The Way We Were

The Way We Be Independent

Maddie ran screaming through the house.

Quinn ran downstairs. "What's going on?!"

Mercedes ran in from the kitchen. "Are you okay?!"

Mike ran in from outside. "Who's dying?!"

Maddie held up a package and screamed again.

"What are you doing?! Stop screaming and tell us what's wrong!"

"Stevie gave me a Christmas present!"

The married thruple sighed in relief. "That's it?!"

"Vinnie didn't give me one last year." She bragged.

"Isn't Vinnie your friend from Halloween?" Mike frowned.

"Yeah." She pouted slightly.

"Friends don't always give out gifts for holidays. You're lucky that Stevie is that kind of friend."

"Right. Friend." She smirked. "Do you think I should open it?"

"It's not Christmas yet." Quinn pointed out.

Maddie made a disappointed sound. "Take me to the mall so I can get him something."

"Maddie, we're busy."

Maddie stomped a foot. "I need to get him something!"

"Why didn't you already have something for him?" Mercedes wanted to know.

"Because I didn't think we were exchanging presents." She stuck her bottom lip out.

"And how did you get this?" Mike asked.

"He gave it to me at school."

"What do you want him to have? Maybe you can go to another store that isn't the mall?" Mercedes suggested.

"Maybe I can get him his first grown up watch like Marcy gave Mal for their anniversary?"

"I can't take you, Mad. I have to finish shoveling." Mike shrugged before leaving.

Maddie turned big eyes on her sisters. "Please?"

"I'm packing for Austria." Mercedes shook her head. "Packing for three people is hard when you don't have help."

"I'm sorry but I need to get my solo down for the concert this weekend at church. You guys know your parts. I'm struggling with mine." Quinn declined.

Maddie deflated. "What am I gonna do?"

"Have you asked Laura?"

"She and Marc won't be here until late tonight."

"Ask Marcy." Mercedes suggested sweetly.

"Do you think she'll do it?" Maddie was afraid to hope.

"Go over there. I bet she's already packed for vacation and she has her solo down."

"Okay!" Maddie ran out.

"Wait!" Mercedes and Quinn followed her. "How did you get here?"

"I walked." Maddie sighed.

"By yourself?!"

"It's still light out."

"One of us should walk you to the house." Mercedes chewed on her bottom lip.

"You're busy, remember?"

"Not too busy to see you safely home."

"I can walk! I'm ten!"

"Well fine! If you're such a big girl, walk around the corner!" Quinn snapped.

"I will!" Maddie slammed the door and stalked off.

Mercedes sighed. "We should walk with her."

"She's so grown; she can walk herself!" Quinn stomped upstairs.

Mercedes sighed again. She hoped Maddie would be safe.

W.W.W.

"They don't let me do anything!" Maddie moaned.

Marcy breathed deeply. "We've been taking care of you for ten years. We can't just turn that off."

"You don't treat me as much of a baby as they do!"

"Because you're not a baby." Marcy stopped. "What about this watch?"

Maddie came over to look at it. "It's nice. But I want something that says Stevie." She continued walking. "I don't know! I guess I get it but I'm not a little kid anymore! I can do things and they just can't see that!"

"It's hard. We still see you as the little girl we taught to walk and talk. It's hard to change gears."

"If they smother me, what are they going to do with their own kids?!"

Marcy chuckled. "Calm down. They won't baby you forever. You just need to find a way to remind them that you're growing up."

"Like what?"

"Like doing more adult things. Do things without being told. Figure some things out for yourself. Don't depend on us so much. They'll get the message."

"So I can't ask you guys for help anymore?" Maddie was crestfallen.

"Sure you can but the step to becoming more adult is being more independent."

"More independent." Maddie repeated slowly.

"You got to be more independent if you want to grow up and be on your own."

"On my own?! You'll leave me?!"

"Marc and Laura are on their own. They're independent."

"Oh. So you won't leave me?"

Marcy hugged her. "You don't mind being the baby, do you?"

"I guess I'm not a big girl after all." Maddie sighed.

"You'll get there." Marcy rubbed her back. "How about this watch?"