Scars

Part 36

Nichole's POV:

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door.  And as expected, it was Maddie. 

"Hey", she said, smiling and greeting me with a warm hug.

I smiled and hugged her back.  "Hi", I said, just as warmly.

She came in and I shut the door behind her.  

"Thank you so much for coming over on such short notice", I said, as we went into the kitchen and sat down.

"Yeah, sure.  It's no problem at all.  So, you said you wanted to talk to me about something?"

"Yes.  I do", I said, feeling somewhat nervous.

She instantly sensed my uneasiness.  "Is everything all right?  Is there something wrong?  Because I'm kinda surprised you asked me to come over", she said, then looked around.  "Where's Alexis?"

"She's upstairs sleeping."

"Sleeping?  This early?"

"Ummm... well... yeah.  She's been... kinda tired lately.  So, she's trying to get some extra rest."

"Oh, Ok", she said, obviously still wondering why I had asked her to come over. "I just assumed she would be awake.  I was looking forward to visiting with her."

"I know you probably were.  But she's just been very tired", I said again.

"Is everything ok?", she asked again, even more confused, as I still hadn't answered her question about if something was wrong.

"Well... that's why I wanted you to come over.  There's something I want to talk to you about", I said vaguely, not exactly sure where to even begin.

She paused, then spoke.  "Geez, Nichole.  You're kinda scaring me here", she said, obviously sensing my uneasiness, as she now looked as nervous as I was.

"I'm sorry.  I don't mean to scare you.  It's just that...", I said, then trailed off, as I glanced up the stairs.  And I suddenly got even more nervous, because the last thing I wanted was for Alexis to accidentally overhear our conversation. 

"It's just that what?", she asked, growing even more concerned.

"Would you... would you mind if we talk outside on the deck?", I asked, because again, I didn't want Lexi to accidentally overhear us. 

"Ummm... ok... I guess that's fine", she said, now completely confused.

"Ok, good", I said, relieved, as I stood up and picked up the letter from the attorney.  I then went into the kitchen and grabbed my cigarettes and a lighter.  Because yes, I definitely needed a cigarette.  We then went outside to the deck and sat down.

Once safely outside and out of earshot, I immediately felt an even bigger sense of relief.  Because at least now, Maddie and I could talk freely.  In private.  Without fear of being overheard. 

"Sorry it's a little cold out here", I said, apologizing for us having to talk outside.  But there really was no choice.  We had to get out of earshot.

"It's fine", she said.  "I don't mind.  Actually,  the fresh air feels good." 

"Yeah", I said, again wondering how to exactly approach this. 

And not knowing what else to go about it, I sat the letter from the lawyer down on the table and placed it in front of her.

"What's this?", she asked, looking at the letter and then at me, having no idea at all what was going on.