Maggie, Before
“Can I come in?” Maggie asked Anna, through the closed door.
“Okay,” Anna answered, her voice shaky, and Maggie slipped inside the room to see Anna cross-legged on her bed with her laptop open, her lovely blue eyes shining with tears.
“Anna, I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry.” Anna wiped her cheek, leaving pinkish streaks. “I’m so stupid. I never should’ve bought the car. What an idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot.” Maggie came over, sat on the edge of the bed, and patted Anna’s leg.
“Yes, I am, and I bought it because it was cool. That was stupid, too. I bet those girls in the Poetry Club will hate that car. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Say to yourself, ‘lesson learned,’ and be done with it. That’s what my mother would say.” Maggie smoothed a strand of Anna’s hair from her face.
“Are you mad at me, now that Noah is?”
“No, and he’ll calm down. I’m sorry he behaved so badly. A patient of his died today. I would have told you, but you and Caleb were having so much fun in the car.”
“Look, that’s sad, but I heard what he said. He thinks I’m aspoiled brat.” New tears shone in Anna’s eyes, and Maggie’s heart went out to her.
“No, he doesn’t.”
“I didn’t realize it was his parking space. I should’ve told them not to park in the driveway.”
“I swear to you, that’s not what’s bothering him. We’ll get this sorted out.”
“I’m worried we won’t.” Anna sniffled. “There’s no way he’s taking me driving now. I don’t need the lesson anyway. I can get used to the car on my own.”
“No, he wants to.”
“It’s not only about the car.” Anna’s lower lip trembled. “I made a mess of things. I was just emailing James to see what my options are.”
“What are you talking about, options?” Maggie felt a note of worry.
“You know, like, emancipation. Noah doesn’t want me here.” Anna’s eyes glistened. “You might, but he doesn’t. Coming here was a big mistake.”
“Don’t say that, that’s not true.” Maggie squeezed Anna’s arm, as if she could hold her in the house. “You’re jumping the gun, honey. It’s only the first week.”
“But I didn’t want to mess things up for you. I just wanted to be with you and get to know you. I wanted my mom.” Anna’s eyes spilled over, and Maggie gave her a hug.
“And I’m here.”
“I’m messing up your family.”
“Youaremy family.” Maggie released Anna, then motioned her up. “Come with me. Right now.”
“What?” Anna moved the laptop.
“You’ll see.” Maggie took Anna’s hand, led her out of the bedroom, and into the master bedroom. The room was a soothing blue that complemented a blue-chintz quilt, headboard, and curtains, a custom-made splurge. Maggie gestured to the bed. “Please, sit down.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see.” Maggie crossed to the closet, opened the door on the left, and rummaged on her side, which was markedly messier thanNoah’s side, though in her own defense, she had dresses, shoes, sweaters, scarves, purses, and skirts, and he had testosterone. She retrieved the fancy blue Lanvin shoebox from the top shelf and brought it over to the bed, opening the lid.
“What’s this?” Anna shifted on the bed, leaning over the box, and Maggie sat down next to her, putting the box on her lap and digging inside.
“These are my keepsakes from when you were born.” Maggie picked out the item on top, a plastic baby bracelet that read Ident-A-Band. “Here, from the hospital.”
