Page 112 of Because of Blake

His accusations make my blood boil. “You may be here, but I’m stopping that, right now.”

Blake pales. “Maggie, what are you saying?”

I raise my chin, standing tall. “I’m saying we’re done. I’m going home, Blake. Don’t follow me, don’t text me, don’t call me. Leave me alone.”

I stomp out of the kitchen to the front door, but Blake catches me by the wrist before I can get outside. “Maggie, please don’t go. We can fix this, I know we can.” His jaw quivers. “I love you.”

I turn to him, my heart shattering at the sight of his tear-stained face, and I struggle to keep my resolve as I rip my arm from his grip. “Sorry, Blake.” My voice is low and cold.

As I walk home, I know he’s watching me, but I don’t turn around. Not once. Instead, I keep my head high all the way to my house. Once I’m inside, I collapse against the door and sob until I fall asleep.

At some point during the weekend, I make it to my bed, and I don’t leave it. I’m still in it on Sunday afternoon when the front door opens.

“Mom! We’re home!” Sydney’s voice rings out. I hear three sets of footsteps on the tile in the foyer. “Mom?”

“Mags?” Michelle echoes.

Great.I roll my eyes at the oncoming interrogation, and pull the covers over my head. The door to my room opens, the sound of feet padding across the carpet is faint, but noticeable.

“Mom?” Sydney pats the blanket. “Are you okay?”

I groan, mumbling the word “yes,” but don’t roll over.

“Mags, what’s up?” The bed dips down with Michelle’s weight.

“I’m fine.”

“Then why are you still in bed? Blake’s not under there with you, is he?” Michelle asks, poking at the blanket, and I hear Sydney giggle.

“No,” I choke out through my constricted throat.

“Then what gives?” Michelle puts her hand on my leg and shakes it.

“It was a long weekend.”

“Oooooh. Gotcha.” Michelle’s probably winking at Sydney. “Well, then my work here is done. Syd, take care of your mom. Let her get some rest and she’ll be okay. Come on, walk me out.”

Then they’re gone, and I’m alone.

But not for long, because Sydney returns shortly after I hear the front door close. “Mom? What’s really going on?”

Nothing gets past her. I roll over and uncover my face. “It was a long, difficult couple days. I’m okay, sweetheart.”

“You still seem sad. I know it takes a day or two before you get back to normal, but the sadness is usually gone. What’s going on?”

She’s going to find out sooner or later. “Blake and I broke up.”

“What!?”

“We had a fight.”

“Like the one last Christmas?”

I nod. “This one was worse, though. In the end, I decided it was for the best.”

“Best for who? I can’t imagine Blake agreed with you.”

“Sweetheart,” I say, putting my hand on Sydney’s knee. “There’s a lot about relationships you don’t know, and can’t understand yet.”