Community Service

Chapter 12: Don't Put Me on Trial

Maddie is almost done with her community service only 100 more hours to go. It may seem like a lot but seeing as she had 400 hours, that's pretty good.

She goes to the library for bookkeeping when she sees Beatrice, Beatrice walks towards her and sits down, "Hi Maddie."

"Hey Beatrice, what are you doing here?"

"Michael told me you work here on Thursday afternoon and he's in court so I thought I'd volunteer as well."

"Shouldn't you be picking up your daughter from school?"

"Nah, I have people for that."

Maddie is confused about why Beatrice is here, but she continues to work while Beatrice sits there, taking in the ambiance.

"So, do you do random drug tests?" Asks Beatrice.

"Not at the library."

"Are you single?"

"Beatrice, I'm dating your cousin."

"Just making sure. Are lunch breaks monitored here?"

"I don't think so."

"Okay, I'm going to take one and by the way, you should come back to the office. You're allowed to date co-workers and bosses because Judge Marshall makes the rules." Beatrice stands up.

"Thanks, but I'm trying not to mix business with pleasure."

"Speaking of which, I really love my job but hate my boss. What would you do?"

"Judge Marshall?"

"You're probably not the best person to have this conversation with."

Maddie gets up to put some books away when Beatrice notices a scratch on her legs, "What happened to your legs?" She asked.

"Oh, Betty's rose bush started to grow, and I accidentally fell into it."

"Oh dear, I'm going for lunch and never coming back, bye."

Maddie's confused about what that was, but she just keeps working.

She then gets a text from Jake.

Jake: I am not lying, my friends were lying that I did with Candice because I did it.

Maddie: I am so confused.

Maddie: How does that even happen?

Beatrice walks out to Judge Marshall's car, "So, how's it going in there?"

"I can't believe you're making me spy, although it is fun." Smiles Beatrice.

"Beatrice, cut to the chase!"

"She likes you, you're good, nothing to be worried about. I'm glad you're back together. You should go talk to her!"

"Okay, I will," Judge Marshall combs his hair and walks into the library.

Beatrice gets excited as she goes in his car and starts writing down his credit card numbers on her phone, just in case.

Maddie continues to text Jake passionately when Michael walks in.

Jake: Well, it doesn't matter because now my girlfriend thinks I did it and she broke up with me. So, I am single :(

Maddie: You must stop talking about me to me. It's confusing.

Michael comes up and says, "Hi, Maddie. I'm here to surprise you."

Maddie's already so consumed with this Jake conversation that she can't pay attention to Michael.

Jake: Well, my girlfriend is mad at me for sleeping with her nemesis, and I didn't even do that.

Maddie: That sounds messy...

Michael gets frustrated, "Well, I guess I am leaving now."

Maddie ignores him. She's too deep into this texting conversation.

Maddie: So, are you a virgin?

Maddie: I feel like you are lying...

Maddie: You have a reputation for lying!!!!!

Maddie: But I don't care either way.

Jake: The worst part is I have to live with my ex-girlfriend's ex-boyfriend, who hates me because I can't afford another place to live.

Maddie: I thought Patrick moved home?

Jake: His mom put a tracking device on him, so he left.

Jake: Surprisingly, I am still a virgin, waiting for the right girl.

Jake: Alright, I am tired of talking about me. Let's talk about you.

Maddie: I'd rather not.

She then goes, "Wait, Michael, don't leave. I'm sorry, I was reading."

"Look, I must think with my brain rather than my emotions, and sometimes it just seems like you're into someone else or occupied," Michael says sadly.

"I'm not Michael. I know I get distracted sometimes, but you are my dream guy."

"Are you sure? I think your bubbly personality is a mask for your darkness."

"What? I'm not dark at all. I don't even watch scary movies."

"How about we take the night off tonight, and you can get some coffee and think about how your negativity affects the people in your life." He puts his hands in his pocket and walks away.

Maddie is thoroughly confused. What she said was so negative. Besides, she has never been told that she's negative.

The library owner comes up and says, "Get back to work?"

"Shelia?" Asks Maddie. "Do you think I'm negative?

Shelia smiles, "I don't have opinions, only ideas." She then leaves.

Maddie has no idea what that means or what to do. After her shift, she goes straight to Jake and Patrick's apartment. Exactly who she's looking for opens the door.

"Jake!" Maddie yells, "Did you spread a rumor that I'm negative?!? Because if you did, that is rude and untrue."

"What? Stop accusing me of things, Maddie. I have been nothing but good to you." Defends Jake.

Patrick walks in and laughs, "No one needs to start a rumor to think you're negative. You just are."

"Am not!" Yells Maddie.

"You are the most negative person I know. You enjoy my phone calls all the time." Points out Patrick

"I only do that in extreme circumstances," says Maddie.

"Which is all the time," says Patrick.

Maddie picks up a basketball and hands it to him, "Why don't you just play basketball instead of focusing on my moods? Thanks."