I really didn't want to leave. Things have been really hard on us over the past year, and Dad was just making things worse by making us move to London. That's where my dad grew up, or so he says. Our reason for moving back to London was so that my dad could get back into the old family business. At the time, I had no idea what family business he was talking about. Maybe if he'd told me before, I wouldn't mind moving.
About a year ago, my mom died in a tragic car accident. She was going for a walk one night after dinner when a car was coming around the corner. The car didn't see her until it was too late. She died almost instantly. I couldn't help but be mad. I was mad at the driver. I was mad about not being able to say goodbye. But most of all, I was mad about the fact that my last words to her were "go away." I suppose the last words could have been worse but they seemed pretty bad to me. After she died, everything just went down hill from there. My dad lost his job and my grades started to slip. Finally, my dad decided enough was enough. We were going to move to London and Granny Wendy was going to help me cleanup my act.
"Final boarding call for flight number 510 to London, England" said the flight attendant over the loudspeaker at the airport. My best friend Mandy came to see me off. We've known each other since we were in diapers. She helped me through my moms death.
"You'll be ok" said Mandy, "you always said you wanted to go to London."
"Yeah but I didn't mean I wanted to move there" I said.
"Maddie, you'll be fine. Call me as soon as you get a chance" said Mandy.
"Maddison, it's time to go" said my dad from behind me. I gave Mandy a hug goodbye. I tried hard not to cry but I couldn't help it. The tears came anyways. I waved goodbye to Mandy from the gate. I could see the tears filling her eyes. Mandy never cried. She didn't even cry when her brothers and sisters were taken away. You see, Mandy was 18 and living on her own. Her brothers and sisters got taken away from her parents due to the fact that the state had reason to believe her parents might be abusive. Mandy tried to get custody of them but she lost the case.
I boarded the plane reluctantly and put my bags in the overhead compartments. My dad let me have the window seat while he got the isle. Nobody sat between us.
"Maddie we gotta talk" said Dad.
"It's a little too late for that" I said.
"Please just talk to me. Tell me whats wrong" said Dad.
"You really want to know whats wrong? Mom died, you lost your job, I was about to be expelled, we're moving half way across the world, I'm leaving everything I've ever known and it's all your fault" I said.
"I'm sorry but we didn't have any other option. Trust me, you'll love England" said Dad, trying to act happy about it.
"Right. Learning to drive on the road will be so much fun" I said. I'm 16 and I haven't gotten my permit yet. I know what you must be thinking but honestly, I was ok with not being able to drive. What's the big deal about driving anyways?
The plane ride was long, boring, and cold. There were tons of screaming babies and little kids. The people behind us and in front of us were all asleep and snoring. The flight attendants were rude and obnoxious. And to make it worse, my dad kept trying to talk to me about what was going on with me.
We landed in London a couple of hours later only to be greeted by slushy snow and a limo. From what I understand Granny Wendy did own some pretty expensive cars but she wasn't keen on driving. I had never met Granny Wendy before even though she was the women who raised my dad. She adopted him when has about 12 or 13. A couple of years later, he moved to America and met my mother. She was studying to become a doctor and he wanted to be a lawyer. Somehow, they met at college. I think you can pretty much guess what happened from there. My dad moving to America made it difficult for Granny Wendy to visit. She did come on occasion, like for Christmas and Easter and what not but after awhile she stopped coming. They kept in touch by phone. That's how Granny Wendy offered for us to come stay with her for a little while until we got back on our feet.
It had stopped snowing when we got to Granny's house but it was still pretty cold.
"Grab a suitcase" instructed Dad when the limo stopped. I was about to grab one but my dad stopped me.
"Not that one. Anyone but that one" said Dad. I shrugged it off and grabbed my own. I stood there and looked at the house for a moment. It was almost as if it had been wedged between the two houses on either side. It did look a bit narrow from the outside but I suppose it was bigger on the inside. The stair were wet and covered with snow which made it difficult for me to get my suitcase to the door.
"Now remember" began Dad, "be nice. Wendy is a good person and she was nice enough to open her house to us so smile and act like you're happy to be here."
So I forced a fake smile when a man opened the door. He was tall and had short, dark redish color hair that had turned slightly grey in some areas. He didn't really look that much older than Dad.
"Uncle Michael" said Dad in a cheery voice.
"Peter. It's so good to see you again. Come in" said Uncle Michael, opening the door. The house had a very elegant atmosphere. There was a crystal chandelier hanging in the foyer. There were thousands of family pictures on the tables.
"This can't be little Maddison" said uncle Michael, "you we're just a little girl the last time I saw you." Now apparently I had met uncle Michael before. He used to come visit us when he was doing business in America, but it's been awhile since I've seen him. The last time I saw him I was 10.
"I'm so glad you're here" said uncle Michael, "we've been looking forward to seeing you for so long now."
"We're happy to be here too" said Dad.
"Wendy will be down in a little while, she was just freshening up a little. We bought some last minute things for Maddie's room" said Uncle Michael as he helped me with some of my suitcases.
"My room?" I asked.
"I hope you don't mind but Wendy went ahead and decorated your room. The women may be old but she knows a thing or two when it comes to decorating. Uh, John should be over in a little while. He had a couple of things he had to do at work first" said uncle Michael.
"John's still working?" asked Dad.
"Oh yes. He's not one of those men who likes sitting home all day and have people waiting on him hand and foot. No, he'd rather be out doing something productive."
"Where does he work now?" asked Dad.
"Oh, he works in West End. He's helping out with a new production. He designs sets" said Uncle Michael, "you know Maddie if you're interested in plays, I'm sure John wouldn't mind taking you to work sometime."
"Oh, Maddie practically grew up on Broadway. She loves plays" said Dad. That was true. Before we moved, we lived just outside of the city. I would see a play just about once a month. My mom loved to go with me. After she died, I tried to go but things just weren't the same.
I was about to add something to that statement, but I heard a soft voice coming from behind me.
"Maddison."
I turned around to see Granny Wendy standing in the doorway of what I guessed to be her room. She was old but she was very pretty. Her gray hair was done neatly in a loose bun. She had on a long pink gown that had sparkles and white beads on it. She had a slim, brown wooden cane in her left hand. Granny had on lots of jewelry. She had a long pearl necklace with several rings and bracelets.
"It's such a pleasure to meet you. I've been waiting for such a long time."
"It's a pleasure to meet you too" I said, smiling.
"And Peter. It's been too long" said Granny, giving dad a hug, "I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too" said Dad.
"Come now, let me show you to your rooms" said Granny.
"Wendy, you know you can't make it up those stairs" said Michael.
"Oh nonsense, of course I can. If you can do it, I can do it" said Granny, leading the way to our rooms. My room was decorated in pink and green, which I must admit wasn't that bad. It sort of reminded me of my room back home.
"You change it if you don't like it" said Granny.
"Oh no, I love" I said, and I wasn't lying. Sure, it could use a few changes here and there but besides that I liked it. Granny went on to show Dad his room while I explored mine. I had my own balcony and everything. My balcony looked out over most of the city.
Once Granny was done showing Dad his room, it was time for dinner. That was the first time I had ever had an elegant dinner. The food was served on silver treys and we ate off of blue china plates.
"Maddison darling sit up straight. There'll be no slouching at the dinner table" said Granny. I sat up as straight as I could. I found this position to be rather uncomfortable and wanted to slouch but I couldn't. After dinner, I went up to my room. I was going to give Mandy a call but then my dad walked in.
"Can I help you?" I asked.
"Maddie, I have something to tell you" said Dad.
"What is it?"
"Something has suddenly come up and I have to go away for a little while. It'll only be for a couple of days" said Dad.
"Go? Go where? We just go here" I said, rather mad.
"I know. I can't tell you where I'm going but I'm leaving tonight" said Dad.
"Where are you going?" I asked again.
"I'll tell you when you're older" said Dad, "but right now you wouldn't understand."
"Fine" I said, sitting on my bed.
"Now, be good for Wendy and Michael. I don't want to hear that you gave them any trouble. I promise you, I'll be back soon. Remember, you start school on Monday. The limo driver will take you. He knows where the school is" said Dad.
"Do you know what'll happen if I, the new kid, pull up at the front of the school in a limo?"
"If your embarrassed by it then have park a block or two away" said Dad, "now I really have to go." Dad gave me a kiss goodbye and said I love you.