“Would you like me to bring them over or would you rather come inside?” First his mother, now him. I’m just a glutton for punishment.
He rubbed his hands on his knees and stood. “I guess it’d be okay to come over there since you and Max are together.”
Maddie skipped over and took his hand. “Come on, Logan. These cookies are really good. Not as good as what Mama makes for Max, but they’re still good.”
Thankfully, the house was warm since she’d lit the heaters before she picked Maddie up from Gail’s.
“You can sit here at the table, Logan,” instructed Maddie. “I have to go get my stuff. I get to have a sleepover at Bonnie’s tonight so Mama and Max can have a date.”
Sky closed her eyes as heat crept into her cheeks. She needed to have another talk with Maddie about filters. “Scoot, Munchkin.”
Maddie skipped off down the hall.
Sky plucked a glass from the drainer by the sink. “Won’t take but a minute.” She pulled milk from the fridge and placed both items on the table. The plastic container of cookies was next, along with a paper towel she yanked off from the roll on the counter. “Help yourself.”
Hands in his lap, head lowered, he didn’t move.
“Is something wrong?” The moment the words were out, she wished she could take them back. When his head jerked up, she tried to smooth it over. “Besides the obvious, I mean?”
Jaws tight, cheeks tinged bright red, he didn’t immediately reply. “Why are you being nice to me?” he hissed. “I’m not his kid.”
The bitterness in his voice didn’t conceal the hurt underneath.
She sat down across from him, surprised when his troubled eyes locked with hers. Something about the look he gave her caused a sense of déjà vu, but she shrugged it off. “I won’t insult you by saying I know how you feel, because I don’t.”
His stiff posture marginally relaxed.
“But I do know hurt when I see it.”
“She lied to me.” His voice cracked, and the redness in his face spread to his ears. “All my life…she lied to me.”
Oh crap. What do I say to that?
“…I know this is none of my business, but I can tell you from a mother’s perspective, we sometimes do things we think are right for our child, only to find out in hindsight we should have done it differently.”
Jaw tight, he glared at her. “Did you ever lie to Maddie?”
She sighed, tore off a piece of the paper towel-slash-napkin, then rolled and unrolled it between trembling fingers. “No, but I have let my own fears keep me from even considering another relationship, which has deprived Maddie of any male influence in her life.”
Widened eyes and a slack mouth said her answer surprised him.
“But I thought you and Max…”
She risked a timid smile. “Only recently. It’s all still new to us.”
“My mother will be here tomorrow. The shit’s gonna really hit the fan then.” Immediately, he sucked in a breath, and his face glowed scarlet. “I’m sorry, ma’am.”
“It’s okay. This time.”
“I’m ready, Mama,” chirped Maddie as she bounced back into the kitchen. “You didn’t eat your cookies, Logan.”
The teen stood and headed for the door. “I better go. Y’all have stuff to do.”
Sky pressed the plastic dish in his hand. “Take this with you. If nothing else, you’ll have a snack for later.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Maddie looked at her mother as the door closed behind him. “Why is Logan so sad?”
“I…it’s complicated.”
“I don’t like to see people sad,” whispered Maddie. “It makes my heart hurt.”
Sky choked back a sob. How could one seven-year-old child have so much wisdom and compassion? “I know, sweetie. Mine, too.” She straightened her shoulders. “So, we’ll just do what we can to make him not sad.”
“Like giving him the cookies?”
“Yeah. Like that.”
“I’m ready to go to Bonnie’s so you can get ready for your date with Max.” Maddie was practically jumping up and down. “Aren’t you excited?”
Sky laughed. “Yes. I’m excited. Let’s go.”
A few minutes later, they rang the doorbell on Janet Orm’s front porch.
Maddie wasted no time spreading the news. “Mama has a date with Max tonight.”
