_ _
"I am glad to see you are both together. I need to talk with you Father. It's about Maddie."
Maddie and Cedric waited for Hayley to speak.
"I simply don't think we need Maddie to work for us anymore." Hayley sat down opposite her father, facing both, he and Maddie. "I am old enough to take care of you now, so it will save you money for her to find another position."
Cedric's face paled. "You can't be serious."
"Of course. She would be the perfect addition to Mrs.
Sommers household, and we could see her from time to time."
"Why do you want her to leave?"
"I told you." Hayley saw the tears forming in Maddie's eyes. "She is no longer needed."
"I thought I was more than a housekeeper to you."
Maddie spoke.
"As close as mother and daughter?"
Maddie looked away as she spoke. "Yes, like mother and daughter."
"I used to feel that way too, Maddie."
"So because you no longer love Maddie, you want me to dismiss her?" Her father retorted.
"The only way I could feel close to her now is if she were my mother." Hayley heard a sob escape from Maddie's throat. "Is that your secret, Maddie-that I am your daughter?"
Maddie rose to her feet and her body tightened.
"Hayley, quiet!" Her father was angry.
Maddie took a few steps and collapsed into Cedric's arms.
Hayley rushed to her. "Maddie, are you okay? I did not mean to---"
"Go to your room!"
"Yes, Father." Hayley scurried away.
_ _
Arriving at her room, she sat at her desk, and contemplated writing in her diary. When the words would not come, she rose from the desk she blew out the flame of a candle. She laid down on her bed and pulled the covers up around her. She was too tired to change into bedclothes, and much too depressed to think any further.
As she stared into the glow surrounding the logs in the fireplace, tears began to roll down her cheeks. She hoped for a sweet dream to come and chase her heavy thoughts away.
Hearing the footsteps approach the door, Hayley knew she had slept lightly through the night. Without waiting for a knock at the door, she sat up in bed and smoothed her hair as the door opened.
"It's me Hayley, may I come in."
"Sure." Hayley could see from looking at Maddie that she had very little sleep.