9:45. Calling Josh is second nature to me, but I feel rather nervous about it at the moment. I know the secret, and Hazel surely believes she knows something, after that inscription Camdyn Taylor wrote in my book. Sitting at home on Valentine’s Day feels like admitting something, too, if only that I’m undesirable.
Nonetheless, I can’t resist. Pushing the button next to his name, I wait.
“Mad,” he whispers almost immediately. “Hang on, let me step out.”
I won’t ask him where he is—I usually don’t, because he never wants to talk about it. He always insists that I try to make him feel like he’s home instead.
“Okay. Are you taking a brief respite from your date?” he wants to know. “Who’s the guy?”
“Come on, Josh, don’t be cruel. There is no date. I babysat Abigail, and then your mom brought me chicken enchiladas.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, your mom is an angel sent from heaven.”
He doesn’t say anything, and I wonder if he’s talked to her since she left the house tonight. The mere thought makes me feel really uncomfortable.
“I spent Valentine’s Day with a guy named Barker,” he finally admits. “We watched Top Gun.”
“I really hope it was romantic,” I offer. “Abigail threw up on me, so there you go.”
“Banner day for both of us, then,” he surmises, chuckling quietly. “Listen, Mad, there’s something I need to talk to you about. You got a sec?”
Stomach flipping nervously, I rise from the couch and start pacing. “Um, yeah. I called you, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, I guess you did. I just… I’m not sure how to say this.”
Instinctively, I stop moving. Josh is afraid to tell me something. It has to be one of two things: Dearest Maddie, I love you with all my heart. Or, conversely, Jess told me you have the hots for me. Really, Mad? So gross.
“Just spit it out,” I plead, my voice sounding a bit strange.
“I don’t want to make things difficult for you, but Mom and Dad will help if you need them to. They said they’d be happy to do anything.”
“What are you talking about?” I wonder hesitantly.
“I need you to move out.”
Oomph. It’s like a sucker punch right to the gut.
“Are you serious?” I choke, coughing a bit as I feel myself deflating.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Maddie. Get lost.
“I feel horrible even mentioning this to you, but Mom and Dad said you can move in with them.”
“Move in with your parents, are you insane?” My heart constricts in my chest as I wrap my arm protectively across my abdomen.
“I’m trying to help you.”
A tear escapes my left eye, hot and angry as it streams down my cheek. “Don’t bother. I don’t need your help. I’ll be out by the end of the week.”
“Don’t be upset with me, Mad.”
“Upset?” I balk. “Why would I be upset? You’re doing me a favor, right? Now I can really get on with my life properly.”
“What does that mean?”
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Josh. I’ll give your mother the key.”
Pressing the end button, I fling the phone onto the couch. So much for expectations.
My new apartment has one bedroom, is tucked in Louisville safely away from the suburbs and Wonder Lane, and won’t be available until March 1st. In other words, Josh has rendered me homeless. Oh, I could move in with his parents, he said, but how weird is that?
So, naturally, I ended up in the best possible situation.
That’s right—I’m staring at the wall of my high school bedroom, which my mother has turned into some sort of scrapbook haven. My life is officially over.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Today I had to pick up Audrey’s dress (which is beautiful, by the way) and deliver it to Cooper, since it’s his job to make sure that she arrives at the appropriate place and time. I was a little wary of putting him in charge of such an important detail, but he has actually been somewhat helpful in making this happen. Maybe he really cares about making this a success, which would be a wonderful step in the right direction for Audrey.
Oh, and after the Visa, I only had to fork out $78.62, so not too bad.
I’ve also been busy setting things up for the big reveal…unpacking boxes, preparing shelving, and generally getting things ready. I didn’t quite anticipate the level of work this little project was going to become, but it will all be worth it when Audrey realizes what her father has done for her. That is the moment I’m anxiously awaiting, simply to see the look on her face.
Ding-dong.
It’s safe to say that I am very tired of this silly game.
“You rang?” I ask at the door.
“Yes, come in,” Cooper demands. “I presume your tennis lesson went well today?”
“Yes,” I reply, folding my hands together in front of me. Max and I coolly attempt to kill one another every week on the court without ever bringing up our little boyfriend misunderstanding.
“Max is quite impressed with your abilities. He thinks you could play in a match.”
“Really?” I wonder, disliking the direction of the conversation. Any time Cooper calls the tennis club to check up on me, it means he is preparing his little scheme for beating his brother. I’ve never been crazy about the idea, but by this time I’m fairly resolved that I am not playing in any tennis match with Cooper. Period.
“We’ll have to set up a match for you sometime, to see how well you compete.”
No thanks. I’m one-hundred percent not interested.
“Oh, I meant to tell you,” I say, “things are looking very favorable for Saturday. I think everything should be completely set up and ready to go.”
Come on, Cooper—take the bait and change the subject.
“Very good,” he replies. “I’m assuming everything will go as planned?”
“As long as you bring Audrey when scheduled, the event should be a success.”
You will bring Audrey on time, right Cooper? You won’t let her down on her big day?
“That should be no problem,” he says with a wave of his hand. “It’s under control.”
“Why won’t you tell me, Maddie?”
Jess has been on my case ever since my fallout with Josh. He’s tried to call me a couple times, but I don’t want to take his calls. What he did to me was so hurtful, I can’t even think about it. Who kicks someone out on Valentine’s Day? Especially a single person with zero love interests and baby puke on her shirt?
Besides, my heart might be slightly broken.
“I did tell you, Jess. I moved out. I have an apartment in Louisville. Everything’s fine. End of story.” I stumble over a pair of my shoes that are sticking out from underneath the bed. Trying to cram everything from my adult life into my little childhood bedroom is basically a disaster.
“Maddie, I hear the words you’re saying, but your voice isn’t telling me everything’s fine. What’s going on?”
“Nothing’s going on,” I insist. “I’ve got the big unveiling tonight for Audrey, and I’m trying to get ready.”
“What are you wearing?” she wonders.
“I don’t know. I got a new dress. It’s blue.”
“Snoozefest,” she blurts. “Come on, what happened to my friend? Where’s the play-by-play on your wardrobe choices? A rundown of the men that will be at this event? Come on, single lady! Give me some thrilling details.”
“Okay, Jess, let’s see, what can I tell you?” Something inside me threatens to boil over. “I don’t really care what I wear tonight, because I have the distinct feeling that things are going to go south with my job, so I might as well be wearing yoga pants and flip flops. There are going to be no men at this event—none I want to be with, anyway. My apartment’s not ready yet, so I’m living with my mother. Yes, you heard that correctly. When I went jogging last night, one of those Gardwin kids hit me in the head with a football.” Abruptly sto
pping, I look over to the corner of the bedroom where the Monet print is sticking out of a box.
“Maddie, things aren’t as bleak as all that,” she says solemnly.
“Aren’t they?”
“No, they’re not. This isn’t about your job, and it’s not about your parents, or your clothes, or even that weird kid next door. Why don’t you just tell him? I think if you did, you’d figure out really quickly that things aren’t what they seem. Spoons don’t go in the cat food, buddy. Just take his calls.”
“I’ll take your advice about spoons,” I state, shaking my head. “The rest is ill-timed at best. I have to go, Jess. Kiss Isaiah for me, and tell him forks work better for cat food.”
Sitting on my bed, I release a huge sigh as I look at that Monet. The thing with Josh, the tennis issue, my relationship with Mom, my job insecurities, my apartment woes… Those are a whole lot of paint blobs, aren’t they? Messy, ill-placed paint blobs threatening to obscure something that has the potential to be beautiful.
Still, the blobs aren’t the focus, right? The blobs are part of the whole—a creation that is perfectly orchestrated on a large scale.
Maybe Hazel is right. Maybe all of this was for nothing but to put me in the right place at the right time, so I could watch for the opportunity to love my enemies. Like Reverend Shell said that day…when you pray about your enemies, you’re not going to receive ammunition to use against them, but opportunities to love them.
I nearly laugh as I realize the truth with startling clarity: Being forced to have a job where I do nothing. Living with a parent who criticizes everything I do. Feeling betrayed by one of my best friends. Spending most of my time alone.
It’s almost ironic, really, after all my criticism and judgmental thoughts.
I am Audrey Cooper.
“Is that what you’re wearing?” Mom remarks as I step into the living room, adjusting the strap on the heel of my black slingbacks. Instinctively I glance down at the blue dress that skims narrowly over my hips, waiting for an insult.
“That was the plan,” I state hesitantly.
“Come here,” she requests, pulling off her apron and walking back to her bedroom. I reluctantly follow her down the hall as she steps into the closet. It’s difficult for me not to slouch a bit. I haven’t cried, because I want to look good for the party, but I really wanted to for a while. Really, really wanted to.
“Here,” Mom finally tells me, jerking a black garment bag loose from the back of the closet.
“What’s that?” I wonder, wrinkling my nose a bit as she unzips the protective lining.
“It’s the dress I wore to my wedding rehearsal,” she answers, “you know, back in the 1980’s. When I was thinner.”
I am terrified of what she’s about to pull out of that bag. I’m picturing hot pink ruffles with a black leather jacket at the top, complete with legwarmers and studded heels. Instead, she pulls out a deep grey fitted dress, with one shoulder strap that disappears into a knot along the neckline.
“This was yours?” I gasp, reaching out to take it in my hands.
“Yes,” she insists with a slight laugh. “I was practically perfect, too, once upon a time.”
“You have to preface your comments with ‘once upon a time’ if you’re going to invoke the words ‘practically perfect’ you know. Attaining that is an impossibility.”
“Well, anyway, you should wear the dress. It deserves another moment in the spotlight.”
“I’ll try it,” I assure her, stepping back towards my bedroom.
“Oh, and Maddie? Maybe tomorrow, when you go on your jog, I could start jogging with you? And maybe Brittany too—not tomorrow, but when she’s ready?”
Imagining Mom trying to keep up with me on my jog is slightly humorous, but I don’t laugh as I look at her expectant face. Now that I’ve reached the whole “loving my enemies” epiphany about Audrey, should I turn my focus to Mom and Brittany? The thought nearly makes me cringe, but I’m pretty sure I already know the answer.
“Sure, Mom. Sounds like fun.”
I arrived at my destination when it was nearing 6:00 p.m., wearing Mom’s dress and decidedly early. Since the event was scheduled for 7:00, I wanted to make sure there weren’t going to be any hiccups that required attention. Everything appeared to be in order. The Gerber daisies Audrey chose for her wedding were set up along a trellis by the door, and the food smelled absolutely terrific. Everything looked simply perfect.
About fifteen minutes before the event begins, Katie finds her way to my side.
“You did all this?!” she exclaims, glancing around.
“Well, I had a lot of help, but…yeah, I guess so. Are you surprised?”
“Complete and utter shock,” she mutters.
Katie makes small talk about the state of her job, but my nerves are racing and the butterflies are beginning to spin in my stomach as I wonder how Audrey will react. To be honest, I’m a little surprised that I feel this way. I didn’t know I cared quite so much, but I really do want Audrey to be happy. Who would have ever believed that I would go to so much trouble for the girl who sat sullenly in her office that first day, primping and talking on her cell phone? The old Maddie was…well, I’ll just admit it. I was too selfish to think about doing something like this for another person. It would appear that I really have progressed a little in the last few months.
“Madeline,” I hear a familiar voice behind me. Turning around, I see Harley Laine standing there looking beautiful as usual, with no cameraman in sight.
“Harley,” I state casually. “You’re here.”
“I said I would be. My cameraman is taking some shots of the crowd and getting some background. You didn’t lie—the cream of the crop are here tonight.”
“No, that was true.” Harley and I glance at the people who are milling in and out, sampling the drinks and food. The event already looks like a success, even though Audrey and Cooper aren’t scheduled to arrive for a few moments.
Harley makes her escape and I look to the front of the building, where I see Audrey emerging from the back of her father’s car. The rose dress is shimmering in the street lights and the butterflies look like they’re dancing in the breeze. I briefly wonder how Cooper convinced her to wear the dress and come along with him, but it doesn’t matter. She’s here now, and she is seeing the full effect of what her father has done for her.
For a moment, she almost looks skeptical. She stands on the sidewalk staring up at the sign in front of the building, assessing her surroundings. Cooper moves up behind her, placing his arm around her shoulders and speaking quietly to her. In the background, Mrs. Cooper stands silently in her expensive-looking white gown. Then, Audrey turns to her father, stares at his face for a moment, and throws her arms around his neck. He appears to be shocked momentarily, but he gently pats her back and allows her to hug him.
“She’s happy, isn’t she?” I whisper to myself. “Thank you, God, for unexpected glimpses of the masterpiece.”
The little family enters the front door, and the room erupts into applause. Audrey beams next to her father, finally being the center of attention in the Cooper family. It’s about time, in my humble opinion. I clap along quietly until the noise begins to die down and Cooper clears his throat.
“Thank you all so much for coming,” he bellows, his loud voice completely filling the room. “This is a very big day for my family. Southbend Pet Resort may look like an upscale place to board your animal friends, but it’s so much more. Through the generous donations of its paying clientele, it will also serve as a rescue facility for dogs that are difficult to place for adoption. Please help me in congratulating the director of the resort, my daughter, Audrey Cooper.”
He pats Audrey on the hand, and she looks as though she is about to explode as people swarm the couple to offer warm wishes.
It’s a strange feeling, knowing that a project I’ve been working on so diligently is complete and I’ll be free to begin something new. What kind
of future can I expect working with Kent Cooper now? I suppose I could try to think of some other ideas to talk him into, but the whole thing seems like an ultimate dead end. I can’t continue to be his errand girl, picking up his coffee and dry cleaning, performing personal chores and solely existing to make his life easier. It’s so…unfulfilling.
“Maddie?” I hear a voice behind me speak up. Turning, I see Audrey, hands folded together in front of her. She has a smile on her face, but she looks a little uncomfortable speaking with me.
“Congratulations, Audrey,” I tell her, and she nods hesitantly.
“Dad told me what you’ve done. I want to say thank you.”
“Well, it was your dad, really. He was behind the whole thing.”
“Dad would never think of this. Besides, he would have never given me this responsibility on my own.”
“Maybe I did put a bug in his ear,” I admit with a laugh. “He’s had you going through the company learning leadership skills, right? I hope you do really well, Audrey.”
“Me too,” she states, glancing at her shoes. “I don’t know how to be a friend, Maddie. You’ve proven yourself to be a good friend to me, and I’m sorry.”
Staring at Audrey, humbly standing in front of me, I wonder why I ever thought I deserved better than her. Even though she’s wealthy, she doesn’t have a desirable life.
“It’s okay, Audrey. The thing is, none of us really knows how to be a friend. I certainly don’t consider myself an expert. We just do the best we can and hope everything turns out well in the end.”
“Audrey Cooper?” a voice behind me asks, causing Audrey to look up and smile.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“We’ve got a few questions for you, if you don’t mind,” Harley tells her, coming into my line of vision. “That okay?” She glances at me, and I take a step backward, careful to be safely out of the line of sight. This is Audrey’s big moment, after all, not mine.
Simply Mad (Girls of Wonder Lane Book 1) Page 33