Madison's Journey

Chapter 15

“Good morning, Mad. Happy Valentine’s Day!” Madison had just gotten into Colin’s car for the short ride to school.

“Morning, Col. Happy Valentine’s Day, I guess.” Madison shrugged.

“Oh, that doesn’t sound very good. You okay?”

She gave him a weak smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just sad today is all. I miss Amy, and I’m trying not to, but I miss Derrick a little bit too.”

He nodded his head somberly. “I’m sorry, Mad. I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better.”

“Thanks, Col. Just you being here helps. I’m okay, really.”

“Okay. But hey, since neither of us have Valentine’s of our own, why don’t we go get burgers at lunch, we can be each other’s Valentine’s.” He turned towards her; the corners of his mouth turned up when he winked at her.

She smiled and giggled slightly. “Okay. That sounds nice, but where are my flowers, Valentine?”

“Ha, funny there, little lady.”

She laughed, the sadness inside her melting away a touch. Colin laughed as well, and then turned the radio on as he drove them through the familiar streets to school. He started singing along with a song that came on, and Madison smiled at his off-key singing, thinking about how lucky she was to have him as her friend. Madison’s mood continued to improve as the day progressed. Her lunch with Colin helped to build her spirits, and by the time school ended, she was feeling a lot better. She had successfully managed to avoid seeing Amy and Derrick all day, which helped with her Valentine’s Day blues. The sun was shinning, and although it was still chilly, it gave Madison an extra boost of happiness as well.

She was smiling and humming as she walked to Grace’s school. She had Colin’s favourite song stuck in her head, and as she hummed, she could picture him singing at the top of his lungs. The image of him that popped into her head had her laughing to herself; one hand on the steering wheel, one hand flailing around as he serenaded her with his off key but very boisterous voice. When she came into view of Grace’s school, she waved to Grace who was running around the playground with a bunch of her friends. Madison took a seat on one of the benches close to the playground in order to give Grace more play time. It wasn’t long before she ran over to Madison, signaling that she was ready to go. 

“Hey, Gracie. All ready to go home and make Valentine’s cupcakes?”

“Yes!” Grace squealed with delight and started jumping up and down. “Come on, Maddie, let’s go.”

Madison got up from the bench, smiling at the little girl’s enthusiasm. “Okay, okay. I’m coming.” Grace, who was bursting with energy and excitement, ran ahead of Madison to catch up with her best friend, Casey.

“Gracie, wait for me.” Madison yelled but she didn’t hear her. Grace started to cross the street and Madison watched as she bent down to tie her shoelace in the middle of the road. “Gracie, get out of the road. Gracie!” Madison was waving her hands and yelling as loud as she could, but Grace didn’t move, she just kept tying her shoelace. She didn’t notice the car driving straight at her, but Madison did.

“Oh my god, Gracie!” Madison yelled as her instincts took over. She began running towards Grace, not even knowing she was doing it until she felt the impact of the car as she pushed Grace out of the way. In that moment, Maddie heard Gracie screaming as the blackness overtook her. She didn’t hear the screams of the parents and children around her, nor the roar of the sirens as the ambulances came tearing up the street. She was oblivious to all of it.