Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Madison wanted to treat her family to lunch in town. But knowing the cost of dining in restaurants, Ruth firmly objected to the idea. She reasoned that it would be a waste of money.

The primary income earner of the family flashed a warm smile. "It's on me, Mom. Let's do it just this once, okay? Besides, I'll be returning to the city this coming week. It might take a long while before I go back here. Let me make you happy," Madison persuaded. She stroked the fold on her mother's dress as if coaxing Ruth to get ready.

"Oh, Honey, you are so sweet," Ruth remarked. Although she appreciated her firstborn's invitation, she insisted, "But spending a few bucks for lunch is unnecessary. I can cook a delicious meal for us, can't I? Tell me, what do my girls want for lunch? Do you want garlic chicken and sauteed veggies? Quinoa salad? Bologna sandwich? Anyone?"

Penelope giggled. "Mom, Madds rarely invites us to go outside. We should eat outdoors once in a while. Come on! Let's go!" she said excitedly. She obviously could not wait to wear her new dress in public.

Cassie joined her sisters in convincing their mother. "Mom, you know how stubborn Madds can be. She won't give up until you say yes. You don't want us three to carry you, do you?" She bit her lip to suppress a playful smile as she glanced at her sisters meaningfully.

Standing to Ruth's left, Cassie placed her arm behind her mother while Lily on the right did the same. Penelope was about to touch her mother when Ruth's eyes widened, glancing at her silly daughters. Fortunately, Madison interfered. "Hey, girls, stop it. You see, Mom, it's better to go to the restaurant than end up in an ambulance," she said with a shrug.

The whole household chuckled, except for Madison.

Madison frowned in confusion. "Hey! I didn't say anything hilarious. What is wrong with you?"

Ruth shook her head. She was about to explain but could not stop laughing.

"Madds..." Lily attempted to talk but ended up snorting upon suppressing her laughter.

Madison rolled her eyes in annoyance, trying to figure out why they burst out laughing.

After a while, Lily calmed down, but her lips were still slightly curved. "We haven't seen you in nearly a year, but you're still funny. I love how you make us laugh."

As though she was offended, Madison replied, "Okay then, enjoy making fun of me. I wanted to buy you new shoes, but it seems I'll have to change my mind." She turned her back and crossed her arms. Shortly after, she felt several arms wrapping around her.

"Hey, Lily meant you're funny and beautiful," Penelope coaxed.

"And generous," Cassie immediately added. Madison could hear her smiling. "No one else compares to you, Madds."

"Of course!" Lily agreed. "You're as beautiful as a goddess!"

Tighter hugs followed the warm praises. Enjoying it, Madison pouted and asked, "Really?"

"Really!" her younger sisters replied in chorus, smiling sweetly.

It was Madison's turn to play tricks on them. "I was kidding about getting you new shoes. You wouldn't stop laughing, so I thought I should tease you." She laughed and pointed out, "You all stopped laughing as soon as I said it. I knew it!"

The three other girls suddenly appeared disappointed. "We thought we were going to get new shoes. Mine is already damaged. It looks like it's always starving for dirt, right, Penelope?" Lily said, begging for mercy.

Penelope quickly nodded her head. "So hungry it'd devour the entire suburb!" she exaggerated while faking her tears.

Seeing Cassie attempting to join the show, Madison glared and warned, "Don't even dare to act like them unless you want to look like a fool!" Madison chuckled, to which her sisters tightened their hugs.

"You! You fooled us!" complained the three. Their twisted expressions indicated that they were convinced Madison had tricked them. It also revealed how badly each of them needed new shoes.

Madison then messed with their hair before admitting, "Of course, I'll purchase you three new shoes. Let's buy any shoes you want." Her sisters' eyes brightened up with gratitude and excitement. "But only one pair for each of you, okay? Make sure you choose the one you can wear to school," Madison gently reminded.

Her sisters were happy to nod. But Ruth interfered, saying, "Madison, you've been spending too much since you came home. You even bought a microwave. We appreciate it, but save up for yourself, Honey."

She looked at Madison with concern before glaring at the other girls. "The three of you! Aren't you taking advantage of your sister's kindness?" Their mother's comment made them let go of Madison and quietly bow their heads in embarrassment.

Madison approached Ruth. The former understood the latter, but Madison explained, "Don't worry about me, Mom. I bought the things you need because I wanted to. I'm willing to work away from home for our family. I'm doing it all for you because it makes me happy to see you happy. Don't worry too much about me, okay?"

She smiled warmly and turned to her sisters. "Hey, stop frowning now. I told you, I want to see you being happy. Come on, let's buy your shoes!" she said, trying to comfort them.

But the other girls still looked sad. "Mom's right, Madds," Penelope began. The apologetic and tender look in her eyes melted Madison's heart. "Sorry, we forget about your hard work sometimes. But it would be best if you also cared for yourself. You don't have to do everything for us, Madds. We're here to support one another, which means we're happy as long as we're together."

Tears welled up in Madison's eyes. "I know, and I'm happy to hear that. But I have some savings to buy what you need. It's not like we'd buy the most expensive stuff, so don't worry about it." Although she assured her sisters, the hesitation was still evident in their silence as they glanced at Ruth for a response.

Ruth sighed before nodding. Her three younger daughters rushed up to their mother and their eldest sister, enveloping the two in a warm embrace.

Madison bit her lower lip to avoid crying in front of her family. She yearned for this warmth. Her father's death was twice as unbearable because they had to deal with the grief alone and in silence. But having this connection with her family gave her peace as though they were still complete.

Persuading Ruth took quite a long time, so Madison urged them to leave. On their way to catch a taxi, they felt some sharp eyes peeking at them in the neighborhood.

Noticing her daughters' discomfort at the attention, Ruth whispered, "Don't mind them, girls. They're just jealous because all my daughters are beautiful."

Madison and her sisters were accustomed to feeling this way. They grew up in a neighborhood that secretly gossiped about its residents. That was why Ruth's daughters seldom hang out with the other kids. They would go fishing at the nearby lake instead of spending time with their neighbors and wonder whether the Lopezes had done something nasty for the neighborhood to gossip about. They would be judged as though they had committed a crime anyway.

Once they got inside a taxi, Madison and her family finally felt at ease. They arrived at the nearest town at half-past twelve. Although the suburb had small grocery stores selling essentials, it was incomparable to the supermarkets and non-essential establishments in town. Traveling to the town was ideal for families who wished to hang out together, not to mention that people were less likely to mind others' businesses there.

It was about one o'clock. Thinking that Madison's sisters were probably hungry by now, she led her family to a restaurant. But Ruth tugged Madison's arm.

Ruth smiled disapprovingly. "It looks expensive. Why don't we dine somewhere else?" she advised and pointed to a fast food restaurant a few establishments away. Her enduring concern made Madison smile.

Madison held Ruth's hand and assured her. "Mom, I told you it's on me. Who knows when we'll ever dine in town again, right? Don't worry about the price. It's not as pricey as it seems. Trust me. We won't end up washing dishes," Madison convinced with a smile.

Ensuring Ruth would no longer oppose, Madison took her mother's hand and walked into the entrance. It was a casual dining restaurant offering moderately-priced menus. Madison promised herself to bring her mother there one day. Now that she had the opportunity, there was no way she would let Ruth decline.

Madison encouraged her mother and sisters to take a seat. She called the waiter and pointed to the dishes she wanted quietly and quickly, giving no room for Ruth's objections.

When the waiter took the orders, Madison noticed Ruth's eyes welling up with tears. It made Madison chuckle and mumble, "Mom! Don't cry here. They might accuse us of starving you!"

Ruth chuckled and sniffed. "Oh, Honey, you know how to make me laugh," she said, wiping her tears away.

With a frown, Madison scoffed, "And now you even made me look like a clown. That's ridiculous, Mom!" Seeing Ruth laughing again warmed Madison's heart. It was a rare sight. Madison made sure to enjoy her mother's laughter and make it linger in her memory. Shortly after, the joy on Ruth's face faded.

Staring at her daughters and holding their hands, Ruth could not help expressing, "You know how much I love you, girls, right? I hope you don't forget that. Although your dad is no longer here, I don't feel too lonely, thanks to the four of you. Don't get tired of mom, okay?" One by one, she caressed her daughters' angelic faces. Her lovely daughters then embraced their mother.

"Who says we'll leave you, Mom? That'll never happen, so don't ever think about it again," Madison remarked. When she noticed the waiter approaching their table, she retreated to her seat.

The food and drinks that the waiter served rendered Ruth speechless. The surprise on her face screamed another objection. Madison noticed it, so she squeezed Ruth's hand to reassure her mother. The family ate its lunch with gusto, leaving no leftovers. Madison savored the food on her plate and the sight of her family enjoying the meal.

Their stomachs were full, so they stayed at their table for a while. Madison paid the bill, and they went shopping. The town sold high-quality, stylish shoes. Exploring each establishment to look for affordable ones for her three sisters was challenging. It took them around two hours to find the ones that fit Madison's budget. She also purchased Ruth a pair of loafers for special occasions.

They headed to a supermarket to buy food supplies for the next few weeks. They carried three paper bags of produce, meat, and dairy for the next few weeks. Madison had purchased some grains at the local market yesterday, so her family did not have to carry too much on their way home. She had crossed out every item on her list, so they waited for a taxi to take them home.

How could Madison get tired when the money she earned made her family feel comfortable in a way? Their unfading smile made her feel rested. She witnessed how happy they were, and it motivated her to work even harder so they could hang out like this again next time. Since Madison's father was cremated, it felt as though it burned Ruth's smile into ashes. Madison was willing to sacrifice a few more months away from her family to keep seeing her mother this lively.

"I'll do anything to make you happy," she promised in the busy town while looking at her family. But her sisters and mother did not seem to hear her as a taxi halted in front of them.