Page 17 of Real Forever
Madison’s posture shot up and she pointed toward Tammy’s front door. “Look.”
They watched as Tammy walked outside, holding her hand to her ear. Was she on the phone? She glanced back toward the house and scooted over to a shadowed area beside the garage.
“What is she doing?” Jake squinted but it was too hard to tell when she wasn’t in the light.
“I think she’s talking on the phone. What kind of sketchy bitch takes her evening phone calls outside, alone, in, like, the deepest, darkest corner of her fucking yard?”
Jake chuckled. “It’s definitely weird.”
They watched in silence for a few minutes, searching Tammy’s silhouette for clues. Was she still talking? About what? After five or ten minutes Tammy reemerged, this time holding the phone in her hand. She scanned the yard once more, straightened her blouse, and went back into the house.
“Did it look like she was smiling to you? I think she was smiling.”
“I’m not sure. It’s kind of hard to tell from this distance. Maybe.”
“Ugh.” Madison pulled her toque off and scratched her scalp in frustration, fluffing her hair out. The smell of her shampoo wafted through the truck. Jake found himself inhaling a little too deeply. The scent and the silence hung in the cool air for a few moments.
Jake eventually broke the quiet. “Who’s this?” He motioned at the stereo console.
“You like it? It’s Cayley Thomas. She’s from Edmonton.”
“It’s beautiful. Are you a musician too?”
“I wish. Nah. I tried to learn guitar a few times, but my fingers are not made for it I guess. I do play a badass air guitar though.” She giggled softly, and Jake’s heart hopped, captivated. “You? Or did your fascist mother think piano lessons would be a gateway to dropping acid?”
Jake laughed. “Jesus. You’ve got her pegged.”
Madison shook her head. “I honestly can’t believe it. What kind of maniac doesn’t let their kid listen to music?”
“Well, maybe I should start. Is this a radio station?”
“This? No, it’s a Spotify playlist.”
“I don’t have Spotify.”
“Well, download it. It’s like, twelve bucks or something. I’m sure you can afford it with all the sweet trustee cash you rake in.” She winked, and Jake’s pulse quickened. “Download it and I’ll send you this playlist.”
“Yeah? Okay, I will. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Madison smiled and Jake smiled back. Their eyes locked and Jake felt his breath catch.Look away.But he just couldn’t.
Fuck.
11
Madison
Madison nestledinto the corner of the sectional sofa and pulled a white knitted throw over her legs. She yanked open a family size bag of dill pickle potato chips with a loud crinkle and scooped out a handful. Agatha’s had been busier than usual, and her feet and back were throbbing from running meals and coffee pots back and forth all day. All she wanted to do was Netflix, chill and scroll. As she reached for the remote on the coffee table, her phone buzzed in her lap.
Jake:Hey, I think I found something.
He followedwith a link to a Government of Canada document titled “The Provisions of Implied Warranties in Various Canadian Provincial Jurisdictions.” Madison clicked the link and scanned the document.
Madison:I don’t get it. What does this mean?
Jake: It means there’s a chance NorAsana will be required by law to refund Lauren for the leggings that are damaged or otherwise not fit to sell.
Madison: Seriously? How can we find out for sure?
