To Have and to Hold
Page 19
She ran away.
As soon as Madison clicked offline, there was a knock at her door. Tiffany arrived with her two cousins Rebecca and Lynne.
“Sorry we took so long!” Tiffany said as Madison opened the door. “My mother wanted to give me a million rules about what I could and couldn’t do, and finally she just let us go.”
“Hi,” Rebecca and Lynne said at the same time.
Tiffany did the rest of the talking.
“These are your cousins, too, but I’m first and they’re second cousins. Something like that, I think. Anyway, what are we doing just standing here? We have to order ice cream from room service and we have to watch a movie. We can watch an R movie, too, because our parents are not here. This is so great.”
Madison smiled. “Thanks for coming. It’s nice to have the company.”
Tiffany smiled right back. “As far as I’m concerned, getting to know you is the best part of the whole wedding. Kirk said the same thing.”
“Really?” Madison asked.
“Of course! Our family is always the same people, over and over,” Tiffany explained. “You are so much more fun.”
Madison didn’t think that she was any fun at all, especially considering the fact that she had been lame (for real!) during most of the wedding reception. She hobbled over to the bed to clear off some of her things.
Tiffany, of course, didn’t need an invitation to sit down. She went right over and leaped onto the bed. Rebecca and Lynne followed her.
“Okay! What should we order from room service?” Tiffany asked as she opened up one of the gold-colored menus. “I’m not hungry, but we have to order something.”
Madison collapsed into the chair by the table and shrugged. “Order whatever you want. My dad says it’s his treat,” she said.
As Tiffany, Rebecca, and Lynne read the room service menu from cover to cover, Madison started thinking about Hart again.
Was real love waiting for Madison back home in Far Hills?
Chapter 21
So Long, Texas
So we’re on the plane now. Going home at last. And my ankle is feeling way better, too. My foot actually fit into my sandal this morning.
Dad, Stephanie, Uncle Rick, Aunt Violet, and I went to this HUGE breakfast back at Wolfe Ranch this morning with eggs and steak and way too much food for the amount of people there. After that we said good-bye and Mrs. Wolfe drove us all to the Houston airport in this minivan. After everything that happened this weekend I thought Stephanie would act weird toward her mom, but she didn’t. She was bawling her eyes out in the car like she was SAD to go. Mrs. Wolfe was acting sad, too.
Is that how it works with parents? They make you crazy and then you love them more?
Rude Awakening: I hope that life isn’t one big joke because I sometimes I just don’t get it.
Dad says they decided not to take a big honeymoon right away because Stephanie has some work deal. They are going to Paris or someplace super romantic eventually. Maybe in the fall, Dad says. After the wedding, I feel like they’re the celebrities of the weekend or something. But I’m the luckiest because I get them all to myself today.
Kirk and Tiffany were nicer than nice to me this morning. Kirk asked me to write and Tiff (she said I should call her that from now on) gave me her e-mail even though she claims she has no idea how to use a computer and made me promise I would write. She gave me her cell phone number too, just in case. I can’t believe she has her own cell phone and her own line in her bedroom, too. Mom would never let me have that. Would she?
I am so glad to have new cousins like them. I guess I was a little harsh when I first met them but whatever. I wonder what they really thought of me?
The best news of going home OF COURSE is that I get to see Fiona for the first time since everything happened w/her dad. I was really worried for a while. I just can’t help but think what if something worse had happened? What would Fiona do? Gramma Helen always says it’s better not to worry about things you can’t control. I guess she’s right. I have to stop worrying about stuff so much.
“The plane is starting its descent,” Dad said, reaching over Stephanie to tap Madison on the knee.
Madison jumped, startled. She’d been so busy writing on her laptop for a good part of the flight that she’d practically forgotten where she was.
“We’re already home?” Madison asked. She glanced out the airplane window and saw land.
“Almost,” Dad said. “We have about a half hour more, I think.”
Stephanie leaned over Madison’s shoulder. “I think we’re over Maryland or Pennsylvania somewhere,” she said. “Look at all of those farms.”
Madison glanced out the window for farms, but all she saw were houses after houses in developments that speckled the landscape. It was hard to believe that so many people lived all crammed in together down there. Madison wondered what her Far Hills neighborhood looked like from the sky.
“Can I see your ring again?” Madison asked Stephanie, who held it out proudly.
The diamonds on Stephanie’s wedding band glimmered in the dull light inside the plane. Madison was impressed that Dad had selected the band all by himself. He said Stephanie had given him some hints, so he had known what to buy, but Madison knew he was just being nice and giving her the credit.
The more time she spent with the two of them, Madison saw how happy and perfectly they fit together. Maybe better than Dad and Mom had ever fit? It was a strange thing to consider.
“I’m glad we’re all flying home together,” Dad said as the plane banked to the left. Madison felt her body shift toward the window. The FASTEN SEAT BELTS sign went on.
“We’re flying home together like a real family,” Stephanie said, quickly adding, “Your second family, of course.”
Madison smiled. Maybe Stephanie wasn’t trying to take Mom’s place. Maybe she was just trying to be nice.
The plane landed, and everyone on board applauded, including Madison. They exited the plane and headed straight for the baggage-claim area.
When Madison spotted the luggage already spinning around on the carousel in the baggage claim area, she let out a chant: “No more lost bags! No more lost bags!”
She spotted her checkered suitcase as soon as it appeared on the conveyor belt.
“Dad!” Madison cried, pointing to the bag.
He laughed and helped her lift the suitcase onto a cart. After a few minutes, Stephanie’s and Dad’s suitcases also appeared. Madison and her dad and Stephanie headed for the exit. As they emerged from the building, Madison saw a sign that read FINN. A gentleman in a suit stood in front of a black, stretch limousine.
“What’s this?” Stephanie asked when she saw the sign.
Dad grinned. “A surprise.”
“A limo!” Madison shouted. She ran to the door and looked through the car window. “There’s a T.V. inside. Wow! Dad, this is awesome.”
The three climbed into the back while the limousine driver placed their luggage into the trunk.
“First stop, Blueberry Street!” Madison joked. She sat back in a leather comfy seat facing Dad and Stephanie.
“This is very sweet, Jeff,” Stephanie said grinning. “Really.”
“Sweets for my two sweets,” Dad joked, kissing Stephanie on the forehead and blowing a kiss in Madison’s direction.
“Oh, gag me, Dad,” Madison said, pinching her nose. “I thought that getting married would make you less sappy.”
“Not likely,” Dad said with a shrug.
The limo pulled out of the airport and headed for downtown Far Hills. There was a lot of traffic, so some roads w
ere slow going, but eventually the new family made its way to Madison’s and Mom’s house.
“Look who’s waiting for you,” Dad said as they pulled up into the driveway.
“Phinnie!” Madison shouted. “And Aimee and Blossom!”
It was like a Welcome Home committee.
“Maddie,” Stephanie said, grabbing Madison’s wrist before Madison could get out of the limo. “Thanks again—for everything….”
“You’re welcome,” Madison said.
But Stephanie still didn’t let go of her. In fact, she squeezed harder. “I just want you to know, Maddie, that I will treasure that collage and poem forever. I know how much you mean to your dad and …”
“Stephanie,” Madison said. “You’re going to cry again, aren’t you?”
Dad let out a little laugh. “She’s got your number, Steph,” he said.
Stephanie held back her sniffles. “I guess so,” she said with a smile. “Go on and get out of the car!”
Madison wasn’t quite sure how to say good-bye to her new stepmother, so she just threw herself forward and landed a kiss on Stephanie’s cheek.
“See you later,” Madison mumbled. She fingered the charm necklace that she’d worn all the way from Texas. “Thanks for this, too.”
“Let me help the driver get your bags,” Dad said, hopping out of the car.
Madison slung her orange bag over one shoulder and slid out of the car. She hurried up the walkway to the house with her arms open wide.
“Phinnie!” Madison shouted. The pug raced down the walkway toward her and began to paw Madison’s shins, panting wildly.
“Oh, my goodness, I am soooo glad you’re home!” Aimee called out, racing down the path herself, with Blossom in tow.
“Rowwrrroroooooo!” both dogs howled in stereo.
Dad took the suitcase up to the house. Mom was standing in the doorway. Madison saw them exchange a few words. Mom stood at the screen door and waved to the limousine.
At first, Madison thought Mom was waving at her, but then she realized that the wave meant for Stephanie.
“Congratulations,” Mom cried.
Stephanie poked her head out of the limousine window. “Thanks, Fran,” she said.
Dad and Mom were both smiling, so Madison knew everything was okay—at least as okay as it would ever be. The two of them weren’t ever going to be reuniting. That was that.
Madison dropped her orange bag and bent down to cuddle Phinnie in her arms. “Oh, I missed you so much,” she cooed in his ear. “My Phinnie!”
“Wait a sec! Do you have a tan?” Aimee said, sounding envious.
“A tan! Are you crazy?” Madison asked.
Dad ambled back down the walkway, all smiles.
“Congrats, Mr. Finn,” Aimee said. She was in constant motion, as usual.
“Thanks, Aimee,” Dad said. “And now, my dear Madison, I must bid you adieu.”
“Oh, Dad,” Madison said. “Cut it out!”
“This is only good-bye for now,” he said, wrapping his arm around Madison. “Until we meet again?”
“Dad!” Madison wriggled out of his grip. “Stop being so goofy.” She rolled her eyes. “Dad, you are so embarrassing. And I am crowning you King of the Dumb Jokes. It’s official.”
“What happened to King of the Sappy Moments?” he asked.
“Oh, Dad. Just go!” Madison said, pushing him back toward the limo.
“I’ll talk to you later,” Dad said as he climbed back into the car. The limo pulled away with a toot of the horn. Madison and Aimee waved.
From the porch, Mom called out to Madison. “Welcome back!”
Madison turned and headed up onto the porch for a welcome-home hug from Mom.
“You look surprisingly rested for someone who barely slept all weekend,” Mom said. “Let me see that twisted ankle. Your dad says you are feeling better.”
Madison and Mom sat on the porch steps together. Aimee came over and joined them, while the dogs played on the lawn. Madison recounted all the wedding details she could recall, from the layout of Wolfe ranch to the view from Bobcat Lake. She told them about the ice sculpture shaped like Texas and about the relative with the big, pink hair.
“Fiona is going to love hearing about that one!” Aimee said.
“Where’s Fiona right now?” Madison asked.
“Home with her dad and everyone else in her family,” Aimee explained. “She wanted to come over and say hello to you, but her mom needed her help. I told her we’d go over there, but her mom isn’t really up for visitors tonight. She said we should come by tomorrow, instead.”
“Sounds good,” Madison said.
“She said to tell you not to forget to bring your plane letter!” Aimee said.
“Oh, wow. I almost forgot!” Madison cried. She went over to her orange bag and pulled out the answers to her questions from the plane. She and Aimee collapsed onto the couch and read the answers together.
Midway through, Aimee started to chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” Madison asked.
“I told Fiona what you said about Hart,” Aimee said.
“You what?” Madison cried. “Aim! I didn’t say anything!”
“That is big news. It isn’t fair to keep that a secret from your BFFs. Anyway, what’s so bad about liking Hart Jones? He’s cute.”
“What’s this I hear about Hart?” Mom asked, appearing from the kitchen.
Madison hung her head in her hands. Now Mom had to know, too? She didn’t know what to say. Aimee, as usual, filled in the blanks.
“Maddie likes Hart,” Aimee said. “He’s this kid in our class….”
“Really?” Mom said, looking very surprised. “I thought you liked that boy Drew.”
“Drew? You do?” Aimee said, shocked.
“Mom!” Madison yelled. “What are you talking about? I never … ever … ever said that I liked Drew.”
“Oh, really? Was it Dan, then? I can’t remember,” Mom said.
“Pork-O?” Aimee shouted.
“Mom!” Madison cried. She curled up in a ball on the sofa.
“How long have you liked Dan, Maddie?” Aimee cried. “Wow. You never said anything. I mean, we all know Dan likes you, but …”
“Huh?” Madison cried. “What are you talking about?”
Mom chuckled. “Sounds to me like you have nothing to worry about, Maddie.”
Madison was sure she’d turned four successive shades of red by then. “I think you have both lost your minds!” she exclaimed, slowly getting up off the couch.
Phin followed Madison into the kitchen. Mom and Aimee came, too, but luckily, the subject changed back from boys to the wedding.
Over dinner, Madison regaled everyone with more stories of Tiffany, tuxedos, and everything Texas. Before they knew it, the meal was over, the dishes were washed, and it was time for Aimee to head home again with Blossom. She made no more mention of Hart or Drew or Dan or anyone else.
Whew, thought Maddie.
“Maddie, you have to call me first thing in the morning,” Aimee said. “We’ll go over to Fiona’s together, ’kay?”
“Okay,” Madison said. She hugged her friend good night. “I’m so glad to see you, Aim.”
“That goes double for me,” Aimee said, giving Madison a big hug back. “Bye, Mrs. Finn!”
Madison’s mom waved a dish towel at the girls from the kitchen. “Good night, Aimee.”
The dogs said their own good-byes. They always sniffed each other or rubbed noses before parting ways.
As Madison closed the screen door and watched her friend disappear down the block, she looked up at the big, round moon in the sky over Far Hills. It was the same moon that she’d seen just one night before over Bobcat Lake. But this moon seemed very different. Everything about Texas and the wedding seemed far away. Madison wondered if she would really keep in touch with Kirk or Tiffany or any of the cousins she’d met in Bellville.
Slowly, Madison turned and limped back int
o the house. Mom agreed to walk Phin before bed, so Madison said good night and hobbled up to her room, laptop in hand.
Madison booted up the computer, logged on, and opened her e-mailbox. She typed in Bigwheels’s e-mail address.
From: MadFinn
To: Bigwheels
Subject: back home
Date: Sun 21 July 8:48 PM
I know I only wrote yesterday, but I’m back @ home now and I just wanted to see if maybe u were online but ur not so I’ll send email instead.
Wow. I feel like SUCH a different person since we took this trip. At the wedding, Dad & Stephanie were the ones who made this big promise to have and to hold each other until infinity. But when I was in Texas I realized that I have a lot to hold onto, too.
Of course I have BFFs like Aim and Fiona. And I have my mom, my dad, and now a stepmother, too. BTW: Do u think 3 parents r better than 2? I’m not 100% sure yet.
Do u ever look up in the sky b4 u go to sleep? There is this huge white ball of a moon up there tonight. I should write a poem about it. I bet u would. Isn’t it cool that that same moon is hanging over Texas where I just visited AND it’s also hanging over your house, too? Do u see it?
I guess I was afraid that everything would change if Dad got married again. Like I thought I would lose him. But I guess I haven’t lost n e thing. Except my mind. LOL.
Oh--there is some BIG newz I forgot to mention. Aim & Fiona know about Hart now. So I guess I did lose one thing--the secretive part of my secret crush. I don’t know what will happen now that he’s sure to find out how I feel. Cross ur fingers that he likes me back.
Write sooner than soon?
Yours till the friend ships,
Maddie
p.s. I almost 4got 2 say THANKS again. It’s nice knowing I can have and hold onto YOU too. SLFN!
Mad Chat Words:
o:-
Pea brain
:-{}
Blowing a kiss
(:-<
Feeling worried
HAGT
Have a good time
WAM
Wait a minute