That Would Be Enough

27

           

Madeline knocked on her father's apartment door, her bag over her shoulder.  She heard footsteps and then the door opened a few moments later.

"Madeline?" her father answered, looking surprised.  She moved to step forward and he opened the door for her to come in.  "What's going on?"

Maddie strolled over to the couch and sat down, sighing.  "Mom and Lin are getting on my nerves," she told him.  "They're mad that you bought me stuff."

He sighed and closed the door behind him, walking over the couch.  He seemed a little distracted.

"I'm sorry if they upset you," he said, sitting down next to her.  She sat pack and pulled out her phone.  Neither of them had contacted her yet.  Maddie tossed her phone on the couch beside her.

"Mom doesn't think I needed a new phone.  Rio's just jealous."

"Your brother?"

"Yeah," she said, examining her fingernails.  Madeline heard noise from down the hall.  Laughter.  She turned to her father, looking for an explanation.

"I have a guest over," he said vaguely, rubbing at his forehead with his fingers.

"Who?" she asked after a few moments of silence.  Her father sighed and looked down.

"Her name is Julia," he said.  "I've been seeing her for a few weeks now."

Madeline was silent for several long moments.  "Oh."

She'd never really thought about her father seeing someone.  As far as she knew, he'd been single this whole time.

"I've been wanting to introduce you," he went on as Madeline stood up and walked to the kitchen to get some water.  She wasn't sure how she felt about this.  It's not like her father had to tell her everything, but this seemed pretty big.  "She has a daughter about your age."

Maddie stopped, freezing.  A daughter her age?  She felt a pang of jealousy for some reason.

"Ummm..." she continued.  "Is it okay if I stay here tonight?"

"Of course," he said, standing up and walking to the kitchen.  "We were gonna go out to dinner and a movie, though, so I won't really be around tonight."

"Oh.  Okay," she said, pouring herself a glass of water.  "I can just hang out here."

She curled up on the couch with her water and some chips, watching a game show her father had on.  He disappeared down the hallway to his bedroom, probably to tell Julia about her.  This was gonna be so weird.  Maybe she should just go home.  But no, her mom and Lin were acting like asses.

A few minutes later, she heard whispering down the hallway, and a woman's voice giggling.  A couple moments later, they came into view.  Madeline licked her fingers and then wiped them on her shirt.

"Madeline!" Julia greeted her, over-smiling.  She held out her hand and Maddie leaned forward to take it, but didn't stand up.

"Hi," she said hesitantly. 

"It's so nice to finally meet you!" she said, very enthusiastic. "He talks about you all the time. He's missed you so much."

"I bet," Maddie said, settling back down.  She did a quick up and down glance of the woman.  She was well put together, with make up and pretty earrings.  Julia seemed nice enough, but she didn't really want to talk to her.  She pulled out her phone, hoping Julia wouldn't try talking to her anymore.  It seemed to work.

They went to the kitchen and talked about random stuff as Madeline channel surfed and played on her phone.  It was nice just to be away from her mother and Lin.  Jason got a phone call, and seemed to lower his voice immediately.  Madeline could tell it was her mother.