Just Visiting (14 page)

“Maybe we’ll both be here just visiting at the same time some other time?” she asked.

Mark nodded. “Maybe. Do you have e-mail?”

Madison laughed out loud. “Of course I have e-mail!” she said.

“Yeah, I’m online a lot. And I’m in the computer club at school,” Mark said.

“You
are
?” Madison asked. She couldn’t believe that through all their conversations over the past few days, neither of them had mentioned her favorite thing in the world.

“So I’ll write if you give me your e-mail address,” he promised. “If you’ll write back.”

Madison giggled. “Of course I will.”

Phin started barking at something in the sand, and they turned around to see him attacking (or trying to attack) a stick. The stick was winning.

“Rrrrrrrrrrrooooooooff!” the dog wailed, jumping around so much that he sent sand flying in every direction. Madison ran over to calm him down.

“I think I better get back home,” Mark said. “Grams needed help with some other things before I go.”

“Your dad is coming to pick you up?” Madison asked.

“Yeah, we live pretty close, actually, in the city. I told you that, right?”

Madison nodded. “You did.”

“Anyway …” Mark said, standing up. “I’m heading back.”

But he didn’t move.

Madison stood up, too.

“I really should hang out here with Phinnie for a while,” Madison said. “He’s so hyper today for some reason. And we’re leaving tomorrow, so—”

“Well, good-bye, then,” Mark said abruptly.

“Good-bye, then,” Madison said.

Mark reached out to give Madison a hug but missed and ended up craning his neck out over her shoulder, so it felt like more of a lean than a hug. He didn’t hold on for very long, either—and laughed a little as he pulled away.

Nothing was really
funny.
It was just jitters. Now Madison was the one making the boy nervous.

Madison pulled her handmade card out of her pocket and handed it to Mark.

“I put my e-mail address on it, too. Just in case,” Madison said.

He smiled and took it.

Phinnie howled as Mark turned and trudged up the beach, waving one last good-bye. Madison tried to tell the dog to be quiet, but then Phin started to jump around and she got distracted. By the time Madison looked up to see Mark walking away again, he was gone completely from her view.

The water was calm except for a light breeze that rippled across the surface. Madison noticed all the colors in Lake Michigan at once—not just blues anymore, but greens and yellows and cloudy whites.

The magic really was here.

And she finally had some to call her very own.

“D
ID YOU PACK ALL
the clothes we did in the wash yesterday?” Gramma Helen asked Madison as she closed her suitcase. “I left a folded pile downstairs for you.”

“I think I have everything,” Madison said, sitting on the edge of the bed before she zipped her luggage.

At her feet, Phin was stretched out on the floor, panting. He knew something strange was going on. He had a sixth sense about suitcases. Madison wondered if he knew another airplane ride was in his future.

“Is this yours?” Gramma asked. She was holding the pinecone from the beach.

Madison took it and smiled. “Oh yes.” She carefully wrapped it in a tissue from the nightstand and placed it into her airplane carry-on bag. She hoped her laptop wouldn’t squash it.

Gramma’s eyes got a little wet again. “I wish you could visit me more often,” she sniffled. “I hate to see you go.”

“Oh, Gramma!” Madison said, burying her head in Gramma’s side, which smelled just like the roses from her car.

“I’m just a sentimental old mush, aren’t I?” Gramma said, still sniffling. “But you’re getting so big, and soon you’ll be all grown up. Where has the time gone?”

“Playing crazy eights,” Madison joked. “That’s where!”

Gramma laughed out loud. “Everyone here loved meeting you,” she said. “Especially Mabel. And she said that Mark
liked
you very much. He didn’t want to go back to Chicago yesterday. How about that?”

Madison smiled. “Really?” she said.

“Really,” Gramma said, winking. “Told you so.”

Gramma helped Madison carry the bags to the front door. She handed her a pouch for the plane ride with two peanut-butter sandwiches and some green grapes. There were two sandwiches because Madison would be meeting Mom on the flight home. She’d be connecting upon her return from San Francisco. Madison was glad she wouldn’t have to travel alone.

“Good-bye, Winnetka!” Madison said as they pulled out of Gramma’s driveway. She waved to Mabel’s house, too.

All the way to the airport, Phin whined from his carrier. By the time Madison and Gramma left him off with the baggage handler, however, he’d tired himself out. Madison watched as he was led into the back room to board the flight.

The trip home had begun, and Madison could feel the excitement building inside her. She would miss Gramma, for sure, but she was eager to see Aimee and Fiona, her bedroom, and, of course, Mom.

They waited by their gate for Mom to appear, sipping cola and talking more about Mark, Mabel, and the fireworks from the other night. Gramma bought Madison two fashion magazines to read on the plane home, too.

“Well, here you are!” someone called out to them.

Madison looked up to see her mom walking quickly toward their gate. In her arms was a large, rectangular wrapped package that intrigued Madison. Was this a present for her? Mom put it down on the floor gently.

She embraced Gramma Helen first—and held on for a big squeeze.

“Was my daughter good?” Mom asked Gramma teasingly. She reached over and wrapped an arm around Madison’s shoulders.

“She was a little troublemaker!” Gramma said, faking exasperation.

Mom raised her eyebrows and looked at Madison, who shrugged.

“That’s me,” Madison said. “I’m serious trouble, Mom.”

The three of them laughed as an announcer pre-boarded their flight. Gramma dug around in her purse for Madison’s ticket.

“Oh—this is for you, Mother,” Mom said to Gramma, handing her the big package. For a split second, Madison was bummed, since she was sure the gift was for her. But she got over it. Gramma looked so surprised.

“For me?” she said, starting to sniffle all over again like she’d done at the cottage. She hugged Mom tightly. “I’m sorry we didn’t spend more time together this visit, dear,” she said.

Mom nodded. “Me too. But we will. You’ll be coming to Far Hills soon.”

“Open the present,” Madison said, hopping up and down a little bit. “Gramma! Open it!”

Gramma leaned down and tore a corner off the box. It was a framed picture. Mom helped her to open it up wide.

Madison gasped. Inside was a beautiful painted portrait of Gramma Helen and Grandpa Joe. It was modeled after a photo of them from when they were much younger.

“Oh, Francine!” Gramma said, clutching her chest. Now she started to cry.

“A friend of mine is an artist in San Francisco. He’s been working on this for a few months now. I picked it up from his studio while I was out there. Dad looks good in it, don’t you think?” Mom asked. “And so do you.”

Madison watched the two of them go back and forth over details from the painting. She didn’t remember a time when they seemed so close.

Or when Madison felt closer to both of them.

“Flight two-thirteen now boarding rows fifteen and higher,” the ticket attendant announced over the loudspeaker.

“That’s us!” Mom said, giving her own mother another hug. “Ma, can you manage carrying this back to your car? It isn’t really that heavy.”

Gramma nodded, wiping her nose with a handkerchief she’d pulled out of her purse. “I’m fine. You two better shake a leg, though. Good-bye. I’ll miss you both.”

They gathered their carry-on bags and boarding passes and said their final good-byes. And with the walk into the plane, the surprise Fourth of July vacation officially ended.

Madison would miss this place, but she was ready to sleep in her own room again—especially if the air-conditioning was back working again.

She was ready to be with Mom and Phin alone again.

She was ready to hang out with Aimee and Fiona and the rest of her friends from FHJH again.

And that included Hart Jones—even if he
had
gone to the Fourth of July extravaganza with Poison Ivy Daly.

Settling into their seats was easy, and the plane liftoff went smoothly. After the seat-belt sign was turned off, Madison pulled out the lunch Gramma had made. She and Mom ate peanut-butter sandwiches with the free root beers the plane provided. Madison was supersurprised the airline even had root beer, but she happily drank up.

They talked about San Francisco, and then Mom worked on some data sheets and read through a script while Madison napped.

Madison was exhausted after the Fourth of July weekend—more tired than she even realized. After a short sleep, she reached into her orange bag for her book to do some reading.

That’s when her pinecone fell out. Mom picked it up off the floor.

“What’s this?” Mom asked, unwrapping the tissue.

Madison explained all about Tower Head Beach and crazy eights and Gramma’s best friend, Mabel, in Winnetka—
and
her grandson, Mark.

“We really like each other,” Madison admitted. “Mark’s really cute.”

Mom leaned in closer than close. “So what do you mean by, ‘we really like each other’?” she asked. “Are you and Mark going to keep in touch?”

Madison blushed. “No,” she said. Then she looked deep into Mom’s eyes. “Yes,” she admitted. “I hope so. I don’t know.”

“Is there something you’re not telling me?” Mom asked, grinning.

Madison wanted to share
everything
with Mom right then and there. She wanted to blab about the romantic fireworks and the kiss in Gramma’s backyard and the holding hands—all of it.

But she didn’t say a word more. She didn’t have to.

Mom probably knew. She’d been on that same beach. She’d probably kissed Ethan Randall in that same spot in the backyard.

At that moment, Madison understood Mom better than she ever had before. And Mom understood her right back.

“So, how are your files coming along?” Mom asked next, switching subjects. “That laptop comes in handy when you have a lot to say, doesn’t it?”

Madison nodded. “Dad says he’s going to get me one of those cards so you can go online without a phone line. I’m not really sure how it works…”

“That’ll be great. Then you can e-mail friends from anywhere. Pretty soon, you’ll be traveling all over just like me.”

Madison always thought that was what she wanted more than anything—to fly all over the USA and the world like Mom did for her job at Budge Films. But now, heading back to Far Hills, she was also sure that staying close to home was an even nicer thought.

She opened her laptop and went into her e-mailbox, even though it wasn’t connected to the Internet right now. She needed to write to Bigwheels. She’d send it as soon as she got home.

From: MadFinn


To: Bigwheels


Subject: I’M ON A PLANE!!!


Date: Sun 6 July 3:09 PM


I am writing to you from a plane right now (isn’t that cool?), row eighteen on the way back to Far Hills. Have you guys turned around to head back to Washington yet? I bet u have a long way to go in that camper. What else have you seen in California or anywhere? I’ve been saving all ur e-cards BTW.


Did you get my last e-mail? I am sadder than sad that I had to leave behind all the stuff that happened with that new boy I like, Mark. I wish he went to my school. Maybe then I could know what it’s like to really have a boyfriend. Will I ever know? Will anyone in my “real” life ever like me like that?


I heard that Hart went to the Fourth of July extravaganza with evil Poison Ivy. I’m just glad it’s summer so I don’t have to watch them hold hands like every day at school or something weird like that. That would be so AWFUL! What would you do? Should I still be friends with him even if he’s dating the enemy? Write back.


Yours till the air ports,


MadFinn


Madison hit SAVE and the message was saved automatically into her Drafts folder. She was about to write more e-mail, a thank-you note to Gramma Helen, and a short hello note to Mark when the cabin lights blinked.

The flight attendant said, “Please turn off all electronic devices, including all personal stereos, cell phones, and laptop computers. We will be landing shortly.”

Mom helped Madison put away the computer.

Moments later, the plane was landing and pulling into the gate, and Madison and her mom moved quickly to the baggage claim section.

“Phinnie!” they both squealed when his carrier was brought out of another side door. Madison put on his leash and he leaped around, claws and paws skidding on the airport floor.

It only took them an hour to get home once they got their suitcases and the car, which Mom had left in long-term parking.

The house looked exactly the same as it had looked when they left Far Hills. Even Phinnie was excited about heading home. Madison sat in the backseat with him so he didn’t have to ride in the crate anymore.

“Rowrrooooo!” he wailed, burying his pug nose into Madison’s leg with a snort.

Mom ordered pizza for dinner because there was nothing in the refrigerator. Madison laughed. Things were way back to normal here—back to Mom and her scary takeout dinners.

While Mom unpacked, Madison opened her saved message to Bigwheels. While she was waiting for it to be sent, a new e-mail addressed to Madison popped up on the screen. She knew who it was from right away because he made so many spelling mistakes.

From: TheEggMan


To: MadFinn


Subject: When r u coming home?


Date: Sun 6 July 10:10 AM


Whassup Maddie? I havnt talked to u since the lake last wk. I forgot u were going away until Fiona told me.


How was ur Grammas? I remembr her from when we were little. She was always pretty nice 2 me. N e way, everyone was bummd out that u were gone this wkend for July 4. I hung out w/the usual guys + Fiona and Aim. Chet and Hart came too, except that Hart almost went w/IVY. What a wacko. I told him to bag her and hang w/us though and he did. I used to think she was a hottie but this weekend, she was so clingy she’s gross. Nothing else happend much.


Mariah my sister sez hi 2 u. call me when u come back. We want to go 2 the lake and u should be there. L8R, Egg