To Have and to Hold (3 page)

“But I’m leaving for Texas before then,” Madison said.

“Why don’t you
make
something?” Fiona suggested.

“Like what?” Madison asked.

“Make one of your cool collages,” Fiona said. “Write something on it, like a poem. You’re good at that.”

“That’s a killer idea!” Aimee cheered. She danced around a little more and picked up another one of the blooms from the lawn. “You could put flowers in your collage, too!”

Madison thought about the suggestion. And the longer she thought, the more she liked it. A collage was a perfect way to tell Dad and Stephanie her feelings about them, the wedding, and the future.

“Lunch is served!” Mom announced, reappearing outside the house. She carried a tray of sandwiches, and some chips and juice. Phin trotted out behind her, a rawhide doggy bone in his jaws.

Aimee, Fiona, and Madison gathered to eat together under a maple tree in the backyard. After eating the sandwiches, they nibbled on some of Mom’s oatmeal-cookie crisps. Then they finished the planting and hosed down their handiwork. Transplanted flowers needed an extra-good soaking, Mom said.

It was nearly six o’clock by the time Aimee and Fiona left. The sun was still shining, and no one seemed tired. It had been a productive—and supportive—afternoon for Madison and her friends.

After saying goodbye, Madison headed inside to wash up. She wanted to check her e-mail, too. Sure enough, the mailbox was blinking. Her keypal had written back.

From: Bigwheels


To: MadFinn


Subject: Re: The Countdown Has Begun


Date: Fri 12 July 4:36 PM


Sorry I wasn’t home when u wrote b4, I wish we could have chatted online! I was babysitting my stupid brother and sister who r driving me bananas. Mom thinks I should watch them all summer long. Can u believe that? But she sez she’ll pay me. That’s cool.


Is ur Dad’s wedding really in one week??? R u really traveling all the way to Texas? I know u said ur having 2nd thoughts but it sounds exciting 2 me. Don’t forget 2 bring ur laptop so u can write to me the whole time ur there, ok?


I was thinking u should get a long dress in a pale color like sherbet or something. Does that sound weird? I saw one in the Boop-Dee-Doop catalog that I loved. You could wear it with their platforms--the ones with the crossover straps by the toe.


All ur emails about weddings make me wish that I were in love too. I wish I was still talking 2 Reggie. He’s away now for the whole summer. I’ve never really been in love. Have u seen Hart lately? What did he say when u told him you were going to a wedding?


GTG. My sister is pulling on me to go play in the sprinklers. Please WBS. Isn’t tomorrow that big pool party u told me about? HAGT!!!


Yours till the swim suits,


Bigwheels aka Vicki


Madison hit
SAVE
so she could reread Bigwheels’s e-mail again later.

Then she ducked into her closet to plan an outfit for Drew’s pool party.

M
ADISON TUGGED AT HER
blue cargo Capri pants. She’d loved them in the store and hanging in her closet, but now she wasn’t sure if they made her waist look too pudgy.

“Maddie! Aimee and Fiona are waiting downstairs!” Mom called up to Madison’s bedroom.

Drat
!

The pants would have to stay, Madison thought with panic, as she threw other piles of unfolded clothing and rejected outfits back into the closet. She quickly decided on a pale yellow top to match the pants and yanked it on over her one-piece bathing suit. Then Madison shoved a towel and flip-flops into her bag, along with the latest copy of
Star Beat
magazine. She was dying to show Aimee and Fiona the cover article about the twenty-five hottest teen stars in Hollywood.

Phin followed Madison downstairs.

“Call you later, okay, Mom?” Madison said as she whisked past her mother and leaned over to kiss Phin good-bye.

“Don’t be too late! You are having supper with your father this evening!” Mom reminded her.

Madison nodded. Since the wedding planning had kicked into high gear, Dad had been checking in daily and dropping by for more regular visits. He wanted to make sure that Madison was cool with everything that was happening. On this particular night, he’d made plans to have Madison join him and Stephanie for dinner.

“Maddie! Sorry we’re late. It was my fault!” Fiona called out from the window of Mrs. Gillespie’s car as Madison skipped down the driveway.

“Love those pants!” Aimee cried as she pushed open the minivan door so that Madison could climb inside.

Madison beamed. She had made the right fashion choice.

Aimee wore a flowered halter top and peasant-style skirt with fringes and appliquéd flowers along the bottom.

“You’re so dressed up, Aim,” Madison said.

Aimee just shrugged. “Aw, this old thing!” she joked.

Madison guessed Aimee’s outfit was carefully planned. Aimee wanted to look good for her crush, Ben Buckley, who she hoped would also be at the pool party.

Fiona was dressed casually. She wore faded jeans shorts and a T-shirt that read
Far Hills Girls’ Soccer.
Even when she wasn’t headed for team practice, Fiona liked announcing her love of the sport.

“I have to borrow that shirt sometime,” Fiona said, pointing to Madison.

The drive to Drew’s house passed quickly; Aimee, Fiona, and Madison talked about clothes, and Madison pulled out her copy of
Star Beat
to show her friends. After about ten minutes, Mrs. Gillespie called out from the front seat. “Okay, troops, we’re heeeeere!” and the girls grabbed their stuff and piled out of the car.

The Maxwell house wasn’t really a house at all. It was a mansion, with bushes trimmed into animal shapes, sculpture on the front lawn, and a fountain in the middle of the driveway.

Drew sat on the steps waiting for his guests to arrive. Next to him, playing on a Gameboy, was Walter “Egg” Diaz, one of Madison’s best guy friends and Fiona’s “sort-of” boyfriend. As soon as Egg caught a glimpse of Fiona, he ditched the Gameboy, stashing it in his pocket, and ran over to say hello. Drew came with him.

“Hey, Fee,” Egg said, walking right up to Fiona. He had decided on a new nickname for her. That way, he could have a special name for her that was all his own.

“Hey, Walter,” Fiona replied. She had the distinction of being the only person other than Egg’s parents who called him by his real name.

Fiona twirled one of her braids between her fingers.

“Okay, you guys,” Aimee cried. “Enough! You’re making me nauseous.”

Egg ignored Aimee. Madison just giggled. These days, she was used to super sappy behavior, especially since Dad and Stephanie were acting lovey-dovey all the time, now that they were getting married.

The friends wandered through the front entryway and into the Maxwell foyer through the living rooms (there were two), then through two giant sliding doors and onto the backyard patio. The place was packed. Clusters of kids and adults mingled around the lawn.

“Cool, huh?” Drew said, pointing to a row of golden torches. “Mom got them shipped here from Samoa or something.”

“Come on!” Aimee said. “You can get those at the home decorating store in downtown Far Hills for five bucks!”

“Really?” Drew said. “Well, they’re cool, anyhow.” He didn’t seem to care where they had come from.

Madison laughed. “Drew, your family has parties like no one else ever in the history of parties, I swear.”

The Maxwell parties included friends, friends of friends, and parents of friends. Each event had its own theme. On this occasion, Mrs. Maxwell’s caterer had assembled a tropical-drinks bar, with smoothies for all age groups. Hawaiian music was piped in, and dozens of torches decorated the edges of the pool and yard.

As they walked around, Fiona and Egg paired off, and Aimee vanished to go find Ben Buckley. Madison wanted to find Hart, but he wasn’t around, so she hung out on the edge of the group with Drew.

“So when’s your dad’s big wedding?” Drew asked. Even though it was summer, all of Madison’s friends found ways to catch the latest gossip. Madison’s upcoming trip to Texas was on everyone’s radar.

“The wedding is this weekend,” Madison said. “But I don’t want to go.”

“How come?” Drew asked.

“Simple,” Madison said. “I don’t want Dad to get married.”

“Yeah,” Drew nodded. “I know what you mean. My stepbrother, Ben, always told me funny stories about how weird it was when my dad got remarried. He hated my mom. The whole stepfamily thing is pretty complicated. But you’ll get used to it. We did.”

“Do you think so?” Madison asked. “Because, right now, the idea of having a stepmother is freaking me out.”

“But isn’t your dad’s girlfriend nice?” Drew asked.

“Yeah,” Madison grumbled. “That’s what makes it so annoying.”

“Parents say they care about our opinions and all that. But they still do what they want,” Drew said simply.

“I know,” Madison said.

“It’ll be cool,” Drew said, patting Madison on the back. He smiled, and Madison felt her stomach do a little flip. She wasn’t sure why. Drew didn’t usually touch Madison on the back—or anywhere. She caught her breath and shook off the feeling. This was Drew, after all, not Hart! And even though the two boys were cousins, Drew was definitely not someone Madison saw herself crushing on.

Never. Ever.

“Who else is here?” Madison asked, trying to change the subject. “I recognize some of the people from the last barbecue.”

Drew grinned. “Yeah, Mom invited the whole planet, of course. There’s someone special I want you to meet.”

Madison grinned. Maybe Drew was about to introduce her to
another
cute cousin of his? She liked that idea.

“Wait until you see the karaoke setup my parents bought,” Drew said. “We have the system hooked up to the main stereo system, with speakers out here by the pool. It’s got excellent sound. We can do solos, duets, and group numbers.”

Madison was always flabbergasted by the way Drew was able to have games and electronics and whatever else he wanted—and still act like a normal kid. He was a good friend, she told herself as they stood there on the lawn together. She didn’t always give him enough credit.

“There you are!” a voice yelled from across the lawn.

A girl with short, black hair ran toward Drew and Madison, arms flailing. She wore a pale yellow sundress and little butterfly barrettes in her hair.

“Drew! Drew!” the girl called out breathlessly.

Madison squinted at the girl. She’d never seen her before.

“I’ve been looking for you,” the girl continued. “I was helping your dad set up the karaoke machine. When do you want to start it up?”

“Whenever,” Drew said with a big smile. “Thanks for helping.”

Madison rocked from foot to foot, watching Drew, watching the girl, watching Drew.

“Maddie, this is Elaine Minami,” Drew said, finally. “Do you know her? Oh, well, I guess you wouldn’t. She’s our neighbor up the street.”

Madison knew that Drew was one of the only kids in his neighborhood who went to the public junior high. The rich kids who lived nearby went to private schools or even to boarding schools outside Far Hills.

“Hiya!” Elaine said. She had a voice like a cartoon mouse, Madison thought. Elaine didn’t talk. She squeaked.

Drew seemed to like it, though.

“It’s
soooo
great to meet all of Drew’s friends from school,” Elaine said. She couldn’t stop moving when she talked.

“Nice to meet you, too,” Madison said.

“Elaine, this is Maddie … er … Madison,” Drew said.

“Hey, Finnster!”

From behind Madison, the familiar sound of Hart’s voice sent a thrill up her spine. She’d looked for him everywhere, and now he was finally here.

Normally, she would have spun around and glanced to see what Hart was wearing, or how his soft, brown hair looked. But this time, she didn’t. Right now, all Madison could focus on was Elaine and Drew.

“Hiya, Hart!” Elaine chirped.

Madison couldn’t believe it. Elaine knew him, too? Within minutes, it seemed as if all the boys at the party were gravitating toward the section of the yard where Madison was standing with Drew, Hart, and Elaine. And Elaine knew all of them—including Fiona’s brother, Chet, and Madison’s good guy friend Dan Ginsburg.

How was that possible
?

Aimee sidled up to Madison. “What’s up over here?” she asked. “Who’s she?” Aimee pointed to Elaine.

Madison explained; Aimee rolled her eyes.

“She probably knows everyone because she’s always hanging out here when the guys come over to Drew’s….” Aimee said with a groan. “Guys are so predictable. Look at them, like a bunch of flies or something….”

Madison chuckled. “Yeah,” she agreed.

“So, what?” Aimee continued. “Is she going out with Drew or what? I cannot believe he has a girlfriend!”

“I can’t tell,” Madison said, trying to figure out whether they were a couple or not. “She seems nice.”

“She isn’t very pretty,” Aimee said.

Madison fake-punched her BFF in the shoulder. “Don’t say that!”

Aimee took it back immediately. “Well, it doesn’t matter, anyway. What do we care who Drew likes? I mean, I thought he liked you for a while, but everyone changes.”

Madison frowned. “Yeah,” she said.

“I didn’t find Ben inside or by the pool or anywhere,” Aimee said, distractedly.

Madison kept staring over at Elaine, who seemed poised and happy. Why did Madison feel so much the opposite?

“Aimee! Maddie!” Fiona’s voice trilled from across the yard. She came running over, with Egg in tow. “What is everyone doing over here?” Fiona asked.

“Look,” Aimee said, nodding in Drew’s direction.

Madison always thought it was funny that Drew could be such a “follower” at school, but Mr. Party on days like this.

“This is
so
not a kid’s party,” Aimee grumbled. “I mean, it’s fun to come here and have music and swimming and games, but….”