Give and Take

by Laura Dower

  Stephanie grinned, tucking a strand of curly dark hair behind her ear. “It’s nice to know that some things haven’t changed since the Stone Age,” she said.

  Dad put his arm around Stephanie and squeezed. “I’d hardly call a few years the Stone Age,” he said warmly.

  Madison’s smile faltered, and she looked away from them. Even though she really liked Stephanie, sometimes she felt awkward when her dad and Stephanie acted all lovey-dovey.

  Really awkward.

  “You look beautiful tonight,” Dad said, gazing at Stephanie.

  Madison shoved another chip into her mouth. Why was her dad being so extra-gooey tonight? She glanced around the brightly colored restaurant. Cut paper decorations hung from the ceiling, and there was even a live mariachi band.

  “I’m going to get the band to serenade us,” Dad said suddenly, grabbing Stephanie’s hand.

  “No, Jeff—” Stephanie protested.

  But it was too late. The band had seen Dad wave and was headed for their table.

  Madison twitched in her seat. Serenade? She wasn’t sure she could deal with sitting through an entire song, watching Dad and his girlfriend stare at each other.

  “Dad!” she blurted. “I think I’m sick.”

  It was as though the words had sprung from her mouth by themselves. Madison put her hand to her forehead. She spit a chewed-up chip into her napkin and groaned a little.

  “Are you okay?” Stephanie asked, giving Madison a concerned frown. “She looks a little pale, Jeff.”

  Dad waved away the mariachi band.

  “It’s my stomach,” Madison explained, clutching at her middle. “I think I ate too many chips. Wow, I feel really bad.”

  It wasn’t a total lie, of course. Madison really was nauseated—but from watching Dad and Stephanie.

  “The chips? Aha!” Dad said. “See?” He dropped Stephanie’s hand and reached for Madison. “Will you be okay?”

  Madison mumbled, “I don’t think so.”

  “Should we cancel dinner?” Dad asked.

  Stephanie leaned over to Madison. “Do you want to go?” she asked.

  Madison shrugged and covered her mouth.

  “Why don’t we go back to my apartment,” Dad suggested. “You can lie down there awhile.” He motioned for the waiter and asked to have their food to go.

  “Maybe I should just go back home instead to my own bed,” Madison said. “I feel really, really bad. I am so sorry.”

  Stephanie put her hand on the back of Madison’s neck. “I’m sorry, too, sweetie. I was really looking forward to our dinner tonight.”

  Madison felt a pang of guilt mixed in with the nausea. As they got up to leave, she said nothing more. The ride back home was quiet, too, except for a few moans and groans. Madison used those for effect.

  When they pulled up in front of Mom’s house. Dad helped Madison out of the car.

  “Feel better,” Stephanie called as Madison hurried up the front walk.

  “Yeah, and no more chips for you,” Dad joked.

  “Thanks,” Madison called back. “I’m sorry!”

  She waved with a limp wrist and blew a kiss to her dad, who stood by the car, waiting to see that she got inside all right.

  “Maddie?” Mom looked up from her book as Madison walked into the living room. “What are you doing home so early? Did you have dinner already?”

  “Not exactly. I didn’t feel well,” Madison said.

  Mom frowned and got up from her chair. She put her hand on Madison’s forehead. “You don’t feel hot. What are your symptoms?”

  “My stomach was hurting,” Madison fibbed. “But it’s better now.”

  Madison and Mom walked into the kitchen together. Madison grabbed a few cookies.

  “Hey! What are those?” Mom asked. “Dinner?”

  Madison stuffed one into her mouth and put the others back into the jar on the counter. “Oh. Maybe I’d better just go to bed.”

  “Hmmmm. Be sure to wake me up if you feel sick in the middle of the night,” she said, raising an eyebrow.

  Madison gave her a wry smile. “I don’t think I’ll need to, but thanks.” She didn’t feel like talking about Dad and Stephanie right now.

  Mom understood. “I love you, honey bear,” she said, not forcing the discussion.

  Madison gave her a kiss and trudged up the stairs. Phin followed right behind as usual. It was only 8:30 and Madison wasn’t tired at all. She closed her bedroom door so Mom wouldn’t discover that she wasn’t really sick (even though she probably already knew that). Then she logged on to her computer, watching as the cursor flashed yellow and the pages loaded. Phin looked up at her curiously for a moment in the half-darkness and then snuggled into a pillow.

  Madison opened up a new file.

  Secret Admirer

  I can’t believe I just lied to everyone about being sick. But I just couldn’t sit there and watch Dad. I had to do something.

  Now that I’m home I feel so badly. I should be happy that Dad is happy, shouldn’t I? Especially since he and Stephanie may be in love. And the truth is, Stephanie is nicer than nice. What’s wrong with me?

  Rude Awakening: If love is supposed to keep us together, why does it always leave me feeling unglued?

  I wonder what REAL love is like—the kind that sticks? What is it like to have someone like you that much, someone who you like back? Aimee says she’s been in love before. Fiona, too. I bet even Ivy Daly has had real love by now.

  I wonder whether my secret admirer could be someone who likes me and who I’ll like back?

  Where are you, Orange Crush?

  WHO are you?

  Maddie closed the file and headed onto the web to play some games in the main tank on TweenBlurt.com. The website had a new section devoted to online games where members competed against one another.

  After an hour or more in the Trivia Tub and several games of Beach Bingo later, Madison powered down her computer and crawled into bed. Mom was coming up the stairs. It was nearly eleven o’clock now.

  “Maddie?” Mom whispered, poking her head inside the bedroom.

  Madison pulled the covers up to her chin, pretending to be fast asleep.

  “Good night, honey bear,” Mom whispered.

  She opened her eyes when Mom walked out, and watched as the shadows on the wall danced in moonlight. Phin was snoring loudly.

  Madison wondered what real love was really like—and whether horoscopes could ever really be right.

  Chapter 3

  BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP!

  Madison rolled over and smacked the snooze button on her alarm clock. Calculating that she didn’t actually have to get out of bed for another twelve minutes, she snuggled beneath her comforter. But she wasn’t tired anymore. Thankfully, she wasn’t nauseated anymore, either.

  Madison thought of getting up to call Dad, but she decided not to do it. Maybe I will send him an e-mail instead, Madison thought, throwing off the covers. She jumped up to check her e-mail.

  The first message was from Dad.

  From: JeffFinn

  To: MadFinn

  Subject: Feeling Better?

  Date: Mon 3 Feb 9:49 PM

  Maddie,

  Just wanted to check in and make sure that you are okay. You looked pretty green at the restaurant. And I know it’s not easy being green.

  Love you,

  Dad

  Madison smiled at the joke but then quickly frowned at her computer screen. She felt even guiltier now.

  From: MadFinn

  To: JeffFinn

  Subject: Re: Feeling Better?

  Date: Tues 4 Feb 7:13 AM

  Hi Dad.

  I’m feeling better—thanks for writing. I still don’t feel 100%. Can we make a raincheck o=)

  Please tell Stephanie that I’m sorry I ruined dinner.

  Love u,

  Maddie

  Madison pressed SEND and zapped the e-mail into cyberspace. She clicked on a messa
ge from Bigwheels next.

  From: Bigwheels

  To: MadFinn

  Subject: RE: Re: Top Secret and Urgent!

  Date: Mon 3 Feb 10:02 PM

  After I read your Emsg, I decided to give him a call on the phone just to say hi. He was so sweet!!!!!!!!!!! We talked for almost an hour, and he totally made me laff about ten times!!!!!! Reggie is like the world’s most perfect guy. He’s cute, he’s funny, he’s smart—I swear, he’s like the kind of dream boy that you want to live with forever and ever into infinity!!!!!!!!!! I just hope he likes me as much as I like him. Otherwise, I’ll be so sad.

  Okay—have I talked about him enough? I can’t stop!

  Yours till the wedding bells,

  Bigwheels

  Madison groaned. Was everybody in the world falling in love—except for her? It seemed that way. She clicked on a file and started to type.

  Heart to Heart

  Rude Awakening: If love makes the world go around, why can’t it stop in and see me sometime?

  The “Heart to Heart” dance is around the corner—and I want to go! And I’m not talking about going alone.

  I’m tired of feeling like the love train has just left the station and I’m the only one standing on the platform.

  I’m sick of waiting around for the love boat—when it’s already sailed.

  LOL!!!!

  What’s so hard about LOVE anyhow? It seems like everyone else I know falls in love at the drop of a hat—or at least they say they do. Why is it taking me a billion

  “Madison!” Mom called, breaking into Madison’s thoughts. “Honey bear, you’d better hurry up, or you’ll be late for school.”

  Madison glanced at the clock. “Oh, no!” she gasped. She only had ten minutes to get ready! She’d completely lost track of time.

  She hurried to her dresser and pulled out a pair of heavy black leggings and a soft red sweater.

  After a quick swipe at her hair with a brush, Madison dashed through the door and down the stairs.

  “Hi, Mom,” Madison said as she walked into the kitchen. Her mom had already set out a glass of orange juice and a green apple. Madison gulped the juice, casting an eye toward the kitchen clock. “Bye, Mom,” Madison said, dropping her glass in the sink.

  “Have a good day,” Mom said with a grin. “I guess you’re feeling better today?”

  “Oh. Better? Yeah,” Madison said, faking a cough. “MUCH better.”

  Madison grabbed her orange book bag, which was sitting in the front hall, and stepped out in the crisp, cold air. The sky was grayer than gray, blocking out the sun. Madison bit into the tart green apple.

  Two blocks away from the house, Madison spotted a familiar figure crossing the street.

  “Fiona!” Madison called. “Over here! Wait up!”

  Fiona turned and gave Madison a smile. “Hey!” she said. “Running a little late, aren’t you?”

  Madison laughed. “Look who’s talking!”

  “Tell me about it,” Fiona agreed. “Chet already left. I was a little slow this morning.”

  The two friends fell into step toward the school. “Did you oversleep?” Fiona asked.

  “Actually, I got up early!” Madison said. “I just lost track of time checking my e-mail.”

  “So …” Fiona wiggled her eyebrows. “Any more messages from mystery man?”

  “Not this morning,” Madison shook her head.

  “Hmmm,” Fiona said. “Maybe the first one wasn’t meant for you.”

  “Gee, thanks a lot!” Madison said. Both girls laughed.

  Kids streamed into the main doors of FHJH. Fiona and Madison blended into the crowd. The first bell had rung. They still had five minutes until the late bell. Madison chomped on her apple and tossed the core into a garbage can near the lockers.

  The core hit the floor instead.

  “Nice shot, Maddie,” Ivy said, walking by at the exact moment when Madison missed her throw. “You should go out for basketball,” Ivy added.

  Madison bent down to pick up the core as Ivy walked away, hips swaying with attitude.

  Aimee saw the pair and hurried over. “Hey, Fiona! Hey, Maddie! What’s the update? Any more secret admirer messages?”

  Madison shook her head. “No more. And would you keep your voice down, please? You never know who’s listening.”

  “Hmmm,” Aimee said. “Maybe Orange Crush is just waiting to see what you’ll do next.”

  Madison tugged open her locker with a huff. A red envelope tumbled out.

  “Whoa!” Aimee said. “What’s THAT?”

  Madison turned the envelope over and over, looking for some clue, but there was no writing on the outside. She tore it open and pulled out a red construction paper heart.

  U have a good heart, the note on the inside read. Signed, Your secret admirer.

  “What does it say?” Fiona asked.

  “It’s a note from your admirer, isn’t it?” Aimee said, pirouetting a little. “I knew he’d do something else!”

  Madison read the note aloud.

  Fiona peered over at the card. “It’s pretty,” she said.

  “I wonder if whoever made it is still in the hallway, waiting to see what you do when you open it,” Aimee said, looking around.

  “Maybe it was that ninth grader,” Fiona joked. “He’s over there at his locker again.”

  “Cut it out,” Madison said. The hallway was packed. She stared at all of the familiar faces. For some reason everyone seemed like a stranger today.

  Ivy strolled by again with her drones. She cast a glance back at Madison.

  Could the secret admirer be her? Madison wondered. Is this whole thing just a valentine trick?

  Madison studied the note. She tried to remember some old letters Ivy had typed back when they were friends. Ivy would pick print that was very different from this. This note didn’t have the loops and curlicues Ivy had liked. The person who typed this was more formal—more boylike somehow.

  Brrrrring!

  When the bell rang, Aimee said good-bye. Madison and Fiona headed off to Mr. Gibbons’s English class, Madison as confused as ever about the identity of her secret admirer. She slid into her seat. Luckily, Mr. Gibbons was too busy writing an assignment on the board to notice their lateness.

  “Everyone, please copy down this week’s writing assignment,” Mr. Gibbons said, pointing to the blackboard. “Instead of having you all do book reports on My Brother Sam Is Dead,” he said, naming the novel the class was currently reading, “I’ve decided to give you an independent project instead. You should find a biography or an autobiography, or some other nonfiction book on a person or subject from the American Revolution, and then write a three-page paper on that topic.”

  The class groaned in unison.

  “Good, I’m glad to hear that you’re all excited about the assignment,” Mr. Gibbons said. “You may work alone or in pairs. The project is due next Friday, February fourteenth. My Valentine’s Day gift to you all.”

  Madison heard a cough coming from behind her. Something small and white scooted beneath her desk. After a moment, she “accidentally” knocked her pen off her desk, picked up the note along with her pen, and smoothed it open on her lap so that Mr. Gibbons wouldn’t see.

  Maddie,

  Let’s do a project 2gether! I’ll come over later—soccer is canceled 2day!

  Fiona

  Madison turned in her seat and gave Fiona a thumbs-up.

  While other kids in class chose their partners, Mr. Gibbons handed out a sheet of vocabulary words. Then he led the class in a discussion of the last chapter of the book they had read.

  Mr. Gibbons was in the middle of a profound thought when the classroom phone jingled. Cha-ching! He turned his back on the class to answer it.

  The moment he did that, everyone started talking.

  “Hey, Maddie,” Dan Ginsburg whispered. He was sitting to her right. “Guess who came into the animal clinic yesterday?”

  M
adison smiled at the eager look on Dan’s face. “Judging by your expression, I’m guessing it was someone good,” she whispered. “Taylor Swift?”

  Dan laughed. “Ha-ha,” he said. “No. A llama named Gertrude!”

  “No way!” Madison cried. Her voice squeaked so loud that a few kids turned around to look right at her, including Hart, who was sitting in the front row.

  Madison’s heart flip-flopped. Hart had a big smile on his face. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.

  “…so then the llama needed emergency surgery,” Dan said. “Uh … hello?”

  Madison turned and realized that Dan was still talking, even though she hadn’t really been listening.

  “I’ll definitely have to come by the clinic sometime to see,” Madison said.

  “See what?” Dan asked.

  “The llama,” Madison said. She was looking at Dan now, but her eyes kept shifting to the back of Hart’s head.

  “Maddie, what are you talking about? I just told you that the llama was sent to the zoo for special care,” Dan said.

  “Sure,” Madison said absently.

  “Huh?” Dan said, grabbing his books and shoving them into his bag.

  “Where are you going?” Madison asked.

  “Class is over,” Dan said. “Didn’t you hear the bell?”

  Madison shook her head. She hadn’t heard much of anything except her own dreamy thoughts. Hart had smiled at her. Just when she thought that her crush on him couldn’t get any worse, it had. It was worse than ever now that Madison thought it was possible—just possible—that he was Orange Crush.

  “See you later, Maddie,” Dan said as he walked out of the classroom.

  “Uh-huh,” Madison said.

  But she was looking at Hart when she said it.

  Buy Heart to Heart Now!

  About the Author

  Author Laura Dower has a lot in common with Madison Finn: They’re both only children and they both love dogs, the color orange, and books! Laura has written more than ninety kids’ books to date, including twenty-five in the series From the Files of Madison Finn. Her other books include the new Palace Puppies series and For Girls Only, a guide to girl stuff. When she’s not writing, Laura loves to garden, sing (loudly), and volunteer as a scout leader for her daughter and two sons. She and her family live in New York. Want to be keypals? Drop her a note at www.lauradower.com.