Madeline visibly relaxed and gave me a giant toothless grin. Her two top front teeth were missing, freckles were scattered over her nose and cheeks, and her hair was pulled up in a ponytail, but little wisps of hair stuck to her delicate face, giving her an angelic look.
She was a beautiful child.
Assessing her quickly, I caught a glimpse of a necklace that graced her delicate neck. My heart leapt from realizing she was wearing the necklace I’d recently given her. But it wasn’t just the necklace. She was using the purse I’d given her, as well as a T-shirt that was still large on her. She was using everything I’d given her…all the fucking gifts from years past.
Not only had she received my gifts, but she’d kept them and utilized them.
In an instant I felt weak, like I couldn’t possibly stand on my legs anymore.
“Do you need some water, Mr. Haywood?” Linda asked.
“Yes,” I replied, gathering myself. “Let’s get some and talk.” I turned to Lyla and pressed a chaste kiss on her cheek. “Get out of here, babe. Go live your life.” She didn’t need to get tangled in the sick and fucked up web I was living. Confusion furrowed her brow as I walked away, trying to gather myself for the conversation I was about to have with Linda Duncan.
What could she possibly want? Did she know it was me dropping off the gifts? Had she seen me in the daylight this last time? If I hadn’t been such a drunken mess the night before, her gift would have been properly dropped off like all the other times.
Had she found out I was the one who’d killed her husband? Was she here to air out my past sin? Was she here to turn me in?
Every possible thought I could think of for her being here ran through my brain as I made my way to the water, wondering if this was my final moment before I was sentenced. I grabbed a paper cup from the dispenser next to the cooler and poured myself some water. With a shaky hand, I brought the cup up to my lips.
Taking large gulps, I finished in seconds and then crushed it in my palm, slightly easing some of the tension in my body.
“Sorry about that. The weather changed quickly this year. I wasn’t ready for the heat,” I said, coming up with some kind of excuse for my weird and awkward behavior.
“Not a problem. I know what you mean. I wasn’t ready for such a heat wave right away either, plus the humidity. It can be suffocating at times,” Linda agreed.
“Exactly,” I responded, feeling uncomfortable.
Linda was sweet. She was nice and very easy to talk to, almost too easy to talk to. I didn’t want to get familiar with her because knowing me, I would let go of all my past transgressions in a matter of seconds, thanks to the massive guilt weighing on me.
Last time I’d seen Linda in person was when I’d gone to see Madeline play tee-ball. At the time, Linda had been lankier. She’d seemed okay from afar, but I’d seen the weight of the world on her shoulders. Madeline was as cute as ever but a little more grown up. Linda had gained some weight. She looked healthy now, full and curvy.
I wondered if she had remarried. Had she even dated since she lost Marshall? What was her love life like? Did she even have one, or was she still devastated from what I’d done, from what I’d stolen from her?
“I’m sorry. How rude of me not to introduce myself. I’m Linda, and this is my daughter Madeline,” Linda said.
Linda held out her hand, and I took it in a quick shake and then glanced at Madeline, who was holding her hand out as well, showing off that toothy grin.
Damn, she was adorable.
“Hi, I’m Kace.” I took Madeline’s hand in mine, and she wrinkled her nose and looked at Linda.
“He’s all sweaty, Mom.”
“Madeline!” Linda reprimanded.
“Nah, that’s okay,” I said. “Your hands get sweaty in those boxing gloves. Should have warned you.”
“Well, that’s nice of you, but we need to mind our manners. Right, Madeline?”
“Right. Sorry, Mr. Kace.”
“Not a problem at all.” I chuckled.
Those freckles and that smile were going to be the death of me. Madeline was so dainty, so petite. The shirt she was wearing was one I’d bought her a few years ago with a map of New Orleans on it. Clearly it hadn’t been my best purchase since she was just fitting into it now, and because it was a shirt with a map of New Orleans on it, but apparently she liked it. Choosing presents was so out of my realm but, buying for a little girl was in another fucking galaxy of comprehension. Buying for a little girl just added pressure that resulted in crap purchases like the shirt she was wearing. Although she seemed to like the purse I’d gotten her since she still used it. It was ragged and torn in spots where little patches of ladybugs and rainbows covered up the holes.
Even though I didn’t want to feel happy she still used the items I bought her, I couldn’t help but feel slightly elated. She loved my presents.
She loved them. Either that or….
Shit, maybe she hadn’t been given anything else besides my presents because her mom couldn’t afford it.
That thought sent my stomach into another flip.
“Kace, are you sure you’re okay?” Linda placed her hand on my shoulder, and it almost felt like her skin was burning mine, burning me for my past sins.
“Fine. Umm, what can I help you with?” I asked, needing this little conversation to end sooner rather than later.
In the background, the community center bustled with excited patrons observing the different classes we offered as well as taking a tour of the facility, led by Goldie, of course, because who else would be more entertaining? Voices started to flow down the hallway, and I knew the tour would head my way soon, which meant having to get my shit together. I wouldn’t do the center any good if I was practically hyperventilating on the floor. Yeah, that would get people to sign up for my class.
“And this is the Haze Room,” Goldie said, opening the door and allowing a few people to come in.
A family walked in as well as a couple. They looked around in awe. Goldie made eye contact with me and gave me a questioning look. I shook my head for her to not ask anything, and thankfully she didn’t pursue it..
“And this is Kace. He is our instructor in the Haze Room. Rumor has it he’s ready to work his athletes hard, so if you come here, get ready to sweat.”
I smiled and said, “We accept all levels of athletes. No judgement here. I will work with you and your level of fitness.”
“He says that now.” Goldie winked and led the group out of the room.
“She’s so much fun,” Linda said, speaking of Goldie. “She was so sweet at the front desk, especially when directed us down here.”
“She’s pretty amazing,” I said, speaking the truth.
“Mom, can I go play on the mats?” Madeline asked, a pleading look in her eyes.
Linda looked at me for approval. I bent down to Madeline’s level and said, “Run wild, kid.”
“Awesome!” She threw her purse on the floor and ran around, doing somersaults and cartwheels on the mats.
“She has a lot of energy,” I pointed out.
“Tell me about it. That’s why we’re here. I want her to use that energy for good. I want her to learn how to work with others, take instruction, and apply herself.”
“She will definitely be able to learn that here. Do you have any classes in mind?”
“Self-defense,” Linda said without skipping a beat.
“Okay, well, we have a class she could join. It will probably be more adults than anything.”
“That’s okay,” Linda said while looking at Madeline. “The earlier she learns, the better. I’d also like to see her build confidence and put some meat on her bones. She needs to be able to defend herself.”
The way Linda was talking had me worried. Was Madeline being picked on at school? The mere thought had my blood boiling and my hands itching to take care of whoever was picking on her. No matter what their age or size was, I was ready to teach someone a fucking lesson.