“Hmm.” I can’t tell if the woman is buying this story or not. “I’ll get someone to come look at them immediately.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Maya says, waving her hand in the air even though Mrs. Hartwell can’t see her. “It’s Christmas.”
“I suppose you’re right. Bright and early tomorrow then.”
“Great.” Maya breathes an obvious sigh of relief.
“And Bella…?” Mrs. Hartwell says.
“Yes, Mommy?”
“How would you like to go to Harry Potter World when I get home?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” she screams. “And then can we go to Epic Universe?”
It’s quiet for a beat. “Is that the monster place?” Her mom sounds worried already.
“Yes! I want to get my makeup done like a monster and ride the Frankenstein ride.”
“S-sounds like fun,” her mom says finally.
“This is the best Christmas ever!” Bella cheers, jumping up and down.
“I’ll be home tomorrow. Then we will go, okay?”
I hope she doesn’t think buying her kid things will make up for the absence in her life, but I guess it’s a start. I can’t imagine the woman willingly wanting to go to Epic Universe.
“Can we go to the Haunted Pier, too?” Bella asks.
“Whatever you want.”
“Okay. I’m so happy!”
“Me too, sweetie. I’m so sorry I didn’t check on you. I love you so much. I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye!” Bella hangs up and tosses her phone at Maya, reminding me I still have Maya’s phone.
I slip it out of my bag, preparing to hand it to her.
But the phone vibrates, and out of instinct, I look down at the message.
Katie a.k.a Satan’s Mistress:
I chuckle at Maya’s nickname for her, but then I see the message.
The clock is ticking.
What does that mean? Maybe I’ll look into this Katie girl when Maya and Bella are busy…
“I’m going to go pack,” Bella says, and I slip the phone into my pocket before I’m caught prying into Maya’s personal life. I already got one tongue-lashing. This message serves as a reminder that I don’t know everything about her. “And then can we watch that show you were talking about?”
“Elf?” Maya asks.
“That one.”
“Sure, sweetie. I’ll get the popcorn.”
Bella rushes upstairs, and Maya sighs, not in relief, but somehow… with more frustration.
