play around. Dad demonstrated how to create homemade cards and paper on funkyfotostudio.com. Madison downloaded images of her favorite endangered animals to put onto the flashy stationery.
But by the time Sunday night rolled around, Madison began gearing up for the week ahead with Eliot. And although she was exhausted from staring at a computer screen for hours, she still made time to write in her files.
Eliot
I love Eliot.
Eliot loves me.
Eliot and I are going to be best, best friends.
Stephanie has these self-help tapes that talk about “cultivating patience like crops” and “putting the joy back in enjoy.” I thought all that sounded so bizarre. Like crops? What is that supposed to mean? I’ve heard of meditation and yoga and all that, but I now doubt whether this has any effect on my life. And I know that Mom was super-supportive to me last night, but I already forgot half of what she said.
Rude Awakening: Thinking positive is positively impossible.
I want to be upbeat about the whole mother’s helper thing. But I have this lump in my throat like something is going to happen.
And a lump is the worst kind of omen.
Chapter 8
B Y THE TIME MONDAY morning rolled around, crying was no longer on Madison’s mind. The day was bright and sunnier than sunny. She needed to make her mood sunny to go along with the day. Phin scooted all around Dad’s apartment like he knew the weather was good—and Madison saw this as a positive omen. Finally. She was on the lookout for more good signs.
Dad drove her over to the Reed house. Madison arrived armed with her bathing suit, orange beach bag, and her own plush purple towel for today’s trip to the Lake Dora pool. Mrs. Reed answered the door hurriedly but wore a happy, wide grin.
“Good morning,” she chirped, inviting Madison inside. “You know, Madison, you don’t have to ring the doorbell when you come. I’m expecting you. Just walk inside. That way if I’m in the middle of changing a diaper or picking up toys or just losing my mind…”
Her voice trailed off into laughter.
“Okay,” Madison said, trying to take it all in.
“So how was the rest of your weekend?” Mrs. Reed asked. Her eyes darted around the room like she was looking for something—or someone.
Madison shrugged. “Nice except for the rain. I spent yesterday with my friends, my dog, and my dad. I like doing that. How was your Sunday?”
Mrs. Reed told Madison about the family’s driving trip to visit Eliot’s grandparents who lived two hours away. Thankfully, Mrs. Reed explained, he had been a good boy during the drive, napping and singing along with his Wee Sing CD. Becka was well behaved, too.
Eliot good ! Madison could only hope that he’d make a repeat performance for her today. No sooner had thoughts of Tantrum Boy popped into her head than he appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
“Thwimming?” Eliot asked. Madison knew he must have recognized who she was from the week before, but he also seemed confused. In some ways starting this new week was like starting all over again. Eliot clung to his mom’s leg, just like he had done the week before. He seemed on the verge of tears all over again.
Madison took a deep breath and remembered what Mom had said Saturday night.
It will take some time.
After lunch, Mrs. Reed packed the car up after Becka had a bottle, and everyone buckled into their seats. The drive over to Lake Dora took a little longer than usual due to morning traffic, but Eliot seemed content to hum to himself, suck on a shortbread cookie, and stare off into space. Becka fell asleep right away.
As usual, the pool was packed. Mrs. Reed and Madison negotiated the crowds and found empty chairs. More luck!
The good omens were piling up. Maybe I should have brought my rabbit’s foot, too, Madison thought.
Positive thinking. Positively.
Hart, Egg, and Drew stood over by the lifeguard tower together. They hadn’t see Madison yet. Madison noticed Aimee and Fiona,
But by the time Sunday night rolled around, Madison began gearing up for the week ahead with Eliot. And although she was exhausted from staring at a computer screen for hours, she still made time to write in her files.
Eliot
I love Eliot.
Eliot loves me.
Eliot and I are going to be best, best friends.
Stephanie has these self-help tapes that talk about “cultivating patience like crops” and “putting the joy back in enjoy.” I thought all that sounded so bizarre. Like crops? What is that supposed to mean? I’ve heard of meditation and yoga and all that, but I now doubt whether this has any effect on my life. And I know that Mom was super-supportive to me last night, but I already forgot half of what she said.
Rude Awakening: Thinking positive is positively impossible.
I want to be upbeat about the whole mother’s helper thing. But I have this lump in my throat like something is going to happen.
And a lump is the worst kind of omen.
Chapter 8
B Y THE TIME MONDAY morning rolled around, crying was no longer on Madison’s mind. The day was bright and sunnier than sunny. She needed to make her mood sunny to go along with the day. Phin scooted all around Dad’s apartment like he knew the weather was good—and Madison saw this as a positive omen. Finally. She was on the lookout for more good signs.
Dad drove her over to the Reed house. Madison arrived armed with her bathing suit, orange beach bag, and her own plush purple towel for today’s trip to the Lake Dora pool. Mrs. Reed answered the door hurriedly but wore a happy, wide grin.
“Good morning,” she chirped, inviting Madison inside. “You know, Madison, you don’t have to ring the doorbell when you come. I’m expecting you. Just walk inside. That way if I’m in the middle of changing a diaper or picking up toys or just losing my mind…”
Her voice trailed off into laughter.
“Okay,” Madison said, trying to take it all in.
“So how was the rest of your weekend?” Mrs. Reed asked. Her eyes darted around the room like she was looking for something—or someone.
Madison shrugged. “Nice except for the rain. I spent yesterday with my friends, my dog, and my dad. I like doing that. How was your Sunday?”
Mrs. Reed told Madison about the family’s driving trip to visit Eliot’s grandparents who lived two hours away. Thankfully, Mrs. Reed explained, he had been a good boy during the drive, napping and singing along with his Wee Sing CD. Becka was well behaved, too.
Eliot good ! Madison could only hope that he’d make a repeat performance for her today. No sooner had thoughts of Tantrum Boy popped into her head than he appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
“Thwimming?” Eliot asked. Madison knew he must have recognized who she was from the week before, but he also seemed confused. In some ways starting this new week was like starting all over again. Eliot clung to his mom’s leg, just like he had done the week before. He seemed on the verge of tears all over again.
Madison took a deep breath and remembered what Mom had said Saturday night.
It will take some time.
After lunch, Mrs. Reed packed the car up after Becka had a bottle, and everyone buckled into their seats. The drive over to Lake Dora took a little longer than usual due to morning traffic, but Eliot seemed content to hum to himself, suck on a shortbread cookie, and stare off into space. Becka fell asleep right away.
As usual, the pool was packed. Mrs. Reed and Madison negotiated the crowds and found empty chairs. More luck!
The good omens were piling up. Maybe I should have brought my rabbit’s foot, too, Madison thought.
Positive thinking. Positively.
Hart, Egg, and Drew stood over by the lifeguard tower together. They hadn’t see Madison yet. Madison noticed Aimee and Fiona,
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