Little Boy Lost by Choudhary Ruhi

Author:Choudhary, Ruhi [Choudhary, Ruhi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-06T05:00:00+00:00

Forty

March 11

Mackenzie pushed the cart in the crowded aisle, feeling overwhelmed by the variety of spices and sauces on the racks. Everyone around her expertly plucked off their trusted brands, while she stood there feeling sixteen years old, when she had started cooking for her sick grandmother on a daily basis.

Her ex-husband had spoiled her for the last six years.

“Take this one.” Irene handed her pasta sauce. “It’s tangier.”

“Thanks. Trust me, I’m not a lost cause. I’m just out of practice.”

“No judgment here.” She raised her hands in surrender. “You have a lot on your plate. Chasing bad guys and busting your head open.”

Mackenzie’s hand flew up to her forehead. It wasn’t too deep of a cut, and she didn’t have a concussion. The stitches would dissolve soon enough. But the memory of the fear and the frantic pounding of her heart was still fresh. Someone was after her. She had been followed and then left alone once she swerved off the road and right into a tree.

“Yeah.” Mackenzie sighed, as they walked around the store, collecting various items.

“I’m thinking of going hiking next weekend,” Irene said. “But I reckon I’ve explored all the trails in Lakemore now. Do you have any suggestions further afield?”

“Well, you have to go to Mount Rainier. It’s basically tradition. It’s a bit of a drive though.”

Irene waved her hand. “I’ll rent a car. Which reminds me, when will you get your car back?”

“End of the week.” She loaded up on bleach, to which Irene smirked. “Clean freak.”

“I’ve noticed. Aren’t you going to have trouble getting around?”

“I’ll just take a bus or a cab. I’ll manage.” They joined a long checkout queue as all the self-checkout machines were out of service.

“You said you have a partner, right? Nick, was it?”

Mackenzie swallowed. “Yeah.”

“What?” She noticed her stiffen.

“It’s just he’s going through some stuff right now, and I’m not getting through to him no matter how hard I try. So maybe I should give up and let him be?”

Mackenzie hated it. Months ago, miscommunication and misunderstanding had driven them apart. She had been furious with him in the past, feeling betrayed. But he hadn’t given up on her. No matter how hard she pushed him away, he had never stopped trying to fix their friendship. It was something he’d always done. But this time, the roles were reversed, and Mackenzie found herself at a loss. She was the one who was usually so closed up—how was she supposed to help him open up?

“Maybe you shouldn’t,” Irene suggested as they moved forward in the queue.

“Why?”

“I think sometimes the other person needs you to force your way in even if they don’t realize that’s what they need. And even if you’re not good at it, it’s more the gesture that counts. My dad was a proud man,” she smiled fondly. “He’d never say it, but me interfering helped him.”

Mackenzie had ended up spending a lot of time with her new neighbor. She’d come to value her advice and her company.

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