Chapter 25
Maddie stared straight ahead again, remembering. She continued, “A few years after I had learned about the KTP, I happened to be living in San Francisco, California. I had only been there a few months when I was out walking around in the Bay Area and doing some sightseeing on a beautiful summer day. I liked the anonymity that was afforded to me by living in big cities. Public restaurants were a fairly new concept back then, so I decided to check one out.
“I chose a quaint seafood restaurant that had been highly recommended to me by a local. I was deciding what to order when I heard a hauntingly familiar voice coming from behind me.
“ ‘Madeline, is that you?’
“Instantly, chills raced down my spine. My eyes widened and I stiffened, staring straight ahead for a moment afraid to move.
“I felt a hand rest gently on my shoulder, and I fought the urge to shudder. I slowly turned around in my seat to face the person who was addressing me. Even though I already knew it, I was horrified to see it was Paul. I would have known that voice anywhere, even after all of those years. I tried to appear calm and collected, even though I was panicking inside.
“It was so strange to see Paul after so many years. He didn’t look like the drunken, depressed shell of a man that I had left behind. His eyes were clear, not bloodshot and red like that of an alcoholic. He had cleaned up. He was wearing a nicely tailored suit, and he looked very handsome. He hadn’t aged a bit, and for an instant, I saw the Paul that I had fallen in love with. I stood to face him, still speechless.
“His smile was warm as he hugged me in a big bear hug—the way you would hug a long-lost friend. I didn’t move. When he sensed my rigidness, the look on his face changed ever so slightly as he released me. It was as if a switch had been flipped, allowing me a glimpse of his true intention. His smile remained, but his eyes gave him away. There was no warmth there, only cold darkness. I could sense that his hatred for me was still there. He was putting on an act. Paul discreetly looked me over as he said in mock pleasantry, ‘So, what are you doing in the area, Madeline?’
“I didn’t know how to answer. I didn’t know if I should act nonchalant or make a scene and run out screaming for help. Mentally, I reasoned that he was not an immediate threat. I mean, we were in a public restaurant, after all. So I focused on keeping my voice steady and said, ‘I’m just visiting the area and doing some sightseeing. What are you doing here, Paul?’
“He grinned slightly, humoring me, but I could tell he didn’t believe me. He said, ‘What a coincidence. I’m in town for the same reason—just sightseeing.’
“I glanced around to see if any of his cronies were with him. It appeared that he was alone. But I couldn’t be sure. I had heard that the KTP traveled in numbers and that Paul never went anywhere without his bodyguards. Paul’s henchmen operated similarly to the Secret Service. They could be in plain clothes and strategically placed throughout the restaurant to avoid detection.
“He brought me back to focus when he said, ‘Do you mind if I join you?’ as he nodded toward the table.
“My first instinct was to decline and get the heck out of there, but at the same time, I was curious to see where he was going with his little charade. So I nodded and held my hand out to the empty chair across the table from me.
“It was the strangest meal of my life. We chatted with small talk and neutral subjects. Neither of us brought up any of the events from the past. We both acted like we were just business acquaintances meeting for the first time. But seeing him in person reminded me of our sons. All of the pain and sadness that I had suppressed for so long was bubbling back up to the surface. And I was sure that seeing me again was having the same effect on him. Still, we went on with our act throughout the entire meal.
“Toward the end of the meal he leaned forward, reached across the table, took both of my hands in his, and gently pulled me toward him as his eyes met mine. I had gradually lowered my guard, but his gesture caught me by surprise, causing my unease to return.
“He had my full attention when he said, ‘Madeline I’ve missed you so much. I never stopped thinking about you. For so long I’ve wondered about you and what had become of you. I have to confess that I’ve been trying to use Refined Transcendent Power to summon you to me, and here you are right before me. Apparently it worked.’
“Chills ran down my spine. If he could use RTP to summon me, what else was he capable of?’
“I said, ‘You were always strong in your use of RTP.’
“He nodded slowly and said, ‘Madeline, do you think there’s a chance that we could forgive each other? Maybe we could get back to the way we were when we loved each other.’
“My fear was suddenly forgotten. I was incredulous and angry. I looked him directly in the eyes and said, ‘No, Paul. I don’t think that there’s a chance in hell.’
“His smile faded as he put his hand to his chest and feigned being hurt. Or maybe he really was hurt at some level, but I didn’t believe
