Chapter 11

It was almost ten that night when David finally made it back to the office. He had been out all day tracking down witnesses for their latest case. Has he headed down the hall to the office, he expected to find it dark, empty, he would drop the notes off on his desk, and head home to Maddie. What he didn't expect it was to find Agnes sitting on the couch in the waiting area, reading a book. "Agnes, what are you doing here? It's almost ten."

"I know Mr. Addison. But Miss Hayes is still in her office. And she seemed pretty upset. I felt bad leaving her alone when she seemed so upset."

"Any idea what's wrong?" David asked.

"No clue. Not long after you left, we all heard her having a loud argument on the phone with someone. She seemed really upset the rest of the day after that argument."

"Any idea who the argument was with?"

"No idea Mr. Addison."

"Agnes, why don't you head home? I'll take over from here. Thank you." Agnes and leaves to go home. Cautiously knocks on Maddie's office door. When she doesn't say anything, he opens the door and walks in. He finds her sitting on her couch. "Honey, is everything ok?"

"No."

"What's wrong? Agnes told me that she heard you having a loud argument with someone on the phone earlier. Does this have anything to do with that?" David said as he walked over to her. He sat next to her on the couch and held her hand.

"Yes and no." Maddie started to cry.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he pulled her into a hug.

"It seems like we never get a break," Maddie cried into his chest.

"A break from what? From work?"

"No. Life in general. It always seems like when things are going well for us, there is some major disaster that happens."

"Honey, what major disaster is happening?"

"Remember I told you before you left, that Mark called me to tell me that Annie was pregnant and he blamed me?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, a couple of hours later I get a call from Margaret Barnes."

"The one who interviewed you about getting married."

"Yes her. Well, she called to tell me that a woman called her, trying to sell a story to the magazine. The story was that you had cheated on me and got another woman pregnant. The woman trying to sell the story was Annie."

"Did Margaret believe her? Is she going to do the story?"

"No and no. So, after I spoke to Margaret, I called Mark to find out where Annie was staying. I wanted to put an end to all of this once for all. I called Annie and we had this huge argument. I told her that just because she made her life and her marriage go down the toilet, doesn't mean she needs to do the same for mine."

"Good for you honey. Why would she even try to do something like that?"

"She said that she needed the money. The divorce is going to wipe out her savings. Which means she can't afford a place to live. She said she thought that selling the story would get her enough money to live in a nice place. But really, I think she's just jealous of the wonderful life I have that she couldn't achieve for herself. "

"I agree with you. Look, I know it feels like a disaster because Annie and you were once both so close, but like I said earlier, this is their problem. Not yours. They're not running with the story. So there's nothing to worry about. Who would believe it anyway? Come on. Let's go home. I'm exhausted. I'm hungry. And I want to enjoy the rest of the night with my lovely wife," David said as they got up and started to walk out of the office.

"Lovely wife huh? Anyone I know?" Maddie asked teasingly.

"Yeah. I think you do know her."

The next several weeks were a whirlwind. Between lots of new cases and planning Maddie's mother moving to LA, Maddie and David were swamped. During all the chaos, some good news emerged. Agnes and Bert were contacted by an adoption counselor they were working with. An expectant couple had picked them to adopt their baby. One Monday morning, Maddie walked into New Moon. Agnes didn't greet her in the usual cheerful way. As Maddie walked over to her office, Bert stopped her. "Ms. Hayes, could you please talk to Agnes? Something is up," Bert said.

"Yeah, she does seem down. Is everything ok?"

"I don't know Ms. Hayes. I tried talking to her, but she won't tell me. I think this might be something that's best discussed woman to woman."

Maddie nodded. "Ms. DiPesto, could I see you in my office?"

"Sure Ms. Hayes." They walk into Maddie's office and sit on the couch.

"Is everything ok?"

"Bert and I met yesterday with the birth parents who picked us."

"That's great."

"Not really Ms. Hayes."

"Why not? Is there something wrong with the baby?"

"No, it's not that. What the couple, Scott, and Melissa, said left me with an uneasy feeling."

"What do you mean, Agnes?"

"Before we met them, I expected them to be different. I expected to meet a young couple, who was down on their luck, and who was placing their baby for adoption to give them a better life than they could provide. That's how it seems to happen for other people, right?"

"Yeah. That's not the case here?"

"No. They're a nice couple in their twenties. They're in love. Scott has a successful career. He makes good money. They live a very comfortable and well-off life. You wouldn't expect them to be placing their baby for adoption, Ms. Hayes."

"Yeah. If they're in love and can take care of the baby, why would they want to put it up for adoption?"

"Because they don't want it. They flat out, told us that they enjoy their jet-setting, relaxing, lap of luxury, partying lifestyle to derail it by being parents. They want to be able to do what they want without having to always worry about a child. They don't even want to have contact with the baby as it grows up."

Maddie just shook her head in disbelief.

"I just don't understand it Ms. Hayes. Here is this couple who is perfectly capable of taking care of a baby. She's pregnant and giving birth to a baby that they don't even want. They don't even want to know the baby when it grows up. Not know what kind of man or woman it would grow up to be. I just can't wrap my head around that. I would love to get pregnant and give birth to a baby that's half me and half Bert, but I can't."

"I understand Agnes. I can't wrap my head around it either. David and I would give anything to have been able to be parents to that little boy we lost last year. And here's a couple who is too selfish to disrupt their lifestyle for a life that they created. But this might be a good thing."

"How?"

"This couple clearly doesn't love this baby. They're too selfish to love it. But you and Bert haven't even met the baby and you love it already. You said you wanted to give a baby a better life than what it would have otherwise. Well, you both are doing that. If they are this uncaring about the baby now, imagine what it would be like after it's born. You're giving the baby loving and caring parents that it might not have otherwise."

"You're right Ms. Hayes. If I loved that baby we took care of in Christmas that much, imagine how I'd be with my own baby."

"Exactly. Boy, and I thought I'd make a lousy mother," Maddie said with a laugh.

"You did?"

"Yeah, Agnes I did. David and I joked about us being bad parents in the hospital."

"I disagree. You both will make wonderful parents one day."

"Oh. Speaking of which. I never got to tell you. David and I plan on trying after we reach our six-month anniversary."

"That's great!"

The next few weeks flew by. Before they knew it, it was Valentine's Day. It would be the first Valentine's Day for Maddie and David as a couple. And they were both very nervous. Neither of them has ever spent Valentine's Day with someone. David had gotten gifts and flowers for Tess when they were married and for Jillian when they were living together. But this was the first one that was a truly romantic Valentine's Day with the woman he loves. He wanted to make sure everything was perfect. Maddie, on the other hand was more nervous about her gift for David. Although she was excited, she never had a man really do anything for her for Valentine's Day beyond some flowers and some candy. The flowers would die off and she didn't eat the candy because she was too worried about her figure. 'Ugh. Chocolate,' Maddie thought as she sat at her desk. The idea made her feel sick. The idea of most food related things had her feeling sick lately. It first hit her a couple of weeks ago. She had gone out with David to grab pizza one night before he went off with Bert on a stakeout. Shortly after she got home, she started to feel queasy. It didn't take how long to figure it out.

Valentine's Day evening rolled around. She had talked David into exchanging gifts before they went out to dinner. She knew it had to happen that way. Otherwise, her plan would be ruined when she didn't have any champagne at dinner. David insisted he change at the office. He wanted it to feel like a real date. He wanted to make up for all the disastrous ones they had before. When he showed up on their doorstep, they were all smiles and dressed out. It reminded her of the night that they went to the symphony, before everything got screwed up. He walked in, and they sat on the couch. He handed her a bouquet of roses. He also had a box of chocolate covered strawberries. David was excited to find out what he got from Maddie. No woman had ever given him a Valentine's Day gift before.

"These are beautiful. Thank you," Maddie said kissing him. She put the box on the offer table and put the roses in a vase. "And here is your gift," she said handing him a heart shaped candy box.

"You got me candy?" David said with a smile.

"Well, yes and no."

"I did get your candy, but it's in here," Maddie pointing a nicely decorated box on the coffee table that usually held some sort of candy or snack.

"Then what's in here?"

"Only one way to find out."

David opened the box to find an envelope. He opened the envelope to find what he recognized as an ultrasound picture. "No!" David said in excitement.

"Yup," Maddie said with excitement.

"But I thought we were going to start trying now."

"Well, I guess He had other plans," Maddie said pointing up.

"But when? We were so careful," David said with a combined feeling of shock and excitement.

"According to my doctor, it was the first week of January."

David thought for a second. "The only time we did any baby making related activity was New Year's Day in Philly."

"Exactly. We really did start the decade off with a bang," Maddie said laughing.

"Wow. A baby," David said still shocked as he looked at the ultrasound. David reached out and put his hand on her stomach. She put her hand over his. "Come on. The three of us have a reservation."

"David, I know you made a reservation, but I don't think I can look at food right now."

"Come on. You have to eat something. Even it's just the avocado salad you love so much."

"Ok fine. But if I get sick later it's your fault."

"It's always the husband's fault when his wife is pregnant," David said with a laugh as they left.

Later that night, Maddie lays in bed. David fast asleep next to her with his arm slung across her stomach. Both of them only covered by the sheet. Maddie not only regretted all the food she ate but all the movement from their lovemaking. She silently laughed at the memory of David saying "well I guess we don't have to be worried about me being properly dressed for a while." She hoped her nausea would just pass. She didn't want to wake him by running to the bathroom. And she'd feel bad about throwing up that nice dinner he spent so much money on for their first Valentine's Day. Well hoping didn't work. She quickly got out of David's grasp and ran for the toilet. She threw up as quietly as she could. Even though he swore he'd be there when she's throwing up at three in the morning, she still couldn't help but feel embarrassed of him seeing her like this. She knew he wanted to be there for all the stuff he missed the first time when she was hiding out in Chicago. She did want him here for all that he missed, but not this. After she was done throwing up, she sat on the floor next to the toilet. "Ok little one. I know you're just a clump of cells and can't hear me yet, but listen up anyway. Just let me get back to sleep, ok? Mommy needs her sleep. The better I feel, the better you feel? Ok?" Maddie said out loud.

"Who are you talking to?"

Maddie jumped at the sudden voice in the silence. "I was talking to the baby. Asking him or her to calm down this morning sickness. Which is a stupid name since it's not just in the morning."

"You should have woken me up. You know I want to be there for all of it."

"I know. But I felt bad waking you up." It suddenly occurred to Maddie their state of undress and she starts laughing.

"You don't seem to feel too bad."

"I know. I'm sorry. It just occurred to me that we're sitting here having this conversation while completely naked."

"Yeah. That's funny. I remember a time when you didn't even want me to see you as you got out of bed to shower."

"And you grabbed the pillow to cover your crotch as if I didn't see it, among other things, already."

"And now here we are, having a conversation as if we aren't completely naked. We've come a long way, Maddie"

"Yes, we have come a long way," Maddie said emphasizing the word come.

"Oh, look at you with the innuendo."

"Well, you rubbed off on me Mr. Addison."

"Many, many, many, many times over the years Mrs. Addison," David said with a smirk.

Maddie started to laugh when a second wave of nausea hit her. She kneeled in front of the toilet as David kneeled over her. He held her hair back with one hand and rubbed her back with the other. When she was done, she sat on the bathroom floor again. "I read that different things help different women. What I can I get?" David asked as he sat there rubbing her back.

"Well, you can bring me a hair clip so I can clip back my hair. Vomit hair is awful. I learned that the first time. Water and ginger ale usually helps."

"Ok I'll bring you the water and hair clip. But I'll have to go to the twenty-four hour store down the block for the ginger ale."

"Honey, you don't have to do that."

"I said I'd be there for all of this, remember? And I will be. I want to make up for what I missed last time." David said. He got her the water and her hair clip. He quickly threw on sweats, a shirt, and his shoes.

"It's cold. Put on a sweatshirt."

"See? You questioned the kind of mom you'd be? You sound like one already," David said as he put on a sweatshirt.

They both stuck their tongues out at each other's as he walked out of the bedroom.

The next month was happy but not easy for David and Maddie. They didn't want to tell people about the baby yet. Hiding the pregnancy wasn't exactly easy. Maddie found it difficult at times to keep her composure when morning sickness started to hit her while in a meeting with a client or talking to the employees. One thing that was hard to hide was her changing body. Her breasts started to get bigger already. Her stomach slowly started to protrude. She changed up her wardrobe slightly to hide it. She wasn't sure if anyone noticed, or if they just didn't want to bring it up. One thing she realized fast was that David already was in love with the baby growing inside of her. He said good morning and goodnight to her belly every day. He even sang to her belly sometimes. One night they were lying in bed. "The baby can't hear you, honey. I'm pretty sure it doesn't even have ears yet," Maddie said to David as she lasted cuddled up to his chest. "I'm sorry I took all of this away from you the first time, David."

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't get to do these things back then. You didn't get to be happy, be excited and do things like singing to the baby. And because of my stupid actions."

"But I got all those things remember? After you came back."

"Yeah, but it wasn't for long before we lost him."

"I know, honey. And I know you're worried about what happened last time happening again. I am too. But we can't let that worry overshadow this happy time. We need to focus on the positives. The fact that we're here, married and having a baby. No worrying about who the father is. No marrying other people. No running half way across the country. No random Lamaze class ladies. It's just you, me and this peanut growing in there." Maddie smiled. She leaned up to kiss him. Then snuggled back into his chest and they both fell asleep.

The next month wasn't much easier. Maddie was further along. She was in her third trimester by now. And still hadn't told anyone else. She wanted her mom to be the first person to know. And wanted to wait until she was in Los Angeles. It was a Monday when Maddie's mom came to Los Angeles. She sold the house in Chicago. She'd be staying with Maddie and David until she found a place in Los Angeles. Maddie's aunt Beverly came too. She wanted to stop by to see her niece and meet David before heading to San Francisco to see family. David was at work while Maddie, her mom and her aunt sat at a cafe eating lunch.

"Maddie, dear. I'm sorry about the whole Annie and Mark fiasco. I'm sorry you were dragged into it. I don't understand why Mark would blame you for Annie's cheating and accused you of lying," Beverly said.

"I know why. I knew about Annie cheating. Last year when Annie came out here to visit me, she started sleeping with a man. I knew about it. Mark called one day asking for Annie. I knew she was with that other guy but didn't tell Mark. I made up excuse. I just didn't feel it was my place to say anything to Mark."

"I understand. You were in a lose-lose situation. If you told Mark then Annie is mad at you. So, you don't tell Mark and now he's mad at you," Mrs. Hayes said.

"Yeah, pretty much," Maddie said.

After lunch, the three of them went back to Maddie's house while they waited for David to get home. Maddie's aunt Beverly had never been to Los Angeles, so this was her first time at the house. She was amazed at how beautiful it is. They sat in the living room chatting about David, and married life. Maddie talked about how he loves to sing and how most mornings he makes up some weird song about getting clean as he showered. A little after five that evening David came home. "Hello ladies," David said as he walked in. They all stood up to greet him as he walked into the living room.

"David, this is my aunt Beverly."

"Very nice to meet you ma'am," David said as he shook her hand.

"So, he's a gentleman on top of all the other wonderful things you said about him, Maddie"

"Excuse me, ladies. I want to change before we go to dinner," David said. He turned to head up to the bedroom.

"And he's handsome too. Virginia, where were the handsome gentlemen like this when we were this age?"

"I don't think they existed, Beverly," Mrs. Hayes answered. All the women laughed.

Dinner was great. They dropped Maddie's aunt Beverly off at her hotel before heading home. Maddie, David, and Mrs. Hayes all sat in the living room that night drinking tea in their pajamas. "Is there something you two want to tell me?"

"What do you mean mom?" Maddie asked looking at David nervously.

"Come on dear. You can't fool me. You're pregnant, aren't you?"

Maddie and David were shocked. "Yes, mom I am," Maddie said. There was no point in pretending. "We wanted to tell you ourselves. How did you figure it out?"

"Well, you turned down both wine and champagne at dinner. And you're acting the same way you did the first time. I'm not a detective, but it's not hard to figure out. So how far along are you?"

"Just over three months."

"David, are you excited to be front and center for everything this time?"

"Very excited."

"Mom, he sings to the baby, he talks to it every day. He's beyond excited."

"I used to sing twinkle-twinkle little star to you when I was pregnant. Especially in the later part of the pregnancy when you were moving around like crazy and wouldn't let me sleep. Singing somehow calmed you down, Maddie. David is your family excited?"

"You're the first person we've told. I'm sure my dad and brother will be excited. Although knowing my brother, he won't show it."

"Definitely. He'll play it cool but absolutely love being an uncle. I can see him being that uncle who lets his niece or nephew stay up way past their bedtime when he babysits."

"Oh definitely. I had an uncle like that."

"Me too. Oh, and mom, our baby will have a best friend already when it's born."

"Really? Who?"

"Agnes and Bert from the office are adopting a baby who is due in July."

"Oh, that's great," Mrs. Hayes said. "But really, how are you two feeling about this?"

David and Maddie looked at each other and held hands. "Scared. We're both scared," David said.

"That's understandable considering what happened before. It's always in the back of a woman's mind when she's pregnant. It's hard to not think about the possibility especially when we've experienced it firsthand. But all the preparation for the baby should keep your mind occupied." Mrs. Hayes said

David and Maddie nodded in agreement.

Later that night, David and Maddie lay cuddled up in bed. "I think we should move, David."

"Move? What's wrong with this house?"

"I don't mean move out of the house. I mean the office. I think we should move."

"Why?"

"Well, I thought about bringing the baby with us to the office. And we can't very well be seeing clients with a baby sleeping four feet away. Why don't we share an office and use the other as a conference room? This way we have a place to meet with clients and have this little one with us as work," Maddie said putting her hand on her belly.

"I think that's a great idea. Would like that little one? Want to come to work with mommy and daddy?" David said as he put his hand over Maddie's on her belly.

"We could look for baby help around the office again. But please, David. No big breasted bimbos this time. Let's hire someone based on experience with babies, not experience with a plastic surgeon."

"Deal," David said with a smile.

The following couple of weeks were business as usual both at work and life. Mrs. Hayes found a beautiful apartment not far from the office. David and Maddie called Richie to tell him he'd be an uncle. They could tell he was more excited than he let on. David tried to call his dad to tell him. He left a message to call him. When he didn't hear anything back, he asked Richie to tell him. The more time that went by without a word from his dad, the madder David got. One night he vented about it to Mrs. Hayes over dinner. "I just don't understand. He knows he's about to be a grandfather and hasn't called."

"Are you sure your brother told him?" Mrs. Hayes.

"Yeah. Richie said he told him. Apparently, my dad said that's great or something. He's known for at least a week and hadn't called."

"I don't understand either," Maddie said.

The next day, Maddie sat in her office going over financial paper work. **Knock knock knock** Maddie heard on her door.

"Come in."

"Ms. Hayes? Mr. Addison is here to see you."

"Mr. Addison?"

"No not Mr. Addison. The other Mr. Addison."

"Agnes there are three Mr. Addisons. Which one?"

"Hey sis! Let me in!" Maddie heard from the putter office.

"Oh, that one. Let him in," Maddie said getting up. She ran over to hug Richie as he walked in with suitcases. "Hi. What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to come and surprise you two. Or should I say three. Surprise!" Richie said hugging her back.

"A very welcome surprise. David is out dealing with a case. Come on. I can deal with this paper work stuff at home. I'll take you home. Agnes I'm leaving early. Please tell Mr. Addison if he calls or comes in," Maddie said as she walked through the outer office.

"Sure Ms. Hayes," Agnes said as Maddie and Richie left.

Later that night, Richie, David, and Maddie sat at the house having dinner.

"So, bro, what's with the surprise visit? And how long do you plan on staying?" David asked.

"Well, I was kind of thinking I'd stay forever."

"What? Live here?" Maddie asked

"No. Not live here, as in this house with you guys. I mean live in LA."

"Why?" David asked.

"Well, I was staying on my buddy's couch in Philly. I've had trouble finding a place after that lady friend kicked me out around Christmas. I tried staying with dad, but Stephanie didn't want me there. And honestly, dad's been acting real weird since I told him about you two having a baby."

"Weird how?" David asked.

"Almost like he doesn't care. I tried talking about it with him. He seemed uninterested. Always wanting to change the subject. So that got me thinking, this baby won't have any aunts or uncles but me, right?"

"Well yeah pretty much. I'm an only child," Maddie said.

"Exactly. I don't want to be that uncle who lives across the country and the little one only sees on Christmas. I want to be there for this kid. Someone he or she can come to as a teen when there's something they don't want to tell you guys. I want to be the uncle who babysits and lets them get away with stuff you'd never let them do. Plus, someone from this side of the family should be there for this kid since dad is acting to uninterested. So maybe I could stay with you three until I find a place?"

David looked at Maddie. "Sure thing," Maddie said with a smile.

Things were good over the next month. Agnes and Bert prepared for the birth of their baby who they found out is a girl. Richie stayed with Maddie and David for about a couple of weeks. It was an interesting couple weeks with the Addison brothers. Every morning Maddie heard shower singing in stereo. Her husband in one bathroom and her brother-in-law in another. Maddie was hanging around the office more now that she was almost five months pregnant. Maddie sat at her vanity one Friday night thinking about the fact that she was almost five months pregnant. She thought back to the last time she was this far along. She got a sudden flash back to being in the office and telling the staff after coming back from Chicago. She started to get sad thinking about what happened next. 'No. I won't be sad tonight,' Maddie thought as she checked her make up and headed out the door. David and Bert were out on a stakeout. Maddie had plans to have dinner with her mom. It was nice to live in the same city with as her mom again but had been decades and forgot how nice it was. Maddie noticed Agnes a bit down at the office earlier that day, so she invited her along.

"Agnes, you have seemed a bit down all day. Is something wrong?" Maddie asked as all three ladies sat eating dinner.

"Yeah. We had another meeting with Scott and Melissa. And every time I just can't help but feel down afterwards."

"Scott and Melissa are the birth parents. They're capable of raising the baby but don't want to because they don't want to give up their care-free cushy lifestyle," Maddie said to her mother.

"It gets worse. We went over their wishes for the birth. They don't care what we name her. They don't want to now her name. They don't want to see her after she's born. They don't even want to hold her. The adoption counselor told Melissa that she might regret not holding the baby at least once. Melissa said she won't. She just wants to lose the baby weight, get back to her normal life and forget that it even happened."

"That's awful. What about their families? Don't they have parents who care?" Ms. Hayes asked.

"Scott doesn't have contact with his family. And Melissa's mom doesn't seem to care either. According to Melissa, all her mom said was that she's too young to be anyone's grandmother."

"Well at least we know why they're so cold about this," Maddie said.

"Well think of it this way, some people aren't meant to be parents. Better that little girl is raised by you and your husband instead of some mean overpriced nanny that couple would probably hire. I can't imagine being that uncaring," Mrs. Hayes said.

"Me either, mom," Maddie agreed

A week later, Maddie sat relaxing in her backyard. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny early May Sunday morning. David was out with Richie and some friends playing basketball. Mrs. Hayes was in Chicago for a family friend's fortieth wedding anniversary party. Maddie was enjoying some relaxation time and waiting for her mom to call her to tell her about the party. She heard the phone ring. She went into the house as quickly as her five-month pregnant body would get her there. "Hello?" Maddie said picking up the phone expecting to hear her mom's voice.

"Why didn't you tell me that baby was possibly mine?!" Sam said with anger on the other end of the phone.

"What are you talking about, Sam?"

"Oh, you forget. When I saw you last year. You told me after I left you were pregnant and how you two were happily preparing to be parents. You told me he was ready to be a dad. Remember? What you conveniently forgot to mention was that the baby might be mine. You and that bum were going to raise my son?!"

"No Sam. We were going our son. It wasn't yours."

"But you didn't know that. You knew damn well that baby might have been mine and you didn't bother to tell me. When were you going to tell me? When you needed a check for his college tuition?"

"Sam, that was years ago. Why does it matter now?"

"It matters that you didn't tell me Maddie. That I had the right to know. That my family had the right to know. Were you sleeping with that him while you were sleeping with me? Is that why you couldn't know for sure?"

"Not that it's your business Sam, but no. Nothing happened with David until after you left."

"So, my side of the bed wasn't even cold before he took my place?"

"Your place? Your side? You occupy my bed twice and think it's yours? You're delusional."

"I'm delusional? Yeah right Maddie. You're delusional. But I want to thank you Maddie. For not saying yes. For not wasting my time on marriage you wouldn't want. I can see it now. I'd come home from work and he'd be sleeping on my side of the bed while our kids call him dad. Well good luck with that bum. And Maddie, when he leaves you and that kid for some bimbo with a bigger bra size and smaller dress size, don't come crying to me."

"Don't worry. That won't happen Sam. Thank you for showing your true colors. Sam. Don't call me again," Maddie said angrily as she slammed the phone down angrily.