Page 14 of Real Forever
“Madison Avery, why do you insist on dressing like a hobo?” demanded Edith Rington, one of the morning coffee regulars and all around pain in the ass.
“Good morning, Edith.”
“You’re a pretty girl, Madison, but you’ll never find a man when you schlep around town in filthy jeans and sloppy T-shirts. It wouldn’t kill you to put a dress on once in a while. At the very least, you could put a little effort into doing your hair and applying a little makeup. You have lovely skin, just like your mother, but a little mascara and lipstick would let your potential suitors see you in your best light.”
Madison raised an eyebrow and a half smile. “Edith, did it ever occur to you I’m not looking for a suitor?”
Edith huffed and waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t be ridiculous, Madison. Don’t you want to get married and have children someday? You won’t be young forever, you know.”
“Not that it’s any of your business, Edith, but no. I am not planning to get married. I’m quite happy with my freedom and independence.”
“Ha,” Cliff interjected. “Madison, happy. Now there’s a laugh.”
“Don’t be a prick, Cliff.” Agatha had come around the corner with a fresh pot of coffee and Louis’s long awaited breakfast. “Why don’t you all leave the poor girl alone? She can dress as she pleases and marry or not marry whomever she pleases as well.” Agatha winked at Madison.
Madison mouthed “thank you” in return and set off for the back room to order next week’s inventory. Edith was such an irritating old bat. She had been a teacher when Madison and Lauren were in elementary school, and she was every bit as much of a bitch then as she was now. Of course, there were things about marriage and motherhood that appealed to Madison. The idea of having a person, one partner in life. Who doesn’t want that? But Madison had learned, whether by choice or by death, everyone leaves. Abandoning Madison again in her pathetic little pit of sorrow. And a baby? Madison could never trust she wouldn’t end up doing to her child what her mother had done to her and Lauren. So, although it broke her heart when she allowed herself to think about it, Madison had sworn to herself she would never have a child and risk having it grow up with the pain Madison and Lauren had. Madison tried to put Edith’s comments out of her mind.
She pulled her phone out of her back pocket and started a new message to Jake.
Madison:Hey. You still up for some super spy shenanigans?
She putthe phone back in her pocket and picked up the inventory clipboard hanging from a ragged bungee cord on the shelf. Agatha had been doing this for so many years, it was down to a science. All Madison had to do was run down the checklist and then enter the codes and quantities into the inventory spreadsheet and attach it to an email to the supplier. It was simple and brainless, which Madison appreciated. Her ability to concentrate on a task for more than a few minutes, along with her memory and her patience, had evaporated over the past two years. Her doctor said it was depression. Madison supposed he was right, but she didn’t feel compelled to do anything to change it.
Madison felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Even though she was alone, she was embarrassed to find herself blushing with excitement.
Jake:Hi. You bet. What do you have in mind?
Madison: When I followed Tammy from the coffee shop on Tuesday I think I found out where she lives. Stakeout her place?
Jake: Tonight?
Madison: I’ll pick you up at eight if you send me your address.
Jake: Sounds good. I’ll bring the stakeout snacks.
10
Jake
“Whoa.Where are you going at eight o’clock on a school night?” Zach interrogated.
Jake was pulling his jacket from the closet beside the door. “Out for a bit. I won’t be late. Helping a friend with a project.”
“Friend? What friend? I’m your only friend.”
Jake laughed. “You’re not my only friend, asshole.”
“Yes, I am.” Zach took a swig of his beer. “And as your only friend, I’m calling out your vague as fuck answer. What’s up, Mysterio?”
“It’s not a big deal. A client needed a hand with something, and I offered to help.”
Zach shrugged and threw his hands up dramatically. “Fine. Don’t tell me. But if this mystery client drives you out to the woods and murders you tonight I won’t be able to help the cops at all. So your dead ass can’t go blaming me when your murder goes unsolved.”
Madison:I’m here.
Jake tuckedhis phone into his pocket and grabbed his keys.
“K, my ride’s here. I’ll see you later.”
