Today is the second installment of this week's story, If you missed Part One somehow, by all means head back over. Not going to know what's happening otherwise.
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The Mud On Their Shoes - Part Two
A side story from "Sanctuary" - Book One of the Gilesian Trilogy
Bennie gave Maggie a look Maggie didn’t care for – “I’m
Dwight’s girlfriend, yes…”
“Mr. and Mrs. Paulson, if you’d please come fill out the
paperwork - ”
Mr. Paulson took charge. “Donna, sit down. I’ll find out
what’s going on.”
Donna Paulson took a seat as Mr. Paulson walked out with
Bennie leading the way. She sat straight in her chair, facing the door with a worried
expression on her face. She reached into her purse, pulled out a small rosary, and rubbed the smooth beads through her fingers. Maggie sat down two chairs from her, and glanced at Mrs.
Paulson.
An awkward silence passed between them, and then Mrs.
Paulson spoke up.
“What was your name again?”
Maggie smiled. “I’m Magdalene. Maggie.”
“I didn't know you were…you’re…?”
“Well…it’s not official or anything yet, but he hangs out
with us at the Market after school, feed the ducks, that kind of stuff.”
“I see…and do you know what happened today?”
Maggie bit her lip. “I…I didn't see anything, really. He went to Druid Hill.
When I came in looking for him, I found him. Looked like…beaten? I don’t know.”
“He’s had the most terrible luck with things lately.”
Maggie thought the comment strange. “Not lucky?”
“So many problems this past year. Expulsion from St.
Ignatius, suspension, now this…”
“I’m lucky.”
“You are?” Donna Paulson looked at her, a small bitter smile
of surprise coming to her mouth. Maggie even surprised herself by saying that.
Was that a lie? Or was her earlier thought the lie, and this the truth? She
couldn’t tell anymore.
“I am. Everyone tells me I am.” She continued with the
brazen thought. If she was going to lie, might as well lie big.
“Well, good for you.” There was more his mom wanted to say,
Maggie could tell. But she held back her words. She knew the pale, snowy woman
didn’t believe her, and it made her angry.
Guess I know where
Dwight gets it from…
hey d what’s up 5 min
ago u were all over me trying to hold my hand & now ur just like not even
talking to me whats the deal...
…hey ive been really
busy…
…well, then i guess im
done here…?...
…oh…ok…if that’s
really what makes u happy…
…what gives dude why u
playing with me?
oh, you took it like
that? whatever…
son of a…
Mr. Paulson came to the door again. “Donna.”
Mrs. Paulson rose from her chair and followed him without a
word.
Maggie stood as well, and followed a length or two behind as
they walked, like a whip dog waiting for a bone. They ignored her, while
holding onto each other, as Bennie led them through the halls.
So unfair. Her
face twisted behind them. Just because
they have servants and money, they think they’re so superior. They didn’t
understand a real and true love, what love felt like, the grinding hunger to
see yourself lifted up in someone else’s eyes.
Maggie noticed a flicker of movement in her peripheral
vision as they turned the corner. A girl staggering down one hallway to the
right. The flick of a ponytail, a jean jacket, and puffy white covers over her shoes.
She leaned against the corner briefly as she walked out of sight.
Wait a minute. That
wasn’t…was it?
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