Page 69 of Someone Like You
John had missed out on that, the way they all had. It was something he hadn’t expected to feel, but it was real. The loss would remain.
“Listen.” John stood and shook Louise’s hand, then her husband’s. “Thank you. For housing Maddie, for being so kind to her.” He glanced across the room. Maddie was sitting in an oversize chair. She looked too worn out to get up. John turned to Louise and Larry again. “I’m sure … she’ll want to visit you again. From time to time.”
“Yes.” A weak smile flashed on Maddie’s face. She had already told John she didn’t think she’d be back often. The situation was too difficult. Too complicated. But sometime. Maybe.
John helped Maddie to her feet and she made her way to Larry first. “I think … we have the same eyes.”
Larry put his hand on her shoulder. “We always will.”
Next she went to Louise. The woman was smiling, despite her tears. “And I have your kidney.”
Her smile faded. “Maddie … I’ll never forget the day you told me you wanted to do that. And no matter how many times I’ve thanked you, words will never be enough. I’m alive … because of you.” Her voice broke. “The truth is, I don’t know when we’ll see you again. “She paused. “But your kidney means I’ll always carry you with me.” She searched Maddie’s eyes. “Thank you.”
“It was God’s plan.” Maddie felt a deep sadness as she leaned down and hugged her. Louise was right. Despite what Maddie’s grandpa had said, there was no telling when they might see each other again. “Louise, even though I won’t be here, I have so much of you, too. In my heart.”
“And you have, London, too.”
Maddie nodded. “Yes. I always will.”
Louise brushed away her tears, and managed to smile again. “You’re doing the right thing, Maddie.” She nodded. “And we’ll always be here … whenever.”
“Thanks.” She looked to Larry and back to Louise. “Thank you for everything.”
John felt his own eyes grow damp as he watched. Maddie hadn’t grown up knowing these people, but they were her biological parents. Seeing them together now, there was no denying that.
Finally, it was time to go. John pulled Maddie’s suitcases and followed after her. They were just out the door when a Chevy truck pulled up. Maddie froze in place and her voice dropped to a whisper. “Dawson.”
They stayed there while a good-looking young man got out of the truck and hurried toward them. He held his hand out and the two shook. “I’m Dawson Gage.”
“I’ve heard about you.” He smiled. “John Baxter. Maddie’s grandfather.”
He took a step back so he wouldn’t be in the way. As he did, Maddie set her purse down and went to the young man. The two embraced, but only for a few seconds. Their conversation was brief. Dawson told her he had to come see her off, and Maddie thanked him. It was what he said at the end that caught John’s attention.
“Things … are changing at work.” Dawson seemed to search Maddie’s eyes. “I’ll … I’ll be in touch.” Chances were the young man wanted to say more. But with John there, he seemed to keep his words sparse.
Confusion flashed on Maddie’s face, but something else. A ray of light that hadn’t been there before. Whatever these two had shared during Maddie’s time here, the bond was special.
Anyone could see that.
Dawson and Maddie said their goodbyes and hugged once more. Then Dawson shook John’s hand again and the guy was gone. In the car, John waited for a few minutes before turning to Maddie. “He seems … very special to you.”
“He is.” Maddie brushed a few tears off her cheeks. “He wanted me to stay, Papa.” She reached for a tissue in her purse and pressed it beneath her eyes. “With all his heart … but he sent me back.”
“Oh.” John wasn’t sure what that meant.
Before he could ask, Maddie finished her thought. “He sent me back because he knew … Indiana is where I belong. With you and … my family. He said that’s what God would want.”
A warmth spread over John’s chest. No wonder he had seen something likable about Dawson. Too bad he wouldn’tever get to know him. He had a feeling he and Maddie might’ve been something special.
Either way, the young man had done the right thing by encouraging Maddie to make peace with her past. At least for now. John kept his eyes on the road. He could hardly wait for the flight.
Maddie was coming home.
HALFWAY THERE, MADDIEwoke and looked out the plane window. Her papa was asleep in the seat beside her. She yawned and adjusted her position. Her body was still sore where her kidney had been removed. But she was feeling better every day. A few weeks of follow-up with her doctor in Bloomington and she’d be good as new.
The blue sky out the plane window made her think of Dawson. The way everything did these days. Already the pain of missing him hurt worse than any physical pain she was in.God, I wish I didn’t have to choose. Staying in Portland with Dawson … or going back to my family in Indiana.
Maddie imagined the days ahead. Maybe in a few years she could apply to the Oregon Zoo and she and Dawson could give it a try. See if they might step back into what they had started these past few months. She tried to picture leaving Indiana forever, and it made her sad.
