* * *
Despite her lingering anger over being stood up, Madeline secretly
hoped the caller was Mark. And yet she was angry at herself for wishing
so. After Ken, she swore she'd never let another man make a fool of her
and here she was, frantically searching for a phone, negotiating her way
through throngs of weary shoppers under the blazing summer sun. At last
she spotted a phone booth in the distance. "Someday these will be all but
extinct," she thought. She did own a cell phone now, but in true fashion,
had left it at home, charging on the kitchen counter.
Madeline held the receiver to her ear and held her breath as it rang.
"Hello?" The female voice at the other end of the line sounded rather
annoyed. Madeline fought the urge to hang up.
"Uh, hello, my name is Madeline Rose and I just received a call from
someone at this number?" She cringed at her sudden timidity.
"You're who?" The stern voice demanded.
"I'm Madeline Rose," she repeated slowly, taking a deep breath. "I've
actually received three pages today from this number. Maybe it's a
mistake. I am sorry I bothered you."
"No, wait!" The voice softened a little. "I think you're the girl Mark
was trying to call. He's not here now but he'll be back soon."
"Oh, ok. Well, could you just tell him-"
"Here, I am going to put his daughter on the phone. You can give her
the message," the voice declared abruptly. Then Madeline heard her yell,
"Lindsey!"
There was silence for a second, then a young girl's voice.
"Hello?" It was definitely a first for Madeline, speaking to a potential
boyfriend's child.
"Hi, this is Madeline," she responded warmly. "Could you just tell
your dad I am not at home right now, but I will be in about a half-hour?
He can call me then."
"Ok, he'll be back soon. He had to take my brother to a party."
"Great, well just let him know I did get his page and I'll be home
soon. He has my number."
"Ok, I'll tell him," she promised sweetly.
"Thanks Lindsey."
"You're welcome. Bye!"
"Goodbye."
Madeline hung up the phone and breathed deeply. So it had been
Mark trying to reach her!
"Hot date tonight?" a familiar male voice startled her. She spun
around to find Lloyd standing there, holding two plastic shopping bags.
"No, I don't," she replied indignantly. "At least not yet."
"So it was Mr. MIA calling?"
"Yes it was, but he wasn't there when I called back. I wonder what he
wants."
"My guess would be you."
"So what's in the bags?" she asked brightly, changing the subject.
"Just some shirts I got on sale. Nothing I can use in the show, but
good for work." He proudly removed his purchases from the plastic to
show her.
"Nice," she responded approvingly. "Where's Rebecca? I'm ready to
get out of this place. It's too hot to shop."
"She's coming. We're about ready for a swim in that pool of yours.
Besides, it's almost closing time."
Rebecca joined them momentarily and they returned to the car. As
they headed north again towards Boca, Madeline hid the excitement she
felt as she wondered what the evening would bring.