It took them the whole morning to look for Madam Boy.
She wasn't in any of her usual hot spots, and another wave of panic settled into Malcolm's mind. What if that was it?
His phone buzzed.
It was Amy standing behind him by the light house.
Do you think it had anything to do with the recent relocation suggestion?
Malcolm blinked.
Read the text again.
And again.
Then it clicked.
He looked at Amy, grateful. "I know where she could be."
Amy didn't have much of a choice but to follow him to the car.
It certainly didn't feel like a honeymoon, but Amy loved spending time with Malcolm regardless.
They could be doing nothing, and it would still feel like fun.
She had so many questions about him, about his life... But he was driving, and she stayed quiet.
They arrived in the middle of nowhere.
Amy frowned, puzzled. The surroundings didn't feel lived in at all.
"We're here," Malcolm said with a sigh.
Amy hesitated.
She wasn't ready to get out of the car. The place didn't feel safe at all.
Malcolm laughed at her doubtful expression. "Believe me, I'd never take you somewhere dangerous."
She was still skeptical, but she folded and followed his lead.
Are you sure Madam Boy came here? Amy texted. Malcolm nodded.
"I'm very sure. This is the only other place she called home before the establishment," he replied as they walked deeper into the forest.
And how do you know that? Amy texted again before sending another one, Did she tell you herself? Or did you take her from here?
Malcolm tensed.
He never liked talking about himself. Ever-especially his past.
He stopped and turned to Amy, his posture suddenly rigid. Serious.
"Amy… I'll tell you something I've never told anyone before."
She nodded, giving him her full attention.
"I lived here," Malcolm said.
That only confused Amy more. Did the forest mean something to the town? Why was this a secret?
Malcolm could tell she didn't understand what he meant, but he didn't want to dwell on it. The less she knew the better.
He started walking again, until they came upon a burnt white building.
An old church if the cross on top showed anything.
Beside it, sat a very expensive-looking old gentleman, a Bible resting in his hands. Absorbed.
Malcolm let out a breath of relief, and that's when it dawned on Amy.
That was Madam Boy.
And she was an old man.
"Hey, gorgeous," Malcolm said as they approached. "Is that seat taken?"
The man looked up. A smile slowly spread across his face.
"Malcolm? You survived the fire too?"
Malcolm nodded before pulling him into a hug, tears spilling freely.
"We did, Evans… we did."
"But your mother…" Madam Boy trailed off. "She said she'd come out with you..."
Then realization struck, horror flashing across his face. "She's still inside?"
Malcolm shook his head quickly. "No. She's gone to the beach."
Madam Boy smiled softly. "That girl and the sea…"
He stopped when he noticed Amy frozen in place.
"And this is?" he asked, studying her.
"Oh," Malcolm said, wiping away his tears. "This is my girlfriend, Amy."
"Just Amy?" Madam Boy asked as he stood and walked toward her.
Amy nodded.
"Nice to meet you, Amy. I'm Malcolm's mother, Evans," Madam Boy said.
Amy was still processing everything.
When Malcolm noticed her dazed expression, he turned to Madam Boy.
"Let's go back home, Mom."
Madam Boy smiled, clearly pleased. "I still can't get used to you calling me that."
Malcolm smiled back.
"I don't think I could ever call anyone else Mom. So you're stuck with it."
"And it's a burden I'm willing to shoulder," Madam Boy replied warmly.
Malcolm sent Amy a quick text.
I'll explain everything to you tonight.
Amy nodded, then gently took Madam Boy's other hand and guided her back to the car.