Lost Vacation

Meet The Parents

" Mommy! Daddy!" Maddie called her parents

" Madeline Anne McQueen, don't you look more prettier by days?" A petite middle aged woman stepping down the stairs toward us smiling. She has light brown hair, and her height just reach Maddie's chin. She kisses maddie's cheeks. She must be the Mom, but she looks nothing like maddie. She has a heart shape face while maddie has a really oval face.

Not so long after, a big blond man coming down the stairs to join us. Now, this must be the daddy, for he has a lot Maddie in him. Even his eyes is the same piercing green maddie's eyes. He gave Maddie a huge bear hug, even swept her off her feet and spinning her around. Oh, how ridiculous, Maddie's practically a grown. But Maddie is now giggling in his arms like a five years old.

" Dad...don't embarrass me!" Maddie don't look really embarassed at all. Mr McQueen still laughing as he put Maddie down.

" Mom, dad...This is my hero ; Justin, I've been talk to you before. Justin, they're my parents Frederick and Victoria McQueen" Maddie introduce us

I thrus my hand to the daddy " Nice to meet you Mr. McQueen"

" Oh, Call me Rick..." Mr. McQueen shake my hand with his large hand. He even patt my hand with his left hand, and the gesturing me toward the mommy.

I thrus my hand to her as well, but instead took my hand for a handshake, she gave me a bear hug. " And you must call me vicky" How will I say to that.

" How do you do, Vicky"

Vicky lead us the dinning table, where an old woman is still preparing foot on it. When it's done, we're eating in silence. Every now and then Maddie's parents ask her about random things and Maddie told her parents about her days animatedly. The food is delicious, just not more delicious then the shusi from our lunch with the cute doc. Maybe that's because sushi and ice cream was my first memory of food.

After dinner vicky cleaning the table. I offered my help but she refused. And then Rick cleared his throat, clearly to get my attention. He must wants to have the 'talk' now. Here we go...

" So Justin, Maddie said you saved her from a robbery back then?" Rick asked

" Ricky honey...I thought we can discuss this later" Vicky interupt him, but he raised his hand to silent her.

" It's what she said to everyone, but honestly I don't remember I've been meeting her before, except at the hospital. Apparently, it's not me who saved her, but the other way around" I told him

" You didn't remember that night too?" Maddie shriek in disbelieve, her eyes wider as a saucer.

" Nope! But I remember everything at the hospital, that's all. I'm Sorry" I said

" Dad, trust me. She saved me. Obviously she got her amnesia that night when one of them hit her head. Uncle Lo was taking care of her, you can call him for confirmation, he'll tell you everything" Maddie talk fast, like desperately tried to make a poin. Oh mad... don't you know liying won't get you anywhere?

Mr McQueen nod a little but clearly unimpressed and more importantly unconfinced. My head is started pounding but I need to stay cool. I don't want Mr McQueen think I tried to avoid the conversation by faking the headache.

" I Don't know honey, but will you keep an open mind? I need you to be safe. I know you've been desperate to have company, but it's not health. You can't pick anyone in random. And beside we've been asking you over and over to move down to new york to be with us. Don't you think it's too convinient" Mr McQueen in a father authority tone. Even while He said it in a smile and low tone. Mr. McQueen is a hard hearted man, I can tell and not to mention the successfull side . Maddie is his only daughter, He loves her dearly.  So It's understandable if he wants to keep her safe. I can see the dilema. Cristal clear.

" But...Dad, I promised her, she can live here. And besides, what threat could she possibly pose, she's just a little girl" Maddie whining. Not aware of her slip.

" Well, you said she fough a bunch of tugs" Mr McQueen raised his eyebrows " It's working both ways, honey. You want me to believe your story, but now you admit the flaw"

" Maddie it's okay" I cut Maddie off when I saw her mouth open " Look, Mr.McQueen, I understand your concern. I don't want to be a burden either. Just say the words, and I'll leave. You're all have been really nice to me when I'm... not well, and that's why I'd really like to thank you" I said to Mr McQueen.

" She's honest,Rick..and she looks innocent enough to me" Mrs McQueen joining the conversation for the first time.

" So, what are you going to do, justin?" Great. Now he's interogating me like somekind of potential criminal suspect. But, what would you expect if you were him? He's just looking out for her only daughter I guess.

" I'll try to get a job" I answered. 

" What job? you're just a kid" He press on

" Wherever. Waitressing maybe? I don't have my ID, driving licence or something. So, obviously waitressing is my biggest chance" I tried to reason

Mr. McQueen Nodded. He rubbed his chin in a hard thinking way. His eyebrows scrunching. The chatty Maddie is now in silent mode. But I can see her shot her mother a begging glance every now and then. Mrs McQueen just playing with her little phone while tried hard hiding her amused smile.

" Well, you can stay here for a while" Mr.McQueen told after a long torturing pause. Maddie's face lit up like fireworks and she didn't makes any attempt to his her glee. But I found myself really uncomfortable right now. Because... There's still a trace of doubt in his face. I think he just said that for Maddie. He tried to have a little faith in her daughter choise.

" Uhm...Mr McQueen..." I tried to speak

" Rick" He cut me off

" Rick, I really don't want to be a bother. I just need a place to crash tonight. I'll leave first thing in the morning" I said

" I will not letting you go out without knowing what's waiting for you out there. So, you trapped here" wether it's my imagination or reality, but I think He just smirking. Oh...It's just so Maddie.

" And about waitressing. I'm not so sure about that either" he added, still rubbing his chin.

" Driving!" Maddie chime in

" What?!" I and Mr McQueen asked in the same time

" She can drive me to and from school dad, she's quiet good at it. You've been hovering nonstop about getting me a driver s***h bodyguard, you got both. She's been risking her life for me before, remember?" Maddie said in excited.

" ugh…not that again, mad" I grumbled " And beside, I don't have a licence. I though We all know that"

" Did you just calling me mad?!" Maddie Glared at me, and I can help myself, I almost laugh. I bite my lips to prevent it " And you think I made up that story? For a thousand times justin, it's real". 

Mr. McQueen chuckled " Well, I'll take care of that particular problem. You'll have your letters in two days, I'll send them. Just promise me you'll be good kids, while mommy and daddy away" 

" Dad, that's great" maddie jump up and down clapping her hands and the hugging her dad. Really mature Mad...

" Well. I thought everything's going well, Because we have to leave you two this evening. Do what your dad say, Be good girls, don't do something funny while we're not around" Mrs McQueen added

" Mom, Dad..." maddie pouted " You just came in, I missed you"

" Honey, you know we want to be with you longer, but your dad has his Japanese collagues coming in tommorow. What could we do?" Mrs McQueen said while rubbing Maddie's arm. Maddie's pout deepen, but she nod anyway.

Everything happen so fast, and out of my imagination too. Mr McQueen is proved a really practical person. He make a decition and to move to a whole new level definition of done. Of course, he won't be a successfull bussinessmen the other way around. He took my photos, before we gather in the front yard. Rick and Vicky said their goodbyes before they left for new york. The gave us each a hug.

" You take care of each other, okay?!" Rick said while engulf me in a bear hug

" Yes Sir! I'll take care of her with my life" I promised him

" Don't take Rick's words very seriously sweety, he's just just acting tough, but truth is he's just a big teddy bear. And he'll do anything Maddie's ask" Vicky whispered to me while she hug me. And then she chuckled

" One more thing" Rick raised his index finger " If you're going to live together it might weird for some people, so I might as well make it official. From now on, no more Rick and vicky. It's mommy and daddy now" They hug us once more before they left hand in hand. They get in the car and wave us goodbye.. I really don't what to say. What have been I did, to deserve this really loving family. There's a lump in my throat. I won't say a word or I will cry like a baby.