* * *
"Morning, ladies!" Maddy called brightly, jumping on the queen-sized
bed to snuggle in between her aunt and her mother. She'd awakened as
soon as the sun had peeked through the vertical blinds of her bedroom.
When she'd heard the two of them talking and laughing about their casino
adventures the night before, she couldn't help but join them. Besides, she
knew they were probably dying with curiosity, wanting to know all about
her date with Ken. She'd give them just enough information to make
them happy; but the way he made her feel when he looked at her, the raw
passion yet exquisite gentleness of his kiss, the feel of his big, strong arms
around her-those were private matters reserved for the deep confines of
her heart.
"There she is!" Aunt Maria laughed in her inimitable, melodious style.
"Hey, Mad, that guy is so adorable! How was your date?"
"Wonderful!" she replied, giving each of them a peck on the cheek.
"Did you notice the first thing Kenny said to you was how beautiful
you looked?" Mom asked. "He's nothing like that ass, Jake. You don't
know-when I would overhear some of the things he'd say to you, I had
to bite my tongue. I wanted to tell him so badly to go look in a mirror; it
was obvious you weren't dating him for his looks!"
"Ma-calm down. That's over," Maddy reminded her. "And you're
absolutely right; this guy is nothing like Jake. I had no idea how
gentlemanly and sweet a guy could be. In fact, it almost made me
uncomfortable at times."
"He does look at you adoringly," her mother noted, with a smile.
"When you came down those stairs, I thought his eyes would pop out of
his head. And the way he stood up right away; very respectful."
"Guess it's all that good Navy training," Maddy offered. She thought
of their unstoppable kiss by the window overlooking the ocean and how
his hands ran through her hair. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Well, you just enjoy it Mad, because you deserve it," Aunt Maria
said. "I'll tell you, I could've gone for him myself, he looked so handsome
in that teal suit!" She gave them one of her trademark snorts, a sure sign
of approval, as all three of them cracked up.
"So what did you guys have to eat?" Aunt Maria asked.
"Oh, Maria, is that all you worry about?" Mom scolded, with equal
parts scorn and playfulness.
"I just want to know, that's all! I hear that Frisanco's place is really
good. Carmella and Frank go there all the time when they're here in the
summer." She was referring to a "snowbird" couple they'd grown up with
in Germantown, who now divided their time between Pompano Beach,
Florida and Margate, New Jersey.
"Yes, Joe wants to go there sometime," Mom concurred. "Maybe
some weekend when he doesn't have surgery, you and Earl can come
down with us and we'll all have dinner there."
The sudden ringing of the phone halted any further social plans as
Mom leaned over to the nightstand to answer. Maddy listened to her greet
the caller in the formal tone she always used when trying to hide her
excitement. She and Aunt Maria exchanged knowing glances.
"It's for you," Mom whispered, cupping the receiver with her hand as
she turned to look at Maddy. "It's Kenny!"
Aunt Maria stifled a giggle as Maddy took the phone, while Mom
abruptly got out of bed. "C'mon, Maria, let's go make some coffee," she
ordered her sister. Once they'd closed the bedroom door safely behind
them, Maddy answered the call.
"Hello?" She tried to exude a sort of calm enthusiasm.
"Hiya, sweetheart!" Ken greeted her in his deep, sexy voice. "I just
had to call and thank you for a wonderful evening last night."
"Aw, Kenny, I should be thanking you. I had such a nice time." She
couldn't shake the image of him smiling at her from across the table.
"Where are you?" she asked. "I hear a lot of noise in the background."
"Oh, I'm at the power plant, had to work a morning shift today," he
explained. "But I just wanted to call and tell you what a great time I had-
and to ask if I could see you later. You're not driving back tonight, are
you?"
"Uh, no," she responded, "I can drive back in the morning, drop off
Mom and Aunt Maria, and then head to work. Actually, I can just do
some sales calls first, and then go into the office later on."
"Great! Can I pick you up at five?"
"Sure."
After she hung up the phone, Maddy let out a happy squeal before
flinging herself back on the bed. Then with a sudden panicked thought,
she abruptly jumped up and ran into her room, in search of the perfect
outfit.