The Boy Next Door

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

"S-so Madelyn and I w-were arguing," I said, trying desperately to get the tears out of my voice. "And she-she told m-me." I broke down in sobs and Brianna put her arm around me in comfort.

"What could she have said that could be this bad?"

"M-mom said-said she hoped M-Madelyn was a-a b-better daughter!" I hugged my knees to my chest and cried.

"No way. Your mom is the sweetest, most caring person I know. She never would've said that."

"Why-why would Mad-Madelyn lie though? Where-where could she ha-have heard it?"

She gently detached my arms from my legs and gave me a hug. I clung to her. What else could I do?

"And-and earlier," I said after a minute, "I t-told her that Matthew sh-showed up." Bri stiffened but didn't say anything. "Sh-she passed it off! Like he was an-an old friend! And th-then told m-me to come b-back to watch Madelyn."

"I'm so sorry, Meg." And that was all she said. She didn't need to say anything else. She just needed to be here.

When I finally calmed down some, I let go of her. "Thank you. You're the best friend I could ever ask for."

"What else am I here for?" she chuckled.

It had been about two hours since Mom left at that point, and I heard her car pulling into the garage. I seized Brianna's wrist and she smiled sympathetically. "Sorry. You need to talk to her now though. I'll get Hannah and head out."

I nodded and started messing with the hem of my shirt while I waited for her to pass through. When she showed up, she immediately noticed me. "Liliana, what's the matter?"

"Uh, well, Madelyn...she told me something while you were gone." She looked completely clueless, I saw as she sat down.

"What was it?"

My bottom lip quivered as I spoke. "That you hope she's a better daughter than me."

She was speechless. "I...Liliana..."

"It's true?"

"Liliana, I didn't...what I meant..."

I couldn't even function properly now. I just stood and ran outside, following the trail into the woods as I sobbed. My own mother thought I was a failure.

I must've dozed after crying, because Evan was shaking me now and my neck was stiff. He had a relieved look on his face. "Your mom called me and said you'd run off hours ago and weren't answering your phone. Why'd you come here?"

I had run out of tears, but that didn't stop my voice from shaking. "She, my mom I mean, told Madelyn that I was an inadequate daughter and Madelyn would hopefully be better."

He wasn't expecting that. His jaw dropped and I saw disbelief in his eyes. "Are we talking about the same Jameson family? Your mom would never..."

"But she did. Practically admitted to it."

"I'm so sorry, Liliana." He gave me a hug.

I just sat there, feeling very numb. "At least now I know why she wasn't worried about Matthew. She doesn't want me in the house anymore."

"That's not true."

I sat back. "I'll ask Dad about it, and if he feels the same way as Mom, I'll consider taking you up on that offer."

He looked nervous, but nodded. "Here." He grabbed my hand and helped me to my feet. "I'm going to cheer you up."

I didn't ask how as he sat me in his car and started driving toward the edge of town. Staring out the window, I frowned when we stopped in front of a vet's office.

"Why are we here?"

"They find strays and take them in. I happened to find a sick little dog and brought him here about a month ago, and he can cheer anyone up."

My dim face broke into a smile. A dog? I loved dogs!

He asked to see "Roamer" and we we brought back to a small room with dog cages. The majority were empty, but some held animals. Roamer was excited to see Evan.

"Hey, Buddy! I've got a friend for you to meet!" Roamer could sense that I was upset and came over to me more calmly than he'd done to Evan.

I sat on the ground, the Labrador laying his big black head in my lap. I pet him.

Within minutes I had forgotten why I was sad to begin with and was playing with Roamer. He licked my cheek and I squealed, but smiled. "I like you too, Roamer."

Evan chuckled and helped me put him back into his cage. After closing it securely, he and I walked out. I held Evan's hand and smiled. "Thank you. I definitely needed that."

As he drove me back home, he brought up the problem with him moving back into his house. "I need a job-a good one. So that I can pay for the water and electric and have food. I know how I'll get to college, I'm not tapping into that fund though. If I move back in, I need to be able to pay those bills. As of right now, I can't."

"If I move in as well, then you could pay electric and I'd pay the water. I start working at the vet's office in two days."

"I like the idea of you living with me for more than one reason, but I don't want to tear you away from your family."

"It's just next door, it's not like I'm going to Africa or anything."

He nodded. "Just see what your dad says about Matthew first." He pulled into my driveway and stopped.

"Of course. I'll see you later."

"Bye." He smiled and waved as he backed out, me closing the front door the same time his front tires hit asphalt.