Page 76 of Remember Me
Despite her outburst, I maintain my cool. “It’s Maddie’s birthday. I have a little party planned for her tonight.” The words “that you’re invited to” never leave my mouth.
“Scrap the stupid party! She’ll have another birthday! I need you to keep my foot elevated and iced!”
There’s no reasoning with this woman. I blow out a huff of air, not caring if she can hear it.
“Phineas, are you there?” Her voice grows louder and angrier. “Answer me for God’s sake!”
Several beats of silence prevail while Scarlet slips out a small black spiral notebook from her backpack along with a pen. It reminds me of the notebooks my late wife Skye always carriedwith her. She opens the pad and scribbles something down. Then, tears out the page and hands it to me.
Pinning it against the steering wheel, I read it.
Tell her to go screw herself.
I meet Scarlet’s twinkling eyes. Mine smile with hers.
Next line:Then tell her to take an Uber. She’ll live.
As I read it, Kayla’s seething voice again pierces my ears.
“Phineas, what the hell is going on? Can you hear me?”
“Yes, but barely,” I lie. “You’re breaking up. The traffic’s insane so you should probably Uber home.”
“What the—” she yells.
I cut her off. “Sorry Kayla, I can’t hear you. I’ll call you later.” And with that I end the call, promising myself I won’t pick up if she calls again, which is a given.
And sure enough she does.
“Finn, are you going to answer your phone?” asks Scarlet.
“No, I’m going to turn it off,” I reply to the bold, sensuous woman next to me. As I press the off button, a groggy little voice from the back seat slips into my ears.
“Daddy, are we almost home?”
“Soon, baby girl.”
Thirty minutes later, we reach LA and sail through Santa Monica. As we approach Malibu, the 10 Freeway becomes the Pacific Coast Highway. The sun, a red ball of fire, is beginning its descent into the ocean. The familiar landscape excites Maddie.
“Hooray! We’re almost home!”
“Are you ready for your birthday party?”
“Yup! Scarlet, are we still going to bake an apple pie and put candles into it?”
“Of course!”
My heart is melting. All this sweetness and love.
CHAPTER 47
Skye
Rosita, back at the house to celebrate Maddie’s birthday, gathers plates and utensils from the kitchen cabinets as well as a quart of vanilla ice cream from the freezer while I open the oven door to check on the apple pie I made with Maddie.
“Gracias, Rosita.” I thank her.
“De nada. You are a very good woman forSeñorJackson and Maddie.Señorita Phillips—she makes a face of disgust—muy mala! Perra!”