. .
.
Madison arrived home from school at 2:33PM. For the first
time in awhile she walked into the front door when she
normally went straight into her bedroom from the outside. She
only did this because she saw her mother’s car parked
in the driveway and she wanted to let her know she was
home.
“Hi mom,” Madison called to her mom when she
stepped into the house.
“Hi Maddy,” her mother called. Besides her
friends, her mother was the only other person who ever called
her Maddy, “I’m in the kitchen.” Madison
walked to the kitchen, her bag still on her shoulder and
purse on her arm, to greet her mother.
“You’re home early.” Madison said to her
mother.
“Yeah, I got a half day,” her mother explained
while she cut a red pepper. “Sit,” her mom
pointed to one of the bar stools that sat around the island,
the opposite side her mother was standing on.
“Okay,” Madison dropped her bags to the floor and
sat down on one of the seats, “what’s
up?”
“Nothing,” her mom passed her a plate of
cut red peppers and Madison put one in her mouth and began to
chew. “How have you been? I feel like we haven’t
talked as much since the move.” Her mother
admitted.
“Well, you’re either working or spending all your
fee time with Jack.” Madison answered when her mouth
wasn’t full.
“I think we need to change that. We need to talk
more.” Her mother said. “Remember when we were
still living back in California and we prepared dinners
together.”
“Yeah, I miss that.” Madison admitted, “and
it’s not the only thing I miss.”
“I know the move has been hard
on you, but thanks for trying.”
“But I’m not trying,” Madison told her
mother, “I do my chores when I’m sure no
one’s around and then I lock myself in the room for the
rest of the night. I don’t even eat up here. I have
everything down there, my room, bathroom, and even my own
kitchen. I always come and exit through the door leading to
my room and I drive my own car.” Madison quickly
finished.
“But you haven’t run away yet. Which means you
still have hope that may be someday I’ll turn around
and pick up and move.” Her mother smiled at her.
She smiled back, “but even if we do move back
it’s not like things will be the same. We won’t
have the house that I grew up on and it’s been three
years, I can’t guaruntee that I will have the same
friends.”
“That’s not entirely true. I rented out the house
for the time being just incase things didn’t work. It
still is being rented out. And I’m sure
you’re best friends will be jumping up and down when
they hear you’re back.”
Madison nearly choked when she heard her mom say this.
“You … what!?” Madison said stunned,
“why would keep renting out the house, it’s been
three years.”
“Just in case something happens.. And
it’s extra income coming in.” Her mother
admitted.
Madison smiled to herself. So maybe there still was a chance
of moving back and getting out of this hellhole afterwards.
She had finished her red peppers and had gotten up from her
chair, “well I got to go do homework.” She put
her plate in the sink and hugged her mother.
“Okay have fun.” Her mother called when Madison
was heading downstairs. Madison glanced back at her mother
giving her a yeah, right look. When she got
down to her room, she climbed onto her bed and got her
homework out. She was thrilled that there still might be a
chance.
. . .
