Modern Holes Ch 08 1

It was Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday.

"What should I wear?" Maddie was fretting her little heart out. This was to be her first date. Her first ever date!

She stared at her wardrobe, her dresser, her closet. There was everything there, and nothing at the same time.

Francis had finally asked her out earlier that week. She had been looking forward to spending time with him. Just being out and about, as a couple. The talk with Sally had shown that they needed to make the effort to be a bit more public with themselves. This was the first step to doing that.

Maddie started going through what clothing she had. They were going to the fair. So it was going to be an outside venue for the most part. Outside and with plenty of other people in the crowd.

The weather. She had to consider the weather. It was fall, for the most part, so that meant cool temperatures. She normally never considered the cold until there was snow on the ground. Should she wear a jacket, long sleeves, go with a T-shirt? There were too many options!

"OK, OK, OK, time to calm down." Thought Maddie. "Just have to game it out." she started pacing back and forth in her basement.

"One. It'll be cold." She held up her finger. "If I wear a jacket, I'll be comfortable. But if I don't wear that, I can put on something a bit cuter, and Francis will try to keep me warm." Impeccable logic.

"Two. Francis has never commented on my body." Maddie frowned at that. "But I know he loves my tits." All the times she had gone running where her breasts were kept warm, safe, and oh so loved, by Francis went through her head. "So maybe I find something a bit low cut, show off the girls how they were meant to be seen."

She rummaged through her extensive catalogue of long sleeve tops. Absolutely none of them had any cleavage to them whatsoever. This just would not do!

Maddie was not about to let this stop her though. What really was cleavage in a shirt? Basically just a V shape. She had scissors, she had needle, she had thread, this was not an insurmountable obstacle.

Quickly donning one of the pure black long sleeve shirts, she stood in front of her mirror. Scissors in the one hand, she set about cutting down from the neck.

The scissors cut through the fabric with ease. Her pale breasts practically spilling out of the top now that they were allowed to breathe. The frayed cotton fabric formed a wavy edge.

"Elvira eat your heart out." Maddie felt a little smug as she set her shoulders back and made things even more pronounced. "Just you wait another... fifty pounds or so."

The overall effect was, to put it lightly, trashy, even to Maddie's unrefined senses. Her bra was peeking out from the bottom of the V shape. Sure there was a lot to work with, but that just meant she had industrial strength and shape bras.

Not one to be deterred, This was just the first attempt. There were more shirts out there. Another cut was all it would take.

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Ten shirts in, she tried hemming up the cut edges. The rough cut look was certainly not a good look for her.

"Come on. Come on!" Maddie chanted. The needle and thread made their way through the edges. Her fingers nearly numb from pushing it in and out.

She finished up the two sides and added a few last knotting insertions to make sure the thread wouldn't pull it self out. Cutting off the tail end was the last step and she inspected her handiwork.

It was... mostly straight. But the final results would speak for themselves.

Maddie pulled the V cut shirt over her head. The neck line flapped out wide. The bottom of the V stretched. When she took in a deep breath, the threading split and the shirt ripped.

With a defeated sigh, this shirt joined the others in the discard pile.

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Maddie had succumbed to the 'Just one more try' fallacy. "90 percent of all gamblers gave up just before they hit it big." Was what she was thinking. Her basement bedroom floor was littered with practically destroyed shirts.

Sure, maybe one or two were down to her navel, just to see what it would look like, but the rest were honest attempts at something sexy and revealing. Revealing they were, sexy they were not.

She lay on her bed with her arm over her face, depressed. There was nothing else that could be done. Francis was going to hate how she looked. They were going to break up. All this time they had spent together would be wasted. All because she didn't have the right kind of clothes.

"What happened down here?"

Maddie lifted her arm ever so slightly to see her Mother standing on the stairs. "It's all going wrong." She wailed.

Mrs. Callahan took in all the debris scattered around the room. There were shirts, basically all the shirts she had ever seen Madeline wear in her life, all of them with the neckline cut out. Seems her little girl was finally trying new things.

"Oh darling, let me help you." Mrs. Callahan swept down the stairs to her daughter. She gently tugged at the young woman and led her upstairs to her own bedroom.

When they arrived, Mrs. Callahan deposited Maddie onto her bed and sat next to her. "Now, tell me what's wrong." She put her arms around Maddie.

Distraught, Maddie couldn't face her mother. "I just wanted something special to wear for the date. But nothing I have is right."

"I know what that's like darling." Mrs. Callahan comforted her daughter, stroking her shoulder in the hug. "You want him to want you, so you dress a little bit differently."

"Uh huh." Maddie sniffed.

"I remember doing that for your father when we first started going out." Mrs. Callahan sighed. "The things I used to wear, just to keep him interested. Hooo!" She had a mischievous grin on her face. "Ah, but that was a long time ago, and let me tell you this little secret."

Maddie perked her head up.

"It really didn't matter what I wore." Mrs. Callahan squeezed her daughter. "He was mine the whole time."

Maddie chuckled.

"But that doesn't mean the right type of clothing doesn't hurt." Mrs. Callahan let go of Maddie and stood up. "Especially if you have certain... intentions."

"Ew gross Mom." Maddie was quick to lie.

"Just checking darling." Mrs. Callahan turned away from her daughter and opened her closet. "Now I don't exactly know what all you young folks wear on your nights out, but I'm sure we can find something for you in here."

Mrs. Callahan quickly started sorting through her clothes. A thought that went through her head was that, while Madeline would never fit into the outfits she wore when she was a girl, they were currently roughly the same size.

"Here, try this on." A set of clothes was held out, and from there it was on.

Together, mother and daughter, they set about creating the perfect evening date outfit for Maddie. Sundresses were brought out and discarded. A pantsuit was tried on just for the laugh. But they settled on something a little more demure.

Maddie walked out of there wearing blue jeans, a loose knit black over shirt that tied around her waist. A cream button up undershirt with several buttons undone. And her frizzy red hair done up into a bun, held together by a thick scrunchy.

She had the look. She had a plan. Nothing was going to get in her way.

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The alarm on Francis' phone went off, waking him up from his nap.

He rubbed his face, tousled his hair, and yawned.

Stretching, he put on his one button up shirt and slid on his only pair of slacks.

Game time.

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Francis walked up to Maddie's home like he had done a thousand times before. This time was slightly different though. This was the first time he was here to 'formally' see Maddie.

Those final few steps, as the light was starting to fade in the sky, were a little nerve wracking. Her parents were considerate if a bit teasing. Maddie was for sure on board, but things could always have changed, somehow.

When he finally reached the door, he paused to give himself a final once over. His clothes hadn't become stained in the last five minutes of the walk, so he was safe there. So, squaring his shoulders, he reached out and pressed the doorbell. It went 'ding dong'.

Immediately, Maddie opened the door and the full force of her dressed up power hit Francis right in the heart. She was gorgeous. He'd never seen her in anything other than sweat shirts in ages, and now, with the done up hair, the alluring open top, and excited expression at seeing him, Francis was smitten. Gawping open mouthed in surprise, but still smitten.

"Hey there." Maddie beamed a smile at Francis that shot him once again through the heart. "You're right on time. Come on in for a bit. My Dad's just getting himself ready to drive us there."

Francis shut his mouth with a clack of his teeth and stepped through the door. There, he was blindsided by an attack from Mrs. Callahan.

"Oh la la! Someone's putting in the effort." Maddie's Mom looked over from the couch where she was sitting. "Let me get a look at you." She stood up and approached Maddie and Francis standing by the doorway.

Mrs. Callahan adopted the posture of a french impressionist art critic. She pouted, she hmmmmed, she hawwwed, she pointed only with her wrist, and she finally clicked her tongue a few times. "Oh no no no no! This will not do. Not this night, not for my daughter."

She plucked at Francis' wrist. "These cannot be down here. Roll them up."

Francis undid the button of his shirt cuffs and set about rolling them up. He got to his elbow and looked for Mrs. Callahan's approval.

With the haughtiest of raised noses, and tiniest of dismissive waves of her hand, She approved.

Maddie rolled her eyes, tapped her toes, and secretly thanked her mother for doing this.

Mr. Callahan stepped around the corner, keys in hand. "Ah, I see you're all ready to go."

Stepping to her husband, Mrs. Callahan hugged him and laid her head on his shoulder. "Look at them, all grown up."

Maddie and Francis were both suddenly very uncomfortable in the clothes they were wearing, and the skin they were in.

"Yes yes dear, let's not kill them with embarrassment just yet." Mr. Callahan kissed the top of his wife's head. "That can happen later."

With that threat in the open air, Mr. Callahan led the way out to their car. He stopped by the drivers door and looked pointedly at Francis.

Francis took the hint. He reached for the passenger side door and tried to open it for Maddie. Tried being the operative word, it was still locked. He shot frantic look of betrayal at Mr. Callahan who smirked and took pity on the boy.

The door unlocked, and Francis opened the door for Maddie. She smiled at the chivalry on display and took her seat. When Francis shut the door, she whipped her head around to look at her Father with a frown.

"Just looking out for you darling." Mr. Callahan hummed to himself as Francis got into the backseat. He started the car and set off down the street.

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The ride out to the fairgrounds was eerily quiet for the first few minutes. All that could be heard was the quiet murmur of the engine and vrrrt of rolling rubber on the road.

"So do you have everything planned out?" Mr. Callahan asked as they drove.

Francis cleared his throat. "I think so sir. Rides before food before games."

Mr. Callahan cocked his head at that, staring at Francis in the rear view mirror. "Why's that?"

"Oh uh..." Francis tugged at his still freshly rolled up sleeves. "If we played the games and won a prize, we'd have to carry it for the rest of the night. And if we ate food before the rides we might be sick."

"Huh." Mr. Callahan seemed impressed. "Got a head on your shoulders it seems." He leaned over to Maddie, and in a stage whisper. "This one might be a keeper."

"Oh my god Dad." Maddie leaned away to rest her head on the window. The smile on her face at his approval breaking through teenage rebellion.

Chuckling, Mr. Callahan returned to sitting up straight. "Well you kids have fun at the fair. I'll be waiting for your call."

"Thanks Dad." Maddie traced a small design on the glass.

"And you'll keep her safe, won't you Francis." He sent another eyeful through the mirror. "Make sure no one lays a finger on her."

"Yes sir." Francis fiddled with his own fingers. The guilty fingers that had touched Maddie quite a bit lately.

"Good." They pulled up into the dirt lot outside of the fair grounds. "Now get out of my car. I have a date night with your mother planned."

"Gross Dad."

"Don't call before ten, we won't hear." Mr. Callahan waved goodbye as the two teenagers got out of the car. Then, with all the thunderous horsepower of a mid size economic sedan, he peeled out of the gravel parking lot.

Maddie and Francis watched the car leave. They looked at each other with a shrug.

"Shall we?" Francis leaned forward and offered the crook of his elbow to Maddie.

"Yes, we shall." Maddie took the offered arm with delight. Sending another bit of thanks to her mother as she laid a hand on Francis' bare forearm.

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"So what do you want to hit up first?" Francis asked as he walked arm in arm with Maddie. "There's the mini coaster, that boat thing that goes upside down, or maybe the spinning one?"

They got in line for tickets as Maddie contemplated her answer. "Coaster. Without a doubt. Get the biggest one done first. Everyone else will be building up to doing that one."

Parroting her father. "Looks like you do got a head on your shoulders." Francis smiled. "Might have to keep you after all."

"Oh ha ha." She deadpan laughed.

Tickets were bought, and the evening began in earnest for the two of them.

The mini coaster loomed ahead. It's rickety appearance all the more imposing due to the lighting from underneath highlighting every nut and bolt in shadow.

"You know, the safety record for these things is abysmal." Francis leaned down to speak to Maddie. "I hear that about a dozen people die on them every year."

With a suspicious look, Maddie had to ask. "What are you doing?" They stepped closer to the head of the line.

"Just making conversation." Francis was the picture of innocence. "Letting my best friend know some interesting facts about roller coasters. Especially that type of roller coaster." He gestured towards the steel tubular frame in front of them.

"I know what you're doing."

"I am trying to be informative and helpful here." Francis pouted. "Especially about how such coasters are the least well maintained ones in the world because of how often they move around, and need to be setup every time."

"You may think this is going to psyche me out, but I know you're the one who chickened out the last time we went driving together." Maddie patted his arm.

Francis actually frowned at that. "We were doing ninety in a fifty five, in my Mom's car. You were driving and a curve was coming up that had a yellow sign saying thirty on it."

"Poor baby." Maddie gave him a pouting face. "We were fine, the car could have handled it."

"The car was shaking!"

They reached the head of the line. "YOU, were shaking, the car was fine." Maddie handed over a pair of tickets for the two of them.

"This is why your Dad wouldn't lend you the car you know." Francis pointed out as they sat in the seats.

Maddie could only shrug as the restraints were lowered over the two of them.

"Arms up or you're a bitch!" Maddie flung her hands up high.

In a stout display of defence for his gender, Francis followed suit.

The cart clanked up the slope with a click click click noise. There was a downward falling feeling, a hard turn to the right, and they were off.

Screams of delight or perhaps terror. Woah's that complimented sinking stomachs and butterflies. And a distinct noise of straining metal and squeaking wheels.

All too soon the ride came to an end. Maddie hopped off with a giggle. Francis needed an extra second to get his legs under him.

"Oh ham it up why don't ya?" Maddie held her hand out to Francis.

"It's all the exercises, I swear." Francis made it all the way up. "I'm just worn out."

"A likely excuse." Maddie held his hand as they made their way to the next ride.

Spinning tea cups was an attempt to make the other one sick.

Bumper cars nearly ended up with Francis getting whiplash.

The anti gravity spinner had the attendant on the ride do a sideways flip.

The inverted boat was the thing that actually felt unsafe to the both of them, which only made it even more enjoyable.

"OK, now I'm hungry." Francis rubbed his stomach. "What did you want to get?"

With slitted eyes and sucking teeth, Maddie had one demand. "Mini donuts, I will not be denied my mini donuts."

"That's desert, and you know it." Francis admonished her.

"Turkey leg then."

"That's the ren faire." He pointed out. "And we should totally go to that this summer as well."

"We can compromise and get chicken then." Maddie steered them towards a stall that had a giant cartoon rooster sticking out over the crowd.

Everywhere there was the smell of fried things. Deep fried mars bars, deep fried corn dogs, a deep fried calzone. If you wanted it deep fried, they had it.

The chicken was a delightfully greasy mess. The two orders they received was a Styrofoam container filled to the brim with french fries and chicken. The crispy golden brown skin fell apart in their mouths with a crunch.

Maddie was making noises that Francis knew intimately, but had never heard in public before. "Oh god yes, how I missed this."

"Did you need a moment alone?" He said after swallowing a large chunk of chicken.

"Ooooo, I might." The french fries in Maddie's box were doused in vinegar. "I might need to make love to this later."

Francis snorted in laughter.

Mini donuts were also acquired, but Maddie, in deference to her diet, opted to share a bag with Francis rather than get her own.

All too soon, the bag of donuts was down to it's final cinnamon fried dough circle.

"You want it?" Francis offered.

Deep down in Maddie's soul, the answer was yes. "No, you have it."

"OK then!" he popped it into his mouth with a satisfied smile.

With only herself to blame, Maddie felt the betrayal burning like a little ember. She consoled herself by grabbing onto his arm once more.

"Now, my fair maiden." With extra emphasis on the 'fair'. "I shall endeavour to win thee a prize." Francis steered them towards the midway where any number of barkers was set to take their money in exchange for a chance to win a bauble.

"That's the ren faire." Maddie pointed out. "But nonetheless! Lead on."

They tried a number of games, all of them guaranteeing to make 'everyone a winner!' Of course the degree of 'winner' is up for debate with every game.

Shooting out a star? Wrist bracelet.

Lucky rubber duck? Pair of plastic rings.

Ring toss? Some success.

"OK, I got this." Francis took up a stance as if he was about to roll a bowling ball. The intense concentration on his face matched only by Darren Ong of Kuwait city.

The ring went back in a perfect arc. It paused for just a moment at the peak of his arm. Swinging forward at the perfect pace. Going through the air, released on the upswing. From there it sailed into empty space, turning end over end...

It clunked against the target pole and fell onto the ground.

"Oooooooh, so close!" The barker shouted as they picked up the fallen ring. "Another ticket for another three tries, how about it? Win the girl a prize?"

Grumbling only a tiny bit, Francis fished out another ticket and slapped it down on the counter. It was replaced by another three multi colour rings and a "Good luck!"

"You got this." Maddie patted Francis on the back. "Visualize success, secret witch spell."

Francis paused at that. "Really?"

"No, not really, just good advice." Maddie smiled. "Get me that rabbit."