Water Signs: A Story of Love and Renewal

* * *

"Home at last!" Maddy announced, unlocking the tall, green door

that marked the entrance to her condo and ushering her mother through

the small foyer.

"Whew! Feels good!" Monica admitted a moment later as she

propped her severely aching feet on the comfy leather couch in Maddy's

living room. "I had a wonderful time, honey, but I think that's my swan

song for Disney. Your mother's getting too old for that kind of walking!"

She laughed out loud, attempting to hide her sadness in the face of this

reality. It wasn't easy for either one of them to think of her that way.

"It was fun, though, Mom you have to admit," Maddy suggested

playfully.

"Oh, it sure was, sweetie," she replied. "And I had a great time,

especially at Epcot. Actually, that's the one park I know your father would

enjoy. I'd definitely consider taking him there."

Maddy wheeled her mother's suitcase into the guest room as they

spoke, before heading into the kitchen to check her phone messages.

Surely Ken must've gotten her letter by now.

"Madeline, when you're done I want to give your father a call,"

Monica requested from across the room.

"No problem, Mom. Let me check my voicemail real quick and it's all

yours."

"Take your time. I'm just enjoying sitting here."

Nothing could have prepared Madeline for the fireworks that erupted

within at the mere sound of Ken's voice. As if afraid of her thoughts

displaying on some sort of celestial cloud for the whole world to see, she

moved to the recliner chair in her sitting area, which was located at the

extreme front of her home. After listening to his message a few times, she

pressed "2" to save it in the archives, and then jotted down Ken's cell

phone number.

"It's all yours, Mom," she said as calmly as she could, handing over

the cordless before taking her cell and retreating to the privacy of her

bedroom.

* * *

Here it was, nearly 11 p.m. on a Wednesday evening. He'd mentioned

specifically that the cell number he'd given her was a business line. Did she

dare dial the number now? After a brief internal debate, Maddy decided to go

for it. After all, she'd been searching for him long enough. It was high

time to just get on with it, knowing that whatever might transpire, she

could handle the outcome well. Having successfully overcome truly

horrific problems in the past-the most formidable of which had been

panic and anxiety disorder, Madeline could now effectively cope with

anything else life threw at her. She'd been thoroughly tested and proven

incredibly stronger for the experience.

This reconnection could, as Ann had predicted, lead to a renewal of

her and Ken's relationship and a subsequent marriage; or it could simply

usher in a final and welcome resolution on the past. Either way, it would

smoothly transition her into a new phase of life-one she instinctively

knew would lead to even greater happiness and peace.

Ken's phone immediately went into voicemail, and Madeline smiled

as she listened to his professional outgoing message. Then she sent her

reply:

Kenny, hey it's Madeline. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, but my

Mom's here visiting until Sunday and we just got back from Disney tonight. By now, I

am sure you've read my letter and I hope it didn't freak you out. I want you to know I

meant everything I said, but I don't have to tell you that. You know me well enough to

know I'm sincere. Anyway, it was great to hear back from you and I hope we can talk

real soon. Take care!

After bidding her mom goodnight a few minutes later, Maddy

climbed into bed, hopeful and excited.