.”
Maisie’s eyes dropped down to her lap. “Is my mommy gonna be home soon?”
“I’m not sure what time Mommy is going to be home, sweets, but I bet it won’t be too much longer. She’s probably missing you a whole bunch and doing her best to get home to you as fast as she can. I bet she is speeding down the roads and whipping around cars like a crazy person to get home faster.”
Maisie perked up a little. “Do you think she’s going so fast that she goes up on two wheels when she goes around the corners?”
“For sure she is.”
Maisie finally smiled. She thought for another moment and then asked, “My daddy has been gone for a real long time too. Since yesterday. Is he coming home soon too?”
Madison and Jake exchanged a glance.
“I’m not sure when Daddy is coming home.”
Maisie nodded and jumped down from the table. “I’m hungry. Can I have a snack please?”
Maisie’s casual indifference toward her father wasn’t new, but it chipped a little piece off Madison’s heart whenever she saw it. She hated Dave for depriving Maisie of the love she deserved. The same love Madison had shared with her own father. It had been the central, grounding touchstone of her life. No matter what happened at school, or with her friends, Madison knew, without a doubt, her father would be there for her. How fucking dare Dave keep that from Maisie?
Madison set Maisie up with fish crackers, a cheese string, apple juice and Paw Patrol in the living room, and sat back down at the table with Jake. She dropped her forehead to the tabletop. Jake scooted over to the chair beside her and stroked her back.
“You don’t have to stay, you know? I’m so sorry for keeping you stuck here all afternoon and for even dragging you into all this.”
Jake was quiet for a moment before responding, “Do you want me to stay?”
Madison sat up and searched his eyes. This was about as intimate as it got for Madison. Lauren and Maisie were her world and having him here in the middle of it all… allowing someone into this sacred space in her heart…
“Yes. I would love it if you could stay.”
He smiled and nodded. “Then I’ll stay.”
“Auntie Maddie! Uncle Jakey!” Maisie was calling for them from the living room.
Jake’s mouth spread into a grin. “Uncle Jakey?”
Madison laughed. “It’s sort of her thing. But the good news is it means she likes you.”
