* * *
The white Bonneville cruised smoothly along the Garden State
Parkway, just a few miles now from Exit 7S that would take them through
Somers Point and over the 9th Street Bridge into Ocean City. In spite of
traffic concerns, the trip had been relatively uneventful, with congestion at
a minimum in spite of an abundance of vehicles. Throughout the trip,
Lori and Madeline had delighted in the car's luxurious features including a
CD player, from which they blasted their favorite songs. Still in search of
a ballad for her wedding, Lori had subjected Madeline to repeated
listening to everything from classic 70's artists to early 90's bands.
"You know you're going to sing the song for our first dance, right?"
Lori asked.
"If you really want me to," Maddy sighed. "You know how nervous I
get in front of an audience but for you I'll do it."
"Thanks baby girl!"
"So where's Vince again?"
"Basketball practice. He's getting ready for a big fundraising
tournament and the other guys were only free after work today- which is
actually better considering the party is tomorrow night. He's gonna drive
down in the morning."
"Oh, ok. Lori?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think I should stop seeing Ken?"
"Is that what you want?"
"No! I really like him. He's so different, you know, from anyone I've
ever met, but I just don't want this to end up causing problems between
me and Mom."
"Madeline, we've talked about this. You have every right to date
whomever you want, if it makes you happy, no matter what anybody says.
You're 25 years old for God's sake! And Ken's such a nice guy-we all
liked him right away that day he came to the beach with us, including
Mom. He was really polite, he blended in easily with everybody; geez
Maddy, he sat and waited for you for two hours and then tracked you
down in the phone book when he couldn't find you! I'd say he's definitely
sincere. And from what you've told me he treats you well. He's funny,
outgoing, cute, smart…why on earth would you give that up?"
"I don't know," she sighed. "I keep waiting for the other shoe to
drop, that's all. Something just doesn't feel right."
"Madeline, listen to me. We all have to live our own lives. As much as
I hate to think about it, Mom and Dad aren't going to be here forever.
They got to live their lives and we have to live ours. If you were dating a
derelict or a drug-dealer, I'd say there was a problem. I'd be the first one
to come down on you. But here's a guy who respects you, makes you
laugh and thinks you're beautiful. Take it from your older sister, who has
a lot more dating experience-guys like Ken are hard to find. Don't walk
away if you don't want to!"
Maddy took her words to heart as they made the turn onto the
causeway and sighted the familiar landscape of Ocean City in the distance.