* * *
"Thank you, sweetheart!"
Ken had awakened to find Madeline busily setting up a tray table with
a turkey and cheese hoagie from Wawa, a pickle and a bag of Herr's
potato chips. He looked adorably groggy as he rubbed his eyes and sat up
on the couch.
"Damn!" He laughed. "How long have I been out? And what smells
so good?"
Placing the tray in front of him, Maddy smiled. "Hmm, well I'd say at
least an hour and a half, to answer your first question. As for the second, I
am attempting to make my Mom's mussels marinara sauce for you.
There's plenty, so you can have some tonight for dinner and freeze the
rest. I'm also leaving you chicken cutlets and a pan of eggplant parm.
Wouldn't want you to starve or anything, just 'cause you have a bad leg."
Her tone was playful as she unscrewed the lid to a cold bottle of Turkey
Hill iced tea.
"Do you want a cup with ice?" She held up a drinking straw.
"Uh no, that's fine," he replied, visibly touched by everything she'd
done. "You're amazing," he added softly.
"Ok, well I am going to get my tuna sandwich; be right back," she
announced, heading into the kitchen. Kathy's words about Roseanne were
still reverberating in her brain, but she decided to confront him about it
on another day. Or maybe not at all. She'd have to wait and see.
* * *
Ken and Maddy spent another afternoon laughing and talking. All
thoughts of old girlfriends and local tramps melted away as they listened
to the new CD's and enjoyed each other's company. He still couldn't get
over what a kind, decent person she actually was; they'd only been dating
a short time and already she'd demonstrated more concern and
consideration for his wellbeing than any other girl he'd ever known. And
although she lived less than two hours away, it seemed like there was an
entire continent between them when they were apart. It was almost as if
he was still sailing around the world, and Madeline-not Liz Anne, was
the girl waiting for him back home.
"Kenny?" Maddy's voice was a whisper as they lay on the couch. She
hated to see her time with him come to an end, but dusk was quickly
approaching and she wanted to get on the road. They'd both fallen asleep
again, with Madeline the first to awaken.
"Mmm-hmm?"
"I have to get going, baby," she announced wistfully. His arms felt so
good around her and her head still rested comfortably on his chest. "Not
that I really want to or anything," she added. "My parents will be worried
if I get on the road too late. I know that probably sounds kind of silly,
given the situations you've been in."
"No, it doesn't, sweetheart," he whispered, kissing her temple. "I
worry about you, too. Will you call me when you get in?"
"Of course."
It was still such a new and exhilarating feeling to have someone in her
life that truly cared-other than family members. Maddy looked up at him
and smiled, before he leaned down to kiss her lips. She shifted carefully
on the couch, mindful of his injury as she responded, feeling his hands
through her hair and the strength of his warm body beneath her.
"Kenny!" she giggled, finally coming up for air. "You're not making it
easy to leave!"
"That's the idea," he laughed, moving in again.
"I'll be back this weekend," she promised, in between kisses.
"Hopefully, you'll be out of the brace by then."
"Oh, I'll be out of it long before the weekend, baby," he promised. "I
want to get back to work so I can spend time with you."
"Well, just don't overdo it. You know I don't mind waiting for you. I
can keep myself entertained on the beach or the boardwalk until you get
off of work. The most important thing is that your leg heals properly."
"Yes, ma'am!" he teased her.
And then with another soft exchange and a promise to call, she
reluctantly got up off the couch and gathered her belongings.