Madison's Journey

Chapter 11

Christmas morning dawned with small white snowflakes falling gently from the sky. “Mm…I love that scent. It smells just like Christmas!” Madison was making the traditional Christmas chocolate chip pancakes with the kitchen window open so that she could breath in the crisp air and fully enjoy the snow. “We’re having a white Christmas! Isn’t that awesome, Santa?” She laughed, glancing over at Santa sitting on the mantle. She was working hard not to focus on her mom; instead she was keeping her mind on enjoying her favourite holiday. She had bought herself some stocking stuffers and had filled up her stocking the night before. It seemed a bit silly, but she wanted to keep this one tradition from her childhood. After her pancakes, she spent the morning being lazy and watching Christmas movies. Then, after a delicious turkey sandwich lunch, she started to get ready for Amy’s house. A bit after two, she received a text from Lisa.

‘On our way.’

‘K.’

‘Don’t open the door until we knock.’

‘Um...lol. ok.’

‘Thxs. C u in 15.’

Madison waited on the couch, excitement bubbling up inside her at the prospect of what this present could be. She was lost in thought when there was a bang at the door. She jumped up from the couch and flung it open.

“Whoa!” There, on her front step, was a tall cat tree, a bag of cat litter, two bags of kitten food, and a bag full of what she assumed was toys and treats. Bill stood behind it all, carrying a cat carrier with two tiny faces sticking out.

“Oh, my god! Are they for me?”

Gracie was standing beside her dad, jumping up and down with excitement. “Yup. Two kittens. Can you believe it, Maddie? They’re so cute. You should see them.”

Lisa laughed at her daughter’s excitement and the look of shock on Madison’s face. “Okay, Gracie, let’s get everything inside so Maddie can meet her new kittens, okay?” Madison stepped aside and let the Shipyard’s bring everything in. Bill handed her the cat carrier and went back out for the rest. 

“Maddie, hurry up. Let them out.”

“Okay, Gracie, hold on. I’m just stunned. I can’t believe you guys did this for me.” Her eyes sparkled with tears, happy ones, as she looked at Bill and Lisa. They both smiled at her in response. She put the carrier on the floor and opened the door. The two kittens came barreling out and immediately began running around, checking out their new surroundings. 

“What are you going to name them, Maddie? One’s a boy and one’s a girl.”

“Gracie, honey. Give Maddie a minute.” Bill chided his daughter. 

“Oh, Gracie, I don’t know. I guess I need to think about it.” Madison looked at her new kittens, dismay running through her mind. The little boy kitten was orange and white while his sister was light grey with dark stripes, white paws and a white chest. They were adorable, and Madison grabbed them both, hugging them to her chest. Their big round eyes looking up at her, purring and meowing at their new mother.

“Now, Maddie, I know you talked about getting a cat, so I hope this is okay. We have a back up plan if you can’t keep them, but we did adopt them for you. Is your mom going to be okay with them?”

Madison looked up at Lisa and Bill with a smile that lit up her whole face. “Mom will love them.”

Lisa let out a sigh of relief. Bill put an arm around his wife and kissed the top of her head. He knew she had been both excited and worried about this gift, and he was glad, for her sake, that Madison was so happy with it.

The Shipyard’s stayed until about three, so that Gracie could play with the kittens. By the time they left, Madison had named them Mary and George. Everyone loved both names. When Madison was alone with her new babies, she snuggled with them on the couch and dozed off, waking up just after four. “Oh, crap. Mary, George, I was supposed to be at Amy’s thirty minutes ago.”

She sent a quick text to Amy, and then went into the kitchen to sort out the kitten’s food and water dishes. She hated to leave them, but they had each other so she knew they’d be fine. Sure enough, when she left for Amy’s house, they were attacking a couple mouse toys and didn’t even notice her leaving.

Madison hummed Christmas carols as she walked to Amy’s house. She glanced around the street, the vibrant colours of the Christmas lights that hung from every home popping out through the white snowflakes that swirled through the air. She waved at a giant inflatable Santa that sat in one yard and giggled gleefully at herself.

Amy greeted her at the door when she arrived. “Merry Christmas, Mads,” her voice was oddly low.

The two girls hugged before Madison spoke, “Merry Christmas, Aim! Was Santa good to you?”

“Yup, but I’ll tell you about that later.” There was an urgency to Amy’s voice that raised the hairs on the back of Madison’s neck.

“What’s going on, Amy?”

“Colin got a girl pregnant.”

“What?” The word flew out of Madison’s mouth louder than she had intended. She lowered her voice to a whisper, “What happened? Who? Why did he tell them on Christmas? I don’t…”

Amy shook her head. “I know. Me neither. He told them last night. Everyone’s ignoring it today, but I wanted to tell you. Things are a bit strained, and I need someone to talk to.”

Madison hugged her friend again. Amy looked like she might burst in to tears as the girls walked further into the house. The living room was full of family members, most of whom Madison had met over the years. She said hi to everyone and gave Mr. and Mrs. Fernie a hug. She could see the stress on their faces, but they were still trying to put on a good front for their guests. The conversation was lively, and Madison noticed Colin in the corner talking to his cousin, Tom, who was the same age as him. Colin and Tom smiled at her. Colin’s face was somber and ghostly pale. Madison smiled back, and then her and Amy slipped out of the living room and ran up to her room. 

“Tell me everything.” Madison got comfortable on the bed as Amy closed the door.

“You know Carissa Livingston?”

“No! Really?”

Amy settled on the bed beside Madison. “Yup.”

“Are they dating? I didn’t know Colin had a girlfriend.”

“Apparently they were keeping it on the down low because of her parents. You know, they’re kind of strict. Anyways, he’s freaked.”

“Um, yeah, I can see that. Wow! What are they going to do?”

“I don’t know. He just found out a couple days ago. He hasn’t been eating or sleeping, and when my mom asked him what was going on, he broke down. We don’t even know if her parents know yet.” Madison stared at Amy not sure what to say. “I mean, Mads, can you imagine? They’re only seventeen.”

Madison shook her head. “No, wow. I can’t imagine that.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes, neither sure what to say, then Amy stood up and went to the bathroom to check her make up. Madison was sitting on the bed thinking about the difference between this Christmas celebration and the one at the Shipyard’s when Colin walked passed Amy’s room. He stopped when he noticed Madison sitting there. He stood in the doorway looking down at his feet while Madison waited for him to speak.

“I guess you heard.” 

“I did. I’m sorry, Colin. I don’t know what to say.”

Colin’s eyes were filled with sorrow and her heart ached for him. He suddenly looked like a young boy, not the carefree class clown that she knew. “Me either.”

“Do you want to talk? I’m a great listener.”

He was quiet for a moment, contemplating her offer, then he nodded. “Yeah, I’d like that. But can we go to my room in case Aims comes back?”

Madison nodded, got up and followed him to his room. He closed the door halfway and they sat side by side on his bed. Madison waited for him to start talking, but he was quiet for a long time. She heard the bathroom door open. Amy almost walked passed but stopped when she saw Madison sitting with Colin. She crooked her head as if asking Madison what she was doing, so she got up from the bed and met her at the door. “I asked him if he wanted to talk.”

“Oh, okay.” Amy stood for a moment looking at her friend and then she shrugged her shoulders. “I guess I’ll see you downstairs.” Amy smiled sadly at her friend and left. Madison’s lips curled into a half smile, under normal circumstances, Amy would have had a fit if Colin stole one of her friends. She went back to the bed and sat quietly beside him again. After another few minutes of silence, with Colin staring at his hands and Madison staring at the muscle car poster on his bedroom wall, Madison could feel him trembling beside her. She glanced at him and saw tears falling down his cheeks. She put her arms around him and pulled him into a hug. He laid his head on her shoulder, wrapped his arms around her and cried for several minutes. Madison closed her eyes, wishing she could take away his pain. When Colin straightened up after a few minutes, he wiped his face with his shirt sleeve and smiled sheepishly at Madison. 

“I’m sorry, Mad. I didn’t mean…”

Madison put her hand on his knee and gave him a sympathetic smile. “I’m here for whatever you need. Our little secret.” She saw a smile flash across his face. “Do you feel any better? Do you want to talk still?”

Colin looked at the girl beside him. “No, I’m good. You gave me exactly what I needed. Thanks, Mads.”

The two hugged again, then stood up and made their way back downstairs to join the party. Madison left Colin talking with Tom and went off to find Amy, who was in the kitchen with her mom. “Hey, can I help?”

Mrs. Fernie smiled at her daughter’s best friend. “Thanks, Maddie. You can mash the potatoes for me.”

“Okie dokie.”

Mrs. Fernie nodded and handed Madison the potato masher. “So, Madison, was Santa good to you?”

“Oh, my goodness, thanks for reminding me, Mrs. Fernie. Amy, you’ll never believe what the Shipyard’s gave me.”

Amy was standing at the oven, stirring the gravy with her back to Madison, her shoulders slumped. “What?”

“Mary and George!”

Mrs. Fernie and Amy looked at each other, their eyebrows furrowed. “What?” They asked in unison.

“Mary and George, my new kittens,” she put the potato masher down and moved towards Amy, phone in hand. “Here, look. That one’s Mary and that little guy is George.”

“Wow! They’re adorable. You’re so lucky.”

“Don’t get any ideas, we have enough going on right now, missy.” Mrs. Fernie waved her wooden spoon at Amy, her voice sterner than she intended.

“I know, mom.” Amy kissed her mom’s cheek and turned back to Madison. “What an amazing present.”

“I know. I love them.” The girls went back to their respective chores and talked about the gifts they had gotten for Christmas. Mrs. Fernie was quiet, and Madison knew she was thinking about her son.

“Okay, girls. Let’s start getting this on the table.” They each took several trips to load the meal onto the dining room table, and then Mrs. Fernie called the kids to come in and dish up first. Since the dining room table only sat ten, the kids were eating in the living room, which was located just off the dining room. It was Madison, Amy, Colin, Tom, Tom’s sister, who was twelve, and two of Amy’s younger cousins that sat in the living room. 

After dinner, it was present time. Madison watched with joy as everyone opened their gifts and was surprised to find three presents at her feet. One was from Amy and the other two were from Santa. She giggled when she saw the tags and glanced at Mrs. Fernie, who feigned ignorance. She opened the two Santa presents and found a pair of pajamas with elephants all over them and an elephant calendar. “Santa knows me so well,” she said as she winked at Mrs. Fernie. They both laughed, then she opened the gift from Amy. It was a shirt that Madison had tried on and loved when they were out shopping together but had decided she couldn’t afford. “Oh…Aim. Thank you. I love it.” She reached over and hugged her friend.

Amy smiled, “I know. That’s why I bought it.”

Amy loved her present from Madison as well, and so did the rest of her family. Once the presents were opened and the wrapping paper was cleaned up, it was time to play their annual Christmas game of charades. Everyone participated and Madison was laughing so much that her stomach began to hurt. When it was Mr. Fernie’s turn, the entire room laughed as he put his hands under his arm pits and began to flap his arms. His face turned a deep shade of red as the room full of people laughed, but he kept playing.

“Bird.” Someone yelled out and he shook his head.

He took his hands out from under his arm pits and move them like he was imitating someone talking.

Everyone looked puzzled, and then Madison yelled out. “Chicken dance.”

Mr. Fernie nodded enthusiastically and Madison’s team cheered.

Towards the end of the game, Madison saw Colin wander upstairs. She thought about following him, but decided it wasn’t really her place. As she was thinking about him, her phone beeped in her back pocket. 

“Hmmm…that’s weird.” She thought to herself as she saw who the text was from. She couldn’t think of ever having received a text from Colin before.

‘Hey. Thanks for earlier. I’m sorry I was such a cry baby. Still our little secret?’

She stepped away from her charade partners to reply. ‘You’re not a cry baby. Any time u want to talk, you have my number. And of course, pinky swear. ’

‘Thanks, Mads. Ur a good person.’

‘U too, Colin. Don’t forget that. U got this.’

‘ Night, Mad’

‘Night, Colin. I hope u can get some sleep. I’m here if u need to talk.’

Madison put her phone away, and a few minutes later, Colin wandered back into the living room. He sat down beside her and asked her if she needed a ride home.

“Oh, well, I don’t know.” Her eyes widened slightly. This was something new too, Colin had never driven her home before.

“It doesn’t have to be right now, just whenever you’re ready. It’s late and you shouldn’t be walking, even if it’s only ten minutes.”

“Yeah, okay, sure, that’d be nice. Thanks, Colin. I’m actually ready to go now if you want.”

He nodded and got up silently. He talked briefly to his dad, who smiled tightly.

Madison stood up as well. “I think I better go. Merry Christmas everyone.”

Amy jumped up from her spot on the floor. “Are you sure, Mads? You can stay over.”

“Thanks, Aim. I would love to, but I have two little babies waiting for me.”

Amy grinned and gently smacked herself on the forehead. “Right, I forgot. Is Colin driving you?”

Madison nodded.

“Oh, okay. I’ll come too then.”

Madison hesitated; she didn’t want to make Amy mad, but she had a feeling that Colin wanted a break from his family. “Actually, Aim, I think maybe you should stay here.”

Madison watched as Amy’s eyebrows furrowed. “What, why? You’re my friend.” Her voice was loud, so Madison grabbed her elbow and steered her to the front entrance, away from the crowd.

“I know but I think maybe he wants some time alone, away from the house.”

Amy shook her head. “Alone? But you’ll be there.”

“I know but I meant after he drops me off.”

Amy thought about that for a moment and then nodded while her face relaxed. “Okay, I guess I get that. But just this one time, you’re my friend not his.”

Madison shook her head and laughed. “Okay but aren’t we a little old for that.”

“Nope. I don’t like to share, remember?”

They both laughed, and then went back into the living room so that Madison could say her goodbyes. After giving everyone a hug, Madison followed Colin out to his car. The snow had started falling again, adding a bit of brightness to the dark, chilly night. It was quiet on the street as they got in to his car, people were inside their homes, celebrating the holiday.

“So, thanks for my gift.” Colin glanced over at her as he started the car.

“You’re welcome.” She smiled shyly. They drove to her house in silence, Colin didn’t even turn the radio on. When they got to her place, he pulled up to the curb and shut the car off. She thought maybe he would say something, but he just sat staring straight ahead. “So, my mom won’t be home for a while. Do you want to come and see my new kittens? I just got them today.”

Colin didn’t speak, he just took off his seat belt and got out of the car. She got out as well, and he followed her around to her front door and into the house. Madison had left a light on in the living room, and they could see that the kittens had been enjoying the Christmas ornaments. There were about ten ornaments scattered all over the floor, and George and Mary were cuddled up asleep on the couch, clearly tired from all their mischief making.

“Those are my babies.”

“Man, they’re cute.” Colin sat down beside them, causing them both to wake up. They started crawling over him, and soon he was laughing and playing and forgetting his troubles. Madison put her presents on the table and joined Colin on the couch. 

“What are their names?”

She held George up, “This one is George and that little mischief maker is Mary.”

Colin laughed, “Good names.”

“Thanks, I thought so.” She told him where they had come from, and he was impressed with Lisa and Bill’s generosity. 

“They must really like you.”

“I hope so. I like them too.”

“Hey, Mads?” His eyes never left the kittens on the couch as he spoke.

“Yeah?”’

“Thanks for letting me drive you home. And thanks for letting me come in and stay for a bit. I know it’s kind of weird since you’re Amy’s friend. I just needed to get out of there, away from the disappointed parents.”

“Oh, Col—"

“No, sorry, I’m not complaining. I don’t blame them. I’d be mad and disappointed in me too. In fact, I am. I just meant that I needed to be with someone who, I don’t know. I mean…you know me, but you aren’t invested in my future. Does that make sense?” He asked, finally making eye contact with her.

She thought about it for a moment. “Yeah, it does. I get it. And you and I have known each other for a long time, even though I’m Amy’s friend.” She smiled, and they sat quietly on the couch petting and playing with the kittens.

Eventually, Colin stood up. “I guess I’d better go. Merry Christmas, Mads.”

“Merry Christmas, Colin. I hope you can get some rest tonight.”

“Me too.” He opened the door and let himself out.

She closed it behind him and leaned up against it. What a night! Poor Colin, poor Mr. and Mrs. Fernie, poor Carissa. Madison thought about them all as she went about cleaning up the fallen ornaments and the other things the kittens had managed to find. Once everything was tidy, she crawled into bed and thought about Colin and Carissa as George and Mary ran around the bed chasing her feet.