Read Online Three's a Crowd (From the Files of Madison Finn, 16) by Laura Dower - Free Book Online Page A

now.
    Josh.
    She didn’t really know Josh, but a little voice inside Madison’s head told her that he was someone special. She imagined what they would look like together, walking down the street with their dogs. Having a ninth grader boyfriend would be cooler than cool.
    Maybe even cooler than Hart, Madison thought.
    Madison closed her eyes and tried to picture Josh hugging her. She pictured his brown eyes (that was a guess—she didn’t know his real eye color—yet), his broken-in sneakers, and his leather jacket. What kind of real date would they go on? Where would Josh take her? What would she wear?
    Since she didn’t feel like writing back to anyone or looking up information for their optical illusions project, Madison perched on her window seat with her legs crossed, her eyes on Josh’s window. He would be home from school soon, Madison hoped. She waited and waited, hoping for a glimpse.
    Maybe he had a tuba lesson? Madison snickered. She couldn’t picture that cute ninth grader stuck behind an enormous musical instrument like a tuba.
    Madison glanced outside. She spotted someone headed toward the front porch.
    Egg! Madison picked herself up and went downstairs to see what he wanted, but before she could intercept him, he had come and gone. She found Friday’s packet of homework on the porch with a simple note that said. Here you go. See ya. Egg.
    Madison picked up the homework and dumped it on the hall chair. She couldn’t do math problems now. She needed to get back upstairs to spy on Josh. He’d be home soon.
    She was about to head upstairs when she heard voices. Mom and Gramma were in the kitchen talking. Their voices seemed to get louder. Madison stood just outside the kitchen door, eavesdropping.
    She was acting like a super spy now.
    “Mother,” Madison heard Mom yell at Gramma. “I don’t know what that has to do with anything. I told you my work on this documentary is important.”
    “As important as your kids?” Gramma asked.
    “Kid,” Mom corrected her. “I have one.”
    “And now you have to go out of town?” Gramma asked.
    The room was silent. Madison wondered why Mom hadn’t answered. She peered around a corner.
    “I hate leaving,” Mom said. “But yes, I really have to go.”
    “I don’t understand you sometimes, Francine,” Gramma said.
    “Well I don’t understand why you have to put me on the defensive, Mother! Can we just drop it?”
    Madison’s stomach did a flip-flop. She hated arguments. It reminded her of the times just before Mom and Dad had divorced, when they had argued at least twice a day.
    Madison popped into the kitchen. “Hi!” she said cheerily, trying to catch them off guard. It used to work well with Mom and Dad. It seemed to work okay with Mom and Gramma, too.
    Mom grabbed the counter. “Oh! Maddie! How long were you standing there, honey bear?”
    “Standing where?” Madison asked, playing dumb.
    “We were just making dinner,” Gramma said, humming a little.
    “Oh, yeah …” Mom said. “Dinner.” She moved around the counter and reached into a cabinet for a big pot in which to boil corn on the cob.
    “Were you just outside?” Gramma asked. “I thought I heard the screen door slam.”
    “My friend Egg dropped off my homework,” Madison said. “I saw him from the upstairs window. I saw you, too, walking Phin.”
    “Oh, yes,” Gramma said. “This pug and I have become fast friends again.”
    Phin let out a little whimper. He was curled up by his favorite place in the kitchen, which was next to the dishwasher during the drying cycle.
    “I have to make a quick phone call, Mother,” Mom said. “I’ll be right back to help with the salad.”
    Gramma nodded as Mom left the room.
    “So … how are you feeling?” Gramma asked Madison.
    “You don’t have to pretend,” Madison said. “I heard everything.”
    “What are you talking about?” Gramma said, looking confused.
    “I heard you and Mom arguing,” Madison admitted. “Mom