Three's a Crowd (From the Files of Madison Finn, 16) by Laura Dower Page A

to knit. We can make something for your mother. It’s supposed to be a cold winter!”
    Madison thought it was a good idea. Knitting was another way she could bond with Gramma. And it would be nice to make something for Mom.
    Madison really missed Mom.
    As she helped Gramma heat up the dinner, Madison’s thoughts kept taking a wide detour. It was hard to think about knitting or homework or lasagna when she had Josh on the brain. She and he definitely had a connection … a spark … a something. Madison was sure of it.
    She wondered if Josh would flash any signs in his window that night.

Chapter 11
    T UESDAY AFTERNOON, AFTER TURNING in to Blueberry Street on the walk home from school, Madison spotted Josh. He was way ahead of her, but Madison didn’t think. She just started running.
    “Hello!” Madison gasped when she caught up to him.
    Josh whirled around. “Whoa. Hello, yourself. I didn’t hear you.”
    Madison tried hard to keep from panting, but her mouth was dry from running so fast. She wiped her forehead and tried to look cool.
    “Are you okay?” Josh asked. “You’re purple.”
    “Oh, I have asthma,” Madison said. It was a strange lie, but it sounded a lot better than, “Oh, I was just running to catch up to you.”
    “So, what’s up?” Josh asked. He kept walking, and Madison could barely keep up with his pace after her long run. She wanted him to slow down so they would have time to talk before reaching their houses.
    “What’s up? Nothing much,” Madison said, gulping air. “Don’t you think it’s funny how we never saw each other before last week?”
    “Not really,” Josh said. “I saw you a lot.”
    “You did?” Madison asked. She almost stopped in her tracks when he said that.
    He really had noticed her. A lot.
    “Sure, I saw you,” Josh said simply, staring straight ahead.
    Madison checked her palms. They were definitely sweating.
    She and Josh kept walking.
    Josh told her about an upcoming hockey meet. Madison mentioned the class webpage project. They talked about the weather, dogs, and Principal Bernard’s ugly ties.
    We have so much in common, Madison thought happily. She caught herself staring up at Josh’s round, brown eyes. He had longer eyelashes than Madison did.
    “This is me,” Josh said as they passed in front of his family’s home. “See you around. I have to walk Cuddles.”
    “Who?”
    “My poodle,” Josh said.
    Madison grinned. She wanted to say something smart or funny, but no words came out. Josh was halfway down the path to his front door before she managed to wave.
    She was thinking so hard about Josh that Madison almost didn’t notice Mom’s briefcase in the front hall.
    “Mom?” Madison cried out. “Are you home?”
    Gramma appeared at the doorway to the kitchen, drying a bowl.
    “She’s not here,” Gramma said.
    “What? But her stuff is right here—” Madison cut herself off and sat down on the wooden chair in the hallway. “She couldn’t wait to go out again? She knew I was coming home today to see her….”
    “I know,” Gramma said, stroking the top of Madison’s head. “I told her you would be upset. …”
    “I can’t believe this….” Madison felt her eyes tear up.
    “It’s okay, Maddie—” Gramma tried to say.
    “How?” Madison asked. “How is it okay?”
    Gramma shook her head. “Maddie, I know you wish your mother could be here all the time for you. But your mother … she’s got a lot to juggle. We have to be understanding of that.”
    “What are you talking about, Gramma? I heard you yelling at her.”
    “Yelling? No, I don’t yell. We disagree sometimes….”
    “Loudly. You disagree loudly. Sounds like yelling to me,” Madison said.
    “Madison Finn, I don’t appreciate your tone of voice,” Gramma said. Her lips were pursed into a little round O that seemed to say, “Oh, don’t you mess with me!”
    Madison retreated. “I’m sorry, Gramma. I just don’t think that—”
    “What’s going on