Give and Take

by Laura Dower

  Mom looked over at Madison. Phin, still wearing his sweater, was nestled in her lap.

  “Tell me again why building a snowman is so important?” Mom asked.

  Madison turned and pressed her nose to the cool glass car window. She gazed at the snow that was falling faster and harder by now.

  “Because it is, Mom,” Madison said. “Because if I can build a snowman on the lawn while it’s still snowing, then it will be like a snow globe and Mrs. Romano loves her snow globe! Don’t you get it? When she looks out of the window, it’ll be like she’s in the middle of it!”

  “Honey bear, what are you talking about?” Mom asked. “You’re not making any sense.”

  “You’ll see! You’ll see!” Madison said. “It will make sense to Mrs. Romano.”

  Snow gathered in little drifts on the windshield wipers as they drove along. Bit by bit, the snow was piling up everywhere. The weather lady had been right when she said a storm was moving it. This was it. But for a storm, Madison thought it felt awfully pretty outside.

  When Mom finally pulled into the cul-de-sac entryway at The Estates, she put the car into park and Madison pushed open the door.

  “I want you to hurry up!” Mom yelled. “We have to head back home before the snow starts falling any harder.”

  Mom took Phin. She said she would take him for another walk around the property and then check in on Madison’s progress making the snowman.

  Madison grabbed a large paper bag from the backseat. Then she waved as if to say “yeah, yeah,” and disappeared inside The Estates. She had agreed to meet up with Nurse Ana before she went home for the day. It was a little before four o’clock now.

  “Hello!” Madison said when she saw Nurse Ana and Mr. Lynch standing together by the front desk.

  Mr. Lynch introduced Madison to Frankie, a maintenance man, and explained the “plan.” Frankie laughed when he heard it.

  “That’s the best holiday present anyone could ask for!” he said. “Let me help you! You’ll want to have it done before the sky gets any darker now!”

  With everyone’s blessing, Madison and Frankie headed outside, back into the snow. They walked around to the back of the residential area, directly behind Mrs. Romano’s room. Frankie started to roll the bottom part of a snowman’s body. Madison rolled the middle part. In only five minutes, they had two thirds of a snowman done.

  Madison leaned down to roll the head of the snowman while Frankie smoothed the existing parts.

  “Hey, this is fun!” he said, rubbing his gloves along the sides.

  Madison laughed. The snow on her nose tickled. Her jeans and her jacket were getting wet, too.

  Finally, she lifted the snowball head onto the rest of the snowman.

  “Looks good, kid,” Frankie said, wiping the wet snowfall from his own forehead. “Whew! Never seen such a nice snowperson.”

  “And we’re not done yet,” Madison said. She lifted some objects out of the paper bag she’d dragged from the car. Five black rocks served as buttons and eyes while five smaller rocks formed a smile. A carrot made the nose, just like in the Frosty the Snowman cartoons. Madison took out an old black hat she’d found in the basement at home and a fuzzy green scarf that Mom never wore.

  “How about these?” Frankie suggested, handing Madison two short branches.

  She poked them in for arms and turned toward the sky.

  Snow was still falling fast.

  The living snow globe was complete.

  From across the lawn, Madison heard clapping. Nurse Ana, Mr. Lynch, and Mom were standing by the side of the yard with Phin.

  “Bravo!” Mom shouted.

  “Let me go get Mrs. Romano,” Mr. Lynch said. He went back inside.

  Madison turned toward Mrs. Romano’s window and waited for the curtain to open. When it finally moved, she held her breath.

  Mrs. Romano squinted to see who was out on the lawn. Madison expected she might have thought special birds were paying her a special visit. But Madison waved instead.

  “Hello!” Madison yelled. “LOOK!” She pointed to the snowman.

  Mrs. Romano cupped her hand over her mouth and squinted again. She shook her head with disbelief and unlocked the window.

  “Madison!” she cried. “Is that you?”

  “And I brought a friend,” Madison said.

  Mrs. Romano ducked back behind the curtain. Madison wondered where she had gone, but then she reappeared with something in her hand.

  “A friend!” Mrs. Romano said, holding up her snow globe. She started to sniff and wipe her eyes.

  Madison trudged over to the window and held her hand out. “Happy holidays,” she said.

  Mrs. Romano wiped her eyes. “Same to you, my dear,” she said, taking Madison’s hand.

  By now, the sky really was getting darker and Mom wanted to head for home. They went into The Estates for a short visit with Mrs. Romano. She loved meeting Phin the best. He curled up on Mrs. Romano’s bed and growled at a stuffed bird she had on her table.

  As they were leaving, Mom put her arms around Madison. “That was a very thoughtful thing to do, young lady,” Mom said. “I am very impressed.”

  Madison shrugged. “She doesn’t have any family,” she said. “And it’s important to have your family at this time of year—no matter who they are.”

  Mom beamed. “I am so lucky to have you for a daughter,” she said, kissing Madison’s wet head.

  “Oh, Mom,” Madison said. “Quit getting all mushy.”

  “You know, I think that these holidays will turn out just right for you, too,” Mom said. “You have to trust me on that.”

  “Well, I’m over the whole winter break ski thing,” Madison said. “If that’s what you’re talking about.”

  “Look, Maddie, I am very sorry if I said some things that I shouldn’t have said about your father this week. I don’t want you to feel like you’re stuck between us. That’s not the way it should be.”

  Madison nodded. “Whatever, Mom. I know.”

  “And I’ve decided that we should go to the concert together,” Mom said.

  Madison looked up at her with disbelief. “Huh?”

  “Your dad and I will be attending the concert tomorrow—to see our one and only daughter together.”

  Madison’s jaw dropped. “You mean it?” she asked.

  “Of course,” Mom said. “It’s the spirit of the season. And it’s important to you. I love you, honey bear.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” Madison said.

  Now she was getting all mushy. They got into the car and headed for home.

  After pulling into the Finn driveway, Madison, Mom and Phin walked up the snowy walkway and onto the porch. Phin let loose another wild howl, happy to be back in his own warm stomping grounds. As soon as they went inside, Madison gave the dog a cookie and played toss for a few minutes.

  The snow continued to fall outside while everyone settled into a routine.

  Phin curled up for a long winter’s nap.

  Mom stopped into her office to check her e-mails.

  Madison made a beeline for her laptop.

  She logged onto TweenBlurt.com, hoping that Aimee or Fiona might be in there so she could tell them what had happened at The Estates. But no one was online right now.

  There was mail, however—a LOT of mail. And hardly any of it was junk mail. Madison opened the TweenBlurt.com mailbox.

  FROM SUBJECT

  GoGramma Re: The Concert

  Wetwinz Sleepover @ my house

  Sk8ing Boy Wanna go skating?

  JeffFinn Ski Trip is ON

  Bigwheels Ur Grrrreat

  Gramma had written back responding to Madison’s update on the concert. She’d written to her grandmother the day before.

  From: GoGramma

  To: MadFinn

  Subject: Re: The Concert

  Date: Fri 21 Dec 11:24 AM

  I am so proud of you, Maddie. I only wish I could have been there to see you sing on Tuesday.
I hope that Saturday’s concert goes just as nicely. Write to me and tell me what happens? Give Mom and Phin a kiss for me.

  Love, Gramma

  Next, Madison read mail from Fiona, who had written to Madison and Aimee that afternoon from her home. It was a nice surprise.

  From: Wetwinz

  To: MadFinn; Balletgrl

  Subject: Sleepover @ my house

  Date: Fri 21 Dec 3:39 PM

  My mom rocks! She said u guys can come over 4 a sleepover next week. Probably Thurs or sometime after Xmas is over. Can you guys come? Pleeeeeez? We can rent a movie and everything. LMK as soon as u can, okay?

  U guys r the best BEST friends ever.

  xo, Fiona

  Madison felt silly for how she’d mistrusted Fiona and Aimee all week long. Of course they were still best pals! Three was definitely not a crowd in their case.

  The next piece of mail was an even bigger surprise.

  From: Sk8ingBoy

  To: Bossbutt; Dantheman; TheEggMan; W_Wonka7; Peace-peep; L8RG8R; Wetwinz; Wetwins; BalletGrl; MadFinn; Rokstarr; 0712biggy; DougLee; B_Foster; SkatrGod; Kickit88; CharlieX; JK4ever; Roseanl6; Flowr99; LuvNstuff

  Subject: Wanna go skating?

  Date: Fri 21 Dec 3:50 PM

  Hey guys. I want to plan a pickup game at the lake over break. Okay? Write back everyone. C U soon.

  Even though he hadn’t signed it, Madison knew it was from Hart. She recognized the screen name. A lot of the other names weren’t as easy to spot, however. She saw the usual suspects: Egg, Drew, Chet, Fiona, Aimee, Dan, Lance, and some other kids from school. A lot of screen names belonged to other seventh graders who were on the hockey team with Hart. And then, of course, he’d invited Ivy, Rose, and Joan.

  Oh well, Madison thought. Maybe they wouldn’t show up!

  She hit SAVE and opened the next message from Dad. Madison was very confused by the subject line at first.

  From: JeffFinn

  To: MadFinn

  Subject: The Ski Trip is ON

  Date: Fri 21 Dec 4:15 PM

  I just booked three days at Mount Robinson, Maddie. I worked out the details with your mother. Are you ready to go ski with me? This is a sure thing, sweetheart, so pack your bags. I’ll tell you more tomorrow night when I see you at the school concert.

  I love you, Dad

  Madison read Dad’s mail through again just to make sure she understood it perfectly. Her vacation was back on? She gave a little high-pitched squeal right there at her desk. It was too good to be true.

  But it WAS true.

  The last e-mail was a quick note from Bigwheels, who had written back like Gramma Helen had, congratulating Madison on the successful concert.

  Madison hit REPLY right away.

  From: MadFinn

  To: Bigwheels

  Subject: Re: Ur Grrrreat

  Date: Fri 21 Dec 5:28 PM

  Thanks a lot, but YOU are the one who’s great. Ur e-mails for the past few weeks have been so supportive. I am psyched to have u as a keypal.

  It brought me good luck too, because suddenly everything is switching all around again. Or maybe it’s just switching back to normal. My BFFs are back. They made me this collage box. It is so nice, I wish I could show you. And I’m not freaked out about wasting my winter break n e more! I have tons of stuff to do. Other kids asked me to go skating and shopping and my Dad is even taking me to ski—only 3 days but it’s better than nothing, right?

  Best of all, Mom and Dad are going to the concert tomorrow. So it’s like temporary glue for the Big D, I guess. Well, I don’t think they’ll get back together again or n e thing crazy like that, but they DID listen to me. I feel like Santa came early. You said it would happen.

  Ur so smart!!! LOL. Happy holidays from me and Rudolph 3:*>. Write back soon.

  Yours till the season’s greetings,

  Maddie

  After hitting SEND, Madison looked around her room. Another thing she needed to do over break was clean up the mess. She had clothes piled everywhere.

  She leaned across her desk and picked up Mrs. Romano’s gifts, gently touching the feathers on the bird ornament. She would put it in a special place when she and Mom decorated the tree next week.

  Then Madison lifted her own snow globe and shook it up.

  The insides glistened.

  Madison couldn’t help but smile all over.

  Mad Chat Words:

  :-~| Sick with the flu

  0<|:-}}} Santa Claus

  3:*> Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer

  m(_)m My apologies

  2gether Together

  G2R Got to run!

  FC Fingers crossed

  TOOC Totally out of control

  IMS I’m sorry

  DGT Don’t go there

  CSL Can’t stop laughing

  NP No problem

  BBN Bye bye now

  Madison’s Computer Tip

  When I logged onto TweenBlurt.com and realized that Aimee and Fiona were in a chat room without me, I was freaked out! So I went into the room thinking I could “spy” on them there. Of course, they recognized my screen name right away. Remember that chat rooms are not really private or anonymous. Anyone can step into a chat room while you’re talking—and see everything you’re writing.

  Visit Madison 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

  “ROWF!”

  “I don’t know, Phinnie,” Madison Finn said as she peered out the living room window. “It looks pretty gray out there.”

  “Rowf! Rowf!”

  Madison’s dog, a pug named Phineas T. Finn, barked twice at the window and looked up at her with his big, brown, puppy eyes.

  “Okay, okay,” Madison said, reaching down to give Phin’s head a pat. “I’ll get my coat.” It was hard to resist Phin when he gave her that look.

  “I’m taking Phin for a walk!” Madison yelled down to her mom.

  “It’s cold outside,” Mom called from the kitchen. “Bundle up!”

  “Yes, Mom,” Madison said, grabbing her rainbow-striped scarf and matching hat.

  February air nipped at Madison’s cheeks as they stepped outside. The streets were quiet for a Sunday afternoon. Phin barreled ahead like a crazed sniffing machine, little puffs of steam escaping from his nose. Madison waited patiently for him to go through his usual routine, checking out every oak tree on their block. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other so her toes wouldn’t go numb.

  Sniff, sniff, turn.

  Sniff, snuffle, turn.

  Sniff, snuffle …

  Stop.

  Phin froze in his tracks, staring straight ahead, brown eyes locked on a golden retriever. Madison couldn’t help but stare, too. The retriever was attached to a cuter than cute guy with sandy hair and an olive-green cap tilted on his head.

  Phin tugged Madison forward, straining at the leash.

  The retriever pulled his owner forward, too.

  “Not so fast, Peaches,” the cute guy said, keeping a firm hold on his dog’s leash. He flashed Madison a bright smile. “Is it okay to say hello?” he asked, indicating the two dogs.

  “Meeting Peaches would make Phin’s day,” Madison said, flashing her own smile.

  The two dogs paused and looked at each other warily; then began sniffing. Phin’s bottom wagged and wiggled. Madison laughed.

  “My name’s Toby,” the cute boy said. “My family just moved into the neighborhood. Over on Ridge Road.”

  “I’m Madison.” Madison gestured up the street. “We live on Blueberry Street.”

  Toby grinned again, and Madison couldn’t help noticing how white and straight his teeth were. A hot blush s
tarted to creep up the back of her neck, the usual response Madison had in the presence of cuteness. Even though she had plenty of guy friends, Madison still got nervous around certain boys.

  “Do you go to Far Hills High?” Toby asked. “I have to start there tomorrow, and I don’t know anyone.”

  “High school?” Madison shook her head. “Uh, no … No. I’m in middle school,” she explained, flattered that Toby thought she could be older. “Seventh grade, actually.”

  “Oh, wow,” Toby said with a shrug.

  “Gee, it’s starting to snow,” Madison said, holding out her hand.

  “Yeah,” Toby agreed. The cold wind had died down and now it felt warmer, and faintly icy. Flakes were falling slowly and gently from the sky.

  “Well,” Toby said.

  “Well,” Madison said, unable to start up much of a conversation either.

  The dogs weren’t having the same problem. Phin and Peaches kept right on sniffing and snorting at each other.

  “Well, I guess we’d better get going,” Toby declared, tugging gently on his dog’s leash.

  “Well … welcome to the neighborhood,” Madison said.

  “Nice meeting you, Madison,” Toby said.

  “You, too, Toby,” Madison said, loving the sound of his name as she repeated it. He smiled one last time and pulled Peaches away in the opposite direction.

  Phin pulled, trying to follow his new, golden girlfriend for a few paces. But he quickly reached the end of his leash. He looked up at Madison and blinked his big brown eyes once again as if to say, “Come on! Let’s go! What are you waiting for?!”

  Unfortunately for Phin, the look didn’t work this time.

  Madison’s clogs left footprints in the thin dusting of white as she walked the last quarter of a block back to her house. Stepping into the hall, she kicked the snow off her shoes and removed her damp coat, hanging it back on the peg with her hat and scarf. Phin gave himself a good shake, too.

  “We’re baaaack,” Madison said as they walked into the kitchen. Mom was sipping a cup of coffee as she read a piece of paper.

  “Hi, honey bear,” Mom said, leaning over to give Madison a kiss. “How’s the snow?”