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“Of course it did,” Richard said. “You’d like to forget we exist, wouldn’t you? But that won’t happen.”
“That’s not true,” Maggie stammered.
She was often at a loss for words around Richard because he reminded her so much of a bully. Her legs shook, and she stepped outside in an effort to keep the commotion from waking Lexi.
“It’s not right to keep Lexi from us.” Richard shook his finger.
“I didn’t—I wouldn’t—I…” Her voice shook.
Breathe, Maggie, breathe. Pray. Lord, please help me and give me the right words to say.
“Please, we can talk about this later. I’m sure Maggie wouldn’t mind if we came back tomorrow.” Paula threw her a pleading look.
“I really am sorry I forgot. There’s been a lot going on lately.”
“And you probably can’t handle it all by yourself, which wouldn’t surprise me,” Richard snapped.
Maggie found the strength to shoot Richard a look of contempt even if she immediately regretted it. “I can raise my daughter without any help from you.”
“You could have fooled me. What kind of mother sleeps entire days away and neglects to take her daughter to school? To feed her?”
Richard pressed at the kink in her armor with relentless drive, like any good attorney.
A grieving mother does. That’s who.
“Don’t say any more,” Paula implored.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” From behind Paula, partly clothed in the darkness of the night, came Jack’s solemn voice. “Don’t say another word.”
She hadn’t even heard him drive up, maybe due to the sharp timbre of Richard’s voice or the pounding of her own heart beat in her ears.
Richard and Paula both turned to face Jack, still wearing his uniform.
“Oh, for the love of all that is holy. Did someone actually call the cops?” Richard said. “Young man, this is a family matter.”
“This is my neighbor, Richard,” Maggie interrupted. “I don’t know if anyone’s called the cops, but you might not want to push your luck.”
“Maggie is correct. I suggest you both leave now and come back at another time,” Jack said.
Maggie stared at Jack who was the picture of coolness, confidence, and rock-steady assuredness. “I like that idea.”
“Of course you do. Nothing like another delay. But the art festival is this weekend, and we will need an answer,” Richard said.
“You can have an answer tomorrow,” Jack interrupted. “One day won’t matter.”
“That’s true.” Paula again pulled on Richard.
“Let’s go now, and we’ll talk again tomorrow.”
Richard turned to stare down Jack, which to Maggie’s mind did not appear to be a good idea.
“What do you have to do with any of this?”
Jack didn’t answer, but instead moved closer to Maggie, never breaking eye contact with Richard. He didn’t stop until he stood between them.
“He’s—he’s my friend,” Maggie stammered from where she stood suddenly behind Jack.
“So now you have a gentleman friend.” Richard glared. “What a fine example for your teenage daughter.”
