“You’re right. We know two different Madisons. And mine has changed a lot. Especially over the past months. And for the better, I might add. If you would only take the time to look more closely, you would see that too.” Sherry gestured for Mrs. Fielding to take a seat on the couch.

With as much distance as possible, they both sat down.

“I don’t think so,” Mrs. Fielding said.

Laughter came from the kitchen, and Madison’s voice could be heard above the others.

“See that?” Mrs. Fielding wrinkled her nose. “Not that you would have any idea about those things, but do you honestly think that Madison could ever take responsibility for anybody?” She didn’t give Sherry the chance to answer because she kept on talking. “This bar she co-owns is managed by Danielle, and with you and the boy, she also doesn’t take any responsibility. It’s all just fun and games to her. I’m sorry that I have to be so blunt, but you are nothing more than a distraction to her, and she will lose interest in you soon.”

It was Sherry’s job to try painting Madison in a better light. But even if Madison weren’t paying her, she would have still felt the urge to defend her. Madison had changed, and even though Sherry didn’t know how far these changes really went, Madison wasn’t the person that Mrs. Fielding was describing anymore. “You’re wrong. Madison manages the Archer with Danielle. And she’s taking on more and more responsibility in all departments. She’s taking her job very seriously.”

Mrs. Fielding opened her mouth, but this time Sherry didn’t give her the chance to badmouth Madison. “She’s affectionate and caring with Jake and very important to him.” She said it to make her point, but it was all true. “She’s changed. Having a family has changed her. She hasn’t been out with her old friends for weeks or behaved irresponsibly in any way.”

“If you have to praise her for not doing something stupid, it shows where we stand.” Despite her words, Mrs. Fielding observed Madison thoughtfully.

I’m getting through to her. She shifted closer to Mrs. Fielding. “Do you think that someone can change?”

“You seem to think so.”

“I do. And if you give your granddaughter a chance, you’ll see what I mean.”

Mrs. Fielding drained the rest of her scotch.

“Something isn’t right,” Madison whispered into Sherry’s ear, when they sat down at the dinner table. Since her grandmother had entered the apartment, something had seemed off. Neither the word aggressive nor the word emotional seemed to fit.

“I know what you mean,” Sherry whispered back. “She seems almost…melancholic.”