Page 22 of Smuggler’s Cove (Twin Lights #1)

“You know something, Livvy? As much as the money provided us with all the material things one could wish for, there was always this black hole of emotions. My mother had double duty in dishing out family love.”

“Is she going to be alright?” Olivia was deeply concerned about her favorite people.

“I think so. Ya know, I had a heart-to-heart with her last night. Not ideal circumstances, as you can imagine, but she told me—confessed, really—how miserable she was, and that she should have left my father years ago.”

Olivia repeated her previous, “Wow, oh wow.” She paused. “Can I be honest?”

“I wouldn’t expect any less,” Madison urged.

“Your dad? I was not a big fan of his.”

Madison burst out laughing. “Truth be told, I do not think you have exclusivity on that. And he was not much of a fan of anyone else, either. He sucked up to people with money, but he was sorely lacking in compassion and empathy.”

“I believe the word is sociopath, with a huge scoop of narcissism.” Olivia was in her junior year at the University of Massachusetts.

She wanted to become a psychologist and work with underprivileged kids who came from broken homes, or with women in crisis.

She felt blessed by the love her family shared and wanted to help young people who were not as lucky as she was.

“Sorry. But that is how I always viewed him. I just recently learned the lingo and the labels,” she said, snickering.

“I suppose I was using the same technique as my mother. I call it ostrich syndrome. I, too, buried my head.”

Olivia explained, “Routines become routines because it gives one a sense of security knowing what to expect. People look for consistency, good or bad. For me, if things were bad, I’d like to think I would rather take a chance at change for the better, but people are afraid of change.

” Olivia sighed. “Fear. It is an extraordinarily strong motivator. I have two more years to figure it out.” Olivia gave a wry chuckle.

“Also, remember you didn’t know better.” Olivia was trying to be sympathetic.

“Not true. Can I be honest?” Madison asked.

“I wouldn’t expect any less.” Olivia repeated Madison’s words back to her.

“I preferred having dinner with you and your family. There was always laughing, joking. Lots of tasty food. In my house, we rarely ate dinner as a family. I cannot remember the last time we had dinner together. Holidays, but they were catered. During the week, we stayed at Hackley. Weekends were social activities for my parents.” Madison’s family interactions were playing like a sad film in her head.

“It’s not as if I am going to miss him. But Mom?

If she wasn’t available over the weekends, when Lincoln and I were home, she would take a car up to Hackley during the week.

She was very engaged in our education and activities,” Madison mused.

“Well now you can have dinners with me and my family when we go back to New York,” Olivia said.

“Uh, I don’t know if I am ever going to be able to go back to New York.

At least not any time soon. This is just the beginning of the drama-rama.

There’ll be depositions, and then the trial, which could be a long way from now.

I already had a group of reporters waiting for me at school this morning. ”

“What happened?” Olivia was intrigued with this new chapter in her best friend’s life.

“The security agent Sidney hired snuck me in and then pushed our way out of school, and he then brought me back to the hotel.” Madison sighed. “Oh, and yesterday afternoon, when we went back to the apartment, we dealt with a U.S. Marshal. I have to say he was nice.”

“Well, it isn’t exactly your fault.”

“True. I think he almost felt sorry for us.”

“Heck, I feel sorry for you,” Olivia answered.

“It’s odd. I don’t feel sorry for myself. I am shocked. Stunned. But sorry?”

“You are shocked, alright. Give it some time to set in.”

“What am I going to miss? Expensive clothes? I’ll make my own.” Madison grunted. It was at that moment when she set her course. It would be the beginning of a stellar career.

Olivia chuckled. “You were always the one to change things up. Prada would be apoplectic if they saw what you did to one of their outfits.”

“Right! Remember when I turned the white pantsuit into a white capri pantsuit?”

“White was always a good color for you. Or is it the absence of color, my friend?”

“I think clear is the absence of color.” Madison was finally starting to relax. It was good to have a long talk with her dear friend.

“Listen, I am going to call Nana and let her know I will be coming up tomorrow. Might as well get out while the getting is good. Hey, why don’t you jump on a train and visit?”

“You are going to need a little time to sort things out. How about the following weekend? Or maybe if you are up to it, you can come to Boston. There is lots to do here.”

“I’m already liking this new arrangement.” Madison was smiling. “Gotta get going.”

“Keep me posted. Whatever you need, you know I will be there for you.”

“I love you to the moon and back!” Madison said cheerfully. Then she dialed her grandmother’s number and gave her an update and an estimated time of arrival.

“Honey, I am so glad you are coming tomorrow. You need to be around family.”

Madison caught herself when her thoughts went to Family? Where is my mother? Instead, she said, “Lincoln is going to stay here until Friday. Well, not here at the hotel. He is moving in with his friend Tyler. He is bringing his things over there tonight.”

“What about school?” Nana asked.

“The plan is for him to complete his freshman year at Pace, and then transfer to Baruch.” She took a breath. “I must report to RISD Monday morning. If it is alright with you, I’ll stay with you and Pops until I can find a place.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You can stay as long as you want.”

“Thanks, Nana.”

“And you can borrow my car to get to school. Since your grandfather retired, we really don’t need a second car, although I wish he’d get out from under my feet once in a while.”

Madison laughed. “Mom said you’re volunteering at the library.”

“Yes. That is one of my excuses to get out of the house.” She laughed. “I keep telling him he needs a hobby. Then he says that I am his hobby. Zip-a-dee-do-da.”

“So that’s where my mother got that expression?”

“We don’t have a copyright on it, dearie,” Nana chuckled. It was good to hear her granddaughter was in a light mood. All things considered.

* * *

Later that evening, Lincoln checked in with his sister. “All settled in. You okay?”

“Yes. Did you check out of your room?”

“I called the front desk. They said you told them to put everything on the card.”

“Correct, and I am checking out in the morning. I am taking the ten o’clock train.”

“Is your watchdog still in the lobby?” Lincoln asked.

“As far as I know. He is supposed to accompany me to Penn Station. I ordered room service again. It will be nice not to feel like a hostage.”

“Yeah, it’s kind of creepy.” Lincoln knew his sister bore the brunt of the chaos. He was glad he had maintained a low profile in the swirling society of New York money. “Let me know when you get to Nana’s.”

“Will do. And Linc? Please be careful out there. Just because they have not zeroed in on your scent yet does not mean they won’t.”

“I am thinking about changing my appearance. Maybe get a mullet.”

“That is so 1980s!” Madison teased.

“A bowl cut. A little fringe in the front. Maybe bleach it blond.”

“You? Going grunge?” Madison cackled.

“Well, no one would recognize me.”

“True. How about a baseball cap and call it a day?” she joked.

“I’ll think of something,” Lincoln reassured her.

“Okay, bro. I will check in with you when I get to Nana’s. And whatever you do, do not talk to strangers.” She chuckled.

“Roger that. You be careful, too.”

“No worries. I have secret service agents,” she said wryly. “Love you.”

“Ditto.”

Madison checked her watch. It was time for the evening news.

She clicked on the remote to see if there were any further pieces of humiliation.

Sure enough, the charges against her father were beginning to become known.

She watched with detached curiosity. She knew he was not a nice person.

Cordial, yes. Nice? She had no trouble processing the situation he had created for himself and her family. Now she had to move on from the shame.

The more she thought about it, the less she felt the indignity. It was not her fault. She could not bear any of the blame. This was something she was going to have to remind herself of now, and for the years ahead.

They say if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.

Could she solve it? Absolutely not. But she could not do the math to conclude she was part of the problem, either.

It was his problem. Yes, there would be financial repercussions as far as her lifestyle, but she could maneuver them.

Hackley had been more than an academic education.

At least she could be thankful for the one thing her father insisted upon.

It taught her independence and individuality, and that was something she could take with her. And Mr. Jinx.