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Jamie, stop milking this shit like you want an Oscar and just tell her. I can’t stand to discuss that cunt another second.
Wow, okay, thanks for letting me know.
Good luck telling her. I’ll start making funeral arrangements, so we don’t look guilty.
Okay, thank you. Bye.
Relief. I felt relief about my ex-wife dying. That was a feeling I never in a million years thought I’d be happy about. I’d never wished death on anyone before her. Right up until she showed up at my house. Now it was done. And I felt a sense of peace wash over me.
“What’s wrong?” She took a step over, laying her palm on my arm.
“There was an accident.”
Her eyes welled with tears. “Oh my God, is Vinny okay?”
“Not him.” I gulped, unsure how she would take the news. She hated her mother, but the reality of a parent passing away was devastating. “It’s your mother.”
She jerked her head back, her face cold. “What happened?”
“He didn’t give me details.” And I wasn’t lying. If he wanted her to know, he could tell her.
“Dad,” she gasped, throwing her arms around my waist, “I want to be sad, and I am kinda,” she sniffled, “but she was so horrible and is it bad I feel both sadness and relief?”
“No, not at all. I know the feeling so well.” I embraced her. “I’m so sorry.”
“Me too.” She sobbed into my chest. “Why do I feel relief? I should be sad she’s gone. I’m sad our relationship hasn’t been perfect.”
“I know.” I kissed the top of her head. “I’m so sorry.”
We hugged for at least ten minutes while she wept against me. I knew it wasn’t just her mother she was upset about, but the emotions were all hitting her at once and she needed to get it all out. I held her snugly, allowing her to move back when she was ready.
Stepping over to the end table between the chairs facing my desk, I tore out two tissues, handing them to her. She pressed them against her eyes, then blotted underneath. I’d never seen her so broken down. I loved Maddie, but there was no way I could see her again. Not when I saw Elizabeth like that.
* * *
Another week dragged by, and so did the days I was in court. The following Friday at 11:00 a.m., we hosted a proper funeral for Alicia. The grief I was experiencing was for the death of a relationship that lasted way too long and should’ve ended years and years ago. But I was a firm believer in that everything happened for a reason. Even though Maddie and I were no longer together and hadn't spoken, I was still grateful for the time we had together, because she was exactly what I needed.
My feelings for her hadn’t changed. They’d only grown stronger. I missed her like crazy, but I didn't text her again after she never replied. I reluctantly accepted the fate that we weren't meant to be together after all. She didn't even show up at the funeral, but her parents and brothers did.
Elijah pulled me aside when some close friends and family came back to my house after the service. He was disappointed at first about his daughter and me. Just as I’d been about Vincenzo and Elizabeth. But in the end, he gave me the blessing I no longer needed. She was gone.
Once everyone left, I wanted to escape for the rest of the day. Normally, I would’ve gone to the gym or the office to get work done, but I needed a break. I parked my Maserati on the street in front of See You Latte Café, a little coffee shop down the street from Abruzzo’s Jazz Club.
I stepped out, removing my sunglasses. “Oh, shit.”
Maddie. She was sitting at a table outside the shop, her laptop and coffee in front of her, typing furiously. I was shocked to see her in the area. It wasn’t known for safety during the day, but since it was close to her job, I assumed she was heading there when she was done. I slid my sunglasses back on the bridge of my nose and sauntered toward her.
As I cast a shadow near her, she lifted her gaze, her mouth agape. “Hi.”
“Madison,” It was all I could say before I pulled back the metal chair from the little bistro table and sat.
16
FOREVER
MADDIE
My eyes adjusted to the brightness for a moment before I knew it was him. I didn't expect him to show up. How did he find me?
