Raising Madison (The third book in the 'The girl in the attic trilogy')

(22) Raising Madison

Raising Madison

Chapter 22

Preston’s POV

I followed my gps until I arrived at Brooklyn’s house. It was in a nice neighbourhood and for a second I found myself worrying. I had no idea what was going on and I’ve never met her parents. What if they chase me away? Or what if she isn’t home yet? I shook my head, gathered up all my courage and got out of the car. I slowly made my way to the door and rang the bell, hoping for the best.

A middle aged woman with blonde hair opened the door. She had a smile on her face but it looked forced and from the look in her eyes I immediately knew that something wasn’t right.

“Hi, I’m Preston,” I said, holding my hand out to her.

“Nice to meet you, come on in,” she said as she shook my hand and then stepped aside.

“Brooklyn’s been babysitting my daughter, but she isn’t answering her phone. I just wanted to come see if she is alright,” I said, not sure if the woman knew who I am, but figuring she has to since she invited me in.

“I know who you are, Brooklyn showed us a picture of you and your daughter,” the woman replied, forcing a smile.

“Is she here?” I asked, feeling horribly uncomfortable.

“Yes, but I’m not sure if she’ll talk to you, she locked herself in her room,” the woman answered, her voice filled with concern.

“May I try?” I asked, hoping she would agree.

“Please, it’s the last room down the passage, she said and then walked away. I felt kind of bad for her but didn’t waste any time trying to talk to her, instead I headed up the stairs and down the passage. When I reached her room, I knocked on the door but she didn’t answer.

“Brooklyn!” I called, knocking on the door again.

“Go away!” she yelled back and I could hear that she was crying.

“No, now open up!” I yelled. She didn’t answer but she didn’t open the door.

“I’m not leaving,” I said, knocking on the door again. She didn’t reply but after a few seconds I heard some movement inside the room and then the door opened. I waited a few more seconds and then entered her room, having no idea what to expect. She was walking back towards her bed so I closed the door behind me and then made my way over to her.  She was sitting with her knees pulled up against her body and her hands closing her eyes, sobbing noisily.

“Please tell me what’s wrong,” I said, sitting down on the bed next to her.

“I… I can’t,” she stuttered through the tears.

“Why not?” I asked, unable to imagine what could be so bad that she would be acting this way.

“Because then you will hate me,” she replied, pulling her hands away from her face and looking me in the eyes.

“I could never hate you,” I replied honestly, Brooklyn is amazing, she’s been wonderful with Madie and if I am being completely honest with myself, I think I am starting to like her in a more than friends way. I don't like it one bit but it is the truth and that is why I couldn’t hate her if I tried.

“I hate myself,” Brooklyn said seriously as some more tears escaped her big blue eyes.

“Don’t, you’re an amazing person,” I replied, knowing that it is the truth. No matter what she did, it can’t possibly be as bad as she thinks.

“No I’m not, I’m horrible. Katie was amazing. I’m nothing like her, I’m a murderer!” she half yelled as she clutched her hands to her face and started sobbing again. I had no idea what she was talking about but I wanted to know. I wanted to help her. I wanted to fix whatever is wrong.

“Come on, tell me what happened,” I begged as I took a hold of her hands and pulled them from her face. She looked at her hands in mine and tried to pull away but I held on to them. I wanted her to know that I am there for her and although it felt weird holding her hands, it also felt right.

“I had an abortion,” she blurted out and then without warning pulled her hands out of mine and jumped from her bed, leaving me speechless for a few seconds. She ran over to her door and opened it, as if expecting me to leave, I wasn’t going anywhere though. I got up from the bed, walked over to her and closed the door. She looked surprised, it was as if she really thought I was going to hate her. How can I judge if I don’t even know the details.

“Tell me what happened,” I said, taking her hand and leading her to her bed. We sat down and she made no attempt to move her hand out of mine.

“I was fifteen and I met this really cute guy, he was eighteen at the time but he was popular and every girl at school wanted to date him so when he chose me I was ecstatic. We only went on a few dates before he started asking me to have sex with him and like a stupid idiot I agreed. I thought we were happy and I think we were, that is until I told him I was pregnant.  I was terrified but I thought he would understand, he didn’t’. He freaked out and left me. He said I should get rid of the baby and that he never wanted to see me again,” she said, her eyes filling up with tears all over again.

“What happened then?” I asked, hating this guy I have never met. What a complete asshole.

“I didn’t know what to do so I went to a clinic and had an abortion. I was hoping that my parents wouldn’t find out but they did and of course they were furious. Not only because I fell pregnant but because I didn’t tell them. It took a while before they learned to trust me again,” she said, traumatized by the memories.

“I don’t blame you for doing what you did, you were young and scared. If I was in your situation I probably would have done the same thing,” I said truthfully.

“Really?” she asked, looking at me with disbelief.

“Yes, now stop hating yourself. You were in a difficult situation and you did what you though best at the time. It doesn’t make you a horrible person,” I said, hoping that I can help her overcome all the pain she was feeling.

“Thank… you…” she stuttered and then I did something that surprised the crap out of me. I pulled her closer and wrapped my arms around her. She cried on my shoulder and I held her until all her tears were shed.