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Todd awoke the next morning thinking about Madeline. I wonder what she’s doing today? He thought. He walked outside and saw Jake’s mess. He began filling in one of the holes. “Jake, buddy, you’ve got to stop this or we’re going to get thrown out of here!” he patted the dog’s head. Todd picked up what was left of the newspaper and brought it inside. He fingered through the help wanted section with a heavy heart. “I don’t even know WHAT I want to do.” He said out loud, frustrated. “The only thing I can do well is cook.“ He threw the paper down. “Who’s gonna want a guy like me cooking for them, Jake?” The dog laid on the floor chewing his bone. “I know man, I’m pathetic.” Todd said.



Just then the phone rang. “Who in the world could that be, Jake?” Todd didn’t have any real friends to speak of, and no family that would bother to call. He picked up the receiver. “Hello?” “Todd? It’s me, Madeline. I hope you don’t mind. I got your number from the lady at the trailer court office.” Todd’s mouth fell open in shock. “No, no of course I don’t mind!” He smiled from ear to ear, giving Jake a thumbs up. The dog just stared. “What’s up?” He heard what sounded like traffic in the background. “I hate to ask you this, but I locked myself out of my apartment and the locksmith won’t be here for a while.” He heard the sound of children laughing through the phone. Was she calling from a pay phone? “Do you mind if I come to your place until they get here?” She paused. “It’s pretty cold out here this afternoon.” Todd wanted to jump up and down. “Um, sure! Of course!” He said, trying not to sound too excited. “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.” Madeline said. “I’m positive. Come on over!” Todd hung up. “YES! Jake, did you hear that? She’s coming over!” He ran to get dressed.



Madeline showed up just a few moments later. “Wow,” Todd said, “that was fast!” Madeline blushed. “Yeah, I had already walked to the shopping center but it got so cold. I stopped at a pay phone to call you.” She looked at her feet. Her lips and fingers were a bit blue. I didn‘t think it was that cold out, Todd thought, she must have been walking for a while. “I really hope you don’t mind. I don’t know anyone else around here, and I really didn’t want to call the people that I clean for.” Todd smiled. “I don’t mind a bit. Jake and I didn’t have any plans for today.” He looked out the window at the sunshine. “Are you hungry?” He asked. Madeline put her hands on her belly. “I am a little hungry, but I hate to make you cook for me again.” They laughed. “I don’t mind cooking for you,” he said, “but I don’t have many groceries here. Let’s go grab a bite to eat from the diner!” Madeline looked away from him. She started to look uneasy. “Well… my money is locked in my house…” Todd stopped her. “Shh… don’t worry about it! I’ll pay for you!” This was good enough of an emergency for him.



They walked through the trailer park to the diner. There was a big “closed” sign on the front door. “Well dang!” Todd said. “What kind of diner is closed on Tuesdays!” Madeline crossed her arms, trying to stay warm in her dress. Todd wondered why she didn’t have a coat. “That’s ok, Todd. I know! Let’s grab a pack of hot dogs from the general store and go to the park!” Todd hung his head. “I was hoping to take you out for a hot meal though.” Madeline grabbed his hand. “Come on! It’ll be fun!” They walked to the store and then to the park. It was very quiet and a bit cold, but the sun was shining so bright that it looked like summertime. They found a nice spot with a picnic table and a grill. Todd walked over and started cooking up the hot dogs. “It really is beautiful out here.” Madeline said, standing close to Todd. He didn’t know if she was trying to get close to him or just staying warm by the grill but he didn’t care. She smelled so nice, even better than the fresh pine trees in the park. “The hot dogs look ready to me” he said “ let’s sit down over here and eat.” He pulled the chair out for her. “Todd, I just don’t know what to think about your good manners!” She smiled. “You don’t see that much anymore. Did your mother teach you that as well?” They laughed. “I’m real glad we did this, Madeline.” Todd said. “Me too.” said Madeline. He watched her bite into her hot dog.



Todd looked around at the park. “This is my first time at this park. It really is nice! I bet it’s a great place to bring kids.” he said. Madeline looked up from her plate. “Do you want kids someday, Todd?” He gazed off at the swing sets and see saws. He had always dreamed of having a real family one day, but never thought it would happen for him. “I’d love kids, but I just don’t feel like I’m in a position to give them what they would need living the way I do. I just kind of gave up on the idea.” Madeline gave him a sympathetic look. “Don’t give up, Todd. You never know what life can bring.” She touched his had. Her touch was so warm to him he thought about throwing his coat in the lake. “Hey!” she said “look over there, someone left a couple of fishing poles behind! Do you want to try and catch the big one?” He laughed. “I’m no good at fishing, but if you catch it, I’ll cook it!” They got up. “Deal!” Madeline said, running toward the pond. Todd stood next to Madeline as they fished. Madeline was shivering a bit so Todd offered her his coat. “That’s so sweet, Todd, thank you.“ she said as she put on his coat. They laughed and talked like they’d known each other for years. He was so comfortable around her. Man, he thought, this is what dreams are made of. What if Madeline was the one? What if we had a family together? He tried to shake the thought out of his mind. Nah, she’s too good.



“Well, I’d better go Todd. The locksmith should be there any minute. Thanks so much for such a fun afternoon.” She looked into his eyes and smiled. Todd wanted to kiss her so bad but he was afraid. “Sure Madeline, anytime.” She handed his coat back to him and walked away from the pond. His eyes followed her through the park and down the sidewalk. He wondered if this was the last time he’d see her. I don’t even have her phone number, he thought. He walked back home alone. The ora of loneliness consumed him as soon as he walked in the trailer. He walked into the living room, stepping over newspapers and turned on the TV. “I should have told her how I feel. I’m such an idiot.” He said to himself. “Now look at me.” Jake was barking outside. Suddenly he picked up his head. He looked around his dirty, empty trailer. “What exactly do I have to lose? I’m going to go try and find her!” Todd cut the TV off, grabbed his coat and started out the door. He cursed the door knob as he tried to pull the door shut. “This stupid trailer.” He walked down the front steps to the corner of the house. Just as he turned to walk down the sidewalk he heard a voice. “Todd? Are you leaving?” He turned around and saw Madeline! “Hey! Um, no, not exactly. I was just… coming out for some air!” He walked over to her. She crossed her arms like she was cold. “Are you sure? If you’re getting ready to leave that’s fine, I just stopped by… they haven’t fixed my door yet so…” She looked around nervously. “I’ll just walk back to the general store for a bit.” She turned around. Todd hurried to her. “No, wait! I’m not leaving, swear!” He stepped over a hole that Jake had dug. “Come on inside! Our show’s getting ready to come on!” Madeline smiled. “Ok. Sounds good.” they walked inside together.



Jake sniffed her as she walked by. “You’re just a good old dog, aren’t you Jake?” Madeline said, patting him on the head. They walked into the living room and cut on the TV. “I know it’s no big screen, but the picture’s always been real good here.” Todd said. Madeline laughed. “It’s perfect. I don’t have cable at home so I don’t get to watch it at all anymore.” She fumbled through the channels. “Who really needs a big screen anyway?” He smiled. She sat next to him on his couch watching the show and laughing. Todd tried to watch it with her, but all he could focus on was her. She finally took notice. She turned to him and grinned. “What is it?” Todd blushed and looked down. “I’m sorry. I just… you… I can’t…” He stood up, embarrassed. She got up from the couch and stood next to him. His heart pounded as she looked into his eyes.



She took his hand in hers and gently touched his face with the other. “Todd, what is it?” She moved closer to him. His heart was thumping so hard he just knew she could hear it. His hands started to sweat as she got closer to him. Todd gazed into her eyes as she stood in front of him, his hand in hers. Her touch was so warm and inviting, he didn’t know whether to grab her and hug her or run away. He was so comfortable and so scared at the same time. Madeline stepped even closer to him and put his hand on her waist. They were so close, Todd wanted to kiss her but he just couldn’t move. He felt paralyzed. What am I doing? He thought.



Just then, before he could think anymore, Madeline pulled him in to her and gave him the sweetest kiss he’d ever had. Suddenly all of his worries were gone, all his fears and troubles out into the wind. She smelled so sweet, like spring in the mountains. He wanted to live this moment forever with her, just like this. She pulled back, still deep into his eyes. Todd thought about asking her to stay. He tried to dig up the courage. “Do… do you…” he started. Madeline looked up at the clock. “Oh my gosh, I have to go.” She quickly fixed her dress and hurried toward the door. “I’m sorry Todd. Maybe I’ll see you soon?” Madeline said as she opened the door and walked out. Todd stood there, frozen. “….want to stay here tonight?” he whispered as she shut the door behind her. He sighed. Too little, too late, he thought.



When the feeling came back into his legs, he walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bag of chips. He sat down at the kitchen table, looking at the empty chair beside him. “Why is she always in such a hurry to leave?” He said to himself. “Well, I wouldn’t want to stay here if I were her either.” He crumbled up the bag and threw it in the trash. “I guess I’d better get used to being alone.” Just then Jake ran over to him and licked his hand. “Oh yeah, buddy. I’m not alone, am I?” He rubbed Jake’s belly. “I know I’ll always have you.” He walked back into the living room and laid down the couch, Jake at his feet.