Madison struggled to put her phone in her purse, "Umm..sure.."
"I was surprised to see you..after all this time.," He said.
She nodded a little, "Yeah..you too. I didn't know you lived in Florida."
"I actually don't. Joey does, he lives in Clearwater I think. I'm living in Georgia."
"Ohhh..well..I'm still here.."
"Yeah..I figured."
"So..how have you been?"
He nodded, "I'm good..I'm good..you?"
"I'm just fine."
"You seem well off."
She crossed her arms in front of her, "What does that mean Steve?"
"Nice engagement ring..planning on killin' your next kid?," He asked sneering.
Madison about dropped her jaw, how could he..where did he get off?? She narrowed her eyes, "I don't have to listen to this.."
"No, but you are.," He said grabbing her arm.
Madison yanked her arm free and unlocked her car door, "You have no right to come here after all this time and keep blaming me for her death Steve! You have absolutely NO right when you have NO clue what my life has been like!"
"Then why don't you tell me Madison? Tell me about your pretty little life and how you've forgotten all about our DAUGHTER!"
"I have not forgotten about her Steve and I never will! She's my...our daughter. But you can not still blame me!"
He was still glaring at her, "Yes I can Madison."
"How? How is her death MY fault?"
"You left her all alone and you didn't even try to get her out of there! You acted like you didn't give a shit! You left her in that house to DIE!!"
"No I did not Steve! I tried to get her out but I couldn't! I couldn't get her out of there! The house was burning and they couldn't get to her! I couldn't get to her even if they let me inside that house! Damnit Steve! I don't know how you and your parents can still blame me after all this time...why can't you just move on..why?"
He was looked at the ground now since Madison had begun to cry. "She was my daughter..she is my daughter. I thought you and me and her were going to be a family..and live happily ever after. I..I just needed someone to blame Madison..you were there..you had seen her that morning before you left for that damn interview."
"Steve..I understand that. I do. You don't know what it was like hearing her crying and screaming and not being able to do anything about it. I've moved on..and I know there's nothing that can bring her back. But I'm trying to move on..it's not easy."
"But it's without me."
"Steve..after you and your family kept me from her funeral I realized we could never really be together. You're dependent on your mom and dad; I'm totally independent; I can deal without having someone. I've found the man I want to spend the rest of my life with..and maybe even have kids with. I don't know..but I do know that I'm ready to be married.."
Steve nodded, "I guess I understand. It was never my idea to keep you from her funeral..I thought you deserved to be there..you did...but mom and dad..they were so..so mad and upset that they said it was your fault..after hearing that over and over so many times it almost became true to me..and I apologize for that. I'm sorry for hurting you..but I'm glad you found someone."
"Thank you.."
"I better get going..I've got to get back home."
She nodded, "It was nice seeing you."
"You too."
They hugged and she watched as he walked to his car, got inside, and left the parking lot. She sighed and finally got into her car and drove towards Kevin's house.
After talking to Howie around 8, Madison was waiting for Kevin to pick up the phone. Nick was making her laugh as she waited. "So..when ya coming back?"
"Probably next week sometime.."
"Okay..are you okay? You sound kinda upset?"
She sighed, "I'm okay Nick..just..some stuff happened today..but I'll be fine."
"Okay...heeerreee's Kev"
She smiled, "Bye Nick..tell everyone I said hi."
"Will do, talk to ya later."
"K."
She heard Kevin's voice next, "Hey Mads."
"Hey Kev..where are you at? It got awfully quiet."
"I went into my room."
"Ooohh.."
"What's wrong?"
"Steve confronted me right after I got off the phone with you."
"Oh geez..what'd he say?"
"He pretty much went off on me..I think keeping all that stuff inside for so long finally just all came out. He actually asked me if I was marrying you so I could kill my next kid and that just practically set me off."
"Damn..Madi..you know that's not true.."
"I know..I know.," She said sighing and rubbing her forehead, "I'm just so tired of thinking about her and Steve and everything that happened. I just wish..I just wish none of that had ever happened. I wish I could take it all back.."
She heard him sigh, "Baby..I wish I was there with you or you were here with me.."
"I do too.."
"Don't cry..you know i hate it when you cry."
"I know.."
"Madi..you know I love you, right?"
"Yeah.."
"And we're gettin' married, right?"
"Yeah.."
"You're supposed to be the happy bride.."
"I know..and I will be once I get some sleep.."
"Ok..so.what else did he say?"
"He actually apologized to me for isolating me like him and his family did.."
"That's good.."
"Yeah..I forgive him. That's in the past..and I figure that...that maybe losing her was, in a way, a good thing."
"How do you figure?"
"I learned what it was like to be a parent at a pretty young age...now I'll know what to expect..later."
Kevin laughed, "You'll have one up on me."
"Yeah..and maybe next time I won't make so many mistakes.."
"Yeah..I bet you were a good mom though..and you will be a good mom."
"I hope so.."
"You will be..I know so. So, you feel any better?"
"A little.."
"Well, I'm gonna let you go, you need some sleep."
She nodded and rolled over in the bed, "Okay..you need some sleep too there big guy."
"Very true..get some sleep and take care of yourself."
"I will..you do too. I love you and miss you Kev."
"Miss you too..and we've only been apart a day or so."
Madison laughed, "I know..what are we gonna do when it's like 2 months straight?"
"Have no clue."
"Goodnight Kev."
"Night Madison..I love you."
"Love you too."
"Bye."
"Bye. We're really gonna hang up now, right?"
He laughed, "Yep..bye."
She hung up the phone and then turned off the ringer and alarm; she was gonna sleep in as long as she could the next day. She flipped off the light, got under the covers and closed her eyes.
It had been a looooong day.
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