All That Glitters (From the Files of Madison Finn, 20) by Laura Dower Page A

retrieved their coats from the checkroom at the front of the restaurant. Lindsay wasn’t saying much.
    Aunt Mimi put an arm around Lindsay’s shoulder and grabbed Madison with the other arm.
    “Girls, I never noticed before this very minute,” she whispered, “but you two look like sisters. Same hair, same beautiful smile.”
    “Aunt Mimi, come on,” Lindsay said. She started to pull away, but then she stopped herself and broke into a huge smile. “Sisters?”
    “We’ve heard that before,” Madison said.
    “Sometimes it does feel like we’re all related, don’t you think?” Fiona added. “I mean, none of us has any real sisters.”
    In that moment, something shifted. Lindsay seemed happier, almost as if she’d forgotten about the trouble with her dad for a flickering moment.
    The door to the restaurant blew open next to them as a large crowd of people pushed their way in. The air outside was nippy. The four friends huddled together against the cold.
    “Shall we?” Aunt Mimi said, indicating the exit. “We have presents to open back at my place.”
    “Yes, let’s go,” Mrs. Frost said. “Let’s make the rest of your birthday great, Lindsay.”
    “Greater than great,” Madison said, taking Lindsay’s arm in hers as they pushed their way through the door.

Chapter 11
    “G OOD EVENING, LADIES,” GEORGE said as they walked into the lobby of Aunt Mimi’s building. “How was the big birthday?”
    “Just dreamy, George,” replied Mrs. Frost.
    “Yes, Delicious was a success. Thanks for the recommendation,” Aunt Mimi added.
    George nodded. “Glad to help.”
    They rode the elevator upstairs, trying hard not to fall asleep standing up. It had been a long day and an even longer night. Everyone had aching feet from walking around so much, except Aunt Mimi, who prided herself on her ability to march all over New York City in high-heeled boots and shoes without getting blisters. Madison knew she couldn’t walk a single block in heels. She’d tried on a pair of Mom’s shoes once and nearly toppled down the stairs.
    Stepping into Aunt Mimi’s apartment felt like being wrapped in a blanket. Aunt Mimi immediately went over to the enormous fireplace in the living room and lit the logs that were sitting there. The fire started with a slow crackle, and soon the scent of woodsmoke was in the air. Madison and her friends collapsed onto the couches just as they had the day before.
    “I want you to open your gifts,” Aimee said.
    Lindsay’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yeah,” she said with a sly smile. “I guess that will cheer me up, won’t it?”
    Mrs. Frost put on the teakettle and turned the stereo on low. Madison marveled at how civilized everything felt there, not like the birthday parties she was used to back in Far Hills, with loud music and screaming and stuff strewn everywhere. A part of her missed the chaos, but another part of her loved this. There was something calm and safe about being in this apartment, this cocoon, tucked away from the December cold.
    Everyone ran to their bedrooms to retrieve their presents for Lindsay. They met back in front of the fireplace. Aunt Mimi had placed huge pillows on the floor for everyone to sit on.
    “Open mine first!” Fiona said with a wide grin. She handed Lindsay a large, rectangular package.
    Lindsay smiled and shook it. “No loose parts,” she joked. She ripped the paper open to reveal a copy of Dragons and Fairies, Oh, My! The binding was red leather with gold lettering.
    “It’s beautiful,” Lindsay said.
    “I know you said something the other day about liking fantasy, and I know how much you like to read, and my mom saw this when we were at Aimee’s dad’s bookstore, actually…” Fiona babbled. “It looked so cool.”
    Lindsay thanked Fiona. Then she reached for another, larger gift that was perched on the edge of the sofa.
    “That’s a little something from me,” Aunt Mimi said.
    “Aunt Mimi, you already gave me this party,” Lindsay