If Brian’s new girlfriend hadn’t been sitting in one of the bathroom stalls to overhear every one of Aunt Janet’s poisonous words, I still wouldn’t know.
I start to pace.
Normally I wouldn’t even bump into Brian on a Monday morning, but I did. And that’s when he asked me how Maddie was doing.
I was pleased that he was showing concern for her, so I told him that Maddie’s stomach was feeling better. Or so she’d said when I texted her this morning to ask. But Brian just looked at me like he was confused, repeating the wordstomachback to me. Then his eyes widened and the way he saidyou don’t knowmade the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Brian proceeded to tell me everything That Bitch Janet said.
Every shitty word.
Every insult.
Every stab at Maddie’s character.
Every comment about her appearance.
Anger bubbled into rage.
My Maddie. My sweet Maddie.
I shove my phone into my pocket.
I don’t care if it’s early, I need to see her. And we need to have a discussion.
After I give her the biggest hug.
The shop seems oddly quiet when I walk out onto the floor. None of the usual side conversations happening. No one even looks up from their work.
What is going on today?
More quiet. More averted gazes.
Not having time to deal with whateverthisis, I sigh and search for Rodrigo.
Spotting him, I head that way.
I make it a few more steps before I realize something is different. Bay 4 is empty.
“What the hell?” I grumble before half shouting, “Rodrigo! Where’s the fucking Mini?”
I was planning on driving it over to her, surprising her with it. No one should’ve moved it.
Rodrigo is usually the least affected by my moods, but when he turns to face me he looks on edge.
“Um,” he rubs a hand over the back of his neck.
“Where’s the fucking car?” I snap.
“She uh…”
A bad feeling crawls off the concrete and up my legs. “Shewhat?”
I don’t stop until I’m right in front of Rodrigo, and he won’t meet my eyes.
“She. What,” I repeat, my anger building.
“Shit, man.” He turns and grabs something off the bench behind him before holding it out to me.