* * *
"Looks like the roads are clear!" Maddy announced, closing the large
white front door to shut out the cold. She was dressed in a pair of rust
corduroy pants and an off-white cowl-neck sweater. They'd all just shared
a nice breakfast in the dining room, where Dr. Rose had made a beautiful
mimosa toast to the New Year. Lori then left to hang out with Vince and
his family; Vanessa and Greg took Louis to a movie and Damian and
Laura were content to spend the day indoors with the babies.
Ken was busy clearing the table as Maddy walked back into the
kitchen, where her mother was loading dirty plates into the dishwasher.
Wordlessly, she joined in the effort.
"That Ken is such a good kid," her mother remarked. "He helps out
around here more than your father or brothers!" Maddy laughed as she
saw him balancing a pile of soiled platters as he carefully strode up to the
counter.
"Thank you, Kenny," Mrs. Rose said. "But you've done enough now.
You and Madeline should go out and have some fun."
"Oh, it'll only take another few minutes, Mrs. Rose. Why should we
leave you with a big mess to clean up?"
"You're the best!" Maddy piped up, giving him a quick kiss on the
lips. "Hey, Kenny, you feel like taking a ride to the King of Prussia Mall?
We can take the back roads and I can show you where my office is. It's a
really nice ride."
"Sure, sweetheart, that'd be great." And while he flashed her his
trademark smile, Maddy observed the wistfulness in his voice and an
element of sadness in his expression. She made a silent note to herself to
get to the bottom of it once they were safely in the car.
* * *
Ken and Maddy cruised by snow-capped rolling hills and endless
stretches of farmland as she directed him over suburban Philadelphia's
picturesque byways, which had fortunately been cleared of any lingering
ice. He looked as handsome as ever in his burgundy turtleneck and jeans,
wearing his parka from the Eagles game. But his sparkling blue eyes were
devoid of their usual luster as he gazed out at the road in front of them.
"Kenny? What's wrong, honey?"
"Oh, uh I guess I was just thinking about my dad. It's New Year's
Day and I really should call him, but I'm dreading it."
"Oh," she replied, remembering the tension between the two of
them. "Does he even know you're here with me?"
"No, I didn't tell them anything; just that I was spending the New
Year with some friends. Actually, I told my mom that; I haven't even
spoken to my father since Christmas Day."
"Kenny, this is just my two-cents' worth, and you are free to take my
advice or not, but I think you should call him and wish him a Happy New
Year. If nothing else, it'll make you feel better."
He turned to look at her briefly, his expression conveying a mixture
of disgust, trepidation and hopefulness.
"Look," she went on, "Calling him doesn't make him right about
anything. It just clears your conscience by doing the right thing. I mean,
he's still your father and you still love him, even though he's wrong. And
you have a chance to show him that you are the bigger person, here."
"You really think so?"
"Yes, I do," she replied honestly in a soft, encouraging voice. "And if
you want, I'll be right there next to you-or close by in the next room."
"You really are a sweetheart, you know that?" he asked, filled with
emotion.
"Kenny, you are so good to me; this is the least I can do for you."