Water Signs: A Story of Love and Renewal

* * *

"Looks like the roads are clear!" Maddy announced, closing the large

white front door to shut out the cold. She was dressed in a pair of rust

corduroy pants and an off-white cowl-neck sweater. They'd all just shared

a nice breakfast in the dining room, where Dr. Rose had made a beautiful

mimosa toast to the New Year. Lori then left to hang out with Vince and

his family; Vanessa and Greg took Louis to a movie and Damian and

Laura were content to spend the day indoors with the babies.

Ken was busy clearing the table as Maddy walked back into the

kitchen, where her mother was loading dirty plates into the dishwasher.

Wordlessly, she joined in the effort.

"That Ken is such a good kid," her mother remarked. "He helps out

around here more than your father or brothers!" Maddy laughed as she

saw him balancing a pile of soiled platters as he carefully strode up to the

counter.

"Thank you, Kenny," Mrs. Rose said. "But you've done enough now.

You and Madeline should go out and have some fun."

"Oh, it'll only take another few minutes, Mrs. Rose. Why should we

leave you with a big mess to clean up?"

"You're the best!" Maddy piped up, giving him a quick kiss on the

lips. "Hey, Kenny, you feel like taking a ride to the King of Prussia Mall?

We can take the back roads and I can show you where my office is. It's a

really nice ride."

"Sure, sweetheart, that'd be great." And while he flashed her his

trademark smile, Maddy observed the wistfulness in his voice and an

element of sadness in his expression. She made a silent note to herself to

get to the bottom of it once they were safely in the car.

* * *

Ken and Maddy cruised by snow-capped rolling hills and endless

stretches of farmland as she directed him over suburban Philadelphia's

picturesque byways, which had fortunately been cleared of any lingering

ice. He looked as handsome as ever in his burgundy turtleneck and jeans,

wearing his parka from the Eagles game. But his sparkling blue eyes were

devoid of their usual luster as he gazed out at the road in front of them.

"Kenny? What's wrong, honey?"

"Oh, uh I guess I was just thinking about my dad. It's New Year's

Day and I really should call him, but I'm dreading it."

"Oh," she replied, remembering the tension between the two of

them. "Does he even know you're here with me?"

"No, I didn't tell them anything; just that I was spending the New

Year with some friends. Actually, I told my mom that; I haven't even

spoken to my father since Christmas Day."

"Kenny, this is just my two-cents' worth, and you are free to take my

advice or not, but I think you should call him and wish him a Happy New

Year. If nothing else, it'll make you feel better."

He turned to look at her briefly, his expression conveying a mixture

of disgust, trepidation and hopefulness.

"Look," she went on, "Calling him doesn't make him right about

anything. It just clears your conscience by doing the right thing. I mean,

he's still your father and you still love him, even though he's wrong. And

you have a chance to show him that you are the bigger person, here."

"You really think so?"

"Yes, I do," she replied honestly in a soft, encouraging voice. "And if

you want, I'll be right there next to you-or close by in the next room."

"You really are a sweetheart, you know that?" he asked, filled with

emotion.

"Kenny, you are so good to me; this is the least I can do for you."