* * *
"Here we are little house!" Madeline chirped to no one in particular
as she and Carmen carried their bags into the family room from the back
porch.
"I just love this place," Carmen remarked. "It's so cozy and
welcoming. And your Mom has done such a great job decorating!" She
looked around at the nautical-themed décor. Glass lamps filled with shells,
bathroom seascapes and "beachy" colors designated the home as an
enchanting seaside getaway.
"Yeah, she really did," Madeline agreed.
Ocean City was a lovely little family resort; from the time she was a
baby, Maddy's family had taken annual vacations here. Although it was a
dry town lacking in bars and dance clubs, thanks to its proximity to places
like Somers Point, Sea Isle and Atlantic City, nightlife was never far away.
And the benefits of the city's no-alcohol policy were manifested in clean
streets, beautiful beaches and well-maintained cottages, duplexes and
colonials. The only thing that could have made it perfect in Maddy's eyes
was if somehow summer could've lasted forever here. Alas, old-fashioned
appeal notwithstanding, it was still a northeastern town subject to the
brutal winds of winter.
The girls headed upstairs to get ready. It was already after 6 p.m. and
they were planning to go out to eat before heading to the Key Largo
dance club just over the causeway in Somers Point. At the Point Diner a
little while later, Madeline watched in awe as Carmen devoured a burger
and fries, while she carefully stuck to grilled chicken and salad. In spite of
her slim figure, Carmen often ate starchy, fattening foods, none of which
ever affected her thin frame. It was a luxury Maddy had never enjoyed.
But she looked adorable in a cute white summer outfit consisting of a
long, sequined white top over tight leggings, cinched at the waist. She'd
pulled her flowing auburn hair back into a loose ponytail, held with a
rhinestone clip, and her favorite comfy silver pumps, in anticipation of
dancing the night away. Carmen looked stunning in a black linen dress
and high-heeled sandals, her dark hair falling straight just below her
shoulders. Little did Maddy know at the time, but she would find herself
sitting in the very same booth a few hours later, under very different
circumstances.
After dinner, they drove around the traffic circle to the club.
Although the Shore towns were bustling with late-summer weekend
warriors from Philly and its surrounding area, they'd arrived early enough
to find a good parking spot. Mary Ellen was scheduled to meet up with
them by nine, followed by their dates shortly thereafter.
The girlfriends entered the tropical-themed bar to upbeat rhythms
and ubiquitous strobe lights. Key Largo was arranged on two levels, with
staircases leading to cocktail and pool tables, while the main level boasted
an ample hardwood dance floor. Already there were a few people showing
off their moves to popular hits like the Fine Young Cannibals', She Drives
Me Crazy and Donna Summer's This Time I Know It's For Real.
Having met and worked at a ballroom dance studio a few years prior,
Carmen and Madeline were familiar with just about every good dance
song; they could immediately determine whether the latest American
Billboard phenomenon was a "swing," "cha-cha," "hustle," "meringue" or
even a "foxtrot" or "waltz" in some rare cases.
They didn't dance right away, instead opting for a drink at the bar.
Carmen ordered her usual Chardonnay while Madeline sipped on
cranberry juice. Something about nightlife agreed with Carmen; her entire
demeanor resonated with effervescence and excitement as her eyes artfully
surveyed the scene.
"There are a lot of cute guys here, Mad," she happily observed. "This
could be a really great night!"
"Don't let your date catch you checking out other men," Madeline
playfully admonished, hoping against hope that the third guy wouldn't
show up later.