Sink or Swim by Laura Dower

to watch together. He liked telling bad jokes and watching thrillers. But watching scary movies with Dad was the best because Madison could scream and squeeze his hand and feel safe no matter what.
    “Can Fiona come over and watch, too?” Madison asked.
    “Sure!” Dad said. “Why don’t you call her? I can go pick her up.”
    “Okay. But is it all right if I go online for a little bit before dinner first?” Madison asked.
    “Okeydoke.” Dad nodded. “Let’s eat in an hour. Sound good?”
    After grabbing a handful of the popcorn, Madison went straight for her laptop while Phin went straight for his water dish and chew toys.
    Madison logged on to TweenBlurt.com and opened her e-mailbox. She had an urgent e-mail to send.
From: MadFinn
    To: Bigwheels
    Subject: Put a Fork in Me
    Date: Mon 23 June 5:15 PM
    Put a fork in me. I’m done! My list of baby-sitting disasters is growing longer. Not only did Eliot throw my favorite woven orange straw bag into the pool today, but he also SPIT UP on me a little bit after we had ice cream. I told Mrs. Reed, but she didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. Just tell that to the puke spot on my T-shirt! Will I ever get the hang of this? I think the worst part of all is changing diapers.
    Lucky for me he is good about being still when I change him because it takes me twice as long as it takes his mom to get the diaper off and a new one on.
    I just realized that I’m writing this to u on ur first day at horse camp so I hope u can write back soon. My dad and his girlfriend and my mom are all trying to cheer me up. My friends don’t really seem to get it, though. They’re too busy chasing boys at the pool, and I think that is so lame (even though I secretly wish I were chasing boys, too—and not ones who are 2!).
    When u baby-sat b4, what was the worst thing that ever happened to you? Just when I think I’ve experienced the worst, something else crazy happens. Write back & tell me about the horses. Have u gone riding yet?
    Yours till the pony expresses,
    Maddie

Chapter 9
    “L OOKS LIKE THE POOL will be closed again,” Dad said, sipping his cup of coffee. “They say the rain is supposed to keep up most of the day.”
    As Madison gazed out the window, her entire body ached with dread. It was hard enough keeping track of Eliot at the pool, but at least he had other kids to see and places to go there. What was she supposed to do with him if they were stuck inside all day?
    Dad leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “Hey, Maddie,” he joked. “Why can’t you go over to the Shady Glen dog run today?”
    Madison made an annoyed face. “I don’t know, Dad. Why?”
    “Because you might step in a poodle!” Dad chuckled. His own bad jokes always cracked him up.
    But something about Dad’s joke made Madison reconsider her way of thinking. What was she doing sitting around worrying? The rain was her big chance. She wasn’t going to let Eliot ruin another day for her…or him. She could get creative! This was the kind of baby-sitting challenge Mom was talking about. Maybe Madison needed to give Eliot some more things to do.
    The digital clock in the living room read 7:13. Madison had an hour to get ready and figure out her plan of attack.
    After pulling on her plaid shorts and pink T-shirt, Madison logged on to Dad’s flat-screen computer in the living room. He had a super-speed connection, so the Internet was easier to access than the dial-up connection she sometimes used with her laptop. She quickly typed in her search words.
Rainy Day Activity 2 Years Old Fun
    The screen popped up 1,812 hits. Madison selected the first few for ideas. She scribbled notes down on a scratch pad sitting on Dad’s desk.
    Bath toys in the sink, towel on floor, take off shirt
    Color in paper plates—need non-toxic markers and plates
    Go fishing with magnets in middle of floor?
    Cookie cutter sandwiches—stars and moons
    I could always go outside and play with Eliot in the poodles, too,