I Choose You

Bad Liar

"So look me in the eyes
Tell me what you see
Perfect paradise
Tearing at the seams
I wish I could escape
I don't wanna fake it
Wish I could erase it
Make your heart believeBut I'm a bad liar, bad liar
Now you know"

- "Bad Liar" by Imagine Dragons

***

"Isn't your father normally here by now?" Merle asked with concern laced in his tone as he reached me at the counter.

I had been watching the front store window for any sight of my father. For several minutes my gaze had felt like a trance but Merle's voice brought me back to reality.

My eyes flickered away from the window. "Yeah. He usually is."

I slipped my phone out of my denim pocket. There were no messages from my father, which was odd. If he was late, or there was a change in plans to pick me up, he would normally let me know.

"Well," Merle set down the cleaner and rag he was using to wipe off some of the last tables. "If you need a ride, it wouldn't be an issue for me to drop you off."

Giving a small grateful smile, I thanked Merle for the generous offer. "First, let me try calling my father to make sure he's not coming."

Merle nodded, "take your time. I'm in no rush." Merle went back to cleaning up for the evening.

My fingers were tapping across my phone, dialing my father's number, when suddenly the door to The Maine Tearoom had opened. A gust of cold wind blew in causing me to shiver from the shocking temperature change.

"I'm sorry. We're closed," Merle politely announced.

"I know," a familiar voice spoke.

Looking up, I saw Maggy standing at the doorway with a wide grin. "I'm here for her." Maggy pointed a finger in my direction.

I turned off my phone screen and slid my cell back in my pocket.

"What are you doing here?" I asked with confusion.

"I called your father and told him I'd be picking you up."

I gave a dry chuckle. "Oh, yeah? With what car?"

Maggy gave a proud smile that reached her twinkling green eyes. She began to twirl a set of keys with her ring finger. "I borrowed my mother's car."

"Borrowed with permission or without?" I raised an accusing eyebrow.

Rolling her eyes, Maggy put the keys back in her black wool coat. "With permission, of course. I'm not some common heathen."

I was intrigued as to what compelled her mother to lend the car. Last year, Maggy got her driver's license. As a reward, her parents bought her a Hyundai Elantra. The car was previously owned by a salesman who traveled a lot, so the mileage was high but it got Maggy where she needed to go.

After only having the car for a month, Maggy tried changing lanes and failed to see a car already occupying the lane. Luckily, both Maggy and the person she hit were unharmed, however, Maggy managed to total her car.

Understandably, since the accident, Maggy's parents have been reluctant for her to use their cars.

"That's a shock," I muttered under my breath knowing any louder would reach Maggy's ear and cause a dramatic reaction.

"What was that?" Maggy asked, knowing she wouldn't like what I said.

"Nothing," I played off with a shrug. "Let me get my bag from the back and we can go."