When Maddie woke on Monday morning her knee hurt. She attributed it to overdoing it on the treadmill all weekend. She figured it would right itself, but decided against her run-walk. She wasn't worried about Peter; he would just keep going if she wasn't outside.

She used the time she saved to call Lynn. She hadn't heard from her on Sunday and had envisioned her and Billy cuddled up together.

"So how was your date?"

"It was nice."

"Nice! Nice is what you say about a piece of cod. Come on, spill!"

"For a gal who has given up men, you sure seem interested."

"Just because I'm done with sex doesn't mean I can't live vicariously through you. It's better than a book."

"Did Maddie Evans just say something was better than a book?" Lynn said shocked.

"Funny! Now tell me did he like your panties?"

"Maddie, you're bad! He didn't see my panties, but we kissed again and I still liked it."

"Just give him time, he'll be seeing your panties and a lot more." Maddie laughed.

Her day sped by, Mondays always did, because there was a lot of organizing to do after the weekend when parents never seemed to watch their children. Before she knew it, the kids were coming in after school. A girl walked right up to the new releases. She saw her shoulders visibly slump.

Walking over to her, she asked, "Were you looking for something special?"

"There was a book here on Friday and now it's gone."

"I'm sorry. You should have taken it while it was there. Books don't stay on this shelf for long. You can put in a request for it. Do you know how?"

"I just moved here and I don't have my library card yet. My father will come to pick me up, so I can get one."

"We need to be properly introduced. I'm Maddie Evans, the children's librarian. I can help you with anything you need. Do you like to read?"

"I love to read. It's my favorite thing to do. I'm Rory. I met the other lady on Friday when I came."

"I left early Friday, I must have missed you. I'm so glad that you found us. Will you be coming after school?"

"Dad wants me to take the bus home. I used to go to the library after my old school, because I hated the bus. This one doesn't seem so bad."

Maddie liked her. She was sweet, vulnerable and honest like girls her age could be, even though all the parents never believed her because that wasn't the way they acted at home. She wondered if Rory's mom and dad would comment the same.

Maddie's biggest surprise of the day came when Rory's father walked into her library.

The first thing she noticed when she arrived at the bus stop that morning was the blond girl waiting. There were also some boys waiting. All, but one were gathered around a blond kid who reminded Rory of the kids at her old school. The boy on his own reminded Rory a little of herself. The bus stop was right in front of The Landing which was close to home.

Jack walked right up to the girl and said, "Hi, I'm Jack and this is my daughter Rory. Today is Rory's first day."

She smiled. "I'm Cassie. I'm a freshman."

"Me too," Rory said.

"Great! You can sit with me on the bus. McKenna Grant always wants to sit with me, but she's annoying. Now she won't be able to," Cassie said happily.

Rory had never had anyone to sit with on the bus and didn't care about the reason for her seatmate. Maybe they could become friends. She already knew Cassie liked to read, so that was one thing they had in common.

Once settled on the bus, Cassie asked about her first class. Rory showed Cassie her schedule and learned they had science and geometry together.

"We can sit together at lunch. You'll like my squad."

Rory was nervous, squad, to her meant cheerleading, and she hated cheerleaders. She asked, "Squad?"

"That's what we've called ourselves since middle school."

"I've had bad luck with popular kids," Rory confided.

"Me too!"

Rory smiled. "My Dad said I should go meet a teacher. He said something about running with her husband."

"Oh, you must mean Mrs. Brenner. She's nice."

"Maybe after school, I'm not taking the bus home today."

Cassie whispered, "I guess I'll have to put up with McKenna."

Cassie walked Rory to her English class, but Rory had to walk in on her own. There were many reasons to hate her old school, but at least she was never the new kid in the middle of the school year. Mr. Bryant greeted her and explained they were reading Romeo and Juliet. Rory smiled and chose not to tell him she had read it in her old class. He was young and funny so far so good.

She met Cassie in science where the teacher was a stickler and wasn't fun at all. Then she had a study period, and she went to the library. Cassie met her outside of the cafeteria and took her through the lunch line similar to her old school. Jack forced her to buy lunch unless she wanted to make her own. He was better at giving her money than packing a decent lunch. Her mom used to pack her awesome lunches.

They sat with Cassie's friends, but she had trouble with all the names and sat back and listened. She had never spent lunch with so many girls at her old school. Typically, she sat by herself.

Mr. Castillo was their geometry teacher. Rory was concerned this class was ahead of her old class. Before she left, she spoke to him. He suggested she stay after the following day so they could figure it out.

Last period was social studies on her way she passed Mrs. Brenner's room. She glanced in and saw a woman, younger than Jack laughing. She looked nice. Her teacher was really into current events which Rory knew nothing about. Jack never put the news on. It stopped after. Oh no, it was happening she could feel the tears coming. She couldn't run out on her first day of school. She looked at the clock. There were only seven minutes left. She took deep breaths and tried to concentrate on what he was talking about. The minutes ticked slowly, and she felt the tears leaking out of her eyes and dropping on the desk.

When the bell rang she couldn't get out of the classroom quick enough. She sprinted looking down and sped right along the edge of the lockers. She was so intent on getting away, that she didn't see the teacher until she bumped into her.

"Oh, no." She tried to hide her face.

"You're not alright," the concerned voice said.

Rory looked up and said through her tears, "You're her, my Dad, run..."

She allowed herself being pulled into the classroom. Once inside she asked, "Are you Jack's daughter?"

"Uh, huh."

"Why are you crying? Did someone say something to you?"

"No, it happens all the time. I was hoping it would be better here, but I thought of her and I couldn't stop."

"Oh Rory, it must be so hard."

"How do you know my name?"

Ms. Brenner laughed. "You're new to The Point, but you'll understand soon enough. Besides, you met my mother on Friday and she told me all about you."

"I'm sorry I walked into you."

"Please, I've had a lot worse. Were you taking the bus?"

"No, I have other plans. Tomorrow I have to stay after for math."

"I have a meeting tonight, but if you need a ride home tomorrow let me know. I can give you a ride home, but I'll have to pick up my kids first. Who are you staying after for?"

"Mr. Castillo."

"Okay. I'll check in with you tomorrow. Rory, I'm glad you ran into me. I think we will be friends." She smiled.

Somehow talking to her helped Rory feel better. She cared. She felt fine when she entered the library until she realized her book was gone.

The librarian was nice, but Rory's biggest surprise of the day was when Jack walked in carrying Emma. She watched as the librarian called his name and hugged him.

Jack walked into the children's section looking for Rory. He had just glimpsed her reading when he heard, "Jack!"

Turning towards the voice, he saw a grown-up version of his friend Maddie. In disbelief, he said, "Mads!"

Before he knew it, she came over and threw her arms around him and Emma. She whispered, "I'm sorry. I've been a lousy friend. I should have called or sent a card. I just didn't know what to say."

She released him. "It's okay. None of those gestures really mattered."

"What are you doing here?"

"Don't tell me you moved away from The Point," Jack knew his arrival had spread through the grapevine.

"No, I live in my parents' house."

"You're behind on the gossip. We're staying at my parents' for the time being. We needed a change. Mads, don't take this the wrong way, but I never pictured you the library type."

"I'll have you know I'm the highly respected children's librarian. I wasn't that bad was I?"

"A little crazy," Jack laughed. It felt good seeing his old friend.

Turning toward Emma, she said, "She's adorable."

As if she knew she had attention she squirmed. "Ore Yee!"

Jack put her down, and she ran over to Rory. Maddie watched. "Rory's yours! Isn't she! She told me she loves to read."

"Yes, now it wouldn't surprise me if she grew up to be a librarian. We're supposed to get our library cards."

"I'll walk you over."

Jack called Rory who picked up Emma and followed them.

"So you know my Dad?"

"When we were kids. I live on The Point. We're neighbors. Jack, you'll have to show Rory which house is mine, so she can come to visit."

"Really?"

"Absolutely! I suspect we will be great friends."

Jack watched Rory smile and was pleased how welcoming Maddie was toward his daughter. While he completed paperwork, he listened to Rory and Maddie talk.

"Do you know Ms. Brenner? I met her today."

"In high school, I dated her brother."

"I thought maybe you dated..." Rory whispered, "him."

"Oh no. We were all just good friends. You know Mrs. Brenner's daughter is about a year older than your sister."

"She offered to bring me home tomorrow. I have to stay after for math."

Jack turned. "Why are you staying after?"

"To see if I missed material. If she brings me home, Emma can sleep as long as she wants."

Jack looked at Maddie. "Get used to it Jack, we're all family. You're not in Boston anymore."