Mathers Family Values

Chapter 17

*Halloween*

Maverick had gone with his original idea of being Aladdin. Mason was dressed as Abu the monkey. Ella arrived dressed as Jasmine. They were getting ready for the family party that Marshall and Madelyn held every year. Ella sat on the couch in the living room with Mason in her arms. He was asleep in her arms. Madelyn walked into the living room.

"Hey sweetie," she said.

"Hi Mrs. Mathers," Ella replied, looking up at her.

"How are you doing with all of this? I mean I know it's a huge change for you."

"It's weird but I love this little guy."

"Yeah?"

"He's just so sweet, it's hard not to love him."

"He reminds me a lot of Maverick when he was a baby. He was pretty calm as well even with chaos around him."

"Yeah?"

"Oh yeah, our lives were crazy when he was born. I know you were told about the stories that happened when he was a baby."

"I read them after the day that she was here with the rest of them. I can't believe that he ever called those people his friends."

"Influences can do some crazy things."

"What do you mean?"

"When Mave first met most of those people, he was in kindergarten. They weren't like that until they met the Mikelson family. I don't know what it is about that family but Jamison Mikelson has had it out for Mave since day one. It was probably third grade that they started trying to use Maverick because of his dad."

Ella looked really interested as Madelyn talked. Maverick was upstairs in his room doing something so they had time to talk. Madelyn sighed.

"Something changed in them all once Jamison was on scene. I don't know if they were scared of him or what but they have all been that way since. Just kind of two-faced and trying to see what they can get out of Maverick. We have tried to tell him but it's like beating your head against a brick wall. The boy is so hard headed," Madelyn sighed.

"Yeah I've noticed that," Ella replied.

"His heart is in the right place. He just doesn't see how people try to use him. His dad was the same way for a long time."

"Think he's got it figured out now?"

"Maverick? I don't know completely. He's more cautious in the last few weeks since Mason has been here. I think something is still going on because the last two days he's been glued to that phone."

"I think Analise is texting him."

"Have you asked him?"

"No, I'm scared to know honestly,"

Madelyn couldn't say she blamed her. She was curious to know who her son was texting so much though. He came down the stairs with the same irritated look that she had seen on her husband's face before.