Finding Hope: Chapter 8

   When I was visitng Connor one time, he told me, "Madison, can you go get something that was really special to me, I left it at the hospital,"
   I nodded and said, "Sure. I'll be right back."
   I left Connor's house and walked to the hospital. When I got there, I went to his former hospital room and looked around for something that was special to him. I looked on the bed and I saw a book. I picked it up and the title read: Catching Fire.
   I walked out of the room holding the book in my hands and then something caught my eye... I saw a news article that said: FINDING HOPE: Peddle for a Cure!
   I picked the article up and read the details. It said: STAND UP TO CANCER! Where: Washington  D.C. When: Saturday, February 4.
   A great idea came in my head. I'll go and peddle for a cure! I am great at biking! And I know who I'll do it for... I'll do it for Connor.
   I raced back to his house and couldn't wait to tell him the news! When I got there, I gave him his book and he saw me out of breath and my face was blood red from running in the cold.
   "Why are you so red and out of breath?" he asked.
   I told him all about what I just read, he seemed to like the idea and said, "That sounds really great, Madison. But... its in Washington D.C. Which is about 8 hours away from here,"
   I nodded, "I know, but I really want to do this... for... well for you," I explained to him.
   "Okay, have fun then..." he sighed, "I'll be here waiting for you when you are done." he said.
   "I know."

   *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
   After my visit with Connor, I ran home to tell my family the great news.
   "Mom! Dad!" I yelled right when I walked in the door. I took off my jacket, kicked off my snow boots, and ran in the kitchen where I found my mom and dad talking at the table.
   "Mom, dad! Guess what?!" I said, but before they could say anything I said, "I just read an article and it said, Peddle for a Cure! Help cancer! And it is in Washington D.C. on February 4th! And that is this Saturday! Can I please do it?!" I pleaded.
   "Whoa, whoa, steady! What's this all about? Peddling for a cure? In Washington?" my dad asked.
   "Well, yeah... Washington D.C. And I want to do it so bad. I want to do it for Connor," I said looking at their surprised expressions on their faces.
   "Sit down, Madison," my dad said. I sat down.
   "Maddy, are you still upset about Connor leaving you?" my dad asked.
   I was silent. Very silent.
   "Maddy?" my mom asked. I looked up at them.
   "...Yeah," I said tears starting to form in my eyes.
   "We all are upset about it, you know. And... I think peddling for a cure will be something very fun, especially if you want to do it for Connor, right Peter?" my mom said looking at my father.
   He hesitated and then said, "Yes, I think so too,"
   I smiled, "So... you'll take me to Washington D.C?!"
   They smiled, "Yes, only if you promise to never ask of something like this again, okay?"
   My smile then turned into a huge grin, "Yes, of course! I'll never ask for anything ever again! You guys are so awesome!" I got up and hugged my parents.
   I then ran up to my bedroom and Jane came in the room, "Where are you going?" she asked while eating a lollipop.
   "Washington D.C.!" I exclaimed.
   "Why?" she asked very annoyingly.
   "None of your beeswax," I said trying to ignore my little sister.
   "I don't have beeswax, Maddy. Stop trying to be a grown-up!" and she stomped away eating her lollipop.
   Wow, now she got that wrong! She is always sounding like a grown-up.
   I hugged the article in my arms, fell back on my bed, and said, "Oh, Connor. Will you ever get better?"