Why me? (MCR)

Chapter 59

"Madison Bailey Summers, get your ass over here now!" I shouted, running after her as she ran down the road giggling. She only ran faster and I groaned as I began wheezing. "MADISON, WATCH OUT FOR THAT CAR!" I shouted, feeling my heart go double-time as the car swerved to avoid my baby girl.

I sighed and took out my phone, knowing where she was headed. I couldn't keep chasing her anymore, so I called Jake. "Hello?" He asked calmly, the exact opposite of me right now. "Hey Jake. Listen, Madison is running your way, I just chased her from the house– Dev and Zack are at Dad's so I was chasing her. Just take her in and keep her there until I get up there. It won't take me long."

I gasped for breath from running as fast and as much as I did. "Okay, there's no rush. I see her now, Morgan and Bailey are running to her."

"Okay, thanks J," I replied and hung up, walking slowly to catch my breath. I walked a good bit more until I seen my brother's house and picked up the pace.

I finally reached his front porch, opening the door without hesitation. "Madison Bailey Summers get your butt down here NOW." I shout angrily and I hear giggles and a groan from upstairs. "Hey sis," Jake said, coming over and half hugging me. "Hey Jake," I reply, moving away and narrowing my eyes when I seen the trio of eight year olds.

Madison walked over to where I was standing and looked away. "Madison," I said in a low tone, motioning for her to come forward. "Yes Mom?" She says, moving slightly closer. "I know you wanted to get out of the house, but Maddie honey, you almost got hit by a car. You can't run down the road like that. Besides, if they weren't here, you would've wasted your time."

"I get it Mom! I made a mistake, geez!" She shouted and I shook my head, giving her a stern look. "Hush Madison I wasn't through. Next time you need to ask me if we can go over because we're about to go over to your grandparent's house where your dad and brother are. So come on."

She sighed and nodded, saying bye to the twins and my brother before grabbing my hand and leaving with me. She stayed silent until we got back to the house and it was only when we got in the car that she said it for the first time: "I hate you."

***

Still feeling the sting of my daughter's words, I went into the house behind her. Devin smiled when he seen me, and Zack, who is only five, came running to me. "Mom! Check out what I made today!" He handed me a paper with stick figures drawn on it and I smiled. "Who is that?" I asked, playing dumb just so he could tell me all about it.

"Well, that's you, Dad, sissy, and grandma and grandpa," he replied, pointing to all of the stick figures as he said it. "It looks great Z. Did GG help you with that?" I ask, referring to Dad.

"Sure did," he replies, coming into the room and smiling when he seen me and Maddie. "Hey Amber," he says, coming over and hugging me as Zack hops down from my lap with the picture in his hands. "Hey Dad," I reply, and I notice the way he looks at me. He knows something is wrong.

I ignore his look of concern and smile as I turn to Devin. "Where's Mom?" I ask Dad, just now realizing her Cas isn't in the driveway. "Ah, she went to the store to pick up some stuff," he replied, still looking concerned.

He turned to Maddie and said, "What, not gonna speak to me?" She gave him a small smile, but I could tell she was still pissed at me. "C'mon Madison, smile," he said in a goofy voice as he sat next to her.

Devin looked concerned for her and he nudged me with his knee and nodded to the kitchen. I stood up and we excused ourselves, walking throughout short hallway to the kitchen.

Devin closed the door behind him and went to stand at the sink with me. "What's wrong?" He asked softly, reaching out and taking my hand. I shrugged and said, "It's not really that important." Is it a lie? Yes. But I don't want him to worry. "Amber, you're upset," he says, pulling me gently to the table to sit. "It's obviously something. And it is important because I care about you. And it's obviously upsetting Maddie too."