* * *

"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.




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