“I ghosted her on her birthday,” Einstein continued.
This guy ditched his mother on her special day. That said everything.
“You ignored your mother on her birthday? Not cool, dude.”
“I know, but I had a good excuse. We were working on Sunday, remember?” Ashley handed Einstein his order. He took it and then waited with his friend.
Kurt leaned against the counter, as if that would hurry things along. “Ugh, that was annoying. I hate spending my Sunday on the job, but the money was good.”
“Real good,” Einstein returned.
“Sorry you can’t make it tonight.”
“Yeah, me, too. Trust me, I’d much rather be at Duke’s with you and the rest of the crew.”
Ashley handed Kurt his order and the men walked out the door. Maggie’s gaze stayed with them long enough to see them step into a large truck, which was probably why they hadn’t gone through the drive-through.
As she continued taking orders, Maggie occasionally glanced in the car lot, where Einstein and Kurt had parked. Interesting. Einstein dreaded spending time with his mother, when Maggie would have given anything to have even ten minutes with hers.
It’d been nearly five years since her mother’s death. Not a day passed that Maggie didn’t think about her and miss her. Elaine Herbert had gone into the hospital for a routine surgery and had gotten an infection that antibiotics couldn’t seem to kick. It was while caring for her mother that Maggie decided to go into nursing. The infection had spread to her blood, and she was gone within a matter of days, too weak to fight any longer.
Following her mother’s death, it felt as if Maggie’s whole world had shattered. Her father, who occasionally drank, became an alcoholic, steadily drinking more. First thing in the morning, instead of coffee it was beer. His decline had accelerated to the point that Maggie could barely stand to watch. Sadly, alcohol brought out the worst in him.
In his eyes, Maggie couldn’t seem to do anything right. With her mother gone, Maggie was expected to cook, clean, and keep a handy supply of alcohol at his disposal as he drank himself into oblivion. Oh, how she missed her mother.
At the end of her shift, Maggie gathered her backpack, prepared to head off to her classes. Ashley finished at the same time.
“How did your interview go with Mrs. Royce?” Ashley asked, as Maggie tucked her bookbag over her shoulder.
Maggie had left feeling encouraged. “Really good, I think. She’s lonely. It’s more about having someone around, I think, than the need for extra cash. She said she’d call me sometime today with her decision.”
“I hope it works out for you.”
“Me, too. Thanks for letting me know about it.” Ashley was the one who’d mentioned Mrs. Royce was looking for a boarder. Maggie had struggled not to break down after a particularly unpleasant exchange with her father, and this opportunity was an answer to her prayers of moving out.
“It was no big deal. Mrs. Royce is a friend of my mother’s, and I was happy to mention you.”
“It’s a big deal to me,” Maggie said.
“And how much schooling will you have left?” Ashley asked.
“Two years.” Once Maggie was hired at the hospital, she should be able to move out on her own. That was her plan, anyway. If she enjoyed living with Mrs. Royce, then she might stay on. It all depended on how well the relationship worked, as this was a new experience for them both.
Maggie was getting ahead of herself, though, as she had yet to get the green light.
* * *
—
Her first class was over and her spirits high when Maggie saw that she’d gotten a voice mail from Mrs. Royce, who asked her to return the call.
Eager now, Maggie stepped outside and hit the button that would automatically dial the number.
“Hello, is this Maggie?” the woman asked. She was a businesswoman in her late fifties who often worked late and worried about her pets being cooped up so long every day. With her husband working out of the country, she found the nights lonely and was looking for some help with her animals.
“Yes, it’s me. I’m sorry I couldn’t take your call. I was in class.”
“I figured as much,” she said, and paused as if reluctant to continue. “Listen, Maggie, I’m afraid I don’t have good news.”
“You don’t? I don’t understand, everything sounded so positive yesterday when we met. Did any of my recommendations fall through?” A chill went down Maggie’s spine at the same time her heart shot up to her throat. She didn’t understand what could have gone wrong.
“It has nothing to do with you. I felt you would be perfect. I called your references and each one gave a glowing report. I was all ready to let you know you could have the room when I got a call from my brother. His daughter, my niece, is moving to Seattle and needs a place to live. She’s gone through a bad breakup, and Dean felt living with me would help her through this difficult time. I’m so sorry, Maggie.”
Swallowing down her disappointment, Maggie squared her shoulders. “There’s no need to apologize. I understand.”
“I’ll keep my ears open. And if I hear of anyone else looking for a boarder, I’ll give them your phone number, if that’s all right with you.”
“That would be perfect. Thank you, Mrs. Royce.”
“Things have a way of working out the way they are supposed to be,” she said kindly. “I know you’re discouraged now, but the right opportunity and the right person will turn up soon.”
Maggie certainly hoped so. She didn’t know how much longer she could endure living with her father.
Chapter 4
Joan sat at her desk and reread the letter from the HOA. The board president had seemed to take delight in chastising her for the condition of her yard. To mention the condition of her flower beds was a low blow. It wasn’t enough to outline her neglect; he’d made a point of explaining that such disregard for upkeep affected the property values of the entire development.
Joan couldn’t help but roll her eyes. The housing market in Seattle was booming. She sincerely doubted her unkempt lawn would dissuade anyone from purchasing a home in her area. Nevertheless, she needed to comply or be fined.
That letter had kept Joan awake most of the night. Crazy how a simple sheet of paper could unnerve her to the extent that she remained restless, tossing and turning, unsure how best to proceed. She felt overwhelmed, discombobulated, and unsure.
Something was terribly wrong with her. At one time, she’d handled the business dealings that went along with Jared’s practice and managed the office, and she’d dealt with situations far more threatening than this. That this chastisement should upset her this much was evidence of how unsettled her life had become, how far she’d allowed her self-confidence to slide.