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The days following that were like a dream to Todd. Madeline left the shelter and moved in with him. Madeline gave Todd a nice haircut and he shaved his face clean. He took her advice and applied for a prep cook job at the diner in town. He got the job, but it was very hard work for little pay. Madeline was so proud of him for starting to pursue his dream of being a cook. They used his first paycheck to buy some much needed clothes and some paint for the trailer. They were so happy together, the two of them and Jake.



Madeline stayed home cleaning and fixing up the house while Todd worked at the diner. She was starting to show a bit and Todd was getting more and more excited about the baby. With Madeline’s influence, he turned in an application to the culinary school in the city. They were anxiously waiting on a reply any day now.



One afternoon, as usual, Madeline walked out to the mailbox. She fumbled through a couple bills and then came to a thick, fancy looking envelope. She read the return address.
“Hadenville School of Culinary Arts.” She read aloud. She felt a rush of butterflies in her stomach. This is it! She thought. Should I open it? She thought about it. If the answer were no, Todd would be crushed. She knew she couldn’t bear to see him so disappointed. ‘I could say it never came,’ she thought. She looked hard at the envelope. “Oh, hell with it.” She ripped open the seal and pulled out a thick folded sheet of paper.
“Dear Mr. Franklin,” she read aloud. “It is with great pleasure that we inform you of your acceptance into our fine institution.” Her eyes got wide as she continued to read. “We are also happy to tell you that one of our school sponsors has offered you a full scholarship in exchange for your accepting a position as an assistant to the chef at Loncoste’ Restaurant.” Madeline lowered the paper. “Oh my God.” she said in shock. “I can’t believe this!” a huge smile crossed her face. “Todd is going to be so thrilled!” She ran back into the house clutching the letter in her hands.



When Todd came home from work that evening, Madeline met him at the door. He looked exhausted, sweaty, and smelled like burgers and fries. Madeline didn’t care. Todd took off his hat and gave her a gentle kiss.
“Man it’s so nice to come home to your beautiful face after working in that nasty diner.” he said.
She smiled. “I’m so glad your home. I got a lot done to the house today!” She said proudly.
Todd looked around at the sparkling countertops and the crisp white walls. She was so right about the woman’s touch. “It looks amazing, Madeline. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for all of this.” He hung up his coat.
She clutched on to the envelope behind her back. “How about a nice dinner for two at Loncoste?”
Todd gave her a strange look. “Well… I… I’d love to, but you know I can’t afford…” she pulled the envelope from behind her back and handed it to him, trying to stifle her excitement. Todd looked at it, and then at her. “What is this?”



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Madeline grinned. “Just read it!” Todd opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. As he read it, Madeline saw his eyes getting brighter and the smile growing on his face. He looked up at her, his eyes shining with happiness and surprise.
“Seriously? I’m in?!” He said in disbelief. She smiled from ear to ear.
“Yes Todd! You’re in!” Then his face changed. He looked scared. Madeline reached to him. “What’s wrong, baby?“ He put the paper down on the table. “I don’t know. I just don’t think I can… what if I can’t do it? What if it’s too hard and we went through all of this for nothing?“ He put down his head.
Madeline lifted his head up. “Hey. Do you remember what you told me your momma said about a hand on your shoulder? Well, that’s me, Todd. When you go to school and when you start this new job you can do it. I know you can. My hand will be on your shoulder the whole time.“
He smiled at her. “You always know exactly what to say. I just don’t know what I would do without you.“ He reached out his arms to her and she leaped into them. They laughed as he twirled her around the kitchen.