Free Give and Take by Laura Dower Page B

stomach flip-flop. Were Aimee and Fiona becoming better friends without Madison? Or was Madison just being paranoid? She had been spending a lot of time away for volunteering. Was that how the switch happened?
    Walking along the empty winter sidewalk, Madison realized that understanding her BFFs or her family took a lot of work—especially around the holidays. Would she ever get it? She reknotted the scarf and hurried home to Blueberry Street.
    By the time she arrived on her front porch, the snow had either blown away or turned to instant slush. Madison kicked a little off her shoe and went inside. Naturally, Phin rushed to the door.
    “Stop panting, Phinnie,” Madison said, trying to calm him down. “I know you’re happy to see me, but—”
    “Hi, Maddie,” Mom said, walking into the hallway. “I just got off the phone with Gramma Helen. She sends you her love.”
    Madison dropped her orange bag onto the floor, took off her wet shoes, and plopped onto the living room sofa.
    “Mom, can we talk?” she asked.
    Mom plopped down next to Madison. “Sure, what about?” she said.
    “How come you never told me that much about Grampa Max?” Madison asked.
    “Oh,” Mom replied. “He was a sweet man.”
    “That’s all you remember about him?” Madison said. “That’s so lame, Mom.”
    “Okay, let me think. Just before you were born, Grampa Max used to make me things. He built me a rocking chair and footstool. You know the one I have in the bedroom. He painted my name and your father’s name on it. He was going to paint your name, but …”
    Mom looked into Madison’s eyes.
    “You know the end. He died right before you were born,” she said.
    Madison curled into her mom’s side and looked up at her face. “So what happened?” she asked. “When he died, I mean.”
    “It was very sad. Max was like a dad to me, too,”
    Mom admitted. “I missed him for a long time. We named you Madison in honor of him, with the letter M.”
    “Tell me more,” Madison pleaded.
    “The main thing about Grampa Max was that he always gave of himself—in his own way. It’s so important to give to people you care about. He knew what to say at all the right moments …” Mom’s voice trailed off. “Unlike your father, who is always—”
    “Mom!” Madison yelped. “Why do you have to say that about Dad?”
    Mom covered her mouth. “It slipped out. I’m sorry.”
    “It’s always slipping out,” Madison said. “Dad isn’t such a bad guy, is he? Why did you marry him if you think that? Why do you always have to tell me things like that?”
    “Maddie, don’t worry. I loved him,” Mom said. “You know that. Your father and I can be perfectly civil to one another.”
    “Then why have you been fighting for the last few weeks?” Madison asked.
    “Fighting?” Mom chuckled.
    “Yes, and every time you mention him, you get annoyed,” Madison said.
    “We have not been fighting,” Mom said.
    Madison rolled her eyes. “Some Christmas,” she muttered under her breath. “What a joke.”
    “What did you say?” Mom asked. “Maddie, I really think—”
    “Mom, since you say giving is so important, then will you give me something?” Madison asked.
    “Of course I will. What is it, honey bear?”
    “Will you go to the Winter Jubilee concert—”
    Mom interrupted. “Of course I will! You know that!”
    “No, no. I wasn’t finished. Will you go to the Winter Jubilee concert—with Dad?” Madison asked. “I already asked him and he said he would have no problem going with you.”
    Mom closed her eyes and sighed. “Madison,” she said slowly. “You know that I can’t do that.”
    “Why not?” Madison asked, sitting upright. “You just said—”
    “Don’t play games, Maddie,” Mom said. “Okay? Maybe your dad and I are not getting along all that great right now, but I don’t wish to force the issue.”
    Madison stood up and backed away from Mom. She picked up her bag and turned toward the