Page 73 of Passing Notes
The entitlement of mediocre men would never cease to amaze me. I was a threat to him at that law firm. His father had founded it, and after little Malcolm had graduated from law school, his daddy hired him. He’d had to “earn” his partnership by working there, but there was never any doubt he’d get the position.
I’d earned my position every step of the way. My record was better than his, and I was on the cusp of eclipsing his dumb ass by becoming a partner alongside him. But nooo, he couldn’t have that, could he?
He needed to have all the power and prestige for himself, and god forbid he be forced to share it with a mere woman. So he chose to belittle me. To turn me into a sex object put there for his own enjoyment, because in his mind, I was nothing.
Gracie was right. I shouldn’t be alone right now. The temptation to rage-flail around my house, throwing things and stomping around like a toddler having a tantrum, was far too real.
I backed out of my driveway and headed toward the Smoky Mountain Inn. Being alone was stupid when I was in this mood.
I’d tell Molly and Leo everything. It could be sort of like a test run before I had to tell Nick. I could also let go and freak out a little bit too. Leo would feed me, and Molly would smother me with hugs, and everything would feel okay. Probably. Maybe Garrett would be there too. He was always good for a laugh, and I needed a laugh because what the hell was happening to my life right now?
Sadie’s van was in a spot up front when I arrived. Perfect. I could tell the three of them. Now I’d get food, hugs, and Sadie would come up with at least a hundred crazy ideas for revenge.
They were all sitting on the huge enclosed front porch sipping lemonade and sharing a plate of cookies when I rounded the corner and made it to the front entrance.
Willa was there, too. I smiled at her, and she waved me over. “We’re here to get our nails done,” she called to me. “Want to join us?”
Molly nudged her. “Oh no, something’s wrong.” She scanned my face, then looked me up and down, probably checking for injuries. “You look...,” she began. “I don’t even know. Is your life flashing before your eyes right now, Clara? You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something.”
“What’s happening, sweetie?” Leo rushed toward me to help me up the front stairs. He could always tell when I was too upset to function.
Sadie joined him at my other side and took my hand. “What’s going on?”
“Malcolm” was all I could manage to say.
“That prick!” Sadie hollered. “Is it time? I’ve been saving up all my tuna fish cans. They’re in a sealed-up tote in the Bandit Lake garage. I am fully prepared to bribe his housekeeper to stash them throughout his house—think of the smell! We’ll call that a soft opening before we get to the good stuff?—”
“No, Sadie.” God, I loved how fierce she could be, especially when it was on my behalf. “I mean, maybe? But not yet.”
“Okay, fine. Hear me out. We tell Momma and let her take care of him. She’s always threatening to shoot someone. I say we let her.”
Though I loved the idea of watching my mom shoot Malcolm right in the butt, I knew I couldn’t condone it. “No, we finally have a chance with her. I don’t want to have to visit her in prison.”
“Fine. Point taken. I’ll come up with something else?—”
“Do not listen to your nutball sister.” Leo guided me to a chair, and I sat down hard with a plop.
It was so pretty here. The inn backed up to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I let my eyes wander up into the misty mountains in the distance as I tried to clear my mind of all the garbage floating around inside it so I could focus on the problem at hand.
Years’ worth of feelings butted up against each other just like those old hills and trees, spreading up and down and every which way until I’d lost all train of thought. I was stuck somewhere deep in the recesses of my mind thinking of everything I had done wrong to lead me to this place right now.
“Have some lemonade.” Molly slid a cold glass into my hand, then gently closed my fingers around it. “Take a sip now, go on. You’ll feel better.”
In another universe, somewhere in another time, I was simply sitting on a porch with my friends and nothing bad had ever happened to me. Oh, how I wish I could be there right now...
I sipped at the lemonade and slowly came back to myself. I blinked and looked around, finding them staring at me in expectation. They wanted to grill me but were holding back.
I couldn’t even object, because I’d done the same thing to them every time I’d had the sense they were troubled about something. Funny how it wasn’t quite as fun when the shoe was on the other foot. Despite my reason for being here, being the center of attention was not my favorite thing.
“What’s going on?” Leo finally asked. “Your mood is bleaker than I’ve ever seen.”
Malcolm weighed heavily on my mind. Being forced to tell Nick about how I’d paid my way through college and law school weighed even heavier. Suddenly, I didn’t feel like talking anymore. I felt like curling up into a ball and forgetting my entire life.
“Earth to Clara.” Molly waved a hand in front of my face. “It’s okay, you know. You can talk to us. We are fully stocked with hugs, comfort, cookies, milk, booze, more of that kick-ass lemonade, and whatever else you need. Plus, none of us are judgy. Not only have we all made our share of mistakes, but we love you.”
“What did you say?” I came out of my bitter reverie with a jolt. “I’m sorry.”
“Is this about Nick?” Molly asked.