* * *
Madeline walked with Ken back into the noisy club, where he
immediately strolled up to the bar and ordered a drink. "Can I buy you a
beer?" he asked politely.
"Nah, just bottled water, thanks."
"You sure?"
"Uh-huh," Maddy nodded her head. "I'm more of a dancer than a
drinker," she added.
"Well I'm afraid I'm a little of both, sweetheart," he declared. He still
sounded annoyed to her; she hoped she wasn't destined for a lonely stroll
on the boardwalk after all, watching young families take their kids on rides
on Gillian's Fun Deck.
"Nothing wrong with that, Kenny. Or do you prefer Ken?" She
recalled that Carmen had initially introduced him with the latter.
"Doesn't matter, I answer to anything," he replied, handing her a cold
bottle of Poland Spring water.
"Well, here's to a nice evening!" Madeline offered brightly, toasting
his plastic cup of Coors Lite. He looked at her with sparkling blue eyes
and smiled.
"Ok, I'll drink to that." Then, as if flipping a switch, he went on.
"You know I have to say I really don't understand your friend. Why
would she lead me on like that when she knew she had a date? And did
you see those guys? I mean, I spent four years of my life defending this
country from people like that and she and her anorexic friend run off with
them?"
"Hey Ken, calm down! I agree with you about Iran, but that doesn't
mean those guys are like their crazy government. And you have to know
Carmen; she's just a free spirit. No one tells her what to do. I'm just glad
they didn't bring a friend for me, 'cause long hair and grunge is definitely
unappealing."
"Well she still shouldn't have accepted my rose," he stated
emphatically.
Maddy had enough. Cute as he was, she had no desire to talk about
Carmen all night; watching Nick-At-Nite at home was sounding better
and better. Overcoming her usual hesitance around guys, she spoke up.
"Look, Ken, you're here with me now. Either we're gonna dance and
have a good time, or I'm outta here! What's it gonna be?"
Pleasantly surprised by her feistiness, he took her by the hand and
exclaimed, "Well, let's dance!"
Beneath flashing strobe lights, they moved to the music, with Maddy
impressed by his keen sense of rhythm. Despite his big size, Ken was light
and agile on his feet, with a moon walk that put even Michael Jackson to
shame. It was such a pleasure to come across a good-looking guy who
actually liked to dance; that was such a rarity. Jake was always so selfconscious
about it, despite Madeline's encouragement and coaching. It
took an act of God to get him onto the dance floor. Ken, by contrast, not
only went willingly, but judging by the look on his face, truly enjoyed
every moment of it.
Unbelievably, Maddy felt strangely comfortable and safe with this
man, though she didn't know why. After all, she hadn't even been his first
choice. Yet as he smiled at her from his side of the floor, she was grateful
she'd had the courage to speak up. That is, until the inevitable moment
when the deejay decided to "slow things down," with Elton John's new
hit, The One, another song Maddy really loved. Ok, what to do now, she
thought. God, I hope he makes a move. If he doesn't I'm just gonna-
But Kenny didn't miss a beat, putting his strong arms around her and
swaying slowly with her in time to the beautiful ballad. In his embrace, she
felt like a precious doll, though he definitely noticed some muscle tone on
her arms and legs. He also liked the softness of her skin and the way her
hair smelled like sweet perfume. Having been used to dating a much
smaller man in physical stature, Maddy liked the feel of his big, burly chest
as she reached up to hold him. Maybe she was old-fashioned, but the
strong, manly type had always been her first preference. Now it seemed
she might finally have it.
Madeline closed her eyes as Ken serenaded her along with Elton on
the dance floor. If this was a dream, she hoped it would last forever.
When the song ended, he took her hand and led her outside to the
club's adjoining outdoor patio, where a cool summer breeze greeted them.
"Where did your friends go?" she asked, wanting to be polite, but
hoping to hang out with him alone. Ken had acknowledged them on the
dance floor, but the sheer noise and colossal crowd had prevented any
introductions.
"I don't know; I'm sure they're doing their thing. I came in my own
car," he replied dismissively. Then, looking at her with soulful aquamarine
eyes, he announced softly, "I want to know more about you."
But before she could respond, he suddenly took one of her hands in
his. He gazed at it adoringly before lifting it to his lips for a sweet kiss.
Maddy felt a rush of energy, as well as a little surprise. Most guys didn't
make such old-fashioned gestures these days. At least not anyone she'd
ever run into.
"You have the tiniest little hands," he remarked. "You're so cute and
petite!" With that, he pulled her into a big bear hug. Ken was nothing if
not affectionate. Though she enjoyed the feel of him against her, Maddy
remained cautious; she didn't know this guy and he was well aware that
she was alone. His impressive build notwithstanding, he didn't come close
to looking dangerous. And with his boyish grin, all-American looks and
witty sense of humor, he reminded her of some of the guys from her high
school football team. Still, she wanted to be careful.
"Ken," she laughed, extracting herself as he began to plant more
kisses on her cheek. "Can we just talk for a little while?"
"Sure," he smiled, releasing her, but still holding onto her hand. "Is
that ok?" he asked.
"Fine," she answered, giving his hand a little squeeze; she realized she
was enjoying the attention. After everything she'd been through with Jake,
this guy was a refreshing change of pace.
"So how do you like the Jersey Shore, you know, as compared to
California?"
"What?" he asked, sounding puzzled.
"Didn't you tell Carmen you were from California?"
"Wha-oh, I sort of told a fib about that. I was just stationed there
when I was in the Navy. I'm not actually from California. I grew up in
Ventnor and now I have my own place in Somers Point."
"You were in the Navy!" she exclaimed. "That's pretty cool. Tell me
about it." She was a bit put off that he'd lied, but figured in a guy's mind,
being from California probably sounded much more impressive to a
woman than claiming New Jersey as your home state.
Under the cover of magnificent moonlight enhanced by the muted
sounds of music emanating from inside the club, Ken and Maddy chatted
for hours. He shared funny and sad stories of his time in the Military as
she eagerly listened, fascinated by his life experience. At 25, she'd never
even left her hometown, let alone traveled the world. Except for a
Caribbean cruise with a few college girlfriends after graduation and some
assorted family trips to places like Disneyworld and Chicago, she'd lived a
pretty uneventful life. Heck, Maddy had even commuted to a university
minutes from her house because she hadn't felt quite ready to leave the
nest. At the same age, Ken had enlisted to serve in foreign lands.
She also noticed something admirable and attractive in him-an inner
spark, a desire to make something of himself. He was determined to rise
above his roots in a sleepy Shore town and accomplish much greater
things than his older brothers, all of whom seemed content to work in a
local pizza shop.
And although he was currently employed at a power plant, he was
making a lot more money than Maddy, and owned a place of his own.
One thing was certain: whatever Ken Lockheart decided to do with the
rest of his life, he would be an unbridled success.
Not that Maddy didn't have bragging rights herself, being a talented
singer and dancer who sometimes sang in a band on weekends; it's just
that her innate modesty and constant concern over her weight were
sometimes formidable obstacles to the acknowledgment of her own
success.
"Hey, when's your birthday?" Kenny suddenly asked.
"It's in March."
"March what?"
"The seventh." His jaw dropped.
"You're telling me that March 7 is your birthday? What year?" he
pressed urgently.
"Now, Kenny, didn't your mom ever tell you it's not polite to ask a
woman her age?" she teased coyly.
"Madeline, what year?" he was almost sounding annoyed again.
"Alright, already! 1967!"
"Wha-you were born on March 7, 1967?"
"Uh, yeah. Would you like to see my driver's license?" she asked with
a hint of sarcasm. Taking her by the shoulders, he looked at her in
amazement and announced, "Maddy, not only are we both Pisces, but
we're exactly the same age!"
"Really, you're not just feeding me a line?" What were the odds of
that? Perhaps this charming gentleman was just pulling her leg; she was
secure and self-aware enough to admit her own naiveté when the situation
warranted.
"Now who needs to see a driver's license!" he teased, hugging her
again and planting a few more kisses on her forehead.
"That's pretty neat," she agreed, answering his high-five with a
spirited hand-slap. "Not only are we both Pisces but we came into the
world at the same time. Just don't ask me what the first-hand was on
when the doctor cut the umbilical cord, 'cause I couldn't tell you to save
my life. I think I was born sometime after the late show, according to my
mother."
He laughed and kissed her "tiny" hands again. A few minutes later,
the club announced last call; it was hard to believe it was 2 a.m. already.
Her time with Ken had flown by.
"Well Kenny, I guess they're kicking us out," she observed wistfully.
"I'll have to give you that Jitterbug lesson some other time."
This new woman sure was a refreshing departure from the usual
South Jersey dating scene. Wanting to stay with her awhile longer, he
invited her to his house for coffee, an offer she firmly turned down.
"C'mon Maddy, I just bought this great new pot-do you like
coffee?" She nodded silently. "Well this makes awesome coffee! And I
promise I'm a total gentleman. I won't try anything, other than to kiss
these delicate little hands."
She cracked up; watching him plead his case with such adorableness
practically melted her heart. But the fact remained she barely knew him
and it was just too soon to be alone with a stranger on his home turf.
"I'll tell you what, Kenny," she compromised. "If it is coffee you really
want, I'll follow you over to the Point Diner. I'm pretty sure they sell it
there, though it's probably not as good as yours."
He laughed again. This girl was cute, educated and had a great sense
of humor. He liked that.
"Well, alright, but only if I drive," he declared.
"But Ken, I'll follow right behind-"
"I'm driving!" he insisted.
"Yes, sir!" she shot back.
He took her by the hand and they walked back to his black Acura.