Pieces

2

Michael

The next morning came and Maddie's sister was long gone before I emerged from the guest room. I didn't think much of it since I wasn't in the mood for her. I wasn't in the mood to see Maddie as well after hearing her words last night.

I walked into the kitchen and was met with Maddie taking food out of the fridge to cook. I couldn't look at her the same as I did before the accident, especially now that I know she doesn't feel anything for me like she used to. When she finally noticed me standing there, she gave me a weak smile then sat the box of bacon down on the counter.

"Good morning Michael, how did you sleep?" She spoke.

"Fine." I muttered as I went to make some coffee.

"You seem tensed this morning, I take it that you didn't sleep well?" She said. I didn't even turn to look at her as I turned on the coffee maker.

"I slept fine, I'm just feeling a little under the weather." I told her.

"Oh, I see. Would you like for me to make a run to the store for some medicine?" She asked and I shook my head.

"You aren't allowed to drive right now and you shouldn't even be up and moving around." I told her.

"I'm better now! I only have some cuts here and there." She said.

"You have a gash on your forehead!" I said. "I need to change your bandages anyway."

"I'm not handicap and I'm not a child! I can do things on my own!" I see she hasn't forgotten the stubborn part of her personality. I sighed as I leaned against the counter and waited for my coffee to finish.

"I understand but I'm only trying to help." I told her. "I am your husband after all."

"We'll see." She mumbled and I almost couldn't understand what she said. Instead of speaking up about it, I kept my mouth closed. "Did you want anything to eat?"

"Actually, no." I spoke. "Matter of fact, I don't even want this coffee." I finished then stormed out of the kitchen. Her last comment made my heart feel heavy, like it would burst out of my chest.

I decided instead of staying in the house with her, I should go out for a drive to clear my mind. All I kept thinking about was her trying to leave me in under six months if she doesn't feel a connection with me. After I finished getting dressed, I left my house without another word to Maddie.

I drove around until my stomach started growling. I decided to find somewhere to eat and then I'd stop by at my parents house. I ended up at Waffle House and got my parents and myself some waffles then headed to my parents. I needed someone to talk to about this and who would be better than my own mother?

Arriving at my parents, I grabbed my bag of food then went up to the door and let myself in with my own key. Both parents where snuggled up on the couch watching tv as I walked in.

"Michael! So nice to see you!" Mother said as she got up from the couch to hug me and kiss my cheek.

"Hello mother, Jospeh. I brought breakfast if y'all haven't eaten yet." I said as mother led me to the kitchen.

"That's so nice of you honey but your father and I had a little cereal this morning so we aren't hungry." She said but I could see my father's face changed when she said 'we'. I snickered then handed him the bag and he brought it to the counter to find his plate.

"I came to talk to you about Maddie." I told her as Joseph walked out of the kitchen with his food.

"What's wrong? Isn't everything going fine?"

"Actually, no. Maddie isn't in love with me mother. She has forgotten and thinks we're just good friends. I broke it down to her already but I guess she just doesn't feel how she used to before he accident." I said sadly as I leaned over the table and rest my head in my hand.

"Oh Michael, I'm sorry you have to deal with this right now but you'll just have to remind her of the good times and love you two shared." She said.

"I can't Mother. She's thinking of leaving me in a matter of six months if she doesn't feel an ounce of love for me."

"What makes you think that?"

"I overheard her say it to her sister. I barely slept when I heard that." I told her.

"I can't believe she'd say something like that!" Mother started to rant but I quickly stopped her.

"It's nothing I can do anyway, she thinks we're still the same ol friends we were in college. I don't think I could convince her about our marriage."

"Sure you can Michael. Do the things you've done in the past that made her love you in the first place. Show her that you want this to work." She said.

"What if she's not interested? What if I make her uncomfortable?"

"Nonsense Michael, deep down that woman loves you and it'll all come rushing back to her in no time. You two were meant for each other." I nodded as she said that.

"I guess you're right mother. I should get back home then." I said then hugged my mother before grabbing my food and heading back home. When I made it, I walked inside and saw Maddie sitting on the couch.

"Where did you go?" She asked sassily while crossing her arms.

"I needed to clear my head so I went for a drive but ended up getting food and stopping by my parents house." I told her and she raised her eyebrow at me.

"I made you a plate of food for you just in case you came back hungry but I guess I shouldn't have." She said then got up from the couch and walked away. What is she so upset about? If anything I should be the one pissed. I sighed deeply then went into the kitchen to eat my food.

"Maddie?" I called as I knocked on the door to her room. She didn't answer so I slowly opened the door and saw her laying down with her back facing me.

"What made you want to be with me?" She asked as I walked over and sat down on the bed. She sat up and leaned her back against the head board.

"Considering that you made the first move, I wanted to be with you because you were genuinely interested in me and not for what I could give you." I told her. She gave me a small smile as she reached and grabbed my hand and softly ran her thumb over it.

"Could you tell me more about us? When we first started dating?" She asked and my heart started to race at her questions. I couldn't believe she had a change of heart. Maybe she's trying to see how this'll work in the next six months.

"Yea..yea I can do that." I smile.