* * *
A bare-chested Kenny stumbled into his most cherished possession
after his townhouse and car-his waterbed-after filling Kathy in briefly
about his date. Though he'd hoped to avoid it, he'd literally bumped into
her as he came through the front door, on her way to go work the
blackjack tables.
"Don't you look nice!" she'd complimented him. "Did yiz have a
good time tonight?" Kathy's South Philly accent often became even more
pronounced whenever she felt real excitement over something. Though
she'd never had children of her own, she regarded Kenny as a surrogate
son, ever since their days together at the Taj. And after all of the
heartache she'd watched him endure her fondest wish was for him to find
the right girl-preferably a nice Italian girl, not that sleazy Roseanne chick
or that neurotic little princess, Liz Anne. He'd pined away for her all those
years in the Navy, and for what? To return home and find her engaged to
his best friend? It was such a disgrace.
Ken truly appreciated her genuine interest and concern, although at
times he found it suffocating. That was one reason why he'd tried to
conceal his budding romance with Maddy; he didn't want to invite any
unsolicited advice or worse, disapproval if for some reason Kathy didn't
like Maddy. And while it was difficult to fathom anyone disliking that
sweet little lady, it was way too early to risk anything.
"Yes, we had a great time, Kath," Ken had responded, unable to
suppress a telltale grin.
"Aw, I'm so glad sweetheart!" she replied gleefully, squeezing his
cheeks. "You deserve a nice girl! Would love to chat more about it but
I'm already late for work as it is. You just make sure she treats you right!"
Kathy called out as she ran down the driveway.
* * *
Ken stretched out his six-foot, two-inch frame as he gazed up at the
skylight. Thoughts of Madeline filtered through his mind, awakening his
senses and tugging at his heart. Her big brown eyes earnestly looking into
his as she asked what it was like to be on an aircraft carrier; the way he felt
so at ease about sharing his dreams for the future with her; the cute habit
she had of crinkling her nose when she wasn't sure if he was pulling her
leg or telling the truth; and the bolt of energy that shot through his body
whenever he touched her face, held her in his arms or gently explored her
soft mouth with his tongue.
He rolled over on his side and looked at the clock. Ugh. His shift
started in less than six hours. No problem, he'd just use the phone at
work to give Maddy a call. With any luck it would be a slow day and he
could listen to her sweet voice until it at last he was free to see her again.
She had mentioned that she could stay in Ocean City until Monday
morning when he'd asked her about it the week before.
Unsure of his work obligations, he hadn't been able to make definite
plans then. Hell, it took an act of God and two very long, back-to-back
shifts just to take her to dinner last night. But she had been so very much
worth the effort. And as he fell into a blissful sleep, something told him
the best was yet to come.