Community Service

Chapter 5: Life's a Mess

Maddie comes homes to Betty watching avatar.

"Maddie," she yells. "What took you so long? I was afraid you died."

"Long day Betty. I don't want to talk about it."

Betty follows Maddie to her bed in their 500-square-foot room. "Sweetie, your lips are looking dry, here's some Aquaphor." She hands Maddie a jug.

"It's probably the 4-foot marijuana tree in front of my bed."

"I'm sorry Maddie, unlike you, I'm human, I need my weed to live."

Maddie scoffs, "You know, I don't even have to live here. I got two requests from off-campus places where I could live without putting my future in jeopardy."

Betty begins to cry, "Well, then why don't you go there then,"

"Betty, I didn't mean that, I was just saying, I'm sorry."

"You know what Maddie, I need a roommate who lifts me up and supports me not a Narc, so why don't you just go."

"Betty, you can't do that to me! The stars are literally out already."

"Well then I'll send you prayers, but if you don't get out of here, I'm calling the RA because I'm sick of covering."

"What's your problem? We're friends."

"Our friendship is dead and I'm not coming back for your friendship."

"Betty, calm down, we're just living in close corners, don't make any rash decisions."

"You're such a condescending bitch, just go."

Maddie gets fed up, "Fine,"

She takes as much stuff as she can and head out the door. She drives to the Frat house, where there's a party going on. She knocks on the door, the president Jake answers, "Maddie, what are you doing here?"

"So, I hate to do this but is your offer to stay here still valid don't worry because I stay out most of the day, I basically just need a place to sleep."

"Okay, but we're kind of having a party right now so don't ruin it."

"No problem," she says, pitying her own life.

She gets her necessities and crashes into Joey's old room. Even though Drake is blaring, she's so exhausted from the day she's had, she falls asleep.

She gets up at 5 am while the party is still going on to go and clean up the river for 3 hours. She stumbles downstairs and sees one couple having sex and six people passed out on the floor.

Jake stops her, "Hey Maddie, where are you going?"

"Oh, I have to clean the local river."

He laughs, "Who are you? Ghandi." He throws a bag at her that she catches in flight or fight. "Here's a sucker, it's grape, it's super nutritious."

"Thanks," she says as she leaves.

As she cleans up around the river, she tries to think of anywhere she can stay, but the options are limited. She doesn't have enough money and landlords don't rent to girls with criminal records, especially drug-related charges. As much as she hates the Fraternity house, she's thankful to Patrick and angry at Betty, what a good friend.

After her 3 hours at the river, she goes straight to Judge Marshall's office at 10:30. He's not her judge anymore, so he can't say she's working too many hours because the new judge commends her work ethic even though he really likes to make her clean up parks.

She sits in her cube as she sees Judge Marshall walk by in his suspenders, they make lingering eye contact as Maddie meets his eyes, looks away embarrassed, and then looks as she notices him.