Page 28 of Stick Around
Mr. Campbell turned to walk away but stopped when he noticed the box in Billy’s hand. He snatched it, darting an accusatory stare at Grace. He opened the box and scoffed. The tightness in Billy’s chest intensified, delivering sharp, shooting pains.
Then he stepped nose to nose with Billy and lowered his voice to a menacing whisper. “You will never be good enough to marry my daughter.” He snapped the box shut and tossed it to the ground.
“Dad, stop,” Grace cried out. Mr. Campbell didn’t budge. Billy’s eyes burned as he dropped them to Grace’s face. “Just go,” she whispered through her tears. “Please.” There was a desperate, pleading edge to her voice. “I’m sorry. But you have to go.”
Billy swallowed and nodded. He stooped to pick up the ring box from its landing place in the grass, ramming it back into his pocket before climbing on his bike and pulling away.
* * *
“It stinks in here.”
Billy pushed himself out from under the rusted Honda Civic and sat up on the creeper before spinning it to follow the direction of the voice.
“Mads?” He stood up and pulled his gloves off, tossing them to the ground.
“Hey,” Madison replied. Her voice cracked and she exhaled hard. Billy scooped her up into a tight bear hug. “Actually, maybe it’s you that stinks,” she said.
Billy chuckled and released her. “It’s so good to see you, Mads. It’s so good to see you in here.”
Madison turned away. “Whatever. Don’t make a thing about it, okay?”
Billy softened his voice. “Okay. I won’t make it a thing. I’m just happy to see you. We miss you. I’ve been worried about you, you know. I’ve been by the house a few times but you won’t answer the door.”
Madison inhaled sharply before releasing a deep sob.
“Shit. Mads, I’m sorry.” Billy wrapped her back up in his arms. “We don’t have to talk about it, okay?” She swore into his chest before pushing him away.
Turning her back to him, she wiped her eyes with the arm of her sweater before rummaging through the large tote bag slung over her shoulder. She turned back to Billy and shoved a beat up, spiral-bound notebook at him.
“Here.”
“What is it?” He turned it over in his hands.
“It was Dad’s.” Madison’s eyes were on her feet. “We’ve been trying to go through some of his stuff. I found that, and I figured you’d be the best person to have it.”
Billy leafed through the edges before opening the book to the first page. “What is it?”
Madison shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t read it all. Tried to, but…” She took another deep inhale, squaring her shoulders. “It’s sort of a journal, I guess. But he has a bunch of notes in there about running the shop, too. Like, from when he was first getting things going. I thought there might be something helpful in there for you guys.”
“Wow.” Billy looked up from the book. “This is amazing. You think he’d be okay with me having it? Reading it? There’s nothing too personal in here?”
“I don’t know. I couldn’t read it. Tried flipping through a few pages and it was mostly about the shop, like vendors he tried and plans he had for expanding someday. Shit like that. But then I got to a page where he was talking about me and Lauren, saying how much he loved us and how much we made him laugh.” Her voice splintered again, and she shook her head. “And I couldn’t.”
Another sob broke from Madison’s chest and Billy stepped toward her, reaching out for her, but she backed away. “I can’t do this.” Tears streamed down her face. “I’m sorry Billy, but I can’t.” She turned and hurried out of the shop.
* * *
A damp ringof condensation marked the table where Billy’s beer bottle had rested. He lifted it to his lips, finding for the second time that the bottle was empty. He lowered it back to its perch on his leg and turned another page in Brian’s journal.
Jan 17/99
Madison pranked me today. She hid behind the bathroom door with my werewolf mask on and jumped out. Scared the shit out of me. Her and Lauren both laughed their heads off.
Jan 18/99
Tried the new tire shop in Austin. Prices were fine but delivery was late and the invoice was wrong.
Jan 19/99
