Free To Have and to Hold by Laura Dower Page A

she stood up, too, grabbed her orange bag, and quietly followed Dad back into the main terminal, toward Gate B15. According to the flight supervisor, who spoke with a distinct Texas twang, Sky High Airlines had just commenced “general boarding for all passengers headed to the Lone Star State.” Her voice crackled over the loudspeaker.
    Madison and Dad took seats near the entrance to the gate, waiting for their seat numbers to be called.
    “Dad?” Madison asked meekly.
    “What is it, hon?” Dad said, struggling to balance his luggage in a neat pile on the floor next to him.
    “Are you nervous?” Madison asked.
    “About flying?” Dad replied. “Nah.”
    “No, no, that isn’t what I mean,” Madison said. “I mean, are you nervous about getting married ?”
    “’Course,” he said matter-of-factly.
    “Because I’m nervous about you getting married,” Madison admitted.
    Dad paused. “Everything will be fine, Maddie,” he said, trying to reassure her.
    “Tell that to all the butterflies in my stomach,” Madison said.
    Dad laughed. “I’m sorry that you’re nervous,” Dad said. “What can I do to make it better?”
    Madison sighed. That was really all she needed—or wanted—to hear. She wanted to know for sure that Dad cared and hadn’t forgotten her. She wanted to know that he would be there for her—especially if she was feeling crummy.
    The boarding attendant called their seat numbers, and Madison followed Dad into the plane. It was only half full, so even though they technically had only two seats in a three-seat row, they were able to spread out. Madison sat next to the window. That way, she could turn slightly, blocking Dad’s view of what she was up to. She could read her plane letter and work on the collage some more.
    As soon as the plane took off, Madison uncrumpled the blue-and-yellow envelope from her BFFs.
    Hello, Maddie!
    This is an attempt to write you the best and hopefully the longest plane letter in the history of plane letters—EVER. You better be on the plane when reading this or else! Fiona and I are soooo sad that you have to go away in the middle of the summer to someplace so far away but we know you will have a wicked good time.  Okay it’s Fiona’s turn to write now.
    Hello Maddie!!!!!! Have you ever gotten a letter from two people at once? Isn’t this cool? We miss you already so you have to write to us like every single day when you are in Texas, okay? Sorry my writing is so small. Can you read it? I hope so.  Where are you sitting on the plane?  What did you wear? I bet you look awesome like you always do.
    Wait I have a question 4 you: is Drew going out with that girl we met at the party? We promise to keep an eye on them while you are away because we know you secretly like him ha ha ha ha J/K.
    I didn’t say that. That was totally Aimee’s idea! I know u don’t like Drew and it isn’t fair to make fun of him either. Sometimes Aim can be such a meanie. LOL. Anyway, I haven’t been on a plane in so long. It must be so cool to be flying.  Just how long is the trip to Texas? What else did you pack? I know you will look good in my sundress. You have to write and tell us AS SOON AS YOU GET THERE and go to parties.
    Okay, sorry sorry sorry about that Drew comment b4—I just think it is so weird that ANYONE would date him I guess. Meanwhile, did I tell you that Ben called me up? He did, I guess he wanted to ask me to a movie or something but he had to do something with his parents instead. Lame-o. I am so bummed out. I know I was embarrassed about liking him b4 but I’m not anymore. What do you think? You have to write and tell me, okay? I miss you already, Maddie. I wish the wedding wasn’t so far away. BTW: Will there be dancing at the wedding? What dancing do they do at hoedowns?
    Aimee asks the most random things, doncha think? OK since you are on a plane, we both made this list of other questions that you have to fill in about the trip—and then you can