"Do you want to set your alarm so I can go back before your dad wakes up?"
I arched up and took my phone out of my pants pocket. Madeline took it out of my hands and set the alarm for five.
"That's so early," I murmured.
She raised an eyebrow.
"I know, but you know he doesn't sleep in."
Madeline placed the phone on the shelf of my headboard. While she stretched and I tickled her. She jumped and squealed. Madeline was squirming on the bed before I stopped. Her laughter was still ringing in my ears. I wrapped my arms around her and let my eyes grow heavy. Maybe I needed her as much as she needed me.
16
Madeline
Hearing that alarm was painful, but it was necessary. As I snuck back into my bed, it brought back years of flashbacks. My sheets were thin and rough as I climbed back into my bed, so different from Sawyer's bedding. As I closed my eyes, I could hear Dr. Vodola's door open from down the hall. Then the stairs creaked as he went down.
After a couple more hours of sleep, I finally got up, threw on a sweatshirt and jeans then headed down the stairs. I pushed my hair behind my ears as Dr. Vodola was sitting on the couch reading something on his tablet with the parade in the background. I went into the kitchen and poured myself some cereal.
"Don't forget you have a doctor's appointment with Dr. Green tomorrow." He called from the other room.
"Okay," I answered, then sat at the table with my breakfast.
Rolling thumps came down the stairs, then a thud. I raised my eyebrow towards the stairs. Sawyer went through the dining room with a big grin on his face.
"Good morning."
I smiled.
"You're in a good mood." Dr. Vodola commented.
"Yup."
Sawyer kissed the top of my head, and I heard the shuffle of bowls behind me. Dr. Vodola walked into the room.
"I ordered dinner, and it should be here in a couple of hours."
I nodded and went to wash out my bowl.
"You two need to keep an eye out for the delivery. I'm going to go check on Adam, so I'll be back later."
Dr. Vodola grabbed his keys and left through the garage.
"My day keeps getting better. First, I had a great night's sleep, and now my dad is gone for a while."
I laughed.
"Is he treating you better?" Sawyer raised an eyebrow then took a bite of his cereal.
I nodded. "Honestly, he's so wrapped up in Adam he's been leaving me alone. He drops me off at school then goes straight to Adam. When he's done with work, he picks me up. We don't speak much. I go into the office with him when I have an appointment. When he's home, he spends all his time in his lab. It isn't like before."
"That's good. I was apprehensive about me leaving and you being here alone."
Then why did you pick a school hours away? It was a question that I wanted to ask. I knew Sawyer wanted to be away from his dad and that we weren't talking when he applied, but it was a question that I continually wanted to ask.
"I'm good," I reassured him.
"I see that."
Sawyer had showered after he ate then joined me on the couch. We watched TV, and not long afterward, the food arrived. As we were unpacking it in the kitchen, Dr. Vodola came through the door. Sawyer was carrying the food containers to the table while I grabbed the plates and silverware. The door slammed shut, causing me to jump.
"I swear Dr. Green is not thinking clearly." Dr. Vodola dropped his keys and wallet on the counter.
"What's wrong?" Sawyer asked.
"Apparently, Dr. Green took it upon himself to take Adam to his house for the next couple of days for the holiday. He claims he told me, but I would have remembered an idiotic idea like that."
I glanced over at Sawyer, who only shook his head as his dad sat down. Tiptoeing, I placed the plates on the table. Sliding the chair out, I got on it.
"I'm sure Dr. Green just wanted to give the nurses a break from watching the baby for the holiday," Sawyer commented as he placed some of the turkey on his plate.
Dr. Vodola just shook his head as he put his napkin on his lap. I dished out some of the potatoes and peas. Slowly the food containers circulated the table. The room was full of forks and knives against the plates.
"He's just too nice to the subjects." Dr. Vodola randomly muttered.
My face warmed up. Glancing slightly towards Sawyer, I prayed he wouldn't start something. It was nice that Sawyer was home, but I didn't want another fight. Sawyer's jaw clenched. His eyes went to me briefly, then back down to his food. Dr. Vodola ate the last pieces of his dinner and got up. Dr. Vodola placed his dishes into the dishwasher and left us to go into the lab in the basement without another word.
"You-"
"Before you say anything, I don't take him seriously." I interrupted him.
Sawyer stared at me for a minute. My heart raced as those eyes stayed on me. I could almost hear the clock ticking.
"Okay. Well, let us grab some cookies and head upstairs to watch a movie?"
I smiled. "Sure."
My stomach was in knots, and my arms crossed over my chest. The wind was making my hair twirl around me despite being in a ponytail. Ricky was sitting in his car as Sawyer was throwing his bag into the back seat. Ricky waved at me, and I smiled and waved back. Sawyer had a long train ride back to
