Oh, boy.
“It is very real.” Eve nods. “But I think we’re pretty safe, Doris.”
Doris wiggles her finger. “Don’t ever think like that, Eve dear. You’re never safe.”
“Well,” I say, slapping the table. “That is enough dark talk.”
“I hope you’re feeding that baby enough,” Doris tells me, glancing into the stroller, stretching her little old body as far as she can to get a good look. “I hear that formula isn’t as nutritious these days. Back in my day, we didn’t have formula. Mothers had no choice.”
“She isn’t mine, Doris. It’s not my choice, but formula is just as safe, and Star here is thriving.”
“Well, I wouldn’t imagine her mother would breastfeed anyway,” Doris scoffs. “She wouldn’t want her breasts to go south, and trust me, they do. My dear friend breastfed all of her children, five of them to be exact. Now when she takes them out of her bra, they just roll down like a carpet unravelling. She hasn’t had cleavage for forty or more years. The only thing she has between her breasts now is her belly button.”
I giggle.
Eve snorts.
Gabby stares in horror.
“Well, on that wonderful note, I think we can safely say I’m okay without kids for a few more years yet,” Eve says, grinning as she walks off.
Doris turns back to her muffin, but not before she gives me a brow raised expression to let me know just how serious she is.
She’s hilarious.
“So, Hugh and Delilah don’t get along then?” Gabby asks, continuing our conversation as if the interruption never happened.
“Nope, not at all. She came home drunk last night and tried to dry hump him right there in the hall. It was awkward as all hell.”
Gabby laughs. “Jesus, that is horrifying. I thought they might have gotten along. They did move in together after all. Why is he there if he doesn’t even like her?”
“Something to do with his childhood and wanting to show up for Star. He said he wouldn’t be a good man if he didn’t at least try to do the right thing.”
“That’s a decent man right there,” Doris says, spinning around again. “Most men would do a runner. Delilah is lucky to have someone that looks like him showing up for her.”
I shake my head with a smile.
“If things don’t work out between them, you should snatch him up, dear. All these other girls have gone goo goo over those bikers, you might as well hop on the train.”
Oh, god.
Gabby laughs. “Jesus, Doris.”
“It’s true, dear. You’re all like star-struck teenagers when those men walk in the room.”
“Well, have you seen them?” Gabby retorts.
Doris nods. “Indeed, I have, which is why I’m telling Maggie here to go and give it a try. Hugh is very attractive, my personal favorite if I’m being honest. He’s the cleanest, the others look too ... scary.”
Gabby grins at me, giving me a look.
“Well, I’m good for now, but thanks,” I say, giving her a nod. “And according to Delilah, he’s not clean enough.”
“Delilah is spoilt,” Doris mutters. “I remember her as a child, when her father would take her everywhere. Such a little brat. It’ll never work, but I admire his effort.”
Star starts crying, and I lean in, picking her up. “Oh, it’s okay, baby girl.”
“She’s so damned cute,” Gabby says, exhaling. “God, I want to squeeze her.”
“She is something.” I smile, kissing her cheeks. “I’m not sure Delilah likes her being seen with me, though. She had a million questions about where I’d be taking her today.”
“Why not?” Gabby asks.
“Because of her social status, dear,” Doris throws in. “Girls with rich lives like hers don’t like girls like Maggie, they think they’re better than them.”
“What she said,” I point out.
“Well fuck her, you’re bloody gorgeous. She’s probably jealous,” Gabby mutters. “Bitch.”
“It’s fine.” I shrug. “I’m used to it. Besides, Star likes me, and that’s all I care about.”
The bell above the door jingles and Hugh walks in, stopping when he notices Doris. “Great,” he mutters.
“I might be old, but I can hear better than most, dear,” Doris tells him.
He gives her a look. “Sorry, Doris.”
“Don’t be, I enjoy the fact that you bunch are afraid of me. It gives me some power around here.”
I smirk.
Hugh glances at me. “You ready?”
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
I stand, placing Star back in her stroller. Hugh walks over, taking it and pushing it toward the door. I say goodbye, pick up my bag and Star’s, and follow him.
“See what I’m saying,” Doris says as we reach the door. “Those two are far better suited.”
Hugh glances at me.
“Say nothing,” I murmur. “Just say nothing.”
He nods.
We leave.
Bloody Doris.
“NO, GOD DAMMIT,” I mutter, staring at my phone.
It’s late, probably eleven in the evening and my phone is ringing in my hand, the familiar number flashing across the screen enough to make me want to run and jump out of the nearest window. That’s the easiest way to deal with this, mostly because I know for a fact it won’t go away by me simply pressing the red button to end the call.
He’ll keep calling.
Over and over, until I finally cave.
That’s how he works.
That’s what he does.
He’s clever and knows how to play me.
I changed my number, so what I want to know is how the hell he got this one.
I am finally moving on, finally getting somewhere, and now this. I don’t know if I can handle this again. I have to stand my ground. My therapist went through all of this with me, and when I finished up with her, I felt strong enough to be able to confront this with strength and courage but seeing his name has me wondering if I’ll just fall back into that old trap. The one where he tangles me in his web and I’m helpless.
I take a shaky breath in.
I can do this.
I have to do this.
I simply need enough money to be able to save and get out of here, then, he’ll be gone forever.
Out of my life for good.
I answer the phone, my voice strong.
I can’t imagine it’ll stay that way for long.
“How did you get my number, Dion?”
“Fuck, it’s good to hear your voice, baby. I thought I’d never hear it again.”
Baby.
The way he says that word makes my stomach do a little flip.
No, Maggie. Be stronger this time.
“I changed my number because we’re over. I thought I made that clear. Now, I ask again, how did you get my number?”
“Your friend Miranda isn’t the best at keeping secrets.”
Fucking Miranda. I don’t even talk to her anymore, but I called her once off this new number to get some stuff I left at her house when I got this job. I never thought she would give it to Dion. God, of course she would be the one to ruin this for me.