The YKSS Begins

Part 1: Madisons' Move

  It was just another sunny day in Austin, Texas, and another day at Oak Stream Elementary had just ended. Out ran all the students... Including Molly Madison. She walked cheerfully up to the bench tree, the sun shining down on her chocolate brown hair and creating a shimmer in her bright green eyes. Despite rarely smiling as a baby, her present-day self almost always had a bit of pep in her step, a story running through her mind, and a smile on her face. She soon saw a full-grown woman who was somewhat taller than her with a similar face (albeit more mature-looking and with blue eyes) and the same brown hair (though most of it was dyed blonde). It was her mom! Molly took her mother's hand as they walked to the car. As they drove home, they picked up Molly's 13-year-old brother, Michael Madison, at Grass Prairie Junior High and the oldest child at 16, Millie Madison, from South River High.

  As they went into their house, Michael went up with his tablet to the siblings' bedroom, Millie followed with her homework, and Molly got started on hers. Molly felt so lucky to live in Austin, Texas. It was peaceful, had one of the best school districts in the U. S., and there were many musical events (which she enjoyed with her father). That night, Mr. Madison came home, the family had dinner, Molly and Michael went out to a concert with their dad, the kids cleaned up, and they went to bed. Just like every other night...

  However, this night would be pretty different. Molly overheard her parents talking downstairs. She got out of bed, put on her pink slippers, and went down to see what all the fuss was about. She wondered, Are Mom and Dad fighting? If so, what about? Unequal work? Forgotten anniversary? Conflicting dinner date ideas? However, the true topic was very different from Molly's expectations:

  "Dylan, why would we ever want to leave Austin? It's wonderful, and we all love it here," Mrs. Madison worriedly asked her husband, "including you."

  "I'm sorry, Lena, but I got a promotion at work today," Mr. Madison explained, "and moving to Springdale means accepting that promotion."

  Mrs. Madison said, "What if you just refuse?"

  Mr. Madison replied, "Then I'd be fired."

  "How are we gonna tell the kids?"

  "We'll have to tell them tomorrow. We leave on Saturday."

  Finding this out, Molly couldn't believe what she was hearing. She went up back to bed, but she didn't sleep as soundly as she normally did. The next day, she went to her school for the very last time and said goodbye to her friends. When Mr. Madison came home, he told them all the bad news (which was unsurprising to Molly) before having fun with Molly on their last Friday night in Austin, feeling noticeably less cheerful than usual. Finally, Saturday arrived. Everyone started helping the movers get the stuff into the moving truck. The Madisons took their car as Molly sadly looked out the car window, knowing that her life would never be the same again.