Page 15 of Smuggler's Cove
Gwen assured Madison that the clowns were nothing to be afraid of and coaxed her back into the room. But Madison did not leave her mother’s side for the rest of the afternoon. She clung to Gwen’s Chanel suit while dozens of children played games, the adults drank champagne, and Jackson ingratiated himself to the other wealthy parents.
Madison showed no interest in the pile of blue boxes from Tiffany, given by her father’s business associates. That was another thing that irked Jackson. He expected his daughter to squeal with delight, not scream at the top of her lungs.
When the party was over, and they returned to their apartment, Jackson announced that Madison would be going to the Hackley School in Tarrytown the following year. As soon as Lincoln was old enough, he would join her.
Madison wasn’t sure what all of it meant. “What’s boarding school, Mommy?” she asked.
“It’s a school where you live.” Gwen’s eyes darted at her husband, who remained mute. She was baffled. This was the first time she’d heard of Jackson’s educational plans for her children.
“Are we going to move?” Madison asked innocently.
“No, sweetheart. We will still be here.”
“But will you be coming with me?”
“No, honey. Daddy, Lincoln, and I will be staying home.”
“But why?” The child was totally confused.
“Because your daddy wants you to get the best education.”
“But Mrs. Crowder said I was really good. I can even read books!” From the time Madison was two, Gwen shared her interest in books with her daughter, and Madison was light years ahead of her peers.
“And you are really good, but this new school will make you even better. And they have drawing classes, too. You love to draw.” She gave her daughter a reassuring hug and glared at Jackson. “You are going to have a wonderful adventure. I promise.”
The sound of Lincoln chattering in the hallway broke the mood. Mrs. Braun was walking the four-year old into the grand living room. He yelped and ran toward his mother and sister as if his father weren’t there, which was usually the case.
Madison loved her little brother and fawned over him. She wasn’t sure what this boarding school thing was, but if Lincoln was going to be attending, then it would not be too bad. She wasn’t sure why her father was sending her away. Regardless of her mother’s words of comfort, it really appeared that way.
It wasn’t as if she felt unloved, but when it came to her father, her young perception made it seem she was more of an accessory than a darling daughter.
* * *
The summer before she was sent off to school, Madison began piano, ballet, and tennis lessons. She wished she could play with her friends, but her father insisted she be ready for school. He explained there would be a lot of other children who have talent, and she had to be the best. “You want me to be proud of you, don’t you?” Jackson asked, but Madison knew it was more for himself than for her benefit. Madison proved to be a very astute six-year-old. It was a talent that would serve her later on in life.
When Madison wasn’t practicing, she would look through the piles of her mother’s fashion magazines. She would occasionally ask her mother if she could play dress-up. Gwen would find something from her vast wardrobe that she no longer wore so that it wouldn’t be a disaster if Madison ruined it. But Madison showed an appreciation for the workmanship, fancy buttons, and piping. She also had a closet full of dolls, each with their own wardrobe. Madison would often change outfits, creating her own fashion show.
One afternoon Gwen came home with a shopping bag from New York Central Art Supplies. She called Madison into the kitchen. “I have a new project for you,” she said, and smiled at her daughter. Madison wasn’t sure if it was good news or bad news. She barely had time for all her lessons and tutoring. Jackson was adamant that Madison be ahead of the other students at the new private school and scheduled her from the minute she finished her breakfast until dinner. She knitted her eyebrows and looked up at her mother.
“Go get some of the magazines you like. The ones with the clothes and pocketbooks.”
Madison didn’t ask why and went into the area that had been designated as their playroom. She picked three of her favorites—Vogue, Town & Country,andHarper’s Bazaar—and skipped back to the kitchen. On the table were scissors, paste, and cardboard. “We’re going to make what is called a collage. It’s when you get a bunch of pictures with a similar theme, like clothes, and you paste them to make a poster.” Gwen pulled out a chair. “Come. Let’s make one together.”
Madison was captivated with this new craft, and the word. “Colarge?”
“It’scollage. No ‘r’.” She winked at Madison.
The two began sifting through the pages. “When you see something you like, tear out the page,” Gwen instructed her.
“Are you sure it’s okay?” Madison was leery about ruining anything that belonged to an adult.
“Of course. They’re my magazines, and I’m sharing them with you.” She handed Madison a pair of safety scissors.
They sat quietly while Madison carefully went through the glossy photos. “I like this one, Mommy.” She pointed to a hot pink and black color-block dress with black and gold buttons. “But I don’t like her earrings.”
“If you’re careful, you can cut them out of the picture.”
“Really?” Madison’s eyes went wide.
