Water Signs: A Story of Love and Renewal

* * *

"Good morning, Dad!" Maddy greeted her father enthusiastically as

she entered the kitchen. He was sitting at his usual place at the head,

drinking a cup of coffee.

"Morning, beautiful! Where's Kenny?"

"I think he's still getting dressed," she replied nonchalantly as she

added some cream to her mug and then sat down to join him. Mom and

Louis had gone to early Mass; Dr. Rose was preparing to make rounds.

And while Maddy made pleasant small talk with her father, she kept

thinking back to her puzzling conversation with Kenny the night before.

Her heart felt as if someone had wrung every ounce of strength out of it.

Here she'd finally mustered the courage to tell him how she felt and he

responded by promptly shooting her down. She simply didn't get it.

Ken pulled on a sweater before placing the rest of his things in his

duffle bag. Guilt and remorse engulfed him like a tidal wave; still, he

pressed on. He could hear her chatting downstairs with her Dad, and

quickly decided the best course of action would be to join them. At this

point, it was probably best to avoid being alone with her. Besides, he'd

pretty much engraved her sweet face in his mind forever; she'd never truly

be far away.

But when Dr. Rose invited him to go skiing with him and Maddy a

few minutes later, he cheerfully accepted the invitation. Preferring not to

involve her father in their drama, a confused Madeline agreed to the plan

for the following weekend, outwardly smiling while inwardly, her

emotions spun out of control. And when Ken hugged her goodbye in the

driveway, she really believed he was sincere when he told her how much

he was looking forward to it. They'd decided to drive up on a Friday,

necessitating a day off from work. However, Maddy was certain Betty

would agree to it; as bosses went, she was fairly easygoing and reasonable.

So with one last kiss, Ken drove off in his black Acura, while Maddy

stood shivering in the driveway, contemplating the uncertain road ahead.

* * *

"Where's Kenny?" Dr. Rose asked, as he, Maddy and Monica sat

around the kitchen table talking and laughing over their morning blend.

Having injured his hip in a tennis match a few days prior, Dr. Rose had

wisely decided to stay home, rather than risk further injury on the ski

slopes. Though disappointed, at least he knew his daughter would have

the pleasure of Kenny's company. That is, if he ever showed up; he was

supposed to arrive at 8 a.m. and it was now close to ten.

"Wow, it's not like him to be late," Monica commented. "I mean, the

only time was New Year's Eve, but that was understandable given the

weather conditions. And at least he called to say he was running behind.

But it's beautiful out today. That's really strange that he hasn't even

picked up the phone. I wonder if he's sick."

Maddy silently debated whether or not this was the official end of

their relationship. Maybe it had been too good to be true after all.

Her mother continued, "God, I don't get it. I mean, when your aunt

and I were at the Shore house this week for a few days, he called to check

in on us, which I thought was really sweet. And he talked to me for a long

time about how much money he makes, and how his townhouse is just a

starter home. He made a point of telling me that he can provide for a wife

and family. Why would he tell me that, unless he was serious about you,

honey? Maybe you should call him, Maddy. Something's not right."

And as she stepped into the privacy of her bedroom, those words

reverberated in her head. Something was definitely not right. And it would be

five very long months before Madeline would even speak to Ken again, let

alone understand what had just happened.