Thanks for Nothing (From the Files of Madison Finn, 5) (7 page)

Madison logged off her computer and got under the covers. She pictured herself walking Phin and Sugar and Pavlov and Blinky and the rest of the dogs at the same time. She was pulling their leashes and laughing in the November breeze.

This wasn’t just any dream.

It was a sweeter-than-sweet dream.

Animals


Rude Awakening:
The not-so-dreamy thing about dreams is that you wake up.


Today I had a yucky quiz in math that I was 100 percent unprepared for! Grrrr. I should have studied harder and I wish I’d studied harder BUT I haven’t had time. I have been going to the clinic more than once a week. I have to make time to study more. I don’t want Mom to tell me that I have to stop going to the clinic!


Animals understand me way better than Mom and Dad do. Better than anyone.


Madison checked the clock in Mrs. Wing’s classroom and then saved the update to her Animals file. It was a Friday afternoon, and Madison and Egg had made specific arrangements to discuss their extra-credit social studies project. Here. Now.

So where was he?

Madison glanced through the pile of books she’d borrowed from the library. They were stacked on the desk in front of her. One book was a retelling of the entire Mayflower journey with reenactment photos. Another book included a complete list of passengers. A Thanksgiving craft workbook even had instructions on making a diorama of the actual
Mayflower
ship.

Madison hoped Egg would come with inspired Thanksgiving ideas of his own that could complement hers. That’s what being partners was all about.

Where was he?

By three-thirty, Egg still hadn’t arrived—and Madison got a sinking feeling … like
she
was sunk. She bent down to grab her orange bag. As she sat up, she saw Egg walking into the computer lab, humming.
Humming?
He didn’t seem the least bit concerned.

Madison glared.

“Hey,” he said. Then he noticed the look on her face. “What’s your problem?” he asked.

Madison stuffed the books into her bag.

“What is it?” Egg asked, taking a seat right next to her. “Is this because I’m late? What time is it? Three o’clock?”

Madison laughed a loud “HA!” and zipped her bag. “Yes, Egg, you are late,” she said simply. “Later than late. It’s three-thirty-five.”

He grabbed her arm. “I lost track of time. Really.”

“Well, I’m asking Mrs. Belden for a new partner,” Madison said a little dramatically. “I’m asking tomorrow before class.”

“Maddie, don’t be like that.” Egg hung his head. “I said I was sorry and you’re dropping me?”

“How can you just forget that we’re supposed to meet?”

“I’m so sorry, Maddie. I didn’t forget completely.”

Madison slung her book bag over her shoulder. “Well, I don’t know. That’s what you always say.”

“Please. We’ll do the project. I swear I won’t ever be late again,” Egg pleaded. “PLEASE?”

Madison put her bag back on the desk. “You mean it?” she said.

Egg nodded. “Cross my heart and stick a needle in my—”

“Yeah, yeah,” she said. “But this really is the last time. Egg.”

They took seats at the study table in the corner of Mrs. Wing’s classroom and opened their notebooks. Madison yanked a small pile of
Mayflower
books and her notebook out of her orange bag.

Egg just sat there, rolling a pencil between his fingers.

He hadn’t brought
any
backup materials.

“Wait a minute. You said you were bringing books.” Madison tried to remain as calm as possible, but it was getting harder to do that.

“I never said that,” Egg replied quickly, a little defensive.

“Yes, you did!” Madison said. “Egg, are you for real?”

Egg rolled his eyes. “I NEVER said that I was bringing any books.
Really.
”

“Thanks for nothing,” Madison said under her breath. She stood up, put the books into her bag, and got ready to go for real this time.

Egg followed her out of the classroom into the hallway, but when she continued to ignore him, he turned on his heel and left.

A moment later, Fiona appeared at the lockers. She’d stayed late for indoor soccer practice.

“Weren’t you meeting Egg after school?” Fiona asked. She always wanted the inside information on Egg’s every move.

Right now the last person Madison wanted to talk about was Egg.

“I absolutely refuse to even say his name,” Madison snapped, walking fast. Fiona hustled alongside her.

“What’s wrong?” Fiona said. “Are you mad about something? Are you mad at me?”

Madison stopped. She apologized by giving Fiona a quick hug. She hadn’t meant to snap. Everything this Thanksgiving season was leaving Madison extra stressed.

“I’m sorry,” Madison said. “I’m just feeling a little stressed out. How was soccer?”

“I got two goals in our scrimmage. I like indoor almost as much as outdoor soccer.”

“You wanna walk home together?” Madison asked. She was ready to leave school—and the Egg incident—far behind her. It felt better walking home with a BFF like Fiona.

“Maddie, what’s up with you and Dan?” Fiona asked. “I meant to ask you in school today. I see you guys together a lot lately.”

Madison laughed. “Me and Dan? What do you mean?”

“Aimee and I were wondering if maybe you like him,” Fiona said. “You’ve been hanging out with him at the clinic all week. And he’s always talking about you, too.”

“What? I don’t like Dan that way,” Madison said. “He’s like a brother.”

“He’s not like MY brother.” Fiona smiled. “But that’s a good thing….”

“How’s your project coming along with Daisy for social studies?” Madison asked.

Fiona started babbling about how she and Daisy were planning an amazing oral report on Sarah Hale. Sarah Hale was a woman who spoke up about the values of Thanksgiving during the Civil War. She helped convince President Abraham Lincoln to declare it a national holiday.

“I think I might dress up like Sarah Hale and Daisy might dress up like Abe Lincoln. We’re not sure yet. It’s been so much fun.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Madison moaned.

“And we’re going to read part of Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation from the war, too. I almost forgot that part,” Fiona added.

Madison waved good-bye when they got to Fiona’s house. Walking away, she buttoned up her coat a little because the air was crisp. It was hard to believe that November was more than halfway over.

Much to her surprise. Dad was waiting in the driveway, arms folded, when Madison wandered up.

“I know we said five,” he said. “But I decided to come by early.”

Madison looked at her watch. “An
hour
early?” she exclaimed.

“Why don’t
you
run inside and get yourself together,” he said softly. “I’ll wait out here.”

“Why don’t you just come inside and wait, Daddy? Mom won’t mind. She’s so busy working, anyway.”

Cautiously Dad approached the front door, trying to catch a glimpse of whatever might await him inside. He hardly ever came back into 5 Blueberry Street anymore. The Big D was like a big roadblock.

Mom opened the door wide. “Hello, there,” she said. Phin squiggled out and went right for Dad, who leaned down to scratch the top of his coarse fur head.

“Hello, Frannie,” Dad said in a soft voice.

Mom opened the door wider and tried to smile. She ushered him inside.

Even though Mom and Dad were acting perfectly nice to each other, Madison felt all awkward when they were in a room together. She never knew what to say.

“I have to change,” Madison blurted.

Dad smiled. “Good idea.”

“Yes, we like our child dressed when she leaves the house,” Mom said.

Madison shrugged and dashed upstairs. She could hear Mom and Dad still chuckling moments afterward. It was strange to have them together in the house.

Quickly she ransacked her closet and pulled out her jean skirt with the purple patches and slipped into a pale yellow sweater and dark grape-colored clogs. She piled her hair into a purple clip and put on her moonstone earrings and moonstone ring, too. It was her special, lucky jewelry she’d gotten from Dad
and
Mom on separate occasions.

Phinnie was in the bedroom with Madison when she got ready, but he didn’t scurry over to her for kisses like he normally did. He lay on the floor, paws stretched out in front, eyes glazed over. He looked sad, Madison thought. She patted him on the head.

“Phinnie, what’s the matter?” she asked.

He rolled over onto his back and sat up, nuzzling her free hand.

“I have to go, Phinnie,” Madison said, standing herself. “I’m sorry. I have to go to dinner with Dad.”

Phin lay back down in the exact same spot. Madison headed slowly back downstairs.

Mom and Dad were standing in the hallway, in almost the exact same positions they’d been in when Madison charged up the stairs. They were talking about the weather.

Madison reappeared, taking two steps at a time. “I’m ready to go!” She waved to Mom with a big grin. “See you later.”

“Have a nice time, honey bear,” Mom said, kissing Madison’s cheek. “Good-bye, Jeffrey.”

Dad said good-bye and then put his arm around Madison as they walked back to the car.

“You look very pretty this evening, Maddie,” he said. As usual, he noticed when she was trying to wear something special. “Especially the earrings,” he added, winking.

“Dad … why do you and Mom always argue?” Madison asked as they drove away.

Dad seemed confused. “Argue? What are you talking about? We were talking about the Weather Channel.”

“Well, it’s just so weird when you guys are together now,” Madison said.

“What are you talking about, Maddie? You know real arguing. That’s what your mother and I used to do every day when we were—”

“I know,” Madison cut him off. “But the thing is, Dad, it all feels the same to me. It’s just too weird the way you talk—about the dumbest things in the world.”

“We’re just being polite, Maddie,” Dad said. “Neither of us wants any more conflicts, believe me. You have to stop worrying. It has nothing to do with you.”

Madison really wanted to believe him, but she just wasn’t sure.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Stephanie met them in the lounge by a big grand piano. A man with a salt-and-pepper beard was growling some song about love.

“You look gorgeous!” Stephanie said, leaning down to give Madison a squeeze. “Love that purple skirt!”

Madison blushed a little and mumbled, “Thank you.”

“Let’s get our table, shall we, ladies?” Dad said, grinning. He had pep in his step as he led them over to the maître d’s station.

“This is an elegant restaurant, Jeff,” Stephanie cooed during appetizers. She kept kissing his cheek, but Madison didn’t mind as much as usual.

“Did you cut your hair?” Madison asked Stephanie. It was newly set into a bob of brown curls that rested just on her shoulders.

Stephanie threw back her head and all the curls bounced like on some shampoo commercial. “Do you like it?”

“You look gorgeous!” Madison teased. “You do. Really and truly.”

As dinner passed, Madison felt very comfortable with Dad and Stephanie, more than she ever had before. She began to wonder about Thanksgiving. Maybe she should be spending it with
them
?

Madison wanted to find the right moment to bring up the subject, but then Dad started talking about Thanksgiving on his own. It was almost as if Madison had willed him to bring up the subject.

“Stephanie was asking me about our holiday plans, Madison,” he said. “Now, I know that you are supposed to spend Thanksgiving with your mother.”

“Yeah?” Madison said.

“Your dad and I wondered if maybe you’d spend it with us instead?” Stephanie asked.

She didn’t know how to respond. Even though she’d been thinking about that very thing, she was taken by surprise. She awkwardly picked at a leaf of lettuce on her plate.

“I know we have to ask your mom and all that,” Dad said. “And we’re not asking you to choose or anything. I just got to thinking when we talked the other day. …”

“Would your mom mind?” Stephanie asked, trying to catch Madison’s eye.

“What do you think, Maddie?” Dad asked.

Madison took a long pause before answering. “Well …” she started to say.

“No pressure,” Dad said.

Stephanie spoke up. “He’s right, Maddie. It’s just a suggestion.”

Madison took time to think about it. Dozens of thoughts whizzed through her mind, thoughts about Gramma Helen’s busted hip and stuffing and cranberry sauce and what her best friends would be doing on Thanksgiving day—like Fiona’s going to California and Aimee’s hanging around the house, watching football.

How should she respond to Dad and Stephanie’s question? She didn’t know what to do. Say yes? The words wouldn’t come.

Madison felt like such a turkey.

Important Decisions


Rude Awakening:
To go or not to go? That is the question.


Tonight at dinner everything changed inside my head. I want to go with Dad and Stephanie, but I don’t want to leave Mom all alone for Thanksgiving. What am I supposed to do?


Mom was waiting for me in the living room when I walked in tonight and I said something dorky about how I ate pork chops for dinner. That was all I could say.


And there she was sitting on the sofa, pulling out all our old Thanksgiving decorations, like this funny-looking cornucopia I made in kindergarten, and all I can think about was how sad I feel this year. How can I help decorate if I don’t want to be here?


I really and truly want to be with Dad.


That’s my decision. Better get to sleep.