* * *
A crackling fireplace provided a romantic ambiance as Ken and
Maddy snuggled up under a blanket on a plush sofa in the family room. It
was now past 1 a.m., the rest of the house was fast asleep and they were
enjoying their first private interlude since his arrival several hours ago.
They'd all greeted 1993 with noisemakers, confetti and silly party hats,
toasting each other with champagne and looking forward to new
possibilities ahead. Now dressed in winter pajamas, Ken and Madeline
reveled in each other's company, reacquainting themselves with the
passionate kisses and tender embraces that had characterized their
relationship since that summer night at the Taj Mahal.
"You are so incredibly beautiful, Madeline. I love you so much," he
whispered. While his words were music to her ears, she was unable to do
anything more than listen as she rested her head against his chest.
"You know," he vowed, "I am going back to school to get my degree
and then I'm coming back for you. I can still picture you walking down
the aisle, sweetheart. And I swear I am gonna marry you someday."
While Maddy wondered what he meant by "coming back for her,"
since the local area was rife with excellent universities, all she could do
was assure him that-degree or no degree-he was certainly more than
good enough.
"Kenny, if you want to go back to school, I totally support you in
that. But do it for yourself; not for me. You don't have to have a degree
to be my boyfriend. Look, my mother admitted she was wrong; she told
me how sorry she was and how much she truly likes you.
"I'm sorry I caved into that kind of pressure, because none of that
education stuff ever mattered to me. You and I talk about so many things
and we share the same values. That's what counts. But I guess I was
feeling powerless, you know, living at home with my parents," she sighed.
"I didn't like fighting with my mom and thought I was doing the right
thing by everyone. Obviously, I was very wrong. But all of that is behind
us now."
"Maddy, how could you think you were doing right by me? I can
understand the parental thing, but how could you think dumping me like
that was actually helping me? I was crazy about you, sweetheart! I still am,"
he said forthrightly.
Overcome with shame and remorse, she couldn't bring herself to look
at him, though she held him closer in her arms. And as he felt that
familiar bolt of energy and all-consuming passion, he remained frustrated
and confused. Why couldn't she admit she loved him, too? What was stopping her?
Though he wanted to explore the issue, he decided it best to save it
for another day. Right now he just wanted to taste the sweetness of her
mouth as they held each other in the stillness.