Playing for Keeps

by Hill, Jamie

  "Hi guys." Maddie kissed the tops of Sophie's and Sam's heads, and stopped in front of the baby's highchair. "Hi Stacie." She gave the baby a kiss, and turned to her husband. "Thanks for the suitcase, babe."

  "Sure. I got the smaller one thinking you wouldn't have to check it, and you'd get in and out faster that way. But if you need the bigger one—"

  "Nah, I told you, I'm only going to stay a couple of days." She looked at the kids. "Did Daddy tell you I have to go visit Grandma and Grandpa Stewart?"

  Sophie nodded. "I'm going to color a picture for you to take to Grandpa."

  "Thank you." Maddie smiled at her. "He'll like that."

  Rob waved a piece of paper at Maddie. "So listen, you have a couple of choices on flights. There's one leaving at noon with a layover in Atlanta, that'll put you in Hartford at seven. But I'd probably go with the flight leaving at one, with a stop in Detroit, because it's a shorter layover and you'll get to Hartford at five-thirty. It costs a little more, but I think that's the way to go."

  "Yeah, me too. Can you book me a rental car at the airport in Hartford?"

  "Sure." He made a note, then looked at her. "I think I'll call mom and see if we can drop the kids off there about ten. That way, I can take you to the airport and stay with you for a little bit."

  "Thank you, sugar." She hugged him, and left her head on his shoulder for an extra minute.

  "I can get tickets for two," he whispered.

  She pulled back and shook her head. "I'm fine."

  "Okay. I'll go make your reservations then take a shower. Can you finish up here?"

  "You bet." Maddie looked at the kids. "Anybody ready for more?"

  "More nana!" Stacie said loudly.

  Rob stopped to look at her from the hall. "Nice sentence structure, kiddo. But you've already had a banana and a half, and that's your limit. I'm cutting you off." He held his nose and made a face at Maddie. "We both know what happens when she goes over her limit." He raised his eyebrows and made a face.

  Maddie mirrored it back to him. "Duly noted."

  Rob stayed with her at the airport for a while, but she had to check in and only passengers were allowed beyond that point. She kissed him passionately, hating to go but knowing she had to.

  He wiped a tear from her cheek as they parted. "I love you," he whispered.

  "I love you, too. I'll call you when I get there."

  Nodding, he squeezed her hand.

  With one last aching glance, she headed for the security checkpoint.

  The plane took off on schedule. Maddie stared through the window as the ground grew farther and farther away. She tried to remember the last flight she'd been on, but couldn't come up with anything. Her parents had taken her places as a child, but no place special came to mind. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep to pass the time.

  She was slightly concerned about her layover in Detroit, but the airport was well-marked and she made her connection with time to spare. More nervous as she grew closer to her old home, Maddie couldn't sleep and was glad when she finally arrived in Hartford.

  The rental car agent had her reservation, and a shuttle took her to the vehicle. Surprised to see the sporty little red Mustang, Maddie made a mental note to thank Rob when she spoke with him. She adjusted the mirrors and the seat, and headed on to the highway.

  Everything looks the same. She thought it would be different after almost eight years. She passed the exit to Boston and Cambridge, and Maddie's heart thumped. It was not quite a two hour drive to Harvard. She'd driven it so many times, she had to force the steering wheel to keep her going straight ahead and not make the turn off.

  At the hospital, she parked, checked her face in the mirror, and fluffed her hair. Ready or not, here I come. The building had been remodeled since she was there last, but she found her way to the elevators and rode up to the third floor without too much difficulty.

  She stopped outside the door of room three-twelve and took a breath. She tapped lightly and heard her father say, "Come in."

  Maddie stuck her head in. "Well gee, you don't look sick! What did I come all this way for?"

  "Maddie!" Michael Stewart's face lit up and he held his hands out to her.

  "Hi Daddy!" She hurried in and gave him a hug. "How are you feeling?"

  He squeezed her tightly, then let go. "I'm fine. They're just being overly cautious."

  "You had a heart attack, for goodness sake. I would hope they're being cautious."

  "A minor heart attack," he corrected. "I'm really fine. It's so good to see you, though, Maddie." He patted the bed next to him. "So tell me, how's the family? Rob and the kids doing okay?"

  She sat down and reached in her purse. "They're great. As a matter of fact, Sophie made you a get well picture. And here are some recent photos you can have."

  "Oh my goodness." He studied the snapshots. "Look at that red-headed baby. So much like you at that age! And Sam looks more like his daddy every day." He blinked and wiped his eyes. "Sophie's getting big. Be sure and tell her thanks for the picture, and that I put it right by my bed where I can enjoy it."

  "I will." Maddie smiled. "Man, the old town sure looks the same. I figured a lot would have changed."

  He nodded. "We're consistent, you've got to give us that. If anyone tries to make a change, they have to jump through all kinds of hoops to get it approved."

  Maddie chuckled as the door opened and her mother came in, trailed by Maddie's brother, Matt.

  "Madison!" Her mother held out her arms.

  Maddie went to her. "Hi Mom. It's good to see you."

  "You look tired." Her mother pushed a piece of hair off Maddie's face.

  "It's been a long day."

  Matt gazed at her disdainfully. "Too bad it took a heart attack to get you home. Good thing he lived or you'd be feeling like crap about now."

  "Matthew!" their mother scolded.

  Maddie faced her brother. "Hello to you, too, Matt. Yeah, I'm just fine. Thanks for asking."

  "What, did you expect us to kill the fatted calf for the prodigal daughter's return? Not all of us are as excited about it as the folks are."

  Maddie stepped up to him. "'All of us' being you and the mouse in your pocket? Gee, I'm so sad to hear it. I may cry myself to sleep tonight."

  Before Matt could reply, Michael said, "Meg, come look at the pictures Mad brought. The babies are so cute."

  "Oh, let me see." Meg went to his bedside, and they admired the photos.

  Matt glared at Maddie and she glared right back. He finally said, "I'm going to go, now, Dad. I'd like to be there to tuck the girls in."

  "Thanks for coming, Matt. We'll probably see you tomorrow," their father replied.

  "Goodnight, Matt," Meg said.

  Maddie walked to the bed, her back to her brother as he left.

  "Madison," her mother said after Matt was gone.

  "What? I didn't do anything to him! He started it."

  "Please, don't antagonize him. He's had a rough couple of days. He was with your father when Michael had his attack."

  Maddie looked at her father. "Now I see what caused it!"

  He chuckled, and patted his bedside again. "Sit with me, Maddie. I've missed you."

  Maddie got into bed next to him and he put his arm around her. Her mother sat in the chair beside the bed. They talked for a long time about everything they could think of, and finally a nurse came in to send visitors home.

  Maddie hugged her father and stood up. She looked at her mother. "Have you changed the locks at the house? I still have the old key."

  "We never changed them. We never wanted to lock you out."

  Maddie smiled. "I'll go ahead, then. I might stop and get something to eat. All of a sudden, I'm famished."

  "I'll be along shortly."

  "See you tomorrow, Daddy." Maddie squeezed his hand, and left.

  She stopped at a fast food restaurant and got a sandwich and drink, taking them to her parents' house. She parked in the large circular
drive in front, and locked the car. The house was dark. Maddie recalled the servants left after dinner. She pulled out her keys and searched for the right one. The front door opened while she was fumbling through her ring. Maddie looked at Matt with a questioning look on her face.

  "What are you doing here?" he asked in a hard, tight voice.

  She shoved past him with her suitcase and food in hand. "You were expecting me to stay at the Motel 6?"

  "It's a little more your style, isn't it? Now that you live on a farm and everything."

  "A farm has animals. We have a house in the country with one dog and a couple of raccoons that think they belong there."

  "How nice for you. You always did want to be Daisy Duke."

  Maddie dropped her things on a settee near the door. "What's your problem? You said you were going home. Why did you come here? To harass me?"

  He faced her. "I came here to tell you not to get too comfortable. You're not welcome here, and I don't think you'll be staying long."

  Maddie snorted. The last person who told me that was Dionne, about Rob's house…which is now my house. She smiled. "Worried about your inheritance, big brother? Fear not. I'm not here for the money."

  "It's not about money," Matt scoffed. "It's about family loyalty, and how you've treated our parents, these past years. You're an embarrassment to the Stewart family name."

  Warmth flushed through her. "Good thing my name is Cooper, now, to save you the embarrassment. But I don't think this is about family loyalty. I think something else is rattling around in that brain of yours. Some misguided loyalty to Alec, perhaps?"

  "Why would it be misguided? He was my friend."

  "And I'm your sister. What happened to Alec was an accident. You're talking as if I killed him."

  "Almost the same as. You lied to us, and it caused his death. You should be ashamed of yourself."

  Furor raged from within, but she tamped it down, trying to speak civilly. "I've lived with that shame for nine years. Don't talk to me about what I should and shouldn't do. Life goes on. Maybe you'd have been happier if I'd have killed myself out of remorse?"

  He didn't answer her question, just stared, and finally muttered, "Alec was a nice person. An innocent, naïve guy. I'd just like to see some sign of remorse from you, instead of the smart ass attitude you acquired in college."

  "Well, guess what? I don't owe you squat, you self righteous son-of-a-bitch. Now get out of here. I'm tired and I want to go to bed."

  "Alone? Or is some biker going to sneak in after lights out?"

  "I wish!" Maddie grabbed her suitcase and stormed up the stairs. "I'd send him to kick your sorry ass right out of here." At the door of her old room she paused, and opened it slowly. To her surprise, nothing had changed since she was last there. The posters on the walls were just as she'd left them. George Michael, Wham, and Richard Marx. Her mood lightened when she looked at them, though she really didn't feel like laughing. She shut and locked the door, and cried for a few minutes on the bed.

  She wanted her drink, but had left it downstairs and didn't want to risk running into Matt again. Skip it. She thought about Rob, and looked at the clock. It was eleven eastern, which made it ten at home. She picked up the phone by her bed and dialed the number.

  "Hello," he answered in a soft voice.

  "Am I ever glad to hear your voice," Maddie said, and the weight of the day's events lifted.

  "Hey, baby! How was the trip?"

  "It was fine. I made my connections and found my car. You did good by me there, sugar. It's a sporty little Mustang."

  He laughed. "I thought you deserved it. A little somethin' somethin' to cheer you up."

  She sighed again. "About the only thing that would cheer me up tonight would be you walking through my bedroom door."

  "Your dad?"

  "Nah, Daddy's fine. Mom's been fine. My brother, Matt, has been a total pain in the ass. He's still angry at me for things that happened years ago. He's being a complete and utter jerk."

  "Want me to come up there and kick his ass?"

  "Yeah, I do." Her attempt to hold back tears failed, and Maddie started crying.

  "Aw, don't cry, darlin'. It's gonna be okay." She heard the heartbreak in Rob's voice. "Damn it, I should have come with you. We knew your first time home would be rough."

  "What does he want from me?" Maddie asked out loud, but was really talking to herself. "He acts like I can say I'm sorry and change what happened back then."

  "Ignore him. Stay away from him, Mad. Visit with your folks, and then come home. We miss you here."

  "God, I miss you, too. I need you to hold me in your arms and make love to me."

  "I need that, too." He chuckled, his voice sultry. "I said last night would tide us over, but I was wrong. It feels like ages since we've been together. We've never been apart for more than a night, sugar. I'm not sure I can sleep without you in my arms."

  "If I was Samantha Witch you could be in two places at once."

  "Ah, but then I'd have to live in fear."

  She laughed. "And I'd get my way all the time."

  "What's new about that?"

  "Hey!"

  "Just kidding. But really, I always preferred, 'I Dream of Jeannie'. She had that slinky little outfit with the mystery-navel thing going on."

  "Uh oh, now he's fantasizing about somebody besides me."

  "You brought it up. And damn, I am lonely."

  "You should see who's hanging on the walls of my room! I swear, they haven't changed a thing in here."

  "And there's a body hanging on the wall?"

  Maddie chuckled. "No, silly. Posters. George Michael and Richard Marx."

  Rob laughed out loud. "Richard Marx was kind of cool. But George Michael? Jesus, Mad, I may have to rethink this relationship."

  "Too late, buddy. I got you, signed, sealed and delivered."

  "Thank God," he murmured, and heaved a noisy sigh.

  There was a knock at Maddie's door, and her mother said, "Madison?"

  "Just a minute, Mom," she called, and turned back to the phone. "How are our babies?"

  "Perfect. All nice and clean tonight, after another day at the mud hole."

  Maddie snorted. "How dirty did you get?"

  He chuckled. "Pretty dirty. It was fun."

  "As long as it's all cleaned up before I get home, dog included."

  "It's a promise. I love you, Mad. I hope you can get some sleep."

  "You too, sugar. I'll call you tomorrow. Kiss all our babies for me in the morning. I love you." She hung up and went to unlock her door. "Sorry, Mom, I was talking to Rob."

  Meg smiled. "Everything all right?"

  "Sure." She saw her food bag and the drink in her mother's hands. "Oh! Thanks."

  "It's probably cold by now." Meg handed it over.

  "I lost my appetite." Maddie took the stuff and set it on her dresser. She sipped at the soda and made a face.

  "Yes, I saw Matthew leaving as I pulled up. What did he want?"

  "More of the same. How dare I show my face around here, blah, blah, blah…"

  "I'm sorry, Madison. I didn't realize he was so angry. I guess we haven't talked about you with him for a while. It's funny, because your father and I talk about you all the time. We just didn't realize how he felt."

  "It's very uncomfortable. It makes me want to turn around and go home."

  Meg leaned against the door frame. "I thought you'd always think of this place as 'home'. But it's not anymore, is it?"

  "I'm sorry, Mom. But my home is anywhere Rob and the kids are. And right now, that's a house in Meridan, Oklahoma, with a mud hole in the back yard that none of them can seem to stay out of."

  Meg chuckled. "Rob included?"

  "He's the worst!" Maddie picked at her sandwich. "He promised they'd all be cleaned up before I get back."

  "You let him shave yet?"

  "No way! I love his beard. Okay, he shaves every so often, to keep it from getting too thick, but I refuse to l
ook at him clean shaven."

  "Somehow, I doubt that." Her mother turned down the bed covers and threw away the tissues Maddie had cried into.

  "Yeah." Maddie pulled a picture of Rob and the kids out of her purse, and smiled. She stuck it on the mirror above her dresser. "Hey Mom, thanks for leaving my room alone. But do you mind if I pull down those posters? They're kind of embarrassing."

  Meg laughed. "I'm so used to them, now, it'll be strange without them. But go ahead. Lord, we'll probably have to paint if you take them down."

  "Feel free, and decorate for heaven sakes. You don't have to leave my old stuff in here."

  "Yes, we do." She smiled at Maddie sadly. "I'll tell you good night. See you in the morning."

  "Good night, Mom."

  Meg stopped in the doorway, and looked back at her daughter. "Thanks for coming, Maddie. It meant a lot to your father…and me."

  "Any time, Mom. I love you guys."

  Meg swiped at her eyes quickly. "We love you too, Maddie. Good night."

  Maddie did get some sleep, and felt pretty good in the morning. She ate breakfast with her mother, and they drove separately to the hospital. Meg planned to spend the day, but Maddie wasn't sure if her brother would be there, so she wanted her car if she needed to leave.

  Her father was feeling better, and anxious to be discharged, but the doctor wanted to monitor him until the next day. They talked all morning, and then her father ate lunch and needed to nap. Maddie overheard her mother talking on the phone in hushed tones, and asked her what was up.

  "Your brother wanted to come up, but I told him not too, because Daddy's resting."

  Maddie knew why she told Matt not to come up. "Mom, why don't I take off for a while? Matt can come up this afternoon, and I can come back this evening."

  "Matt can see your father anytime."

  "But this is his day off, and I know he wants to be here. I'll just go. I'll be back later."

  "Where will you go? Home—" she reconsidered, "to the house, I mean?"

  "Maybe." Maddie nodded. "I'm going to drive around and look at things. Don't worry about me, Rob got me a sporty little rental car. I just want to take off a while."