Free Double Dare (From the Files of Madison Finn, 14) by Laura Dower Page B

can’t wait.” She waved to Dan as she walked to Dad’s car.
    Madison drifted in a happy-puppy fog all the way to the restaurant. When they arrived, Stephanie was sitting at a table, looking at a menu.
    “Sorry we’re a little late,” Dad said as he leaned over to say hello. “We had to stop and see some puppies.”
    “Puppies? Wow! Where did you see those?” Stephanie said. She looked at Madison. “I bet that was your idea.”
    Madison smiled. “Yeah, well this collie had puppies at the animal clinic downtown. I begged Dad to go. Sorry it made us late.”
    “Nonsense!” Stephanie said. “I remember when my dog Max had puppies on the ranch and we watched them be born.”
    “Really?” Madison said. Stephanie had the best stories from growing up.
    The waiter came over with menus and took the drink orders. Dad requested an appetizer of vegetable samosas. Madison had never tried those before. He always made her try one new thing every time they ate out.
    “So how’s school, Maddie?” Dad asked, changing the subject.
    “Oh—the usual,” Madison said.
    “Madison has entered a webpage contest,” Dad told Stephanie. “And I think she can win.”
    Madison rolled her eyes. “Dad …” she moaned.
    “What? I’m not allowed to be proud of my daughter?” Dad asked. “How’s it coming, by the way?”
    “Actually, it’s going pretty well,” Madison admitted. “Fiona and I have been following your advice, keeping it simple. The link you sent to us really helped. It’s hard work, though.”
    “Sounds like it,” Stephanie said. “And what else is going on? Any exciting dances or parties coming up?”
    “Actually, my friend Aimee and I have been planning a surprise party for our other friends Fiona and Chet. They’re twins,” Madison explained. “We’re going bowling.”
    “Twins?” Stephanie exclaimed. “My goodness. Twice as much fun then!”
    “Who’s coming?” Dad asked. “The usual suspects?”
    “Yeah,” Madison said—then stopped. “Actually, I think everyone is coming. I’m not sure about Egg, but everyone else says they’ll be there.”
    Dad’s eyebrows shot up. “What’s up with Egg?” he asked.
    Madison looked down at the pink tablecloth. “Well, he hasn’t RSVP’d,” Madison admitted. “He and I sort of had a fight.”
    “A fight?” Dad repeated. “What about?”
    Madison glanced up at Stephanie. For some reason, she didn’t want to talk about this in front of Dad’s girlfriend. “It’s nothing, Dad,” Madison said quickly. “Can we drop it?”
    “But you and Egg are best friends,” Dad pressed. “Tell me what’s going on. I don’t like to hear that you’re not speaking …”
    “Jeff—” Stephanie said.
    “Wait, I want to hear this. Tell me why you’re not talking, Maddie.”
    “Dad, didn’t you hear me? I said, forget it, okay?” she snapped. The last thing she wanted right now was to relive the whole Egg ordeal.
    “Madison, you can talk to me about anything, you know—” Dad said.
    “Jeff—” Stephanie tried to interrupt him again.
    “It’s no biggie, all right? Egg is just being a wiener, as usual.”
    “A what?” Dad said. “What did you say?” He glanced over at Stephanie, and she put her hand on his arm. “Madison, I don’t like it when—”
    “Why don’t you just listen? I don’t want to talk about it!” Madison said.
    “Jeff—” Stephanie tried to intervene again.
    “Just leave me alone, Dad!” Madison shouted. “Go on another business trip or something, why don’t you?”
    Dad sat back in his chair, stunned. Madison hardly ever raised her voice at him. She never did it in public. Why was she doing it now? She gulped down her glass of ice water and stared at the wall. Why had those words slipped out?
    Madison just wanted to run away.
    “I was only trying to help,” Dad said softly. Madison could tell by his voice that she’d hurt his feelings, but she didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t believe she’d