To Have and to Hold Read online

While Mom dealt with the bags, Madison and Phin took the steps two at a time up to Madison’s bedroom. Madison wanted to give her closet a onceover. Maybe some packing inspiration would strike—and maybe not.

  The moment she stepped inside her bedroom, however, Madison’s laptop tempted her, as if it had had the power to speak.

  Madison, turn on my power button NOW!

  Madison, of course, obeyed.

  She powered the machine up and waited to see if she had any new e-mail. Lately, her e-mailbox had been emptier than usual, which was strange for summer. Usually everyone used e-mail (rather than the telephone) as the main way to keep in touch. Even stranger lately was the absence of e-mail from Bigwheels. Madison’s keypal hardly ever delayed in writing back.

  Madison scanned the list of names.

  Her mailbox was not empty anymore!

  FROM

  SUBJECT

  MY E-mail was down

  Boop-Dee-Doop

  Ready 4 Summer Sale-o-rama

  JeffFinn

  The Wedding (what else)

  Madison clicked on the e-mail from Bigwheels first.

  From: Bigwheels

  To: MadFinn

  Subject: MY E-mail was down

  Date: Mon 15 July 11:21 AM

  I feel like I’ve been sent to e-mail no-man’s land. Last week I couldn’t write b/c I had to babysit. Then our computer crashed. It was awful. My dad lost all these documents. He told me he wouldn’t let me use it anymore, like he blamed me. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to write to you ever again. Or at least not in time before u go to the wedding. Dad figured out what happened though and now he’s even talking about getting me my own laptop just like u have. How cool is that?

  SO that’s why I didn’t write over the weekend. What’s new? Thanks for sending me e-mail about the pool party. U have cool friends in Far Hills. No one here has torches and smoothies at their parties. I’m jealous!

  I have been collecting some ideas for you for the wedding collage ur making. I think u should write a poem about love but not just people love. Say you love ice cream and then shopping and books and the computer and all that and then u write about how loving ur Dad is all that plus more. Does that make any sense? I will think about it more.

  Right now we’re having neighbors over for this picnic dinner in our backyard. My mother likes to BBQ in the summer. At least the neighbors have a son (Tommy) who is kind of cute. He has like a billion freckles. I would flirt with him except I’m having majorly bad hair day frizz! LOL.

  Wish you were here!

  Yours till the cook outs,

  Bigwheels aka Vicki

  Madison hit REPLY to thank Bigwheels for her poem suggestions. She didn’t say much more than that, though; and she certainly didn’t share any of her poem attempts thus far. Bigwheels was very good at writing poems, and Madison couldn’t even get two lines to work.

  The next e-mail, from Boop-Dee-Doop, was an announcement of some great sale items like baby tank tops and chunky flip-flops, so Madison printed out the coupon code for the discount. She’d look over the website later with Mom and pick out a few things for the rest of the summer.

  Last in the e-mailbox was a note from Dad. Getting e-mail from him was no big surprise. He’d been writing more than ever these days.

  But what he had to say was surprising.

  From: JeffFinn

  To: MadFinn

  Subject: The Wedding (what else)

  Date: Mon 15 July 1:09 PM

  News flash! I know you won’t believe this, Maddie, but the wedding keeps on growing. Stephanie called home this morning and her mother now has a guest list of more than 150 people who are promising to show up! I realize when we first talked this was supposed to be a small wedding but it’s gotten a little bigger than that. I don’t think I even know 150 people. Isn’t this crazy? I called Rick and told him he needs to bring reinforcements. Ha-ha.

  The reason I’m writing to tell you about it is so you can pack a few more “dressy” outfits. That’s what Stephanie asked me to tell you. I guess there may be a few more dinners or events than I expected. I don’t think it will be that formal, but you may want to have your mother help you choose some other dresses.

  I’m at the office today and in meetings until seven but I will try to call later.

  Love,

  Dad

  Madison bit her lip.

  More formal? What did Dad mean by that? She tried to imagine 150 people in her living room, and it made her dizzy. Would she have to meet all those people? Or would Madison Francesca Finn get shoved into a corner somewhere with a mob of strangers while Dad and Stephanie rode off into the sunset? Even worse, how could she get up and read some sappy love poem in front of all those people? How could she smile and pretend to be happy the entire weekend? How was she going to find anything else to wear when it had taken her all afternoon to find just one dress?

  Madison printed out her list of things to pack and then turned off her laptop. She grabbed a pen and threw herself onto the bed.

  Trip to Texas: My Packing List So Far

  Pale blue (not dark!) and yellow tank tops

  Yellow T-shirt Check in laundry hamper!

  4 prs. underwear & my nice bra (that doesn’t show when I wear tanks or my new dress—don’t forget!!)

  Jean shorts (with fringes on edge) too casual?

  Jean shorts with flower patch on side

  Red capri pants check in laundry hamper!

  White skirt w/flowers

  Kakki pants (is that how u spell it?)

  Pink sweater top too HOT??

  White peasant blouse borrow from Aimee ASAP

  New orange dress (for wedding)

  Ask Fiona if I can borrow her purple sundress???

  PJs (old T-shirt, Lisa Simpson shirt)

  Lip gloss (strawberry-kiwi and bubble gum)

  Sneakers, black sandals, flip-flops, and new shoes (for wedding day)

  Moonstone earrings (from Dad) and hangy bead earrings

  Laptop w/everyone’s email address

  ****All stuff for making the collage—incl. tape and glue.

  What else???????

  Chapter 6

  AFTER SHE CAME INSIDE from walking Phinnie very early on Tuesday morning, Madison went online. She had a lot of e-mail messages.

  From: JeffFinn

  To: MadFinn

  Subject: More

  Date: Tues 16 July 5:13 AM

  Playing catch-up on some work this morning. There is so much to do before we leave for Texas. Wanted to send you all the information about the plane reservations, etc., for the wedding. I know your mother has probably been asking you. She mentioned something to me on the phone. And don’t forget there’s a 2 hr. time difference. Texas is 2 hrs. behind us.

  Sky High Airlines Flight 345

  New York to Houston

  Non-Stop Flight/Light Lunch

  7/18 Departs New York, NY at 9:45 AM

  7/18 Arrives Houston, TX at 12:15 PM

  Sky High Airlines Flight 114

  Houston to New York

  Non-Stop Flight/Snack Only

  7/21 Departs Houston, TX at 1:30 PM

  7/21 Arrives New York, NY at 7:40 PM

  I’m also attaching (below) an e-mail Steph sent to me about the extra stuff to pack. See if you can make sense of it. I’m so excited that I’m going to see you!

  --Original Message--

  From: Stephie8

  To: JeffFinn

  Subject: Madison Clothes

  Date: Mon 15 July 11:13 PM

  My mother says Madison needs to bring at least 3 nice outfits for each of the parties. She may want to pack more depending on the weather. In addition to a nice dress for the wedding itself I think she should have another for the rehearsal dinner, don’t you? Tell her that my nieces tend to get all dolled up and I just want her to feel comfortable. One of the events will be a girls-only tea party.

  Talk soon.

  M
adison didn’t even know what to think when she read—and then reread—Stephanie’s attachment. She’d already freaked out enough the night before about Dad’s request to dress dressier. Now Madison had to worry about some girls-only party?

  Gulp.

  The Wolfe girls would probably have perfect hair and teeth and clothes and everything. Standing next to them would be like standing next to Poison Ivy in a lineup. Although Madison’s enemy was evil, she was always dressed just right. Madison couldn’t even get her hair to part the right way, sometimes. And how was Madison supposed to look perfect in Texas, a million miles from everything she knew and loved?

  Double gulp.

  Rather than think about it, Madison skipped on to the next e-mail.

  She was relieved to see that it was from her favorite (and only surviving) grandmother, Mom’s mom, Gramma Helen. Gramma Helen liked to check in on Madison now and again, usually to tell her some funny story or share a recipe. Madison wasn’t a big cook, but ever since, she’d baked Gramma’s special muffins for a FHJH bake sale, Gramma had been forwarding all kinds of new and old recipes along. Today, however, she’d only sent a few words and no food ideas.

  From: GoGramma

  To: MadFinn

  Subject: Keep Your Chin Up

  Date: Tues 16 July 6:44 AM

  I thought my hearing aid was on the fritz when your mother told me about your dad’s wedding plans. I know it is hard enough to deal with parents splitting up only to watch them get married again to other people. I can only imagine what that feels like, my dear. If your grandfather were alive, he would say the same thing. Remember that we love you beyond all the things that change. So do your mom and daddy. I do think your dad is a good man. I wish him all the best. Tell him that I said that, would you? And for goodness’ sakes, write your Gramma a note. It’s been more than two weeks, Maddie! I miss you terribly when we fall out of touch. Your mom said something about your coming out to visit soon or maybe I will go to NY. I hope I can do that. Depends on the hip, as usual.

  Keep your chin up high. And keep your cool. No drooping allowed--not even when it gets hot.

  Speaking of which, how hot is it there?

  Love you,

  Gramma

  Madison sighed. Already she was exhausted from thinking about the wedding festivities, and they hadn’t even begun. It was nice that Gramma Helen had sent her good wishes to Madison’s dad, however. Madison would be sure to tell him about that. Gramma hadn’t seen Dad for a long time—since way before the divorce. She would probably never see him again—except maybe at Madison’s wedding.

  And that was a century away.

  Madison felt a pang of nostalgia. She powered down her laptop and headed for Mom’s bedroom. Mom was busy selecting an outfit for a special luncheon meeting later on that afternoon.

  “You’re having trouble picking out clothes, too?” Madison said. She fell onto Mom’s unmade bed. Phin jumped up onto the bed beside her.

  “Do you like the blue suit or the gray?” Mom asked.

  Madison pointed to the blue. “That one. But I like your yellow dress better.”

  Mom smiled. “Me, too. But this is a serious lunch meeting with investors, and I need to look more serious than sunny.”

  “Mom, I don’t have any clothes to pack,” Madison cried.

  Mom looked at her daughter severely. “Excuse me? We just bought you that new dress. You ordered some things online last month, too.”

  “Correction,” Madison said, clearing her throat. “I don’t have any clothes for Texas.”

  “Oh,” Mom said. “Well, just throw some shorts and tops in a bag. You only have one big event, honey bear. And you have the perfect wedding outfit. Nothing to worry about.”

  “Correction,” Madison said a second time. “Apparently, Mom, there are, like, ten parties in Texas, and Stephanie wants me to bring nice clothes for all of them.”

  “Are you kidding?” Mom said, looking as distressed as Madison had when she’d first learned about all the upcoming festivities.

  “Yeah, I got an e-mail from Dad and Stephanie this morning,” Madison said.

  “Well, you must have something to wear,” Mom said. “Look again.”

  “I do,” Madison said. “But it’s all old stuff. Can’t we go shopping again and get another dress and maybe a skirt?”

  Mom shook her head. “Maddie, we spent a lot of money on that new dress. I can’t just go buying out the store every time there’s another party. Why don’t you look through your closet again and try to be creative? You’re good at that.”

  “Will you help me?” Madison pleaded. “Please?”

  Mom tossed the blue and gray suits back onto the bed and threw her hands up into the air. “Okay! But we need to make it fast—I have to get dressed….”

  They marched into Madison’s room with Phinnie tailing them.

  Mom pointed to a flowered sundress hanging at the side of the closet. “What about that?” she asked.

  “But I got that in sixth grade,” Madison said.

  “And?” Mom replied. “You’ve worn it maybe twice.”

  “It doesn’t fit,” Madison stammered. She didn’t want to bring the dress, no matter what. It looked very sixth-grade and not at all right for someone in junior high school.

  “Fine!” Mom said, tossing it aside. “I’ll start a Goodwill pile then. What we don’t wear, we won’t keep. Moving right along …”

  For almost an hour, Madison and Mom shuffled through Madison’s closet at breakneck pace. By the time they were done, they’d successfully created two piles: one for giveaways and one for taking to Texas.

  “I forgot I had this,” Madison said, holding up a pretty blue dress with a sleeveless, lavender top. “I would have worn this a million times by now.”

  Mom rolled her eyes. “What a mess,” she said.

  Madison frowned. “Mom! I am not that messy. You should see Aimee’s closet!”

  “Mmm,” Mom said. “I can’t believe that you have three of the same pink T-shirt.”

  “Mom, it’s no biggie. I just forgot I had them, that’s all,” Madison said.

  “Have you even worn one of them?” Mom asked sharply. She was joking around, but her voice sounded serious.

  Madison wanted to change the subject.

  “Well, at least now I have whatever I need to bring. Except for the stuff that Aimee and Fiona are lending me,” Madison said.

  “Yes,” Mom said. She pointed to Madison’s suitcase. “That’s true. Case closed.”

  Madison zipped her suitcase for the time being and then helped Mom lug two overstuffed shopping bags full of clothes downstairs. They would deliver them to Goodwill the following day. Mom’s eye caught the digital readout on the kitchen stove.

  “Oh, it’s nearly ten-thirty!” Mom wailed. She had just an hour left to get ready for her big meeting. “Honey bear, I hate to pack and run, but I have to get ready,” Mom said. “Are you sure you’ll be okay here this afternoon without me?”

  Madison nodded. “No sweat. I’ll walk and feed Phinnie, finish packing, work on my wedding collage, and maybe I’ll hook up with Aim or Fiona. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll clean my closet again?”

  “Very funny,” Mom said with a wink. “Just remember that you can call me on my cell phone if you need anything.”

  Mom was strict about insisting that Madison always stay in touch.

  “Today will be great,” Madison said, tossing a toy at Phin and settling onto the carpet for a game of doggy tug-of-war. “Quit worrying, Mom.”

  “But that’s my job, dear,” Mom said with a smile.

  She hurried back upstairs to get dressed.

  As it turned out, Madison had more than enough to do at home to occupy the whole afternoon. She spent the late morning zipping and unzipping and repacking her suitcase, neatly folding and squeezing as much as possible into its small space. Madison made a mental note: Ask for a bigger suitcase on my next birthday.

  After walking Phinnie
(twice) and eating cold pizza for lunch, Madison tried calling Fiona on the phone to see what she was doing. The line was busy. Aimee’s phone line was also busy, so Madison went online. Maybe she could catch them in a chat room?

  Aimee’s name didn’t show up on Madison’s buddy list, but Fiona was online. Madison messaged her right away.

  : were u on the phone?

  : nooooo it was chet

  : what a drag I dunno what id do if I had 2 share my computer time

  : maddie, SSS but I can’t talk 4 long dad wants me to help him go pick up some stuff @ the store

  : r u guys still painting the basement

  : yeah actually we’re doing this cool mural

  : wow I can’t wait 2 see it

  : BION Chet even painted some

  : did Egg come over?

  : very funny

  : u spend so much time w/ur dad l8ly

  : I always do in summertime esp. if I’m not in camp

  : do u think I’ll see less of my dad after his wedding?

  : OCN

  yah but do you think he’ll stop telling me lame-o jokes all the time?

  : OCN

  yah but

  : oh maddie I have 2 go dad is here

  : I’ll c u @ the cyber caf tomorrow right??

  : totally

  : um, can i borrow something?

  : sure what?

  : that purple sundress with the stripes along the bottom so I can wear it @ the wedding hoedown?

  : no prob I’ll bring it tomorrow

  : I promise I will take good care of it

  : u can have my whole closet Maddie

  : :-{}

  : KIR

  : bye!

  Mom still wasn’t home by the time Madison ended her chat with Fiona, so she opened a new file and started to write.

  Dad

  What WILL life be like after Dad gets hitched?

  I told Fiona I’d miss his bad jokes if he weren’t around. But the truth is that I’d miss him way more than that. I’d miss his steak and fries and all the meals he makes for me. I’d miss his hugs. I’d miss his scratchy beard when he doesn’t shave and his funny clothes.