* * *
"Hey Mom! Dad!" Ken called out as he unlocked the front door and
entered his parents' living room. He'd just dropped his son off at baseball
practice, giving him the perfect chance to finally solve the mystery of the
letter-not so much its author, as he was fairly certain of her identity-but
surely its content. While he guessed it was a birthday card, he also hoped
that all was well with Maddy. Was there a particular reason she needed to reach
him?He fervently hoped it wasn't to tell him she was leaving the state, or
worse-getting married. And since he assumed Madeline was in the dark
about his current marital status, it made complete sense that she would
seek out an alternative way to contact him.
When no one responded, he moved into the kitchen, where a note
was waiting for him on the table with the explanation that Mr. and Mrs.
Lockheart had accepted a friend's dinner invitation in Lighthouse Point.
Unknown to her husband, Paula had specifically sought out an excuse to
give their son some privacy; it was a safe bet he wouldn't get any with
Erin still lurking around. Carl and Paula appreciated Ken's desire to make
the divorce as painless as possible for the children. Still, they couldn't
quite understand how Ken could tolerate living in the same home with a
former spouse who seemed to relish tormenting him in word and action.
He set aside the note when he noticed the telltale pink envelope lying
next to it. A shiver of excitement ran through his entire being as he sat
down and proceeded to read the letter's sentiments, so eloquently
expressed within a feminine card and three extra sheets of matching
writing paper.