night changes

twenty-two

"Madison?" I asked looking at the girl who stood in my doorway. Her crystal blue eyes concentrated on my face as soon as it was revealed from opening the door.

I must say I was surprised to see her here. I hadn't talked to Madison in some time since she told me should couldn't help me. I understood that she didn't want to lose her trust with Valerie the mother but it also frustrated me.

"Hi, can I come in?" Madison asked with her eyes cast down, giving off a vibe as of she needed to talk. I was willing to talk to Madison and hep her with whatever she needed, not only because I cared for her but also because I needed her.

"Yes, of course come on in!" I encouraged moving aside so that she could enter into the messy apartment that was scattered with baby things and school supplies. I had no idea anyone was coming over and didn't bother to clean up.

"So what's going on?" I walked with Madison over to the couch where we both sat, Asher was put down for a nap about two hours ago and would no doubt be waking up any minute now.

"We need to talk." Madison answered fiddling with the little silver banded ring on her finger.

"About?" I gave her a puzzled expression about what she was talking about. I was already cloudy on why she had come her in the first place.

"Valerie. I'm worried about her and I have no one else to talk to." I was shocked as Madison looked me straight in the eyes with her crystal clear blue eyes.

"What's going on? Has she contacted you?" Questions bubbled into my head now hearing Madison bring up the infamous Valerie.

"No, but that's why I'm worried. When she left she wasn't in a good place like I said and I'm just scared she's gotten into trouble. I mean it's not like she hasn't gotten herself into trouble before, it's like it follows her." Madison said tucking some blonde hair behind her ear.

"Who is she?" This was the only question I hadn't had answered and all I was seeking was clarity on her identity.

"Valerie changed her name, that's why you see Valerie Clements on the birth certificate but, you probably better know her as Keira Clements." Madison explained sparking a light bulb as soon as she said her name.

"Keira!" I spoke out loud standing up and putting my hands through my hair as the realization came back. It was all coming back to me now, I knew exactly who Keira was.

"Yeah, she never fully disclosed why she changed her name but I'm guessing it had something to do with her family." Madison went into as much as she knew which wasn't everything. I guess Keira had kept the few details to herself.

Keira and I had hooked up twice due to her wild side. I liked the time we spent together but knew she was never girlfriend material, she was too wild and crazy to ever settle down. I still remember our hook ups like it was yesterday, one of them resulting in a unplanned pregnancy. Never once did I think or even suspect Keira being involved in this but as Madison said, trouble apparently follows closely behind her.

Hearing Asher begin to scream for me, signaling he was awake I told Madison I would be back in just a second. Pacing towards my bedroom I laid eyes on Asher who cried in his crib waiting to be tended to.

"Hey buddy!" I greeted bending over the crib to pick him up. Watching him rub his eyes as I patted his back getting him to calm down immediately. Finding his binkie on the changing table I stuck it in his mouth and walked back out into the living room where Madison sat looking at her phone screen.

"So she changed her name from Keira to Valerie.... That explains why it was signed with a K on the note. So you knew she was pregnant then?" I sat down next to Madison while Asher laid his head on my shirt still adjusting to waking up.