I pick it up and look at the sprawling message written by a child’s hand. It has a picture of what I assume is Mack on the front with hearts around him. Inside she wrote, “Thank u. My hero!” My hand trembles a little as my throat feels like it’s closing down. I struggle to dam up the flood of tears threatening to fall.
I’m not sure what’s sadder, the fact that my boss didn’t care enough about the card his daughter made to do anything but stuff it in a drawer, or the fact that he’s only now trying to have it delivered so he can try to manipulate Mack into caring about this stupid hospital. My heart breaks for a little girl I’ve never met.
“Sure, I’ll pass it along,” I mumble, never taking my eyes off the card.
“Fantastic, ok, well enjoy your days off!” He dismisses me and I stand up, making my way to the door. “And, Ms. Brickman?”
“Yes?” I turn and look back at him.
“Just remember how very differently this meeting could have gone today when you’re talking to him. Ok?” His eyes narrow and my skin prickles with rage.
“I will.” I answer simply and walk out into the hall.
What a fucking douche.
30
Lauren
2014
I know I should head straight to mom’s and pick up Chris. However, I turn up my street instead. I just need some down time to figure everything out. Nothing crazy. Just, like, an hour to get my head on straight about everything that’s happened today. I slow to a crawl as I drive up to my house. Chelsea’s silver SUV is parked in my driveway.
So much for that idea.
I could just keep driving. I could go until the car runs out of gas, or my heart runs out of rage, or I finally figure this mess out.
I pull in at my house and throw the car in park. Running away never solves anything. I’ve learned that the hard way. Reaching over to the passenger seat, I grab my purse and look at the pink paper card I tossed on there when I left Spalding. There’s no real point in giving it to Mack, he’ll see through Galt’s pathetic attempts at manipulation a mile away.
I sigh as my eyes travel over the drawing on the front. The effort and detail her young hands put into drawing each shaky heart. No, screw that. I will give it to him. Not because I care about my boss and his games, but because someone needs to care about the little girl who worked so hard to make this for Mack.
Grabbing the card, I head into the house to see why Chelsea’s here. If it isn’t one thing, it’s another.
“She’s here! She’s here!” My son’s cries can be heard through my living room window as I walk by it.
Stepping inside, I can see Chris hopping around with excitement. Chelsea is on the couch sipping a coffee. If she only knew what Mack and I were doing on that couch last night, she wouldn’t be sitting there. She’d probably go shower in some Lysol.
“Hey, what’s going on?” I look at my sister.
“We’re going to Elitch Gardens! And a hotel! It’s gonna be awesome!” Chris practically vibrates in his skin.
“What?” I raise my eyebrows at Chelsea, but she just sips her coffee in response. Her eyes are twinkling at me. She’s up to something.
“Good afternoon, beautiful.” Mack struts in from the kitchen holding a mug that says “Supermom” on it. He’s not the only one who gets to have a comic book alias. Although, I don’t think kids will be saving up their allowance to buy the latest supermom editions any time soon.
What is he doing here? Just walking around my house like he’s been there all his life. He holds out the mug to me. “Here you go, with a dash of milk. Just like you like it.” His signature smirk is pasted to his face.
“Aww, isn’t that sweet?” Chelsea chimes in. “Lauren, why don’t you pour that in a travel mug so we can get this show on the road. I don’t want to get stuck in rush hour traffic.” My big sister bosses me around in her signature style.
“Where are you driving? What’s going on?” I wrap my fingers around the warmth of the mug, ignoring Mack for the time being.
“Elitch Gardens! We’re gonna go on all the rides, and sleep in a hotel, and get room service too! Right Mack?” Chris jumps around like a kid on Christmas morning. If that kid was on meth.
“Whoa? What?” My eyes flicker from my hyper child to his hot-headed father. “Mack, can I talk to you for a sec?” I put the coffee down on my mantle and walk through the kitchen and out the sliding door into the backyard. I don’t check to see if he’s following. I know he’s not stupid enough to stay behind.
“Aww! Why are they talking?” Chris whines inside.