18 years earlier
We were enjoying an amazing afternoon at the water park when I noticed Maggie and Liz walking in through the gate.I looked around to see where Ellie was; she was sitting at the far end of the park with my mom.Then I looked over at Dane and asked him, “Why are Maggie and Liz here, did one of you tell them we would be here?”
“Fuck.”Dane said.“I might have told Liz I couldn’t hang out with her today because we would be here with you and your family.I swear though, I didn’t tell her to come.”
I got out of the pool and started to walk in the opposite direction, hoping she just wouldn’t see me and leave well enough alone but that didn’t work.She spotted me and called me out, “Lee, over here.Can we talk, please?”
Only to avoid a scene, I walked over to her and asked her what she wanted.“I just need to talk to you, please.Give this another chance, give me another chance, don’t you miss us?”she reached for my hand, but I pulled it away, crossing my arms in front of my chest instead.
“No, Maggie, I’m sorry, there’s nothing left to give another chance.”
“Come on baby, how can you hate me that much that you want to replace me with her?What’s so special about her anyways?”She was pouting, she always thinks she can get what she wants when she pouts.
“I don’t hate you, Maggie.Ellie is just different; she’s my person and one day, I know you’ll find your person, too.”I tell her.
“What does she give you that I haven’t given you first?”she’s starting to get louder, so I come in closer to her to calm her down.
“Come on, Maggie, don’t do this.”I tell her quietly.
“Do what, Lee?”she asked.
“Don’t make me say things that will hurt you.I’ve never wanted to hurt you.Just walk away.”
“How can you just tell me to walk away from the love that we had?”
“I never told you I loved you.”I told her sternly.
“You’re right, you never once told me those words, but I knew you did.I knew you loved me every time you fucked me.”And now she was causing a scene and Dane and Liz stepped in to help me out.
“Come on, Maggie, let’s get out of here.You’re making yourself upset.”Liz said.I looked at Dane and he nodded.It was a silent plea to get them home and out of here without making things worse and he walked the girls out of the park while I went to take a breather before going to find Ellie.Thankfully, she was far enough away, and the park was loud enough that she didn’t hear any of it and I gave her the run down of what happened because I didn’t want to hide that from her.
* * *
I brought Ellie over to hang out with my mom for a few hours while I had to go in to work for a meeting to discuss a new job site that was going to be opening up soon.She was excited to hang out with Mom because they were going to go dress shopping for my aunt’s wedding.I liked that they had this bonding time, it made my spur of the moment decision so much easier when I thought about how she just fit into my family so well.
The meeting was being held at the food court in the mall so after we were all dismissed, I walked into Kay Jewelers and browsed the selection of engagement rings.A sales lady approached me and asked what the lucky girl was like so she could help show me some rings that would fit her personality.I told her she was brunette, big brown eyes with an olive complexion, she was stunning; equal parts exquisite and understated, quiet but confident.She smiled at my description and told me it sounded like I had found my true love and with her help, we picked out the most beautiful solitaire diamond ring that rested on a solid band of platinum – it was simple, made a bold statement and it was classy – it wasperfectfor her!
I’ve been planning all summer and thinking of ways for me to be closer to her after she goes back home.I talked to Mom about my plans when we were having dinner that night at my house; I helped her clear the table and brought dishes into the kitchen so I could ask her what she thought without Ellie suspecting anything.With the biggest smile on her face and her hand over her heart, she told me she couldn’t be more proud, proud of the changes she’d seen in me, proud of how well I treated Ellie this summer and proud of the plans I’ve been making for the future.I knew that with Mom’s blessing, I was making the right choice.
* * *
The next morning, Ellie had told me she wanted to do some shopping with Steff, and I used this time to go hang out with the guys at the mall.Dane wanted my help with buying Liz a gift and I was glad for the time with them before we all started to go our separate ways now that high school was over.
But dammit, if our day wasn’t threatened to be spoiled when I looked over and saw Maggie, Liz and the guys walking over to us by the escalators.
“Hey baby,” Liz ran over and jumped into Dane’s arms.I laughed as he almost fell over trying to hide the bag with her gift in it before he caught her.“Hey guys.”She smiled at us when she hopped down and smoothed her skirt back into place.
“Hey Liz, guys.”I nodded at each of them, trying to remain in the friendly conversation territory so we could all keep going with our day.
“No hello for me?”Maggie drawled, stepping closer to me.
“Hey, how are you?”I asked, shoving my hands in my pockets.
“I saw you in the jewelry store the other day.What did you buy me?”Maggie was trying to be playful, but I immediately took a step away from her.
“Give it a rest, Maggie.”Ezra told her, shaking his head.
She dismissed Ezra in typical Maggie fashion and looked back over at me, “Think we can talk for a minute?”she asked.
