* * *

"Is Ken coming to the beach with us?" Aunt Maria asked as Maddy

scooped some coffee into the metal filter of her Mom's percolator pot.

Another morning had dawned bright and sunny, and they were busily

getting a breakfast of oatmeal, eggs and fruit together, before heading out

for what might possibly be their last bathing-suit day on the sand, at least

for 1992. The casino trio had enjoyed a late, if not financially successful

night at Harrah's; a happily spent Louis was still upstairs in his bed

snoring, though Maddy planned to wake him up soon. Mom was still

getting ready in her bedroom.

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"Hopefully, although I think he may be getting called into work

today. One of the guys is out sick."

"You know, that young man is a really hard worker," Aunt Maria

observed. "And all you have to do is look at him to know how crazy he is

about you!" A joyful expression lit up her face. With her own daughter,

Cassie happily married with a toddler son, and Lori set to walk down the

aisle within the next two years, Aunt Maria wanted nothing more than to

see her favorite niece in love and on her way to the altar.

From the time of Maddy's somewhat unexpected birth, Aunt Maria

had shared an incredibly close bond with her only sister's youngest child.

As Maddy grew, people had routinely remarked about her striking

resemblance to Maria. And as close as Maddy was to her mother, as she

got older she came to rely on Aunt Maria as the one person in the world

with whom she could share her deepest feelings, with no fear of reprisal

or betrayal. Aunt Maria may have been "old school" but that didn't stop

her from being wise in the ways of the current culture, even if she

disagreed with it at times.

Maddy couldn't hide her excitement as she looked at her aunt. "Oh

my gosh, Aunt Maria, you should have seen the picnic he made for me on

the beach! It was the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me."

"Oh honey, I am so glad. You really deserve it."

"And he's so respectful." Aunt Maria nodded her approval. "He

never pressures me to do anything I don't want to. And last night, he

insisted on waiting with me until you all came back, even though I was

afraid it might be really late, knowing how much you're all addicted."

They both laughed. "In case he did have to work, I didn't want him to be

tired. Poor guy, I hope he was able to get some rest."

"Yes, he looked pretty tired when he left," Re Re agreed. "Guess that

just proves my point about how much he cares for you." Just then,

Monica Rose walked in, already arrayed in her beachwear.

"Morning, ladies!" she greeted them. "Looks like a beautiful day out

there. We're really lucky!"

"Hi Mom!" Maddy said, pecking her on the cheek. "Coffee will be

ready soon."

"And look, you started eggs and oatmeal…wow, I like this

treatment!" Monica laughed. And as they sat around the dining room table

moments later, Maddy filled them in on her unexpected evening on the

beach.

"There are even some cookies left over, if you want any. I put them in

the fridge, to keep away the ants." With that, Maddy got up to retrieve

them. Setting the plate on the table, she winked at Aunt Maria and assured

her that hers were still the best.

"That was so nice of Ken's roommate to make these," her mom

noted, dipping a sprinkled iced knot into her coffee cup. "God, they're

delicious," she declared a moment later. The telephone disrupted any

further commentary. "Bet I know who that is!" Mom said, as Maddy ran

into the kitchen.

"Hello?"

"Hiya sweetheart!"

"Kenny, how are you?"

"At work, unfortunately. I won't be able to join you at the beach

today, baby, but I will definitely be off at five. Can I see you then?"

"Sure," she responded. "I'll miss throwing the football with you, but

you can make it up to me later." He laughed.

"Hey Maddy?"

"Yes?"

"Uh, what time is Mass tonight at St. Augustine, do you know?"

"Um, I am pretty sure it's still 6 p.m. on Saturday. Don't think they've

gone back to winter hours yet. Why?"

"Because I'd like to go with you before we have dinner."

"Really?" Maddy was happily surprised by his request. Although she

was a regular churchgoer, it had never been her style to force anyone else

to adopt her habits; as long as a man respected her right to attend Mass,

she was fine with him staying home. Much more important to Maddy was

the way in which he conducted his life. After all, Jake knelt in a pew every

Sunday, and it hadn't prevented him from mistreating her.

"Sure," he said softly. "You inspire me, Madeline Rose. I want to do

everything the right way."

"Me?" No one had ever spoken such words to her.

"Yes, you," he affirmed. As Maddy paced back and forth in front of

the refrigerator, Aunt Maria politely motioned for her to move out of the

way so she could retrieve some butter. She and Maddy exchanged smiles.

"Ok, but I think Mom, Aunt Maria and Louis will be joining us, too.

Mom mentioned going to evening Mass rather than waiting until

tomorrow."

"That's great," he replied sincerely. "I'd love to see them."

"Ok then, sounds good."

"Maddy?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think you might ever sing for me sometime?" he asked

hopefully, his heart racing at the very notion.

"Hmmm, well that's certainly a possibility," she teased. "Did you

want a private performance?"

"Definitely," he smiled on his end of the line. Off in the distance,

Quentin watched the unfolding scene with annoyance; he wanted nothing

more than for the inevitable to take place, so his friend would finally get

his mind back on work, at least while he was here. He didn't understand

why Ken insisted on deluding himself, thinking that this high-class girl

would keep slumming long-term with a power plant engineer, but if he

wanted to play this dangerous game, it was his life. But while he was at the

plant, he needed to cut out these nauseating phone calls. It was enough to

make anyone sick.

Sensing the negative energy, Ken looked up and saw his co-worker

scowling a few feet away.

"So, uh, will you think about it for me, sweetheart?" he asked again.

He knew Maddy was impossibly modest about her talents, but the

thought of her serenading him stirred his soul. He was sure there was an

angelic voice to complement the beautiful face.

"Sure, Kenny. As long as we're alone, I'd be glad to sing for you," she

promised.

"I can't wait," he said, before wishing her a wonderful day and

hanging up the phone.




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