Page 67 of Someone Like You
“Amen.” She gave him one final kiss, on his cheek this time. “See you when I wake up.”
“Definitely.” He paused. “Goodbye, Maddie. I won’t forget this.”
“Me, either.” She clearly didn’t want to leave him, but she had to go. She stepped into the driver’s seat and he closed her door. Then he pressed his hand against her window and she did the same.
Finally he returned to the porch and watched her leave. Telling her she belonged in Indiana was the rightthing. She needed to forgive her parents and make peace with her old life. Her real life. And if Dawson never saw her again, then he would leave this sad, wondrous season with no regrets. But one thing was certain.
He would remember today as long as he lived.
MADDIE COULD STILLfeel his lips on hers as she drove back to Louise and Larry’s house. Had she only been dreaming? Did they really kiss on their own little strip of paradise in the middle of the Columbia River? And had he really told her he’d wanted to do that from the beginning? Same as her?
She relived every minute, every kiss, everything she’d felt in his arms. Larry and Louise were at their friends’ house with a group of people who wanted to pray for Louise before her surgery in the morning. After Maddie’s day with Dawson, after the way he’d prayed over her at the end, Maddie didn’t need a group of people tonight.
But she did need to make a few phone calls.
First was to Hayley. This wasn’t the only time she’d called her sister, but if something went wrong tomorrow, it could be the last. Maddie didn’t want to miss the chance.
Her sister sounded thrilled to hear her voice. “Maddie! I asked God for you to call me today.”
“Yes.” Maddie felt her throat tighten. “I wouldn’t have missed it.”
Hayley knew about the surgery, though she may not have understood all it entailed. Their conversation was sweet and simple and it ended with Hayley’s brief prayer. “Help Maddie be safe, Jesus.” She paused, and Maddie wasreminded again how much she loved her sister. She could never leave her back in Bloomington, never stay here for a new life. Not now, anyway. Hayley finished the prayer. “And please bring her home soon. I miss her so much, Jesus. Amen.”
Maddie’s next call was to her papa. All this time she had thought about calling her grandpa John Baxter. But she’d let her anger and confusion keep her from reaching out. Now she couldn’t find his number fast enough.
He answered on the first ring. Like he’d been expecting her call since the hour she left. “Maddie. Honey, how are you?”
Peace filled Maddie’s soul. “Good, actually.” It was the truth. “I have surgery tomorrow.”
“I know.” He exhaled. “I’ve been praying for you all day.”
Of course he had. Happy tears sprang to Maddie’s eyes, but she resisted them. She had too much to say. “Thank you.”
“Are you sure? This is what you want to do?” Her papa’s concern rang in his voice.
It had been the same with Louise earlier. Before church she pulled Maddie aside and asked her to reconsider. “I don’t want you to do this, Maddie. I’d rather you go home safe and whole. With both your kidneys.” They’d had the conversation several times, and always Maddie said the same thing. She wanted to do this. She wasn’t worried, and the surgery wasn’t too risky. If she and Dawson didn’t have a chance, then the transplant was the reason she had come here. She was convinced.
Now Maddie needed to convince her grandfather. “I’m sure.” She could hear the smile in her voice. “God broughtme to Portland for this, Papa. To save Louise’s life, which is only right because … a long time ago she and Larry saved mine.”
He hesitated, but not for long. “I understand.” Another pause. “If things go well—and I’m sure they will—you can travel in a week. I’d … I’d like to fly out and bring you home at that time. If you’ll let me.”
There was no stopping her tears. She let them come, embraced them. No matter how far or long she’d been away from home, this man was her grandfather, and he loved her. “Y-y-yes. Please, come get me.”
She apologized for the pain and heartbreak she’d put him through. All of them. Then she told him she loved him, and he said the same. When the conversation ended, she collected herself. The most important call was next.
Maddie found her mother’s name on her list of favorites, and when she answered, Maddie took a deep breath. “Is Dad there, too?”
“He is.” Her mother paused. “He’s walking over to me right now.”
Again, Maddie squeezed her eyes closed. She should’ve done this a long time ago. If something would’ve happened to her parents before this moment, she couldn’t have lived with herself.
“Okay, honey.” Her mom sounded anxious. She was probably afraid of what Maddie was thinking or why she was calling. “We’re both here.”
“Hi, Dad … Mom.” Tears filled her voice, but that was all right. This was the moment Dawson had been pushing for since the day they met. The moment God had been leading her toward. Maddie found her voice. “I’m sorry.”Give me the words, Father. Please.It took a few seconds.“I’m sorry for … for how I’ve been acting. I forgive you for not telling me.” She brushed the tears from her cheeks. “I miss you all … so much.”
“Oh, Maddie.” Her mom never cried. She was an educated intellectual on so many levels. But here, in this moment, she broke down. “We miss you, too. You’ve been our daughter since … since the day you were placed inside me.” She hesitated. “We’ve always loved you.”
“I know … I love you both, too.” Maddie grabbed a few quick breaths. “I have surgery tomorrow. Then in a week … Papa is coming here to get me.” More tears filled her eyes. “I’m coming home.”
