Page 51 of Someone Like You
As they moved into the kitchen, something else took Louise’s breath. At the sound of Maddie’s voice, Bingo came trotting into the room. He stopped and stared at her, then he wagged his tail. Just a bit.
“Oh … he’s beautiful.” Maddie stooped down and nuzzled the dog’s face. “I love goldens. What’s his name?”
“Bingo.” Louise looked at Larry and Dawson, and then back at Maddie. “He was London’s dog.” Louise wondered if she might pass out. The retriever never went to strangers. Not ever. But something in Maddie’s voice must’ve made him think …
Louise couldn’t finish the thought.
The uncanny similarities continued when Maddie offered to toss the salad, and she set the croutons in a side dish—something London always did. “Do you have balsamic?” Her tone was polite and cultured. Whoever had raised her, they’d done an exquisite job.
Italian hurt Maddie’s throat? Louise had to steady herself against the counter to keep from reeling back. How many times had London said the same thing?
As Louise pulled the dinner from the oven, Maddie’s eyes lit up. “Lasagna! My favorite.”
The similarities wouldn’t stop. “It was London’s, too.” Louise looked at Maddie and their gazes held. And for the first time it occurred to her—she was looking into the face of her daughter.
“I usually get lasagna when we eat out. Because no one in my family likes it.” Maddie seemed to catch herself. Her smile faded. “No one back home, anyway.”
Louise had a sudden, fierce sympathy for the parents Maddie had left back home. They must’ve been suffering over all the uncertainty and changes now that Maddie knew the truth. The girl was clearly upset about all of this.
Like she wasn’t even sure she could call her adoptive parents her family.
We’ll talk through that later, Louise told herself. Because no matter how badly she wished things were different, the truth remained. Maddie’s real family lived in Bloomington. They were the ones who had given her life in every way that mattered.
Not till they finished dinner did Maddie pop up and clear the plates. Something London rarely did. Louise smiled. It was good to see something that was exclusively Maddie. They moved into the family room and Maddie took the chair. Almost at the same time, Bingo curled up at her feet. Like the dog had known her all his life. Dawson sat on the love seat and Louise and Larry settled in on the sofa.
“I know I just met you.” Maddie looked sad and tired. “But please … could someone tell me what happened to London?”
Dawson slid to the edge of his seat and for a moment he looked down at his hands. Then he took a deep breath and turned his eyes to Maddie. For the next ten minutes he told her everything about the day of the accident—starting with the hike at Multnomah Falls.
Again Louise couldn’t stop her tears, but she didn’t mind. She would never hear the story of London’s accident without crying. Next to her, Larry was brushing awaytears, too. If only they could have that one day to do over.
When Dawson got to the part about London losing consciousness on the sidewalk outside the ice cream parlor, Maddie held up her hand.
“I have a question.” She looked like she wasn’t sure she wanted to ask it. “Did … did London have faith in Jesus? Because I do, and I’ve wondered ever since … you know.”
Louise exchanged a quick look with her husband. It was the only question that mattered. She had to say something here. “We dropped the ball with London’s upbringing … at least when it came to faith.” Louise fought against her guilt. “Dawson tried. Over and over again.”
Across the room, London’s handsome friend looked down once more.
Louise continued. “No matter what Dawson said to her … London wasn’t interested.” Her tone was heavy with regret. “And we did nothing to help that.”
Maddie didn’t say anything. Her eyes welled up.
“But …” Dawson looked at Maddie. “There on that sidewalk everything changed.” He told Maddie how London had asked about Jesus on the ride back down the mountain and how she wanted to talk about his faith over ice cream. “She had questions.”
Every word held Maddie. She barely blinked as she listened.
“The last thing she said to me was that she had asked God to give her Jesus.” Dawson raked his fingers through his hair. “Second toughest day of my life.”
Of course, the most difficult was the one that came later. The day London took her last breath. “And even then”—Dawson’s voice sounded more hopeful—“she talkedabout going home to Jesus. So … to answer your question, yes.” He smiled at Maddie. “At the end, she had faith.”
Larry picked the conversation up. “You would’ve loved her, Maddie. I can only imagine …”
Maddie brushed the tears from her cheeks and nodded. Larry stood to give her a tissue from the box on the end table. She pressed it beneath her eyes. “I can’t believe I missed her.”
Dark accusations shouted at Louise.It’s all your fault. This whole thing could’ve been prevented and maybe London would still be alive. If only you hadn’t given away those embryos.
The moment passed and Maddie stood. “I brought a photo album. Pictures of me growing up. It’s in my suitcase.” She pointed to the door. “Can I get it?”
