That Would Be Enough

25

           

Madeline walked into the apartment around 8:00 after having dinner with her father a week later.  She sighed as she set down her backpack.  She hadn't been home since before school.  Her mother came storming down the hallway.

"Where have you been?!" she demanded, one hand on her hip.

Madeline furrowed her eyebrows.  "Good to see you too."

"I asked you a question," she told her daughter.

Madeline scoffed a bit at how demanding she was being.  "I told you.  I was at the library with Janet."

"That's interesting, because I was at the library and I didn't see you anywhere," Kate accused her daughter.  Lin was working in his office and overheard the beginning of the argument.  He closed his laptop and carefully made his way out.

Madeline sighed and rolled her eyes.  "I didn't know I was being spied on."

"You lied to me," Kate said, her voice terse.  "Where were you?"

Maddie took her shoes off and kicked them aside.  She was exhausted and just wanted to go to bed.  Her mother had been so uptight lately.

"I was with Dad," she responded in an equally terse voice.  "I didn't tell you because I assumed you'd freak out."

Kate was silent for several long moments as Maddie got a glass from the cabinet and poured herself some water.

"You were with your father?" she repeated softly, feeling a little betrayed.

"Yes," Maddie said, not really wanting to elaborate.  "It's my decision if I want to see him or not."

Kate scoffed and started angry cleaning the living room.  "That's your choice, I suppose."

Maddie had had a long day, and she was sick of the tension between her mother and father.  Didn't they know the trauma they were putting her through by being at odds with one another?  She knew her mother was still hurt from the whole kidnapping mess, but that was over 10 years ago now.  She needed to move on.

"Mom, I'm getting really tired of your passive-aggressive comments," Madeline accused her mother, crossing her arms.  Kate met her eyes and they glared at each other.

"How am I being passive-aggressive?" Kate countered, walking back over to the kitchen.

"Whenever I mention Dad, you make some bitchy comment."

"Well I'm sorry, I have a lot of strong feelings towards him," she reminded Maddie.

"So why do you have to unload your feelings on me?" Maddie raised her voice.  "It's not fair!"

"I'm allowed to have my own opinion," Kate growled back.  "I will not have my daughter telling me what I can and cannot say."

Maddie was seething and felt she was about to snap.  "Such a bitch," she muttered under her breath, but her mother heard her.  In a flash, Kate was in front of her and slapped her on the face.

Lin rushed out to the kitchen.  Madeline was holding her face, and both mother and daughter looked shocked.  Kate moved her hand up to her mouth, not believing she had just slapped her daughter.

"Kate!" Lin yelled as he rushed over to Madeline.  He tried to pull her to him, but she pushed him away.  Without another word, she stormed off to her bedroom, her hand on her red cheek.  The door slammed.

"What the hell is the matter with you?!" Lin demanded of his wife, crossing his arms.

"I-I don't know what happened," she explained, looking dazed.  "I just snapped."