Finding Jennifer Parks

Chapter 2: Decisions

The day has come. The day my dad has to work over night. I like to call it...Freedom Friday. I get it once a month, every 2 months. I usually have Ava over for a sleepover, we watch movies and I don't even touch the piano, or flute, or calrinet, or violin, or guitar. It's a music free weekend, but that's not what I tell my dad. Innocentaly, I tell him, "Yes father I played all my pieces, on all of my instruments for an hour on each one." With the back up of Rickie, we usually pull it off.

"Madison Parks, don't forget to practice tonight, because when I get back I better hear perfection." my father demands.

"Yes father." I respond. He glares at me, then leaves. I sigh in relief. I rush to the phone and dial Ava's number. It rings for approximately 6 seconds when Mrs. Quilt answers,

"Hello?"

"Hello, Mrs Quilt, is Ava there?"

"Oh, hi Madison. Yes she is, let me just get her for you."

"Thank you!" As I wait for Mrs. Quilt to hand the phone to Ava, I hear Mitchell from upstairs shout,

"MADISON, GET OFF THE PHONE. I NEED TO CALL MELANIE!!!"

I ignore him when Ava's voice sounds on the other end of the line.

"Hello!?" she says with her sweet voice,

"Hey Ava! Guess what day it is!?" I let her think for a second or two, and then in sink we shriek,

"Freedom Friday!!" we laugh.

"Don't worry Mads, I'll be there!"

"Good--"

"MADISON!!!" Mitchell shouts.

"Okay Ava, Mitchell's yelling! I'll see you tonight!"

"Okay! See you soon!" I push the red telephone button and place it on the kitchen table.

One hour later, I hear the silent dong of the door bell. I rush downstairs, pushing Jesse out of the way.

"Miss Madison. That was not polite." he remarks.

"Oh shut up, Jesse" I snarl. I can just feel the shock in his expression. 'What a dork!' I think.

"Ava!" I open my arms and give her a great, big hug. "I've missed you"

"I've missed you too, Maddie" she whispers into my shoulder.

"Hi Mrs. Quilt!"

"Hello, sweetie. Have fun girls! I'll see you tomorrow Ava"

"Bye mom!"

When Mrs. Quilt leaves, I rest my hands on Ava's shoulders and look her in the eyes. Thinking of the words to say, trying to say it properly.

"I need to ask you something really important and I'm %100 serious." her expression completely changes and she looks a bit nervous.

When we get to my bedroom upstairs, we sit on my bed and my head looks down with my eyes closed and I begin to breath. Ava sits next to me rubbing my back. She stays silent but I know she is desperate to hear what I need to say, so I just blurt it out,

"I want to go looking for my mom." As my words sink in, she's in complete shock but is trying to look understanding. In the most calming way she asks,

"Why would you like to do that exactly?" I know the answer right away,

"Because I'm sick of my dad, I'm sick of my brothers, I'm sick of music. I want to escape, I want to know what it's like to have a mother."

"I know" she responds calmly, "but are you sure that this is really a good idea? I mean you don't even know where she is or if she's even-" she stops.

"I don't care about that stuff. I just need to get out even if it means not finding my mother."

"What about your dad? He will never let you leave." Now she's just coming up with excuses.

"Who said my dad was going to know?"

"Are you crazy? You're going to sneak out? You'll never make it out there all alone."

"Who said I was going alone?" She looks at me with complete fear and disbelief. I grab Ava's wrist to keep her from leaving.

"Ava, you're my best friend. I need you there with me. I can't do this alone. Please?! I want you to come with me."

She has no words. She is in absolute shock. I look at her deep in the eyes and I can see the pain she is feeling. I know she will never do this, but I know she wants to, for me. I let go of her wrist and look away, letting her know that she is free, that she can run away. But when she doesn't move, I look back at her and there I see it, a tear streaming down her face.