Page 49 of Letters to Molly (Maysen Jar 2)

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I turned. “What?”

“I’m concerned about Kali. The last three times I’ve seen her, she’s been quiet and withdrawn. I think you and Molly need to consider putting her in counseling. I’m worried this behavior is a sign she may be depressed. The last thing we want is her acting out and doing something drastic as a call for help.”

My hands balled into fists. “Kali is happy and healthy. There is nothing wrong with her.”

“She’s troubled.”

“She’s not troubled. She’s a ten-year-old girl. Her moods swing all over the place depending on what’s happening with her friends or her teachers or her brother. But she’s a happy and healthy kid. And I am telling you right now, Deb. If you say anything different to her, if you plant these ideas in her head that she’s unwell, you’ll never see my daughter again. Are we clear?”

My chest heaved as Deb’s jaw fell open. Dr. Deborah could diagnose her own daughter all she wanted but my child was off limits. I wouldn’t have her twisting up Kali like she did with Molly.

“I’m simply looking out for Kali.” She huffed.

“No, you’re pulling your psychobabble bullshit. It stops. Now.”

Deb’s eyes widened as she stood. “I will not be threatened.”

“This isn’t a threat.” I stepped closer, then I spoke loud and clear so there was no mistaking my position. “You will not talk to Kali about counseling. You will not talk to Kali about her moods. You will not talk to Kali about anything other than what Kali wants to talk about. If I find out otherwise, you won’t see her again.”

“Hey,” Molly hissed, rushing over to my side. “What’s going on? You two are making a scene.”

“Finn is threat—”

“It’s nothing,” I barked. “Your mom and I were just coming to an understanding.”

Molly looked back and forth between us. “Mom, is this about Kali? Did you tell Finn? I told you. She’s. Fine.”

“I disagree.”

“She’s—” Molly sucked in a calming breath. “You know what? I appreciate your concern, and I’ll keep an eye out. We both will. Then we’ll decide what’s best for our daughter.”

I opened my mouth to take them both on but stopped as Molly’s words sunk in. Had she really just taken my side? Against her mom? I did my best to keep my expression neutral but it was a battle. I couldn’t remember a time when Molly had taken my side in a battle of Finn versus Deb.

“In my professional opinion, you’re making a mistake,” she said.

Molly nodded. “So noted.”

Deb frowned at Molly, waiting for a different response. When she didn’t get one, she spun around and collected her purse from the table. “I’ve got to be going. We’ll discuss this again at a later date, Molly.”

I scoffed. “Just as long as you don’t discuss it with Kali.”

Molly shot me a look that said shut up, then she escorted Deb to the door. As her mom walked outside along the front windows, Molly scowled at me.

“What?” I held up my hands.

“Do you always have to argue with my mother?”

“Hey, I didn’t start that.”

She shook her head. “You never do. Mom is always the antagonist, isn’t that right?”

“That’s not—you know what? I’m not having this fight again. I came down here to talk to you.”

“About?”

“The letter.”

She shook her head, walking away from the door and through the restaurant to the counter. I followed, saying nothing as she led me into the kitchen.