* * *
"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.
"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.