* * *
"Home at last!" Maddy announced, unlocking the tall, green door
that marked the entrance to her condo and ushering her mother through
the small foyer.
"Whew! Feels good!" Monica admitted a moment later as she
propped her severely aching feet on the comfy leather couch in Maddy's
living room. "I had a wonderful time, honey, but I think that's my swan
song for Disney. Your mother's getting too old for that kind of walking!"
She laughed out loud, attempting to hide her sadness in the face of this
reality. It wasn't easy for either one of them to think of her that way.
"It was fun, though, Mom you have to admit," Maddy suggested
playfully.
"Oh, it sure was, sweetie," she replied. "And I had a great time,
especially at Epcot. Actually, that's the one park I know your father would
enjoy. I'd definitely consider taking him there."
Maddy wheeled her mother's suitcase into the guest room as they
spoke, before heading into the kitchen to check her phone messages.
Surely Ken must've gotten her letter by now.
"Madeline, when you're done I want to give your father a call,"
Monica requested from across the room.
"No problem, Mom. Let me check my voicemail real quick and it's all
yours."
"Take your time. I'm just enjoying sitting here."
Nothing could have prepared Madeline for the fireworks that erupted
within at the mere sound of Ken's voice. As if afraid of her thoughts
displaying on some sort of celestial cloud for the whole world to see, she
moved to the recliner chair in her sitting area, which was located at the
extreme front of her home. After listening to his message a few times, she
pressed "2" to save it in the archives, and then jotted down Ken's cell
phone number.
"It's all yours, Mom," she said as calmly as she could, handing over
the cordless before taking her cell and retreating to the privacy of her
bedroom.
* * *
Here it was, nearly 11 p.m. on a Wednesday evening. He'd mentioned
specifically that the cell number he'd given her was a business line. Did she
dare dial the number now? After a brief internal debate, Maddy decided to go
for it. After all, she'd been searching for him long enough. It was high
time to just get on with it, knowing that whatever might transpire, she
could handle the outcome well. Having successfully overcome truly
horrific problems in the past-the most formidable of which had been
panic and anxiety disorder, Madeline could now effectively cope with
anything else life threw at her. She'd been thoroughly tested and proven
incredibly stronger for the experience.
This reconnection could, as Ann had predicted, lead to a renewal of
her and Ken's relationship and a subsequent marriage; or it could simply
usher in a final and welcome resolution on the past. Either way, it would
smoothly transition her into a new phase of life-one she instinctively
knew would lead to even greater happiness and peace.
Ken's phone immediately went into voicemail, and Madeline smiled
as she listened to his professional outgoing message. Then she sent her
reply:
Kenny, hey it's Madeline. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, but my
Mom's here visiting until Sunday and we just got back from Disney tonight. By now, I
am sure you've read my letter and I hope it didn't freak you out. I want you to know I
meant everything I said, but I don't have to tell you that. You know me well enough to
know I'm sincere. Anyway, it was great to hear back from you and I hope we can talk
real soon. Take care!
After bidding her mom goodnight a few minutes later, Maddy
climbed into bed, hopeful and excited.