Chapter 1
Three Years Later
Madeline was staring out the window of the girl's bedroom out onto the road intently.
"What are you looking at?" Aggie asked her.
"Pepito is supposed to come back today," Madeline responded.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot. It's been a wile since we've seen him."
"Nearly three years."
"You must really miss him."
"Well you know, he's always been my best friend, second to you of course."
"I'll always be your best friend, don't you forget that when he comes back!"
"I just hope he hasn't changed too much."
"How much could he have changed, I mean you two have been writing letters this whole time..."
"There's the car! I know it's him!" Madeline shrieked running out of the room and down the stairs.
Pepito looked out the window as his chauffeur drove him into the driveway of his parents estate. He saw her then standing at the fence where they used to meet. Her hair was pulled back from her face, a definite change to her old style and she was a little taller now - though still quite small. The baby fat had left her cheeks leaving her looking as slender as a doe.
I hope she doesn't think I've changed too terribly much.
Madeline watched as Pepito stepped out of the car. She realized he had changed very much, he had grown considerably taller and had filled in his frame with muscles. Most surprising was his face - no longer at the peek of boyhood - it was that of a man's.
"Little girl!" Pepito called to her.
"Bad Hat you're back!" Madeline responded.
Pepito walked over to the fence reached down and squeezed the small girl's frame, nearly lifting her off the ground.
"It's good to see you again mi niñita," he whispered into her hair.
"You too, Pepi."
Finally letting go of her Pepito stood up and touched Madeline's hair.
"I like it. You've changed you know."
"You have too; you became a man somehow."
"Ah yo nunca podría llegar a ser un hombre sin ti," replied Pepito in a different tone gazing at Madeline.
"I don't know what that means," said Madeline with confusion.
"It doesn't matter Maddie. Anyway I have gifts for you and the other girls, could Ms. Clavel bring the lot of you over tomorrow?"
"I'll ask, but I'm sure she'll allow it."
"Good I'll see you then," Pepito said some what stiffly.
"Oui, until tomorrow min ami!"