Lost and Found by Lorhainne Eckhart Read Free Book Online Page B

Why are you taking anxiety meds too? Pills! What the hell , Maggie. You know better. After what we’ve seen out there with drug users and addictions—weren’t you paying attention? You know as well as I do that prescription drugs are as addictive as illegal narcotics, and they are just as destructive. Do you really want this lecture?” Diane leaned closer glancing over her shoulder when the waitress set the table behind them.
    Maggie glanced down at her short finger nails , the ones she’d begun chewing down, something she hadn’t done since she was an awkward teenager. Diane was staring at her when she looked up. Her lips paled into a thin line as if ready to launch into a lecture—something scathing that’d leave her poor ears ringing. So Maggie held up the flat of her hand and shook her head. “Don’t Diane.”
    “Sorry. I’m sure the last thing you need right now is someone else coming down on you. But I need to know all the pills you’re taking and how long you’ve been taking them?”
    “Since I left Richard, and it’s just the sleeping pills and Ativan .”
    “Does Richard know?” Diane lowered her voice so the lingering waitress wouldn’t hear.
    “No. You’re the first.”
    “Okay, what about Ryley ? I mean , has he seen you popping pills ? ”
    “I only take them when I need them. Not that often, so stop worrying. You’re making me sound like some irresponsible mother . And Ryley’s fine . He’s with Richard right now anyway.” Maggie picked up her water glass and sipped.
    “All right. So tell me what happened with the lawyers.” Diane appeared to relax and lifted her glass.
    “My lawyer warned me about keeping my cool and playing fair. Well , he got his wish. I didn’t say a word. In fact , I had hard time keeping my eyes open , I was so relaxed. I don’t remember what was talked about or what was agreed. But I do remember my lawyer nudged me a couple times. And the way Richard watched me…”
    “What?” Diane raised both hands in the air.
    “I don’t know. But I know he suspects something.” Her heart ached , and she squeezed a fistful of her brown sweatshirt above her heart. “He’s going to try and keep Ryley.”
    “Did he say that?”
    “No.”
    “Well what did he say to you?”
    “Nothing. I didn’t give him a chance. I left right after the meeting. Grabbed a cab. He keeps calling. But I haven’t called him back.”
    This time Diane’s face softened , and her mud brown gaze reached across the table with a seriousness that only appeared when she was in cop mode. “Maggie, I love you. And I don’t want to hurt you, but you need help. You’re not being fair to Richard. Call him back. Don’t play games. You and I both know he doesn’t deserve this silent treatment. No one does.”
    When Maggie tried to interrupt and defend herself, Diane waved her hand gently in front of Maggie’s face, before reaching across the table gripping her wrist in a way to stop her from talking.
    “No , please let me finish . I think you need to hear this. And remember I’m your friend, but I’m Richard’s too. And I’m the one standing in the background watching both sides with clarity. You and Richard both suffered a horrible loss no parent should have to endure. But Maggie, you need to pull it together for Ryley. You seem to be forgetting about him from the little bit I’ve seen recently. Richard can see how much Ryley needs you guys. And he’s pulled himself together for Ryley. So right now maybe Ryley would be better off with Richard, until you clean yourself up.”
    Maggie felt the blood drain from her face and her heart slice open as if sharp claws of betrayal were cutting into it. How could Diane turn on her? She slid her chair back, but Diane grabbed her arm again.
    “No, sit down. And get that wounded puppy look off your face. As your friend , I’m entitled to set you right. That’s what friends are for. We should be able to say anything with love. When you do