by Laura Dower
Mom nodded. “Me too. But we will. You’ll be coming to Far Hills soon.”
“Open the present,” Madison said, hopping up and down a little bit. “Gramma! Open it!”
Gramma leaned down and tore a corner off the box. It was a framed picture. Mom helped her to open it up wide.
Madison gasped. Inside was a beautiful painted portrait of Gramma Helen and Grandpa Joe. It was modeled after a photo of them from when they were much younger.
“Oh, Francine!” Gramma said, clutching her chest. Now she started to cry.
“A friend of mine is an artist in San Francisco. He’s been working on this for a few months now. I picked it up from his studio while I was out there. Dad looks good in it, don’t you think?” Mom asked. “And so do you.”
Madison watched the two of them go back and forth over details from the painting. She didn’t remember a time when they seemed so close.
Or when Madison felt closer to both of them.
“Flight two-thirteen now boarding rows fifteen and higher,” the ticket attendant announced over the loudspeaker.
“That’s us!” Mom said, giving her own mother another hug. “Ma, can you manage carrying this back to your car? It isn’t really that heavy.”
Gramma nodded, wiping her nose with a handkerchief she’d pulled out of her purse. “I’m fine. You two better shake a leg, though. Good-bye. I’ll miss you both.”
They gathered their carry-on bags and boarding passes and said their final good-byes. And with the walk into the plane, the surprise Fourth of July vacation officially ended.
Madison would miss this place, but she was ready to sleep in her own room again—especially if the air-conditioning was back working again.
She was ready to be with Mom and Phin alone again.
She was ready to hang out with Aimee and Fiona and the rest of her friends from FHJH again.
And that included Hart Jones—even if he had gone to the Fourth of July extravaganza with Poison Ivy Daly.
Settling into their seats was easy, and the plane liftoff went smoothly. After the seat-belt sign was turned off, Madison pulled out the lunch Gramma had made. She and Mom ate peanut-butter sandwiches with the free root beers the plane provided. Madison was supersurprised the airline even had root beer, but she happily drank up.
They talked about San Francisco, and then Mom worked on some data sheets and read through a script while Madison napped.
Madison was exhausted after the Fourth of July weekend—more tired than she even realized. After a short sleep, she reached into her orange bag for her book to do some reading.
That’s when her pinecone fell out. Mom picked it up off the floor.
“What’s this?” Mom asked, unwrapping the tissue.
Madison explained all about Tower Head Beach and crazy eights and Gramma’s best friend, Mabel, in Winnetka—and her grandson, Mark.
“We really like each other,” Madison admitted. “Mark’s really cute.”
Mom leaned in closer than close. “So what do you mean by, ‘we really like each other’?” she asked. “Are you and Mark going to keep in touch?”
Madison blushed. “No,” she said. Then she looked deep into Mom’s eyes. “Yes,” she admitted. “I hope so. I don’t know.”
“Is there something you’re not telling me?” Mom asked, grinning.
Madison wanted to share everything with Mom right then and there. She wanted to blab about the romantic fireworks and the kiss in Gramma’s backyard and the holding hands—all of it.
But she didn’t say a word more. She didn’t have to.
Mom probably knew. She’d been on that same beach. She’d probably kissed Ethan Randall in that same spot in the backyard.
At that moment, Madison understood Mom better than she ever had before. And Mom understood her right back.
“So, how are your files coming along?” Mom asked next, switching subjects. “That laptop comes in handy when you have a lot to say, doesn’t it?”
Madison nodded. “Dad says he’s going to get me one of those cards so you can go online without a phone line. I’m not really sure how it works…”
“That’ll be great. Then you can e-mail friends from anywhere. Pretty soon, you’ll be traveling all over just like me.”
Madison always thought that was what she wanted more than anything—to fly all over the USA and the world like Mom did for her job at Budge Films. But now, heading back to Far Hills, she was also sure that staying close to home was an even nicer thought.
She opened her laptop and went into her e-mailbox, even though it wasn’t connected to the Internet right now. She needed to write to Bigwheels. She’d send it as soon as she got home.
From: MadFinn
To: Bigwheels
Subject: I’M ON A PLANE!!!
Date: Sun 6 July 3:09 PM
I am writing to you from a plane right now (isn’t that cool?), row eighteen on the way back to Far Hills. Have you guys turned around to head back to Washington yet? I bet u have a long way to go in that camper. What else have you seen in California or anywhere? I’ve been saving all ur e-cards BTW.
Did you get my last e-mail? I am sadder than sad that I had to leave behind all the stuff that happened with that new boy I like, Mark. I wish he went to my school. Maybe then I could know what it’s like to really have a boyfriend. Will I ever know? Will anyone in my “real” life ever like me like that?
I heard that Hart went to the Fourth of July extravaganza with evil Poison Ivy. I’m just glad it’s summer so I don’t have to watch them hold hands like every day at school or something weird like that. That would be so AWFUL! What would you do? Should I still be friends with him even if he’s dating the enemy? Write back.
Yours till the air ports,
MadFinn
Madison hit SAVE and the message was saved automatically into her Drafts folder. She was about to write more e-mail, a thank-you note to Gramma Helen, and a short hello note to Mark when the cabin lights blinked.
The flight attendant said, “Please turn off all electronic devices, including all personal stereos, cell phones, and laptop computers. We will be landing shortly.”
Mom helped Madison put away the computer.
Moments later, the plane was landing and pulling into the gate, and Madison and her mom moved quickly to the baggage claim section.
“Phinnie!” they both squealed when his carrier was brought out of another side door. Madison put on his leash and he leaped around, claws and paws skidding on the airport floor.
It only took them an hour to get home once they got their suitcases and the car, which Mom had left in long-term parking.
The house looked exactly the same as it had looked when they left Far Hills. Even Phinnie was excited about heading home. Madison sat in the backseat with him so he didn’t have to ride in the crate anymore.
“Rowrrooooo!” he wailed, burying his pug nose into Madison’s leg with a snort.
Mom ordered pizza for dinner because there was nothing in the refrigerator. Madison laughed. Things were way back to normal here—back to Mom and her scary takeout dinners.
While Mom unpacked, Madison opened her saved message to Bigwheels. While she was waiting for it to be sent, a new e-mail addressed to Madison popped up on the screen. She knew who it was from right away because he made so many spelling mistakes.
From: TheEggMan
To: MadFinn
Subject: When r u coming home?
Date: Sun 6 July 10:10 AM
Whassup Maddie? I havnt talked to u since the lake last wk. I forgot u were going away until Fiona told me.
How was ur Grammas? I remembr her from when we were little. She was always pretty nice 2 me. N e way, everyone was bummd out that u were gone this wkend for July 4. I hung out w/the usual guys + Fiona and Aim. Chet and Hart came too, except that Hart almost went w/IVY. What a wacko. I told him to bag her and hang w/us though and he did. I used to think she was a hottie but this weekend, she was so clingy she’s gro
ss. Nothing else happend much.
Mariah my sister sez hi 2 u. call me when u come back. We want to go 2 the lake and u should be there. L8R, Egg
Madison closed Egg’s e-mail after reading it through twice more, just to be certain she was sure about what he’d said.
Hart and Ivy hadn’t gone to the Fourth of July extravaganza together.
It was so hard to believe.
She also stayed online for a while longer just to see if maybe, by some random luck, Mark would be sending e-mail, too. He’d promised he’d write, but Madison didn’t know when that would happen. She wanted him to be the first one to get in touch, though. She knew that for sure. She’d wait for him to make the first electronic move.
Suddenly Madison’s head buzzed with boys. She liked two of them at the same time, just as Bigwheels had said. Two of them! Were Hart and Mark the real summer surprises Mom had been talking about?
Madison needed to call Aimee and Fiona and tell them about her trip home from Chicago. She needed to find out more about what had really happened at the Far Hills Fourth of July extravaganza.
But first, Madison went into her Summer Vacation file.
Summer Vacation
Rude awakening: This Fourth of July was MY independence day, too.
I realize now that Gramma and Mom and I are a lot alike. But I am also different.
Mom has been telling me that forever, but I finally believe her.
And maybe there are boys in the world who like me because I’m different.
I know there’s one in Chicago who does.
I hope there’s one at home who does, too.
Mad Chat Words:
K-I-T Keep in touch
EOTW End of the world
WDYS What did you say?
{ :-{ Unhappier than unhappy
HB Hurry back
BCNU Be seeing you!
8-] Wow, man!
GR8 Great
What’s gnu? What’s new?
YYSW Yeah, yeah, sure, whatever
:X Sworn to secrecy
Madison’s Computer Tip
I thought leaving Far Hills for the Fourth of July would be the biggest drag EVER. But I was soooo wrong. E-mail keeps me close to my BFFs, Mom and Dad, and even NEW friends when I go away. Bigwheels sent me e-cards from all over the place on her family vacation. Aimee and Fiona sent news from home. Mom kept in touch from her business trip. And now that I met this new boy at Gramma’s house, I think maybe e-mail is what will keep us connected, too.
Visit Madison online at the author’s page, www.lauradower.com
Turn the page to continue reading from Laura Dower’s From the Files of Madison Finn series
Chapter 1
Madison Finn was in a chat room with her two BFFs, Fiona Waters and Aimee Gillespie. Even though they had walked home together from school, there was still lots to discuss.
Madison didn’t want to log out of the chat room with her friends, but she signed off after Fiona signed off, hit the STANDBY hot key on her keyboard, and rolled over onto her bed to think.
She had a lot to think about. The Winter Jubilee concert was going to be fun. The holidays were coming. And best of all, Madison was going skiing with Dad.
He’d promised to take her along with him on a real winter vacation to Mount Robinson, a peak in upstate New York. They’d gone once before for a day trip years ago when Mom and Dad were still married. Mom skied the expert trails while Madison and Dad hung out on the bunny slope.
Since the Big D (divorce), Madison had to alternate holidays between her two parents. Madison knew that going away together with Dad would make up for a few of the weekly dinners he had missed lately. Even Mom thought a ski trip was a great idea.
Clicking back onto her laptop, Madison opened her e-mailbox. The only e-mails there were spam—junk e-mail. Somehow she had been added to a promotional mailing list, receiving e-mail from different girls’ catalogs and websites. Dad always said that Madison shouldn’t open e-mail from strangers because it could download viruses onto her computer. She always followed his advice.
DELETE. DELETE. DELETE.
Madison was sad to see no e-mail from her long-distance keypal Bigwheels. No e-mail from any of her friends. And no e-mail from Dad either, confirming details of the ski trip, like Madison had hoped.
She opened up the special calendar app that helped her to organize her time, after-school meetings, homework, volunteering, and more. As usual, Madison’s schedule was jam-packed. December had something to do typed in for almost every day of the month.
12/5 Wednesday. Math test. Chorus rehearsal.
12/6 Thursday. Science lab w/Ivy.
12/7 Friday. Chorus!!! Work on essay. Help Mom decorate.
12/8 Saturday. Hockey game @ school.
She scrolled down and keyed in additional chorus rehearsal dates. Winter Jubilee practices would probably be taking up most of Madison’s time over the next few weeks, but she didn’t mind. Winter Jubilee was one of the most anticipated weeks of the school year.
“Maddie,” Mom said, entering Madison’s room without knocking. “I saw you left me this permission slip on the kitchen counter.”
Students participating in Winter Jubilee activities needed to have parental approval if they were going to be taken off the school premises. Mom signed on the dotted line and handed it over.
“Thanks, Mom,” Madison said, taking the slip.
“By the way,” Mom said, sitting down on the edge of Madison’s bed, “did you finish that essay you were working on?”
Madison shrugged. “Not really. I’m doing something else right now.”
“Fun …” Mom asked, eyebrows arched, “or for school?”
Phin, Madison’s pug, waddled over to the bed and put his paws up on the edge. Madison reached down to pet his little back.
“Both, Mom,” Madison said. “You know I use the laptop for homework and a bunch of other stuff.”
“Well, the dog needs to go out,” Mom said. “Why don’t you take a little break from the ‘stuff’ and walk him around the block.”
As soon as he heard the words out and walk, Phin jumped off the bed and started to chase his tail. Madison flopped back onto the bed.
“Do I have to?” she groaned.
Mom made a face. “Get up, honey bear. Now. Before he pees on your…”
“Okay, okay!” Madison said. “You don’t have to be all gross about it.”
Mom laughed and handed over the dog leash.
“Rowrooooo!” Phin howled, jumping up into the air on all fours as if he had springs on the bottom o
f each paw.
Madison laced up her sneakers and grabbed a warmer sweater for herself and for Phin. The pug squirmed as Madison tugged on a green knit cover-up Gramma Helen had knit for him the year before. He looks like a cross between dog and leprechaun, Madison thought as she pushed his paws through.
“Don’t stay out too long,” Mom cautioned. “It’s starting to get even colder outside. And wear that scarf around your head, please.”
“Mom, don’t be such a worrywart,” Madison said.
“I worry. I’m your mom,” Mom said, grinning. “Speaking of worrying, did your father call you to confirm the ski plans for the end of December?”
“Plans?” Madison said, thinking fast. “Yes. Well, he e-mailed me actually. Today. He e-mailed me to say the trip was all planned and I shouldn’t worry, so neither should you.”
Madison gulped. That was a lie. He hadn’t e-mailed.
She’d never lied to Mom before.
“So when are you leaving?” Mom asked, leaning back onto Madison’s bed.
“L-l-leaving?” Madison stammered. “You mean to take Phinnie out?”
Mom laughed. “No, honey bear. To go skiing. When is your Dad taking you away?”
Madison’s stomach flip-flopped. She’d lied once. Now she needed to lie twice?
“Gee … I don’t remember exactly, Mom. Right before Christmas sometime,” Madison said. “Like he told us before. You know. What he said.”
“Oh,” Mom said nonchalantly. “I guess it was unfair of me to assume your Dad would just propose these big plans and … well, I won’t say it.”
“What?” Madison asked. “What were you going to say?”
“No, no. I won’t say anything more about your dad.”
“Say it,” Madison sighed. “I’ve heard it before.”
Mom looked taken aback. “Excuse me?” she said.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap like that,” Madison said.
“Well, honey bear,” Mom said slowly. “I just don’t want to see you get your hopes up for some great vacation and then have him change the plans.”
“Oh, Mom,” Madison said. “You don’t understand. That isn’t what’s happening this time at all.”
