Adopted by Jennifer Lawrence

[90:] Olive Garden

Maddie's P.O.V.

I wrote today's date on tonight's math homework. April 27, 2013.

I sat at the kitchen table with my calculator in hand when Jen barged in.

“Jen?” I say, surprised. She isn't supposed to be back for a few more weeks.

My stomach angrily growled at the fact that I hadn't eaten today. But I ignored it.

She didn't speak, she hugged me while I was sitting.

Then her hands were on my shoulders as she studied me and looked at me intently.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“I think so. . . What are you doing here?”

“Just checking to see if you're okay, that's all.”

“You could've called,” I tell her. I'm not buying it.

“Well, I wanted to spend time with you. Is that so wrong? I haven't seen you in almost two months!” she smiled. “How about we go out to dinner, just you and me?”

I don't like the idea of eating, but I'm sure I'll get around it.

“I have a lot of homework to do,” was my excuse.

“Come on, it's Saturday! You have all weekend to do your homework. I'm here until tomorrow.”

I sighed. “Okay, I'll go.”

“Great, let's head out.” says Jen.

In my mind, I thought, Now?

But instead, I put my papers in my bookbag, zip it up, and put it away.

I'm allowed to shower and change into some clothes.

***

The car ride was lengthy so far.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“I was thinking Olive Garden, does that sound good?”

Just by the name of the restaurant, I think of the last time I went there with Jen, which was ages ago. It didn't turn out well, due to a greeter with the name of Steven. The name alone makes me cringe. We ended up leaving.

“Yeah, that's fine.”

***

Jen's P.O.V.

My heart sunk when I laid my eyes on her.

I didn't think a person could lose so much weight in such a short time.

It took all I had not to burst into tears right then and there.

All I could think of was to hug her, but that didn't stop me from feeling her bones. She looked so much more fragile than I remember.

Don't think I'm better either. I am able to eat some foods and they stay down, so I'm glad.

As soon as I saw her, I wanted to take her out to eat somewhere, it was all I could think of at the moment. I needed to fatten her up. Fast.

When she gave me her “excuse,” I nearly frowned because I knew she didn't want to eat. I just can't understand why. She looks almost the same as she did when I first adopted her.

I'll never forget that day.

When I saw her, peacefully sleeping on that hospital bed. The doctor's were unable to tell when she'd wake up. It had been three weeks and I can't believe I'm admitting to this, but, I almost lost hope. I'd been told that in severe cases, a person can be in a coma for months or even years. Then there was the option to pull the plug, but I couldn't bear the thought of that.