“But you and Dustin could get married,” I said. “You could get a babysitter for the kid so you can finish school.”
“My parents threw me out of the house,” she said matter-of-factly. “So no free child care. And Dustin and I broke up.” She looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
Even though Madison seemed genuine, and had gotten a taste of her own medicine, I was definitely not ready to trust her. She had made a sport out of hurting me, like it was an extracurricular activity.
But there was an intimacy in the bully/bullied relationship. I knew Madison better than most other people. I’d needed to, to be able to avoid her, or to anticipate when the next insult was coming and get myself ready. And I’d never seen this side of Madison. She actually almost seemed contrite. But maybe motherhood had just given her a better poker face.
I realized Dustin had continued talking while I’d been trying to figure out Madison. “I mean, of course I help with the baby. My parents are pretty cool, they’re letting Madison stay with us until we figure out something better.” He sighed and put his head in his hands. “We just knew we weren’t right for each other, even though we still care about each other. It’s a lot,” he said. “But we’ll figure it out.” Madison put her head on his shoulder, and he gave her a squeeze. The thing was, they did love each other. It was obvious in the little glances they shot each other when they thought I wasn’t looking. Madison and Dustin had formed some kind of post-breakup peace. It was kind of weird. But there are lots of different kinds of love, I guess. And it was totally obvious, too, that they both loved Dustin Jr. As if she could read my thoughts, Madison handed the baby over to Dustin, who rocked him gently with an expression of total bliss while Madison looked at both of them with affection.
If I couldn’t have Nox in my life the way I wanted, could I have him in my life like this?
Madison cleared her throat. “Okay, Amy, spill,” she said. “Where the hell have you been? Obviously not in a hospital. You couldn’t even fool Strachan with that line of crap, although that’s the story he fed the school. Count your blessings, I guess.”
There was no way I could tell them. Absolutely none. But in spite of myself, I was starting to like this weird, new Team Madison. And I was weirdly touched by how nice they were being to me. Could I trust them? Did it matter? What the hell, it wasn’t like I had anyone else.
“I have a better idea,” I said. “Why don’t you guys help me out with something.”
Dustin Jr. let out an excited burble and vomited. Madison, not missing a beat as she swabbed him off with a handful of napkins, raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “What kind of something?”
“Something secret,” I said.
Madison’s eyes lit up. “I love secrets,” she said as her baby giggled. “I knew there was a reason I missed you.”
“Remember your book report on Dorothy?” She nodded. “You’re going to help me find that bitch’s shoes.”
TEN
“Dorothy’s shoes?” Madison’s eyes were wide in disbelief. “You really did get hit on the head, right? News flash, babe. Dorothy isn’t a real person.”
“Well . . . ,” I said, hesitating. “I can explain—” But I was cut off by the bell for fifth period. Dustin and Madison were staring at me. Dustin Jr. burped and closed his eyes. “Meet me after school,” I said in a rush. “On the front steps. It will make sense. Sort of. I promise.” But they were gathering up their books and bags.
“Gotta hose this little dude off,” Madison said, not meeting my eyes. Okay, fine. Madison had been the worst thing in my life before I left for Oz, and Dustin had just been a dopey dreamer who I thought I had something in common with. Who was I kidding? We weren’t friends. And it didn’t matter, because I didn’t need them. I’d done everything else on my own. I could do this, too. Dustin gave me a little wave as they walked away from me. I waved back. At least he’d always been nice. Even if it was only because he wanted something from me.