She moved to the edge of Hayley’s mattress, sat down, and put her hand on Hayley’s arm. “Hey … wake up.”
Gradually Hayley opened her eyes. When she was fully awake, tears gathered and she sat straight up. “Maddie!” Hayley threw her arms around Maddie’s neck. “Where have you been?”
Tears came for Maddie, too. She hadn’t seen this happening. Rather than confusion or hesitation, Hayley only wondered where she had been. “I stayed at my friend Andrea’s house.” Maddie tried to find her voice. “I needed to think. That’s all.”
“You needed to pray.” Hayley pulled back and looked at her. Sunlight streamed through the window and caught her innocent blue eyes. Baxter eyes. “Is that what you mean? Because now you have two families. And … that’s a lot to pray for.” Hayley was talking as fast as she could, as if she’d been saving all this up for the moment she might see Maddie. “Also you have another sister. But I’m your sister first, right, Maddie?”
If Maddie didn’t have to be strong for Hayley, and if she didn’t have a plane to catch she would’ve collapsed on the floor in a pile of tears.Dear sweet Hayley.Maddie took her hand. “You’re my only sister. Now and forever.”
Hayley looked confused. She took a few seconds to formulate her next question. “I thought … don’t you have another sister, too? A new one?”
“I don’t.” Maddie tried to smile. “I have the best sister in the world because I have you.” She leaned close and kissed Hayley’s forehead. “You’re all I’ll ever need.”
“Okay.” Hayley nodded. Her uncertainty dissipated and her expression held only a guileless joy. Because Maddie was here and that was enough.
But now Maddie was leaving, and she had to explainwhy. “Okay … so I’m taking a trip, Hayley. I wanted you to know.”
“A trip?” In a single breath, her eyes turned fearful. “I want to go!”
“You can’t.” Maddie stroked her sister’s hair. It had been blonder when she was little, back when everyone always commented how the two girls looked so much alike. “I have business to do.”
Hayley leaned back on her pillow. She reasoned at about a fourth-grade level. But it was so much better than what her doctors once expected of her. That she’d never walk or see or talk again. “Why, Maddie?” Her lip quivered. “Business where?”
Maddie didn’t dare tell her she was going to Portland to meet the other family. She searched for the right way to explain herself. “The West Coast. I’ll be there for a week, maybe longer.” She thought of an idea. “Remember when I was in college, how I was only home for Christmas break and summers?”
Hayley nodded. “I remember.” The slightest sparkle flashed in her eyes. “We always had so much fun when you came home.”
“Exactly.” Maddie relaxed a little. “We’ll have the best time, Hayley. As soon as I get home.”
Hayley hesitated. “Do Mom and Dad know you’re going?”
“Of course.” Maddie had told them last night. They had begged her not to leave, but Maddie cut the conversation short. “Everyone knows.” She shot a look at her phone. It was time to go. “I wanted to say goodbye before I left.”
Hayley sat up straighter. “Thanks, Maddie.” She flungher arms around Maddie’s neck once more. “I’ll miss you every minute.”
“Me, too.” Maddie blinked back her sorrow. She put her hand on Hayley’s cheek. “Thanks for understanding.”
“That’s what sisters do.” Hayley grinned. “I’ll pray for your flight.”
Maddie waved one last time before leaving the room. By then tears streamed down her cheeks. Yes, her parents knew she was leaving today. But not at this hour. She wasn’t about to wake them and tell them goodbye.
Her Uber arrived a few minutes early. Two hours later Maddie was buckled into her seat at the back of a 737. Whatever was ahead, she was ready for it. She couldn’t leave Indiana fast enough. It wasn’t really her home, anyway. Portland was, apparently.
She checked her phone. Eight texts from her parents. Mostly from her mom. Maddie decided to read them.
Honey, where are you? I thought you said your flight left this evening?
Maddie, Hayley told us she talked to you … and you left. So your flight must’ve been earlier. Why didn’t you say goodbye?
Then one from her dad.
You’re hurting, we get that. But to leave on a cross-country flight without telling your mother and me goodbye? Maddie, this isn’t like you at all. We’re very worried. Please let us know you got to the airport okay. You took a ride with a stranger, when I would’ve been happy to drive you.
Each word pressed into her, ripping at her heart. If the people she thought were her parents loved her so much, if they were going to miss her so much, then she had one question for them.
Why hadn’t they told her the truth?
Maddie, I’m panicking here. We wouldn’t know if you got kidnapped. You haven’t told us who’s picking you up or where you’re staying. Portland can be very dangerous, honey. Please … text back.
