It's So Easy To Love Maddie
This story is the property of the co-authors and cannot be reproduced or distributed without specific consent of the authors. It is written for your enjoyment only. This story about the love between two women and is fiction. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental.
Chapter One
By Chrissy and Peyton
Maddie lay in the hospital bed in a medically induced coma unaware of where she was or why. She did feel a presence with her but she wasn't sure who was there. At times she thought she sensed her Aunt Mary was there. She also felt her girlfriend Izzy but she knew there were more, she just couldn't place who they were. All she knew was she was feeling as though she was floating and unable to see or talk to whomever was there with her.
Her mind drifted in and out but she kept reliving the last four years of her twenty-two years. It all started her senior year of high school. She had been secretly dating Stephanie Williams, a teammate on her high school softball team. They had managed, or so they thought, to keep it a secret from their classmates, families and friends. They lived in a conservative area where homosexuality was not well accepted. Having discovered their love for each other while playing on their high school softball team, they had been dating since the summer before their junior year.
Today Maddie had the weight of the world on her mind and although she knew this day would come it was much too soon for her and Stephanie. They had hoped it would not come until they graduated from high school in a little over four months.
They had been careful to not show their love for each other when they were at school or around family and they felt sure everyone thought they were just being best friends. Yesterday, was Sunday, they had gone to see a movie, always going to the theatre on the other side of town to avoid running into people they knew. Little did they know one of their teammates and one who could not keep a secret spotted them at the theatre holding hands and kissing. She made sure Maddie and Stephanie didn't see her as she texted her friends what she had witnessed.
Monday all hell broke out at school as Maddie made her way to class. Why were so many people staring at her and whispering as she walked by. Then in second period one of her friends approached her.
"Is it true? Were you and Stephanie Williams making out at the movies yesterday?"
"Where did you hear that?" Maddie demanded, her eyes showing the fear she felt inside.
"It's been all over school this morning. I got a text last night from Janice who heard it from Jimmy. So, is it true? Are you two Lesbos?"
Maddie was stunned. She now understood why people were looking at her and whispering as she would walk by. Just then she got a text from Stephanie. "We've been discovered. Everyone knows. Someone saw us at the movies yesterday. We need to tell our parents this afternoon before they hear it from one of their friends. I'm sorry babe, we knew this time would come. We'll get through it. I love you."
Maddie's stomach was in knots the rest of the day. She didn't know how her parents would react and she was afraid that they would not understand. She had a hard time getting through her classes, the rest of the day and came close to throwing up a few times she was so worried what was going to happen.
As soon as the last bell rang, she sprinted from her class to her car and made it home although she was sure she blew through a stop sign or two on the way. Once home, she went to her room lying on the bed crying trying to figure how to break the news to her parents. She knew they would be very upset with her but did not realize just how drastic they would react. She needed to talk to someone before she talked to her parents to get advice but other than Stephanie, who she knew was in the same position as her, she couldn't think of anyone. Then it came to her. Maddie had not seen or talked to her since she was six years old. Aunt Mary was the black sheep of the family and was not invited to family gatherings even though Maddie's mom Sally was her younger sister. She didn't know what had happened but when Maddie was six, something occurred and after that she hadn't seen Aunt Mary even though she lived just a few miles away. Her mom and dad refused to talk of it and if Maddie brought up Aunt Mary she was told to forget about her. She was no longer a part of the family.
Maddie agonized what to do but she needed to do it fast as her mom would be home from work in less than two hours. Maddie didn't know Aunt Mary's number but she did know where she lived so she got back in her car and drove to her house hoping she was home.
As she pulled up, she could see a car in the driveway which gave her hope her Aunt Mary was home. She walked to the door and rang the doorbell. Maddie was shaking with fear and nerves. She didn't know if Aunt Mary would even talk to her or just send her away.
"Yes, can I help you?" the strikingly look -a-like to her mom asked as she opened the door.
"Aunt Mary?" Maddie stumbled to say, "It's Maddie, your niece."
"Maddison?, oh my god child I almost didn't recognize you! You have grown into such a beautiful woman. What brings you here? Does your mother know you are here?" Aunt Mary asked Maddie.
"No, she doesn't. I don't know what happened between you and mom but I need help and I thought I could talk to you before I have to face my parents. I know we don't really know each other but I need to talk to an adult and well... you are family," Maddie said shaking partially from nerves, from fear and from the cold since it was still winter.
"Well come in and sit and we'll talk, though I don't know what I can do to help since I haven't seen any of you for twelve years and I'm not exactly welcome at your house'" Aunt Mary said as she opened the door and let Maddie inside.
Maddie entered still shaking. Once inside, they went to the living room and Aunt Mary directed Maddie to sit on the sofa as she sat in a big overstuffed chair facing Maddie.
"Before you tell me what your problem is Maddison tell me how everyone in your family is getting along. I unfortunately haven't kept up with ya'll as well as I should. I have friends who know your mom and they usually fill me in but lately I've been traveling and haven't been around," Aunt Mary inquired. She also saw how nervous Maddie was and felt if she got her to talk about something other than her problem it would calm her down.
Maddie really wanted to talk about her problem but since she hadn't seen Aunt Mary in years and she dropped by without asking, she felt obligated to respond to Aunt Mary.
"We're all fine. Dad is still working at the same engineering firm as he has for many years and mom is still a law clerk for a state judge. Callie is in seventh grade and involved in cheer and gymnastics. I'm a senior and have been on the softball team for three years now and I'm looking forward to next year and being away for college. If you don't mind Aunt Mary would you call me Maddie, please? I prefer it over Maddison."
"Sure honey. Since I haven't been part of your growing up I didn't know. You are a beautiful young woman Maddie. Your parents have done well raising you," Aunt Mary continued. "Now, tell me what has happened that has brought you over here that you could possibly think that I could help you with."
"Aunt Mary, I'm not sure where to start because what I'm about to tell you may have you asking me to leave and not come back," Maddie spoke but the days emotions finally got to her and tears began to fall down her cheeks.
"Whatever it is I will not turn my back on you. I have felt that from experience and know that no matter how bad it is we are family and we should support each other to get through any problems. I won't judge you. I may not be able to help you or agree with you but I will be there for you if only to keep you looking forward," Aunt Mary said as she got a box of tissues for Maddie.
"Thank you. It means a lot to me just to have someone to talk to me and not judge me. For the last almost two years I have been in a relationship and we are very much in love with each other. We've kept it a secret from our classmates, friends and family the whole time," Maddie started but hesitated as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"How wonderful you have someone you love and have been with that long. Most people don't stay with someone when they are your age but move from boy to boy. But I don't understand why you would keep it a secret especially since your relationship is strong enough to last two years in a period of time where kids usually change boyfriends as often as they change their nail polish," Aunt Mary said tilting her head in obvious confusion. The she added, "are you pregnant?"
That last comment from her aunt gave Maddie reason to smile, "No, no I'm not pregnant," Maddie replied. Maddie hesitated and stuttered as she knew with what she said next Aunt Mary's image of her and possibly her reaction might suddenly go from kindness to cold condemnation. "I'm not pregnant because the person I'm seeing is named Stephanie and she is not a boy." Maddie stopped talking to let what she said sink in with Aunt Mary as she waited to see if her appearance changed or if she could detect any condemnation that was about to come from her aunt.
"Oh, I see," Aunt Mary replied calmly. "I didn't see that coming," she said then smiled and let out a little giggle.
Maddie was surprised at the reaction but also a little relieved as she didn't expect that kind of response from her aunt.
"And now you are ready to tell your parents and you are afraid of their response. Am I correct?" Aunt Mary asked as she leaned forward with her hands held together almost as if she was praying.
"Someone from school saw Steph and I this weekend and it's now all over the school that we are lesbians and dating. Before my parents hear it from another parent, I need to tell them but I don't think their reaction is going to be the same as you just had and I need your advise as to what to say and do," tears steadily flowing now from Maddie's eyes as she was almost pleading with Aunt Mary.
"Well I think it's time I tell you a story about your mother and me that might give you some insight as to what their reaction will be."
Maddie was all ears now because she came here for advice and not only was she going to receive some she was going to hear about her mom and Aunt Mary. This was something her mom would not discuss with her.
"You see Maddie, about thirteen years ago my marriage was starting to fail and I too needed comfort and someone to talk to about my problems. Your mother was always there for me and she would listen but unlike her I wasn't as religious and your mom kept pushing me to talk to her pastor and not to get a divorce. That wasn't what I wanted to hear because I knew I could never be happy in a marriage where I no longer loved the person I was with and he didn't love me. I wasn't going to stay married simply because of religion."
The tears in Maddie's eyes had stopped flowing and she now sat back and listened as Aunt Mary talked. She knew her aunt was married once, however since she no longer saw her aunt or her husband she did not know what had happened.
Aunt Mary continued, "I needed someone else other than your mom since her religious viewpoint was not what I wanted to hear. A woman I knew from one of my yoga classes and I became friends. She became the person I leaned on during that time. We became closer and it just seemed to happen."
Maddie was confused now and her facial expression showed as she wrinkled her forehead from what she just heard. "What just happened?" she innocently said without even thinking it through.
"We became lovers," Aunt Mary paused as it was now Aunt Mary's time to let a statement sink in with Maddie.
It was just seconds before Maddie reacted as she now saw not only a bond between her and her aunt but an insight as to what her parents were going to say. "I suppose that was the reason you and my mom don't talk?"
"Unfortunately that and I divorced John shortly thereafter. Once I told her I was divorcing him, she was upset with me and let it be known she didn't approve. Since we were arguing anyway, I let my emotions get to me and I told her about Judy. She went over the deep end and told me I was no longer welcome in her house and to stay away from you and Callie. She didn't want my immoral behavior to infect you two. I said some things I shouldn't have said and I regret that I let my emotions get the better of me. I tried on numerous occasions to reconcile with her but she has held fast on her position. Since then I pretty much gave up and figured she would need to make the first move."
Maddie was stunned. She just sat there starring down taking in what she just learned from her aunt. Surely her mother wouldn't banish her or treat her with so much hate as she had her own sister.
Finally she spoke, "Do you think she will think I'm immoral and do you think she will kick me out of the house?" Fear was now evident in her voice.
"I don't know sweetie, but I think you should prepare for the worse and hope for the best," Aunt Mary softly spoke but in her mind if her sister was still so homophobic she knew Maddie would bear the wrath of her sisters' beliefs.
"Listen to me Maddie. I can't go with you to tell them and you can't even mention that you have been here or they will blame me for this and they will make it harder on you. But I think you should be honest with them and tell them how you feel about Stephanie and your sexuality. If they cast you out, you can come here and I will help you. You just need to see what they are going to say and do. It's not going to be easy and I don't envy you but its best that they hear it from you and not someone else."
Maddie sat there for a moment digesting what she had just heard. She looked up to see her Aunt sitting there looking at her with sadness in her eyes. She knew what that sadness meant and she was forecasting Maddie's fate with her eyes.
"Thank you Aunt Mary. I know what I have to do and who I am. I'm not changing myself to suit others or satisfy their beliefs. I will drop by after I've talked with them and let you know how it went. I also would like to come by and visit more often and for us get to know each other. By the way, do you still see Judy?" Maddie asked curiously wanting to know.
"From time to time we see each other. She has her life and I have mine but we remain close friends," Aunt Mary replied with a bit of sorrow in her voice.
"I need to go. My mom will be home any minute and I don't need someone calling before I get to her. I don't have your number. Can I have it so I can call you sometime?" Maddie said as she stood and got her phone out of her pink floral Kavu bag she found extremely convenient at school as it carried some of her books plus her personal items and fit easily over her shoulder.
They exchanged telephone numbers and then walked to the front door. Before she opened the door Maddie turned and hugged her aunt softly speaking into her ear, "Thank you so much, I'm sorry to visit you this way and I'm sorry for what happened between you and mom."
Aunt Mary hugged Maddie a little harder and replied, "I know honey, and I'm just glad I finally got to see you. I will be thinking of you and hoping everything will be okay."
Maddie left her aunt and waved as she backed out of the driveway. Her mind was racing as she was concerned her mom would react just as she had towards her own sister for much the same reason. She knew she had to prepare for the worst.
Maddie had no sooner entered the house when she heard her mother drive up. Her stomach felt as though it was going to come out her mouth and she could feel her body shaking in fear of what was going to happen in the next half hour.
Sally Rogers entered the house from the garage door into the kitchen. She dropped her purse, briefcase, and car keys on a kitchen chair and called out, "Maddie, I'm home."
Maddie appeared around the corner and walked hesitantly into the kitchen. "Mom I have something really important I need to talk to you about."
"Okay honey, can it wait a second until change out of my work clothes?"
"Yes, but please hurry because I want to talk to you before Callie gets home from cheer."
Sally went into her room taking off her dress and heels pulling out a pair of pants, long sleeve pullover and tennis shoes. As she dressed she wondered what could be so important that her daughter seemed concerned asking her to hurry.
She walked back into the kitchen to find Maddie sitting at the table with her feet bouncing up and down as if she were keeping a beat to a fast song. "Okay, what is so important that you are having a nervous twitch in your legs?" she asked.
"Mom, what I'm about to tell you I want you to keep an open mind and to not judge me."
"Maddie, are you in some kind of trouble? Have you done something wrong? Do we need to hire an attorney?"
"No mom, I've done nothing like that. Please just listen to me and don't interrupt. When I'm done talking then you can respond, but I need to get everything out in the open and I can't if you keep interrupting me."
"Mom, you know Stephanie and you like her and know we are always together. Well it goes beyond that. We are girlfriends in the literal sense and have been for almost two years now. Up until now we've kept it a secret from everyone but this past weekend someone from school saw us together kissing and holding hands. I wanted to tell you before you heard it from one of your friends. I know this isn't what you believe in but Stephanie and I love each other."
Maddie stopped talking starring at her mom trying to read her mind. Finally Sally looked up and Maddie could see her mom's hands shaking. Soon tears were rolling down her mom's cheeks and then it came. "I raised you better than this! You were raised in a house that believes in the Bible and homosexuality is a sin. Have you two been intimate with each other?" Maddie's mom demanded.
"Yes," was all Maddie could utter.
Her moms' fist pounded down on the table. "No, you are better than this! Why Maddie? Why?" her mom said raising her voice with some anger in her tone. Before Maddie could even respond, her mother continued. "I won't have this in my house. From this day forward you are not to see that girl again. You are restricted to this house except to go to school and you are to come straight home afterwards and call me to say you are at home. Further, once you are home you are to turn off your cell phone. I will check your phone everyday to make sure you are not contacting that girl or anyone else. Do you hear me young lady?" her mother was now almost screaming at Maddie.
"But mom, I"...that was all Maddie could get out before her mom fired back.
"Enough, I don't want to hear any excuses. You will do as you're told as long as you live under my roof. And you can kiss the softball team goodbye because I won't let you play on a team of immoral lesbians. I will have a list of chores for you to do each day after school and they had better be done by the time I get home. Part of those chores will be reading scripture and learning what kind of life you should be living instead of one in sin. Now go to your room and give me your cell phone."
Maddie was stunned. She knew her mother would not like what she was but she felt this was a little overboard for a girl who had just turned eighteen and was considered an adult by the state. She obeyed her mom however giving her cell phone to her and returned to her room. She laid down on the bed and could only cry pulling her stuffed teddy bear into her chest. She had received that bear when she had tonsillitis at six years old. Now, even at eighteen, she still treasured it and kept it on her bed often pulling it into her for comfort when she was sick or just needed a hug.
The next day at school Stephanie was waiting for her in the parking lot coming up to her as soon as her car pulled into her spot. Stephanie got in the passenger seat and immediately turned to Maddie. "I texted you last night but you didn't answer. How did it go?"
"Not good," Maddie responded and proceeded to tell her everything. "And that's why I didn't answer because I didn't have my cell. Until this gets resolved it would be best if we didn't text anymore and only talk at school."
"I'm so sorry Maddie. This is worse than I thought it would be. My parents were upset but they really like you so they said it was my choice and I have to live with it," Stephanie said as she gazed out the passenger side window. "We'll get by. It may only be temporary. Softball practice starts next week. Maybe by then she will change her mind," Stephanie said but she already sensed this might not be the case.
For the next week, Maddie did as she was told even though she didn't believe she deserved to be treated this way and her resentment towards her mom began to grow. Softball practice was set to begin and she would not be there having the fun she wanted out of her senior year of high school. After three weeks, Maddie had reached the limit of her mothers' beliefs and punishment. She went to the softball coach and talked to him about missing the first few weeks of practice. He told her if she wanted to play she had to be there by the end of the week or the roster would be set and she wouldn't be able to bump anyone off of it.
Maddie left to go home with just a spark of optimism. If she could just get on the team she might be able to forget about the rest of the punishment. She drove home and worked on her chores. When her mom came in she handed her cell phone to her and asked if they could talk.
Her mom was still giving her a cold reception and had said very little to her over the past three weeks. "Mom would you allow me to play softball this being my senior year and the last chance I'll get to play on a team?"
"No, that's not what we agreed to and I told you no softball," her mom replied rather coldly.
"We never agreed to anything, mom. You told me the terms and never allowed me to discuss them."
"You apparently don't know how to behave so there was no reason for us to discuss it. It's not open for discussion," her mom firmly stated starring at Maddie as if she were daring her to argue.
It was that look that Maddie saw in her mothers' eyes that told her if she didn't stand up for her beliefs she would never be happy. At that point her body just acted on impulse and she went into a defensive tirade directed at her mom.
"I'm eighteen years old and if I want to have a relationship with someone you can't stop me. You will never change who I am and who I love. Try will only get you resentment from me and your hate of homosexuality is contrary to your religious beliefs. I thought inclusion and love of all was what you were to be preaching not love for those who only believe what you want them to believe. I pity you mom, that you are so narrow minded you can't see how happy I was before and how miserable I am now because you want me to live as you believe and not as I believe."
"Maddison Abigail Rogers, you will not talk to me like this especially in my house. I am your mother and you will listen to me and obey me!"
"Yes you are my mother but I am not your slave so don't treat me like one. Start acting like a mother and support me and allow me to grow and learn my own ways even if they disagree with your narrow minded beliefs!"
"You will obey me and live by my rules or you can pack your bags, support yourself and live in sin!"
At that, her mom stormed out of the kitchen and to her bedroom to change clothes. Maddie stood there stunned and afraid she had pushed her mom too far. She contemplated going in and apologizing to her for speaking the way she did but then thought no she meant every word. I'm not happy and if I can't be happy here then maybe it's best if I leave. She turned and walked towards her bedroom. Callie who had come home after school heard everything and was waiting until her big sister passed by her door. Before she could follow Maddie to her room their mother came out of her room and told Callie she was going to the grocery store and would be back in an hour.
As soon as their mother left, Callie went straight into Maddie's room where she found Maddie sitting on her bed with tears rolling down her face. Callie went and sat next to her placing her hand on her shoulder. Callie was aware of what was going on as over the last three weeks Maddie had told her what happened with her mom.
"What are you going to do?" Callie softly asked as she rubbed Maddie's shoulder.
"I don't know Callie. I don't know. I can't live like this. This is not who I am. I don't expect them to agree with my decisions but it would be nice if they at least supported me and were there for me instead of condemning me and putting me in isolation like I am now. It's bad enough at school to be labeled a lesbian dyke and made fun of or talked behind my back. Then to come home and be treated worse is too much. I don't know what to do but I have to do something," Maddie sobbed and put her head on her sisters' shoulder.
"If you leave where would you go and how would you support yourself? Would you still see me?" Callie asked as now she began to cry as fear entered her mind she might never see her sister again.
"No matter what Callie, you'll always be my sister and I'll see you as much as I can. I love you and that is not going to change." Maddie replied as she now hugged her sister.
Then an idea came to Maddie and she sat up straight and for the first time in weeks she saw a way out.
"Go get your big duffle bag and bring it here," Maddie said as she smiled at Callie.
Maddie got up and in her closet she pulled out a large duffle bag that matched the one Callie had. She also pulled out her gym bag. She began to pack both with everything she had in her dresser. Between Callie's bag and hers, she was able to empty her dresser and had some space left for her many shoes she had in the closet. Her hanging clothes were all that was left plus the things on her dresser such as her makeup, some mementos, and her bathroom items.
"Tomorrow can you come home right after school?" she asked Callie. "I need your help before mom gets home."
"Yeah, sure. What are you doing and where are you going?" Callie asked becoming very concerned.
"Good. I'm not going to tell you yet as I don't want to put you in a bad situation with mom. Just helping me now and tomorrow could get you into trouble and I don't want her wrath coming down on you because of me. If what I'm thinking works, I'll let you know in a few weeks. Now take this bag and put it back in your closet," Maddie said as she put both of her packed bags in the closet so it would appear nothing was out of the ordinary.
The next day before her last class, Maddie went to the office and told them she wasn't feeling well and needed to leave. She drove directly to her Aunt Mary's house hoping to catch her there. Seeing her Aunt' car when she drove up lifted Maddie's spirits. She hopped out of her car and sprinted to the front door. Before she could ring the doorbell, the door opened as Aunt Mary heard the car pull up and had looked out to see who it was.
"Maddie, I've been worried and wondering what happened after we last talked. I tried to text you but never got any responses," Aunt Mary said, now showing concern.
"Let's get inside. I've very little time and I need to ask you a very huge request," Maddie said as she walked right in not waiting for a response from her aunt. Before they could even sit down, Maddie was telling her how the conversation had been the day she told her mom about Stephanie. She told Aunt Mary about her punishment and she couldn't use her cell phone except to talk to her mom.
She then went on to tell her about the argument the day before and what had transpired. "Aunt Mary, I can't live there anymore. I'm dying inside and I need to escape from moms' narrow minded homophobic beliefs. I know this is asking a lot but can I stay with you until I can figure out where and what I can do? I won't be a bother and I'll pay for my own food. I have a few thousand dollars in the bank I've saved from gifts and working at the Pizza Palace in the summer and winter break," Maddie pleaded with her Aunt.
"I knew this could happen from our last conversation and in preparation for this I've already fixed up the guest bedroom for you. Of course you can stay but I feel obligated to notify your mother you are here and safe," Aunt Mary said looking at Maddie to see if that would be an issue.
"Oh thank you so much." Maddie jumped up and almost knocked her aunt over as she grabbed her and hugged her. "I promise I won' be any trouble. But if you tell mom I'm here won't that be more of a problem between you two?"
"Yes it will but it can't be any worse than it is now since we haven't spoken one word to each other for twelve years," Aunt Mary said. "Besides you let me worry about that. Now when do you plan on leaving and how?"'
"I'm packed now. All I need to do is get home and put everything into my car before mom gets home. Callie will be there to help me load everything up so I can be gone before she gets there. I have written her a letter explaining how I feel and why I'm leaving. Since I'm eighteen, I don't think there is anything legally they can do to compel me to come home. In the states eyes I'm an adult. So if you are good with this I'll run home now and be back within a couple of hours," Maddie said as she clapped her hands in anticipation of her life becoming one of love and happiness and not of sorrow and condemnation.
"Then go do it. But only if you are sure and have thought this out because there will be ramifications and complications down the road. You are still a child and even if the state says you are an adult, living on your own requires a great deal of effort and initiative. Some of which will mean doing things you don't want to do when you don't want to do them. But I'll be here to guide you and help you make the right decisions," Aunt Mary said knowing that things were going to be different not only for Maddie but for her and her relationship with her sister.
Maddie ran to her car and drove home happier than she had been in the last three weeks. Upon reaching her house, she quickly exited her car and ran inside to see if Callie was there. Callie had not yet made it home as she rode the bus and it was still a stop away from her getting off the bus. In the meantime, Maddie got in her closet and pulled out the duffle and gym bags she had packed yesterday and threw them on the bed. She didn't notice that when she did it knocked her teddy bear off onto the floor on the other side of the bed. She opened the bags up and started putting items from the top of her dresser into the bags plus her bathroom items.
She remembered she had better text her mom she was home or her mother would be suspicious so she stopped what she was doing and texted her. She then put her phone back in her Kavu bag and continued packing.
Not two minutes later Callie walked in from school and saw what Maddie was doing.
"I take it you found a place to stay?" she asked with sorrow as she knew she wouldn't have her big sister who she admired so much around to talk to and be with.
"Yes and don't ask me where," Maddie said. "You'll know soon enough. What I need you to do is get your duffel bag and bring it in here."
Callie brought the bag in and placed it on the bed next to the other two bags. "Start with my pants in the closet and get as many as you can in the bags. Not many are going to fit but whatever will fit I need in the bags. I'm going to finish this letter to mom," Maddie stated.
Maddie walked into the kitchen and sat at the table putting the finishing touches on the letter she had been composing to her mom and dad since yesterday.
Dear Mom and Dad,
This is not a letter I am taking pleasure in writing. Things have come to a point where I needed to make a decision in order to have sanity, peace of mind, and to be able to live and love who I want. I know ya'll don't approve of my lifestyle and you may never approve of it. I have not and will not ask for your approval. I only ask for your support and understanding which you haven't been able to provide. Remember though I am your loving daughter and I would hope that one day you will be able to at least see me as such instead of an immoral sinner. I am leaving and not coming back. I will miss both of you beyond saying. You will always be my mom and dad and I will always love you. I will let you know where I am once I am there and safe.
Your daughter Maddie
Maddie folded the letter writing "Mom and Dad" on the outside placing it upright on the kitchen table where it would be seen when her mom came in from work. She looked at it for a minute wondering if that would be the last time she would ever communicate with her parents then turned to go into her bedroom. Callie was almost finished packing as much as she could get into the bags. Maddie directed her to bring the bags and start carrying her other hang-ups to the garage door so she could put them in her car. She told Callie not to come outside so the neighbors wouldn't see her helping Maddie. She instructed Callie if asked by their mom where she was to tell her the truth,"you don't know". This way Maddie hoped that Callie wouldn't get into any trouble. If asked about her things being gone just say you were in your room and didn't notice.
Maddie and Callie got everything that Maddie could take into the car. Maddie came back into the house to see if there was anything she missed or needed to take with her as she knew she could never come back once she was gone. Satisfied after looking in her bedroom door seeing nothing and having all her clothes which what she really needed she turned to Callie.
"God I'm going to miss you," she said as the tears began to roll from her eyes. "If you need anything you just text me and we can meet somewhere, okay?'
Callie was crying too as she didn't want her big sister leaving her. She just nodded her head as she was unable to talk.
They hugged for several minutes before Maddie kissed Callie on the top of her head and pulled away telling her "I love you Callie." She then turned before she completely lost it herself and walked out the door to her car.
She didn't look back at the house as she left afraid that she would break down in the emotions she was feeling. She didn't see Callie at the front window crying uncontrollably.
To be continued...
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