Chapter 22: A hint of things to come.

Ever had someone smack you with a baseball bat? If this wasn't the equivalent of a tap to the noggin with a Louisville Slugger, I don't know what is.

"But you said-"

"I know what I said. And I was lying through my teeth." She started pacing around the room, never looking directly at me. "By the time I realized what a silly fool I had been for letting Callista get to me with her stories, Morgan had already made--with my blessing--her play for you, and succeeded. What else could I do but smile and wish you two the best? And no, I'm not telling you this, when there's no chance of you staying, to try to hurt you." Maddie paused, then turned to look directly at me. "I want to try again. I don't know how I'm going to manage it just yet, but come this autumn, I will be up in Boston. We may not work out this time either, but I want to try. If you don't... well, you can tell me then. Take care of yourself." Before I could muster any sort of response, she came over and kissed me lightly on the cheek, then left, closing the door gently behind her.

I stood by the window watching the sunset as my frazzled mind tried to make sense of what had just happened. So Maddie decided to go all Felicity on me. At least she had the courtesy to tell me in advance, right? That being said, I really didn't know what to do. Telling her not to go to Boston was out of the question--those of you who have ever tried to tell a teenager not to do anything understand what I mean. I couldn't tell her to go either; no matter how much part of me wanted her up there, the rest of me cared too much for her to have her leave behind all she had here for me.