“Mom,” she said. “What’s going on with the lady next door?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t do that.” She rolled her eyes. “She’s all over Dad. Every time he goes outside. She was out there in a bikini top yesterday when he was washing the car. In July. In Ohio. She doesn’t even have a pool.”
I didn’t know what to say.
“Is Dad…” Maddie stopped. Her face changed. For a second, she didn’t look sixteen. She looked about six. “Is Dad into her?”
“No,” I said. Too fast. “No, honey.”
“Are you sure?”
I looked at my daughter. I thought about lying. Telling her everything was fine.
But I’ve never lied to Maddie. Not about the big things.
“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “I don’t think so. But I’m scared.”
Maddie stared at me. Then she came around the counter and put her arms around me. She’s taller than me now. She put her chin on the top of my head.
