“Then why are you dressed in your bartending outfit?”
Madison looked down at herself. Her family didn’t know she stripped. She had picked up after a dare in high school, and it had come in handy in college and for her master’s program.
“Oh, that.” She knew she should have worn a jacket over top, but it was too hot in this July heat. Baltimore was oppressive. “I’m subbing for Sabrina.”
“She always could tell you a story and get you to do what she should be doing. What was it this time?”
“It had to do with her brother Randy, and it helps me out too.” Madison was offended that her brother assumed she was a pushover. She was helping a friend out. It wasn’t like Sabrina took advantage of her kindness.
They didn’t hang out as much as they used to. She knew Henry believed Brina was jealous of her, but who wasn’t jealous of someone else? She was jealous of how close Sabrina and Randy were. They were only two years apart, so much closer than her and Henry’s ten-year difference.
The idea popped to tell Henry that her mom took all of her savings, but she didn’t want to burden him with it. Especially when he was still unwell.
“Any news on the transplant?”
“No. With this latest flare-up of pneumonia, it’s on hold again, but they say it should clear up within two weeks, and as long as I stay healthy, knock on wood, it will be a go.” He put his hand on hers. “I really appreciate you giving me this kidney.”
She turned their hands around so that hers was on top. “Of course I would do this for you. I’d do it for anyone.”
“Even for your mom?” He gave her a look.
He had her there. She and her mom didn’t get along, not that she didn’t try on Madison’s part. “I’m not that cruel that I wouldn’t help her out too. It might make her a better person if she had a piece of me in her.”
“You were made from the two of them. You know that, right? Basic biology and all that. I’m sure even those getting a masters in fashion design had to take biology at some point.”
“I did take it and the only thing I can think of is that she has to be mixed together in equal parts to become a decent human being. There needs to be some dad in there. I mean we both turned out great.”
Henry’s chuckle turned into a coughing fit, and she jumped up to pat him on the back. Once it eased up, she gave him the water back, and he took a few sips.
He held the cup in his hand. “I know if I die, you will go no contact with her, and I don’t want you to be alone with Dad sick.”
“Don’t talk like that, and I’m not alone.” Henry always looked for the best in people. He was too optimistic when it came to her relationship with her mom. Her father and Henry made it seem as if it was Madison’s fault her mom got riled up when Madison came around.
“I mean besides friends. Someone special in your life.”
“I’ve seen what that does to a person, and I wouldn’t want to put that on anyone else, especially kids.” Madison wouldn’t ignore her kid like her mom did, but if she got married and her husband ignored her for the kid or ignored the kid for her, either way it wouldn’t be good. Although all marriages didn’t have kids and there were plenty of unmarried people that did have kids. But she didn’t want to be taken advantage of. She hadn’t seen any healthy marriages to go off of.
Her mother had taught her that love was finite. There wasn’t enough for everyone to have it, and she didn’t want to have a kid and have that end up for them. In marriage, all Madison could see was how her mother took advantage of her dad, and she didn’t want to be in either position.
“Our parents are our parents, and they did their best. I know your mom and our dad made mistakes, but she’s been much better now, hasn’t she?”
Madison didn’t have the heart to tell him that her mom had taken her savings, and she might lose her apartment. “Yeah. You seem tired. Let me let you rest, and I’ll come back and see you after my shift. I’ll let the nurses know to expect me.” She took the water before it slipped out of his hand.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.” She got up and went to the door. By the time she turned around, he had fallen asleep. “But I want to.”
Chapter 2
“Hey Zoe, I’m in for Sabrina. Do you need help?” Madison entered behind the bar to punch in.
“Hey.” Zoe stopped her swipe across the bar top that she had wiped down to give her a quick side hug. “It’s been a long time.”
“I know. We need to get together for another ninety-day fiancé watch party.” Madison set her bag down on a barstool. “Yes, as soon as—”
“Your internship is through.” Zoe gestured with her cloth. “Girl, I know. How’s it going? It’s almost over right?” Zoe turned back around to grab clean glasses from the crates.
Madison leaned against the bar. “Yeah. I found out today that I made it to the top four, and my design will get shown at fashion week.”
