Jan. 16-19, 01.
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16 year old Madison James sat on her bed, her phone tucked under her chin and a magazine on her lap. She let out a short giggle.
"Jenni..you seriously need to forget Matt. You should at least find someone who knows you're alive." She teases.
"Heyyy girl. Don't you go there." Jenni Adams says, giggling herself. Madison smiles at her best friend.
"So...what are you doing?" Madison asks.
"Well...before I called you I took my shower and now I'm just laying on my bed, talking to you." Jenni replies.
"Cool." Madison replies, flipping the page of her magazine.
"What are you doing?" Jenni asks her.
"Just reading a mag and talking to you." Madison replies.
"Still thinking about your real parents?" Jenni asks, her voice turning serious. Madison sighs slightly and bites her lower lip.
"Yeah. It's just....I mean.....I'm 16 years old. I can drive now..and just that thought makes me wonder..you know? What if I found someone...I could just take off..and go find them and see why they put me up for adoption...why they couldn't keep me......if they even wanted to." Madison says.
"Mad....do you really want to find them?" Jenni asks.
"Jen...I am so curious. I don't know if I could do that to Mom...but....when I turn 18 I am seriously thinking about looking for my real family." Madison says. Jenni sighs.
"I can't even imagine the curiosity you're feeling but I do understand." Jenni says. "That's actually why I called you."
"Huh?" Madison asks, putting her magazine down and leaning forward, crossing her legs.
"Okay...you know that I watch TV but I don't have any particular shows that I'm interested in, right?" Jenni asks. Madison nods.
"Yeah....what does that have to do with anything?" She asks.
"Wait....just listen." Jenni says.
"I'm listening." Madison says.
"Alright....well last night at a little after ten o' clock I was watching TV. I wasn't really paying much attention to it, because I was looking at the pictures that my Mom got developed of us......you know..the ones from the amusement park?" Jenni says.
"Yeah..I remember." Madison replies.
"Well....I had a picture of you....when you were standing in front of that one ticket guy and I snapped your picture and you were smiling. Well..I looked up on the TV screen and I saw you." Jenni says.
"Say what?" Madison asks.
"Look...I can't really explain it but.....I watched it and when the commercial came I looked up the show in the show guide. It was the show ER. Anyways.....so I popped in a blank tape and pressed record. You've gotta come over. Like now! Seriously, I have to show you this." Jenni says.
"Mom's at work. I'll leave her a note and I'll be over." Madison says.
"Hurry." Jenni says.
"15 minutes." Madison replies.
"Chau!" Jenni says and they hang up. Madison stares at the phone, confused before she jumps off her bed and runs into the kitchen to write a note.
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"Come on!" Jenni says, pulling Madison towards her bedroom.
"What is this all about, Jen?" Madison asks.
"Okay.....here...sit right here." Jenni says, pointing to a spot. On the floor is a bunch of recent pictures of Madison. She sits down, giving Jenni a confused look. Jenni sits beside and reaches over. "What you are about to see may scare you." Jenni warns. Madison nods.
"Okay." She says.
"Watch." Jenni says. She reaches her arm out and presses the play button. Madison's eyes are fixed on the screen. A few seconds later a woman and a man walk onto the screen. Madison's mouth falls open.
"Hey Mark...there was something I wanted to ask you." The woman on the screen said.
"Yeah, Carol?" The tall, balding man replied.
"Oh my God." Madison murmured. Jenni nods. She pauses the tape and looks at Madison. There are tears in Madison's eyes.
"She's my real Mom?" Madison asks. Jenni shrugs.
"If she's not your Mom, she's your aunt." Jenni says. Madison nods. "Her name is Julianna Margulies. I looked her up on the internet this morning. She's not married, but she's dating Ron Eldard. She doesn't have any other kids, if you're even hers. And she has two sisters. So......technically....you've got three chances there." Jenni says.
"I can't believe it." Madison says.
"But don't take my word for it. I might be wrong." Jenni says.
"You're not. I'm almost identical to her. I even walk and sound like her." Madison says. Jenni nods. Madison starts to cry and Jenni pulls her into her arms.
"Hey...don't cry. You'll get me started." Jenni says, smiling and sniffling a little. Madison smiles and laughs slightly.
"Jen...I've gotta talk to Mom. She might know." Madison says. Jenni nods.
"Yeah. Want me to come with you to your house and spend the night? We can talk to your Mom." Jenni says. Madison nods.
"Okay." She whispers. Jenni smiles and squeezes her friend gently.
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"Hey Mom." Madison says, walking into the house. Her mother is unloading groceries.
"Oh, hey honey." Her mother replies.
"Hi Cathy." Jenni says, smiling.
"Hello Jenni." She says, smiling back. Madison starts to help unload groceries and Jenni jumps right in. When they are done Cathy thanks them.
"Thank you girls."
"You're welcome." Jenni replies.
"Mom...can we talk to you?" Madison asks.
"Sure. What's up?" Cathy asks.
"We need to go the living room. We've got to show you something using the VCR." Madison says. Cathy nods, her forehead crinkling. The three make their way into the living room. Jenni pops the tape in. "Sit here, Mom." Madison says, pointing to a place on the couch. Madison then sits beside her. Madison nods at Jenni.
"Go ahead." She whispers.
"'Kay." Jenni says, nodding. She reaches up and presses play. A few seconds later, the same scene that Madison had watched earlier came up onto the screen. Cathy's mouth dropped open and she gasped quietly. Madison looked at her quickly and then she nodded at Jenni who turned off the TV. Madison and Cathy turn towards each other.
"Is that her?" Madison asks. Cathy has her hand over her mouth and she nods.
"Yes." She whispers. They both start to cry and Madison reaches out and hugs her mother. Jenni sits in the background, crying along with the emotional display.
"Mom," Madison says, pulling away, "I've been...curious about my other family. Jenni was watching this on accident and she knew something was up. So...she told me and she let me watch it. She knew I had been curious and she wanted to help. I'm just curious." Madison says.
"I know baby, I know. I'll tell you anything you want to know. I knew this would happen someday." Cathy says, wiping her daughter's tears away.
"How old was she?" Madison asks. Cathy nods.
"17." Cathy replies.
"Did you ever meet her?" Madison asks.
"Once. When she was 8 months pregnant, she met your father and I. She was a really nice young girl but she was so scared." Cathy says.
"Do you know why she gave me up?" Madison asks.
"She was so young and there was so much pressure from her parents and I don't think she knew what to do. But....I want you to know that she cared about you. She didn't give you up because she didn't want you...she gave you up because she knew she couldn't provide what you needed." Cathy says. Madison smiles through her tears. "In fact....I have something to show you. Stay here." Cathy says. Madison nods as Cathy stands and heads towards her bedroom. Jenni moves over to Madison and they hug. Jenni smiles reassuringly. A few seconds later Cathy comes out with a piece of paper.
"What's that?" Madison asks.
"After you were born, Julianna wrote me this note." Cathy says, handing it to Madison. She opens it with shaky hands.
Dear Cathy and Robert,
Thank you so much for taking care of my beautiful daughter. I don't want to interfere with your life..but if one day, Madison wants to know anything....if you tell her anything at all, tell her that I do love her and that I am sorry. Thanks again.
Julianna
Madison has tears streaming down her face as she reads the note twice, then folds it up and hands it to Cathy.
"Keep it." Cathy whispers. Madison nods, looking down at the paper.
"Mom....I..do you know anything about my father?" Madison asks.
"No....I don't." Cathy says. Madison nods.
"I...I don't want to hurt you. I'm not going to go searching for her or anything like that...But someday..I would like to meet her...if only once." Madison says. Cathy smiles and nods.
"I know. I understand. You have my permission..whenever you feel you're ready." Cathy says. Madison smiles and stands up, hugging her mother.
"Whatever happens, Mom..you will always be the one that I will think of as my Mommy. No matter what. You're the best mother a person could ask for. Thank you." Madison says. Cathy smiles and hugs her daughter tightly.
"I love you sweetie." Cathy says.
"I love you too, Mom." Madison says and smiles.
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"Girls...I'm going to the store..I need some more clay." Cathy says, sticking her head into Madison's room where Jenni and her are talking the next day.
"Okay Mom." Madison says, smiling.
"Love you." Cathy says, walking down the hall.
"Love you too!" Madison yells after her. She sees her mother nod as she walks down the hall. Madison smiles.
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Madison and Jenni are out in the kitchen.
"Oh God." Madison says, standing straighter.
"What?" Jenni asks, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Something is really wrong." Madison says.
"What?" Jenni asks.
"I just..I got this feeling. Mom..." Madison says.
"Madison..I'm sure she's fine. She was just going to the store." Jenni says. Madison shakes her head.
"No..something's wrong..I know it." Madison says, nodding her head.
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"It's been three hours since she left. She should be home. The store is only 15 minutes from here!" Madison says, pacing the floor. Jenni is silent, not knowing how to calm her friend. Just then the doorbell rings. "Oh God." Madison whispers as she and Jenni hurry to the door. When they open it, there's a police officer.
"Miss James?" He asks.
"Oh God. What's wrong with her?" Madison asks.
"Excuse me?" He asks.
"My Mom. What happened?" Madison asks. The officer shakes his head, confused.
"She was in a car accident and she was brought into the ER. You need to come with me." He says.
"Is she okay?" Madison asks.
"I don't know ma'am. They didn't give me much information." He says.
"Hold on. Let us get our coats." Madison says and they run back to the house. "Jenni." Madison says, swallowing a lump in her throat.
"I'm sure she's fine." Jenni says. Madison shakes her head, tears blinding her.
"No..." She says. They run out of the house.
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"Miss James?" A doctor asks, coming out into the waiting area.
"Is she okay?" Madison asks as she and Jenni stand up.
"You're mother was hit by a car and slammed into a semi. She was conscious for about a minute. Your mother's heart then stopped and..despite all our best efforts, she didn't survive. And she died." The woman says. All the color drains from Madison's face.
"Oh God." She whispers. Jenni holds onto her arm. "I'm going to be sick." Madison says. She turns and vomits in a trashcan. When she is finished she stands up and wipes her face with her hands. "Can I see her?" She asks the doctor.
"Yes, but you should know something. When she was conscious..she told me to tell you that she loved you. And if she died she will always look after you. She also said to tell you to find her...I assume you know what that means?" The doctor asks. Madison nods.
"Yes. I know." She says. "I want to see her." Madison says.
"Okay....follow me. But....she's got tubes and wires sticking out of her." She says.
"Okay." Madison whispers.
"I'm going to call my Mom..tell her where we are." Jenni says. Madison nods and they separate. Madison goes into the room. She sees her mother and her hand moves to cover her mouth. She takes her mother's hand into hers.
"Mommy...I love you." Madison says. She bends over her mother and kisses her cheek. "I know that you will always be with me, no matter what happens. Remember what I said yesterday? You will always be my Mommy..no matter what...I'm going to find her. Like you wanted. I will." Madison says. She then breaks down crying and she lays her head beside her mother's on the bed.
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George Clooney and Julianna Margulies are on the couch in Julianna's living room.
"George, you're awful." Julianna says, laughing as she hits his shoulder. The phone rings and she stands up walking across the room and picking up her cordless phone. "Hello?" She asks, still smiling at George. He chuckles.
"Is this Julianna Margulies?" A man's voice asks.
"Yes, this is her." Julianna replies and turning away from George a little.
"This is Greg Reed from Children and Family Services." The man says. Julianna's smile fades.
"Okay." She says quietly.
"I assume you know someone named Catherine James?" He asks.
"Yes..I do." Julianna says.
"Well..three days ago, she was in a car accident and she died." Greg says.
"Oh God." Julianna says.
"As you know, her husband Robert James died 13 years ago."
"Yes." Julianna replies.
"In Cathy James's will, she gave you custody of Madison James, if you would like it. Of course, you don't have to answer right away. Madison told us that the day before her mother died she found out about you on accident. She expressed interest in meeting you. When Cathy was dying, she told the doctor to tell Madison to look for you. Madison wants to meet you, so..if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could we arrange a meeting?" He asks.
"Of course. Yeah." Julianna says, still dumbfounded.
"I know this is short notice, but is tomorrow afternoon okay?" He asks.
"Yeah..yeah. Sure. That's fine." Julianna says.
"Okay, well for convenience, we shouldn't meet at the airport...so if you would give us your address, we could just go there after we arrive." He says. She gives him her address and they arrange for them to arrive tomorrow at 3 in the afternoon. When Julianna hangs up she turns and faces George, her face pale.
"Jules?" He asks. She moves towards him.
"George....if I tell you something...it's confidential. I mean as in, you cannot tell a soul. No one." Julianna says.
"Okay." George says cautiously.
"I have....a 16 year old daughter." Julianna says. His mouth drops open and he doesn't speak for a little bit.
"You do?" He finally manages to get out. She nods.
"When I was 17.....I wasn't the most popular girl in school. Well...this popular guy asked me out and of course I said yes. He took me to a party and everyone was really nice, I was really excited. Well..it ended up he slipped something in my drink and ended up having sex with me. The thing is..I know I was awake during it all, but I didn't realize what was happening until too late. He then left the party later and some girl was nice enough to give me a ride home. I ended up pregnant. I dropped out of school until the baby was born. I gave her up for adoption. Her name is Madison. Anyway, these two wonderful people adopted her, Cathy and Robert James. When Madison was only 3, Robert died of a heart attack. 3 days ago Cathy was in an auto accident and she died. Madison wants to meet me and in the will, Cathy gives me custody of her...if I want it." Julianna says.
"My God. You went through a lot." George says. She nods.
"Yeah...and it's funny. You're the first person I've told other then my family. Not even Ron knew and I dated him for 5 years." Julianna says.
"That's a lot to carry around." George says. She nods.
"She's coming tomorrow." Julianna says. His eyes widen.
"What are you going to do?" He asks. She smiles as tears flood her eyes.
"I'm going to meet my baby." She whispers. He smiles and hugs her as she cries happily into his shoulder.
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Julianna called in sick to the set the next day, asking George not to tell anyone her secret. He promised and now she was at home, walking around the house nervously. She would rearrange things and decide she didn't like them that way and she would arrange them to the way they were before. She finally sighed and sat down on the couch. She fiddled with her fingers as she nervously awaited her daughter.
Finally at 3:45 the doorbell rang. Julianna looked up, her heart pounding.
"Oh, God. Okay." She whispered, standing. She nervously smoothed her shirt out in the front and walked to the door. She took a deep breath and opened the door. A tall man with red hair stood, carrying a suitcase. Beside him is a shorter girl, an almost spitting image of Julianna. Julianna and the girl take one look at each other before they fall into each other's arms. They both begin crying and smiling and laughing all at the same time. After a minute or so, Julianna pulled Madison to an arm's length away from her.
"God, you look just like me." Julianna says and she giggles nervously. Madison smiles and reaches up, wiping her eyes.
"Wow." Madison says. Julianna laughs.
"Yeah." She says and they hug again.
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