CHAPTER FIFTY ONE – EIGHT YEARS LATER

Madison's alarm went off at 6 AM sharp. She turned it off and sat up in her large bed, taking a deep breath. Another day. In the kitchen, she found Donald already eating cereal and watching cartoons. "Morning Mom!" he said with a smile. Madison ruffled his hair. "Hey kiddo. You're up early." He shrugged. "I'm excited for my field trip today." "That's right, to the museum." She poured herself some coffee, the dark liquid a lifeline. Donald nodded and spooned more cereal into his mouth. "Are you gonna be at my baseball game after school?" Madison's stomach twisted with guilt at his hopeful tone. "Donald, I...we'll have to see. You know how busy work has been lately." He tried to hide his disappointment. "Yeah, I know." She squeezed his shoulder. "But I'll do my very best to be there, I promise." Lie or not, she couldn't bear to leave him crushed. After Donald was dropped at school, Madison went straight to the office. Her office manager, Samantha, was waiting. "Good morning, Ms.