Till the End of Time

The house tour being over Maddie invited the twosome to join her in the dining room for lunch. As soon as they seated themselves Maddie wheeled the lunch in on a polished wood cart. Once lunch was served they started in with a right good will to devour everything in sight. I think I forgot to mention that Maddie isn't an ordinary cook. She is almost world class. Cooking and music are her passions in life.

During the meal Maddie told them about her plans to convert the loft over the garage into an apartment and Joe Spaulding's part in the process. Jake asked her where the plans were and she replied, "Joe is bringing them out next week for approval."

Jake asked if he could use Maddie's phone, a request she quickly acquiesced to.

Jake shortly returned to the table. Turning to Jo he said, "I just got off the phone with Stan. The weather is bad so he agreed to let me borrow a company van tomorrow to move your gear over here." Turning his head he queried, "Is that alright with you Maddie?" Her smile answered the question.

Jake was not quite done yet. Still looking at Maddie he continued on, "Stan would like to look at the plans you finally settle on. He knows Joe Spaulding by reputation and he wants to see if he wants to bid on the conversion. The weather is bad and it's normally the season when he has to start laying his crews off. No construction boss likes to do that as he is sure to lose some of the crew to the competition. If he decides to bid, he told me to tell you he'll make you a good bottom line offer."

By Sunday evening Jake and Jo had her things moved into Jo's room and the truck returned to Stan. By the time they got back to the house Maddie had supper ready. To welcome Jo. Maddie had gone all out: Scented candles were burning in the dining room, the VCR was playing light classical music, and the table was set with Maddie's finest.

The evening was a happy event. Jo was thrilled to be out of the dorm, Jake was happy for Jo, and Maddie was thankful to have someone in the house to talk to and share with.

After dinner everyone pitched in to cleanup. Jake pleading tiredness left shortly afterwards and Jo and Maddie were headed off to bed soon after he left. For the first time in months Maddie went to sleep with a smile on her lips.

A routine was soon established, Maddie and Jo drove to Western where Maddie turned Jo over to Jake. They had lunch together and Jake would bring Jo home to a dinner prepared by Maddie. They would study together and Jake would head for home. On Fridays they would attend whatever was happening in the Performing Arts Center. Occasionally they would go to Luna's for dinner after the performance.

After many hours of talking with Jake, taking notes, and several trips to the Mormon library she was unable to find any common ancestors between her line and his.

Right on time Joe brought the plans over to Maddies so she could look them over. For the next several afternoons while waiting for Jo and Jake, Maddie went through them. The ones she didn't care for went into one pile and the ones she thought had possibilities went into another. She finally had her choices whittled down to three.

When Jo and Jake came in she asked them to look the three plans over and select the one they liked. After an hour of discussion Jo and Jake both selected the same plan Maddie had been leaning towards selecting. Joe had even gone so far as to include a construction cost estimate with each plan so Maddie had an idea of what it should cost to do the renovation.

Maddie took the plans back to Joe with her eternal thanks and showed him her selection. Joe replied, "I kind of liked that one because of the windows it'll be light and give an airy feeling to the apartment. I'll have 6 copies made and have them to you by Friday."

Maddie queried , "Joe what do you know about Stan Kowalski and his company?"

Joe raised an eyebrow and replied, "Stan is an excellent builder but he is normally into commercial construction. If he wants to do this renovation he would be an excellent choice."

Maddie asked if she could take the blueprint home and was assured that would not be a problem as all of the blueprints had been scanned into their computers. She thanked Joe profusely and asked him to thank everyone involved as she was very grateful.

That evening, after removing the cost estimate she gave the plan to Jake so that Stan could look it over and explained that Joe was printing up 6 copies which would be ready by Friday.

When Maddie and Jo arrived in class the next morning Jake had a big grin on his face as he drawled out, "Stan extends an invitation to dinner for the three of us Friday with his family. Stan was laughing when he said to be prepared to eat some good Polish food."

Friday evening found the trio at the Kowalski's. Following introductions they were invited into the dining room. The view of a table heaped with so much food was staggering. There was a tureen of what turned out to be cabbage soup, a huge coil of Kielbasa, stuffed cabbage rolls, Pierogis, Latkes (potato pancakes) and a sideboard overflowing with desserts of various kinds. Glasses of water and a white wine were placed at each plate.

To put it mildly they all stuffed themselves horridly, but the food was so good. Maddie turned to Stan's wife Ann and thanking her said, "I know it's not polite to ask, but I'll forever be in your debt if you could find it in your heart to let me have the recipes. I've never cooked Polish food before and I'd like to try. I can't think of a better way then to try to emulate what you've accomplished tonight."

Ann blushed and smilingly replied, "Holy Redeemer has a cookbook as a fund raiser and all of the recipes and several hundred more are in it. Remind me to give you a copy before you leave."

After supper Stan took Maddie, Jo, and Jake into his office. Seating them he began by reiterating what Jake and Joe had already stated, "Ordinarily I don't do homes or renovations, but Winter is coming on and I need to keep my crews busy. Now if you want me to do the job here is the bid that my estimators have prepared."

Maddie picked up the papers he'd pushed across the desk, looked at the bottom line and almost fainted. It was half of Joe's written cost estimate.

She sputtered, "Stan this is way too . ."

Stan held up a hand to stop her and cut in, "There are several reasons for that figure . ." and went on to explain.

To Maddie it made sense but she queried, "You said there were several reasons?"

He grimly replied, "Both of my sons Mikal and Jerzy served in 'Nam. They came home, Alex didn't, and I figure we owe something."

They all repaired to the dining room for dessert. Following the sweet fest and some pleasant conversation it was time to take their leave. As Maddie put her coat on Ann handed her a copy of the cookbook as promised with a refusal to accept any compensation. Stan said, "your contract will be ready by next Friday. Please take it to the legal beagles at Western so they can walk you through it," as he shook her hand and Ann hugged her.

Maddie signed the contract and wrote the first payment to Stan. The work wouldn't start until after the first of the year, after the holidays.

Thanksgiving found everyone assembled around the Kowalski table to feast on Ann's superb bounty. Jo and Maddie had finally gotten Ann to agree to allow them to provide the dessert.

Christmas Day everyone including the Kowalski Family were seated around Maddie's table.

The day after Christmas Jake took Maddie aside to speak to her. "Maddie, I know this sounds strange but Jo has no kin to speak of and you two have become closer then sisters so I'm going to ask anyway."

"Ask what?" she queried

"May I have your approval to ask Jo to marry me?"

"I have no right to say yea or nay," she retorted.

Jake replied, "I know that Maddie but your approval is important to Jo and to me."

Her answer was to hug him and to softly whisper, "you both have my blessing."

Being forewarned that Jake planned to pop the question on New Years Eve Maddie went into high gear to make it a most memorable night with Jake's blessing and connivence,

Having announced at dinner that night that New Years Eve would be a dress-up affair, Jake's task was to get Jo out of the house and the mall would be a good place to start. He especially had to have her absent and busy for several hours in the late afternoon before the New Years dinner, making sure she got home just in time to rush in to get dressed so that she wouldn't notice Maddie's efforts.

All went according to plan and Jake and Jo made their appearance just before six o'clock. Jo immediately rushed upstairs to change leaving Jake and Maddie to give each other a quick thumbs up. Later Maddie was to find out that Jake had taken Jo to his apartment so he could dress for the evening and he'd been able to stall long enough to get Jo home just in the nick of time. Devious minds think alike.

Jake was dressed in the same outfit he'd worn to that first concert looking properly handsome but somewhat nervous.

Jo had gone all out. She slowly descended the stairway in a crimson evening gown with a long side slit and matching nylon stocking and pumps. Her raven black hair was tied back into a ponytail and small silver hoop earrings adorned her ears with a matching silver necklace with one small pearl lay around her neck.

Maddie having decided that the night belonged to the two lovers had dressed herself in the same clothing she'd worn at that first concert.

With Maddie preceding, the three of them entered the dining room.

The young couple froze in amazement at the scene before them.

The only lighting came from dozens of scented burning candles spread around the room. The VCR was playing some very romantic instrumental music, The table was adorned with a white linen tablecloth and matching napkins in their silver rings, by each of the three of Maddie's finest dinnerware. In the center of the table was a silver-plated covered serving platter which would ultimately show itself to contain a very special Smithfield Ham Maddie had flown in on short notice. The vegetable dishes were all fresh from the market that day and very lovingly prepared with various herbs and garnishments. A loaf of French bread lay wrapped in linen cloth in a wicker basket. Next to the table was a silver-plated wine cooler with a fine bottle of Chardonnay.

Jake, ever the gentleman, seated the two ladies at their places and at Maddie's request opened the wine, filling each glass before he seated himself.

The meal was fabulous and leisurely eaten with great conversation.

Maddie finally excused herself for a moment and left the room. Shortly she returned asking Jake to bring the wine and invited he and Jo to join her in the living room.

Maddie had arranged the same ambience in the living room. Candles gave off seductive scents with flickering light illuminating the room. The VCR was also playing soft romantic music. Jo proceeded to the sofa with Jake following. He looked at Maddie and lipped a silent "Thank You." She returned it with a soft smile.

After a few moments of quiet conversation Maddie rose as she announced that she was going to bring the dessert in. She winked at Jake as she left the room.

Jake immediately got down on one knee and took hold of Jo's hand.

With his heart in his throat and his eyes riveted to Jo's, Jake softly spoke, "Joanna Fry, we met in our Freshman year. We've been study buddies and more. We became friends and it wasn't too long before we became much more. I fell in love with you and I want to spend the rest of my life loving and adoring you as my wife. Joanna Fry, will you marry me?"

Jo looked down at Jake with a totally blank expression and said softly, "wait,"

Maddie, who'd been eves dropping behind the swinging kitchen door wondered what was going on.

Jake tried to speak but Jo merely said again, "Wait."

Maddie knowing now that Jo wouldn't answer until she made her appearance, pushed the cart loaded with dessert. a wine bottle, and a brandy decanter through the door into the living room. Standing next to the coffee table she looked at poor Jake who was by now almost in the panic mode.

The stone-faced Jo finally spoke., "Jacob Fitzgerald I'll marry you under one condition."

Jake looked at her with eyes wide open and croaked, "What condition?"

Jo couldn't hold it any longer. With a huge grin she shouted, "Maddie has to be my Matron of Honor!"

Maddie broke into a huge grin and yelped out, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Jake wondering if the two of them had set him up reached into a vest pocket. Pulling out a jewelry box, opened it, removed the small engagement ring, and placed it on Jo's third finger on her left hand.

That was the signal for general pandemonium to breakout. Jo jumped up, pulling Jake up with her, wrapped him in her arms, and planted her lips firmly on his. Maddie for her part rushed over to hug the two of them to her. All three had tears of joy rolling down their cheeks.

When things finally calmed down Maddie filled three brandy glasses and they proceeded to toast each other and the future.

The rest of the evening was taken up with wedding plans until midnight when they all hugged each other, wished all a Happy New Year, and completed this joyous night with a final toast.

About 12:30 Jake said, his good nights, kissed Jo soundly, and reluctantly headed off to his apartment.

The two ladies finished off the wine as they talked about the wedding and each went to bed that night with very pleasant thoughts in their minds.

1976

Over the next several months Winter did its worst and grudgingly gave way to Spring Stan began the renovation above the garage personally supervising the work. The Kowalski Family and Maddie would take turns hosting a dinner once a month with Ann and Maddie trying to outdo the other in their scrumptious meals as they celebrated the growing friendship between Maddie, Stan, Ann, Jo, and Jake.

At the January dinner hosted by the Kowalski Family Stan and Jake went into Stan's office for a few moments. When they emerged they were both smiling like two kids who'd just gotten into the jam jar. After the meal was properly attended to Jake rose, lifted his wine glass, and in an emotional tone proposed a toast; " I've asked Stan to be my best man and he has joyfully agreed. Stan, thank you and you too Ann for all you have done for me these past years. Maddie, Jo, please join me in saluting our two dear friends." The three toasted the two in a heartfelt salute'. Be it noted that Ann had to dab a couple of tears and Stan suddenly needed to blow his nose.

Maddie finally began to understand some things she'd worried over like a dog with a bone. She kept having the re-occurring dreams of Alex making love to her as she pleasured herself. As her periods were very regular she started counting back to discover that her dreams of Alex occurred when she was ovulating. The question she couldn't answer was whether it was her sub-conscience regretting that she and Alex never had children.

The dream of Alex occurred every month but the cat wasn't always present in the dream. Thinking back very carefully it suddenly became apparent that the cat only showed up when there had been a big change in her life. Why? She had no clue.

At the April dinner hosted by Maddie, Stan took everyone on a tour of the now completed apartment. Stan had refused to even let Maddie see what was being done. Maddie knew from the blueprints what it was supposed to look like, but all she knew for sure was that there were now two shed roof dormers added to the roof line to increase the size of the apartment and the windows which had been installed would allow much more light into the rooms. A deck had been added to the plans which stuck out over the garage entrance and one of the windows was now a door. When they all entered the finished apartment their jaws dropped when they beheld the magnificent job Stan and his crew had done.

In the kitchen was a beautiful new stove, refrigerator, and a dishwasher mounted under the counter. Maddie gave Stan a sharp look because those items were never in the contract. Stan for his part gave an "aw shucks" smile in return. The tour having been completed Stan turned the keys over to Maddie who was thunderstruck at how beautiful and spacious it had turned out.

When the dinner had been completely and joyfully engorged, Maddie rose to propose two toasts. The first was to Stan for his superb efforts which everyone enthusiastically raised their glasses to in agreement. For the second toast she walked around the table to the two lovebirds and asked them to rise. Once they were standing Maddie saluted the two and wished for them a glorious future. That having been attended to she put her glass down and taking Jo and Jake by the hand she placed the keys to the apartment in Jo's hand softly saying, "Jo, Jake, this is a part of my wedding gift to the both of you. The first years rent is on me. After that we'll talk. Jo we have a lot of work to do to get the apartment ready by your wedding day so we'll start looking at the colors you want to paint the rooms and the curtains and all of those other things that will make your house a home."

The moment was a very emotional one for both Jo and Jake. All they could do was hug Maddie to them and each gave her a grateful kiss on the cheek.

Shortly after Stan turned the keys over to Maddie she received a phone call one evening. It was Joe Spaulding. They spent a few moments in chit-chat until Joe came to the point, "Maddie I understand the renovation is complete. May I come over to see how it turned out. Also, may I bring the student who submitted it so he can see his handy work?"

Maddie was only too happy to oblige and they set up an acceptable day and time.

On the appointed day Joe showed up with a young man that he introduced to Maddie as the designer of the apartment. When they walked around the house to approach the garage the first thing that attracted Joe's attention was the deck and the vertical ladders at each end running from the porch to the ground. Joe turned pale as he realized he'd made a basic mistake. Turning to Maddie he made his apologies, "Maddie, forgive me. I forgot that the building and fire codes require an emergency exit. . ."

Maddie cut him off, "Joe, don't worry about it. Even Stan forgot about the fire code requirement until one of his draftsman brought it to his attention. A revision was attached to the blueprint when it was submitted for approval so no harm was done."

The three of them wandered through the apartment nodding in approval. The place was not as spic and span as Maddie would have liked as she and Jo were going through the rooms painting and hanging curtains and drapes. As each room was finished Jake and Stan would move the furniture in place with a helping hand from Grace's and Helen's husbands, Harry and George.

Out of this Maddie and Joe began to go out occasionally, not on a date and definitely not romantic. They enjoyed each other's company and their conversations were lively and interesting.

In June at graduation Maddie, Ann, and Stan, Grace and Helen, very enthusiastically clapped when Jake and then Jo crossed the stage to receive their diplomas. Each of the ladies went through a couple of rolls of film that beautiful sunny afternoon.

When Jo first moved into Maddies she'd very quickly been introduced to Grace and Helen and their husbands. Whereas Maddie had become the loving and lovable older sister she'd never had, these affable ladies very quickly became her "dear Almost Aunty Grace and Almost Aunty Helen."

Two weeks after graduation Grace, Helen, Maddie, and Jo started the procession down the church isle heading to a familiar Altar rail where they would join Jake, Stan, Harry, and George. In what for those days was an unusual occurrence, Ann was escorting Jo and would be the one to give her over to Jake.