* * *
Maddy tiptoed across the pink and white shag carpet, mindful of her
sleeping sister. It was close to 11 p.m. on Sunday night, and though she'd
originally planned to leave the Shore much sooner, the nasty
thunderstorms had prevented it. Dr. Rose had driven back with her,
wisely choosing to leave the plane in its hangar at the Ocean City Airport,
rather than take a foolish and unnecessary risk. Against her better
judgment, she'd broached the subject of Ken's phone call with her father
during the two-hour ride just in case he might actually be serious about
flying to Philly for Greg's wedding. To her surprise, Dr. Rose actually
expressed sympathy.
"You know, Maddy I think Kenny is a basically a nice kid. He was
probably a little insecure about the whole degree issue, being around all of
us. It's nice to hear we inspired him to finish his education; he's a bright
guy and I'm sure he'll do very well."
"I'm sure he will, too. But Dad, I knew he was smart from the
moment I met him; it never mattered to me if he had a formal education
or not. And I am happy for him that he's going for it; I really am. I guess I
just wish he would've picked a school in the area, so we could still see
each other. It might've even been fun helping him study. And of course, it
would've been nice if he'd had the courtesy to call me months ago, instead
of disappearing! It still hurts how he stood me up for our ski date that
day."
"Well that was lousy," Dr. Rose agreed. "He definitely didn't handle
that situation very well at all. You know, he really surprised me? I never
thought he was the type who would do something like that-just not
bother to show up or call. I lost some respect for him that day, for sure."
"I just wish I knew what to do now, Dad," Maddy sighed. "Why now?
Why did he have to call me now and get my hopes up?"
"Well, maybe you should call him back and demand some answers,"
her father suggested pragmatically. "And if he's still acting like a jerk,
dump him and move on."
And that's when Madeline decided to make the call the moment she
got home, the late hour notwithstanding.
* * *
"Hello?" The deep, gravelly voice was thick with sleep.
"Kenny?" She responded tentatively, upset that she'd awakened him.
"Uh…yeah," he cleared his throat and rubbed his eyes as he spoke.
Turning to consult the digital alarm clock, he took note of the hour.
Though it was only half-past eleven it felt like 3 a.m.
"Oh God, you were sleeping," she sighed, "You know, we can talk
another time. Sorry I woke you up!"
"No-no Maddy, don't go!" Ken flipped on the light as he propped
himself up in bed. He'd just put in an arduous, labor-intensive day in the
hot, tropical sun, planting palm trees and laying down sod for a friend's
commercial landscaping business. While not a long-term career move, the
work provided the income stream required to finance real estate school
and undergraduate courses at Florida International University.
"How are you, sweetheart? Thank you for the card and pictures; I got
them the other day. You look great!"
"Thanks. Look, the reason I'm calling is you never got back to me
about being my date for Greg's wedding. And if you are serious about
coming I need to know so I can book you a room at the Pocono Inn. Plus
figure out picking you up at the airport, driving up to Stroudsburg-"
"Oh, Maddy I'm so sorry; I can't make it. I really thought I was gonna
be able to. Thoughts of upcoming cram sessions, school and state exams,
work and other commitments flooded his mind. He berated himself
silently for ever mentioning it, especially now that he and Erin had
reconnected.
"Oh," she replied dejectedly.
"I'm sorry, Madeline," he mumbled.
"Yeah, I'm sorry too. Sorry I ever fell for your nonsense!"
"Maddy, please-"
"You know what, Kenny? Do me a huge favor and lose my phone
number!"
With that, she slammed down the receiver and, resting her head in her
heads, sobbed uncontrollably in the solitude of her father's office.