Chapter 2

The next morning, Madison went directly to the opposite end of the breakfast room and sat down in the corner. One had to sit there if one was in trouble. She turned her face to the wall so that she could not see her friends' pity or Miss DeGrey's scorn.

Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder; or rather; a claw. It was Miss DeGrey. "Madison?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Come join us at the normal table."

Though very surprised, Maddie obeyed. She was even more astonished when she was handed a bowl of porridge like the others. The girls exchanged glances when she sat down. Something strange was afoot; Miss DeGrey never reprieved her punishments.

As soon as breakfast was over, Miss DeGrey summoned Maddie to her office. "You are to come as soon as you have tidied up," she said coldly and walked away.

Maddie hurried to make herself presentable. Her hair must be brushed neatly back without a strand escaping; her clothes could not have a single wrinkle and her shoes must be tied. When she had finished, Maddie rushed down the hallway and up the long corridor which led to Miss DeGrey's "office". Tardiness would not be accepted.

Madison had never been to Miss DeGrey's office before, but it was said she had a great whip on her desk... With a deep breath, she rapped firmly on the door. "Come in!" demanded Miss DeGrey.

Everything about the room was luxuriously trimmed, which seemed to contrast Miss DeGrey's stern self. There were dark red plush carpets and burgundy curtains. There was a roaring fire with a hearthrug in front. In the middle of the room was a mahogany desk...with a sharp whipping stick on top. Miss DeGrey sat behind this desk, writing on several sheets of paper.

"Come here," she commanded imperiously. Maddie jutted her chin out and stepped forward. There was a long pause, while Miss DeGrey continued to write her papers. Finally, she looked up over the top of her glasses. "Do you know why I have called you here?"

"To punish me," Maddie answered truthfully as she stole a look at the whipping stick.

"No," Miss DeGrey looked down at her papers and began to write again. After several moments she said, "I called you to my office to tell you that you have been adopted."

Maddie stared at her, mouth open. She tried to speak, but couldn't. Miss DeGrey continued to write coolly for a while. Finally, she looked up from her paper and remarked caustically, "Do you have anything to say or are you just going to stand there with your mouth open like a goldfish?"

Maddie managed to swallow. "I...I mean...who adopted me?"

"A Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell. Why they wanted an ugly, rebellious fifteen year old girl instead of sweet little Caroline i cannot imagine, but it is so. Now you may leave." Maddie turned, trying to be respectable, but barely managed to hide a skip of joy. No more porridge. No more raggedy clothes. No more slappings or harsh words. And love! She and Tanya would have a family again... Tanya! Maddie whirled around right before she reached the door. "Miss DeGrey, they're adopting Tanya too, right?"

Startled, Miss DeGrey looked up, but cast her eyes down again. She could not meet Maddie's eyes, "Tanya is being adopted...but not by the Cromwells. The Cromwells do not want a whiny little girl. However, a couple called the Donaldsons saw her today are adopting her."

Maddie stared at her, barely able to grind out her words. "Where...is...she?"

"She...should be leaving right now. Madison... I'm--I'm sorry--" The headmistress had a strange look, almost of compassion, but Madison did not care. She flew out of Miss DeGrey's office and to Tanya's bedroom. The little girl's bed was empty. Madison ran to the window pressing her palms firmly against the glass. Outside, she could see a man and a woman struggling to get a little girl into a car. Maddie gasped. It was Tanya.

With a cry, she raced out of the room and down the steps of the orphanage. "Tanya! Tanya!" The little girl stopped kicking for a moment, her pale little face streaked with tears.

"Maddie?"

"Tanya!", Maddie tried to pull her little sister from the couple's grasp.

"Stop it little girl!" The man said. "She's our adopted daughter!"

"And I'm her real sister!" Maddie yelled. The man was too strong for her and soon had thrust Tanya inside the car and closed the door. The couple also jumped in the car and started the engine.

"At least let me say goodbye!" Maddie cried desperately. The woman raised an eyebrow.

"Oh let the little brat have her own way, Herbert. We'll never see her again."

"Fine. But only for a minute." He rolled the back window down a crack.

The sisters' fingers met. "Tanya, don't cry, sweetheart."

Tanya sniffed, trying to hold back her sobs. "Will you find me?"

"Yes, Tanya. I promise!"

"Like Big Bear and Little Bear?"

"Yes, just like that. Now you be good, ok?"

Tanya sniffed again and nodded. "I love you Maddie!"

"I love you t...", Maddie’s answer was forced back into her throat as the car roared away. She watched in silence as it became a tiny dust speck sped away into the distance carrying off the little sister she loved so well.

To be continued...