Collide

by Ashley Stambaugh

  First of all, she had to get him to see that his father truly didn’t hate him. If she wanted any chance with him romantically, she had to survive these powers first. But how? She continued to lie there as she wracked her brains for an answer. Suddenly she thought of Tessa, always so optimistic and always wanting to help.

  She sat up from the couch and dug her cell phone out of her coat pocket to send Tessa a quick text. “If you still want to help me, then meet me at my apartment tomorrow morning around nine.”

  She hit the send button and then slowly made her way back to her bedroom. Hopefully the pain wouldn’t keep her up all night, and she could at least get a little bit of sleep.

  She didn’t have the energy to change or even wash off her make-up, so she kicked her shoes off and climbed into bed fully clothed. Her cell phone suddenly beeped with a text from Tessa.

  Of course. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.

  Melina laid her phone on her night stand, turned off the lamp and then covered herself up with her sheets and comforter. It wasn’t even that late yet, but she needed the rest. The pain had eased for now and within a few minutes she was out.

  The pain plagued her all throughout the night. She had only been asleep for two hours when she awoke in a cold sweat, screaming out in agony. She struggled to sit up and then fumbled her way into the bathroom and switched on the light. Her hair and clothes were drenched, so she threw her clothes off into the hamper and stepped into the shower.

  The hot water helped to dull the pain to a bearable amount, and she was actually able to stand unsupported long enough to wash her hair and body. She didn’t want to push her luck by lingering in the shower, though, so she turned the water off and wrapped a towel around herself before stepping out. After drying her hair to where it was only a little damp, she put some pajamas on and climbed back into bed.

  Almost three hours later, the pain woke her up again. She curled up in a ball, her eyes shut tight, pleading for it to pass soon. Luckily for her it did, and she drifted off to sleep once again.

  At four in the morning the pain woke her once more. It wasn’t as bad, though, and didn’t last as long either. When it finally dulled down, she wondered if she should just stay up. She lay there pondering it, but her body ended up deciding for her.

  Four hours later, she fluttered her eyes open and saw the sun pouring in through her window. She looked at the clock and saw that it was eight o’clock on the dot. Tessa would be there in an hour, so she reluctantly climbed out of bed and headed into the bathroom to get ready for the day.

  After fixing her hair and make-up, she walked over to her closet and picked out a pair of jeans and a dark red sweater to wear. She quickly dressed and then went out to the kitchen table to read the morning paper, when she heard a knock on the door and Tessa calling out her name.

  “Right on time,” Melina said as she stood up and went to open the door.

  “Good morning,” Tessa said with a smile as she held up a tray with two cappuccinos in one hand and a small box of doughnuts in the other.

  “Sugar.” Melina nodded in approval as she ushered her friend inside. “Just what I need.” She grabbed a couple of plates out of the cupboard, and they both sat down at the kitchen table.

  “Melina, is everything okay?” Tessa asked as she picked a doughnut out of the box. “You look tired and… distracted.”

  “No,” Melina replied, deciding to be blunt. “I don’t have much time left.”

  Tessa dropped her doughnut and stared at her friend. “What? Are you serious? How do you know? And how are you able to be so calm about it?”

  “The pain has intensified and has radiated to my entire body now, not just my head. But for now, it comes and goes in waves. And the reason I’m acting so calm is because what happened to my parents and the other three humans isn’t going to happen to me. I’m not going to let the powers consume me. My guardian angel is helping me, and I can still find a way to help Lee, all feelings aside.”

  “Feelings?” At first Tessa looked confused and then it dawned on her. “Wait, you have feelings for Lee? Why haven’t you told me before now?”

  Melina took a drink of her cappuccino and then grabbed a doughnut from the box. “I just realized it myself yesterday.”

  “Okay, and?” Tessa prompted.

  Melina took another sip of her drink and then filled Tessa in on everything that had happened over the past two days. Tessa listened intently, and when Melina was done, she wasn’t sure where to start.

  “Wow,” was all she could say at first. “That’s a lot to process.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Melina replied.

  “Well, at least Lee agreed to still let you help him,” Tessa said, trying to make the statement sound positive.

  “I guess,” Melina said as she shrugged. “But if he doesn’t fully trust me, then it doesn't matter how much he allows me to help him.”

  “You think you ruined his trust in you by coming clean and telling him everything?”

  “I don't know,” said Melina as she picked at her doughnut. “Walter said that getting our charges to care for us and trust in us is a key part to connecting with them and getting to the bottom of their problems. The caring and the trust go hand in hand. I know he cares for me. Whether it's still in a romantic sense is questionable now, but I really need him to trust in me. Completely trust in me. And even though I came clean about what was going on, I’m afraid it might’ve been too late.”

  “Well,” said Tessa. “There’s only one way to find out.”

  Melina nodded. “I need to help him see that his father didn’t hate him. But how?” She threw her hands up, exaggerating the point. “The more I say it, the more impossible it sounds. He doesn’t even believe his own mother or sister.”

  Tessa rested her chin on her hand as she thought. A moment later she said, “Maybe that’s the problem. Maybe he thinks they’re only saying that for his sake. You know, like that’s what they think they should say to him. Is there someone else who knew his father well but is also not afraid to tell it like it is? If we could find someone like that who knew that his father truly didn’t hate him, then maybe Lee would believe it.”

  “That’s a great idea, Tess, but I wouldn’t know where to start. His father was well-known by a lot of people.”

  “Come on, Melina! Think.”

  Melina jumped a little in her chair as she looked up at Tessa, shocked at her friend’s sudden forceful tone.

  Tessa didn’t notice as she continued on. “Your life is at stake. I don’t want to hear you say again that you don’t know where to start. Now think. Someone he may have known who has a reputation for always telling the truth, or someone who has to tell the truth because it’s his job, like a pastor or something.”

  Melina, who was still in a bit of shock, continued to stare at her friend. Tessa was right. She could do it. She just needed more confidence and, like always, Tessa had reminded her of it. After a minute or so, she surprised herself by actually thinking of someone who might be able to help.

  “Mr. Harvey,” she said aloud.

  “Okay, we have a name. That’s good!” said Tessa, excitement lighting up her eyes. “Now, who’s Mr. Harvey?”

  “He was his father’s attorney.”

  “Alright then,” said Tessa. “Mr. Harvey the attorney, it is. Do you know where we can find him?”

  Melina nodded. “I think so. There’s a Richard Harvey who’s an attorney downtown. My guess is that’s him.”

  “Okay. So tomorrow morning we pay Mr. Richard Harvey a visit. It’s a place to start.”

  “That it is,” replied Melina, feeling a bit hopeful. “That it is.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  After agreeing to meet the next morning, Tessa departed and Melina spent the rest of the day lying around her apartment. The pain throughout her body continued to come and go in waves as did the level of intensity. There was one point in the evening when it grew to be so bad she thought it was truly the en
d for her. The severe pain eventually made her pass out, and about an hour or so later she came to, feeling absolutely exhausted. She took a long, hot bath, which helped ease the lingering pain down to a dull ache, and then she dragged herself to bed.

  Once again, she had a restless night’s sleep with the pain still coming and going in intervals. A little after six, she woke with only a slight amount of pain and decided to get up and get ready for the day. She took her time, fearing that if she moved too quickly, it might cause the pain to suddenly spike, and before she knew it, Tessa was there.

  “How are you feeling?” Tessa asked as she walked through the front door, her bright blue eyes full of concern.

  “Tired,” replied Melina as she stifled a yawn.

  “You didn’t sleep very well?”

  Melina shook her head. “The pain woke me up every couple of hours. It’s pretty subtle right now, though. Hopefully it will remain that way while we’re visiting Mr. Harvey. I’m not sure how I would play that off in front of him.”

  “Well, if it doesn’t, then I guess we’ll deal with it.” Tessa smiled as she reached out for Melina’s hand.

  Melina quickly slid on her coat and wrapped a new gray scarf around her neck. She then grabbed her purse and allowed her friend to help her down the stairs and out the back door. Tessa offered to drive, and within twenty minutes they arrived downtown.

  “Where’s Mr. Harvey’s office located?” Tessa asked as she tried to concentrate on navigating through the Monday morning traffic.

  “I looked it up last night,” said Melina. “It’s a brick building, a block past the courthouse.”

  Tessa nodded and headed in that direction.

  About five minutes later they spotted the office, and since there were no other cars around, Tessa was able to park on the street right out front. The decent-sized building looked fairly new and was well kept with neatly manicured bushes lining the front and sides. A large black sign that hung to the left of the front door was emblazoned with big, gold letters that read, Richard A. Harvey, Attorney At Law.

  Melina looked through the buildings windows but couldn’t tell if any lights were on or not. “I’m not sure if his office is open yet,” she said.

  “Well,” said Tessa, glancing down at the clock on her dash, “it’s almost a half past eight. Let’s go and find out.”

  They both stepped out of the car, and as they walked up to the front entrance, Melina fidgeted nervously, hoping the pain would remain at a manageable level for a little while longer. She was also nervous about what to say to Mr. Harvey. If he had any information that might help her with Lee, she had to somehow get him to trust her so he would give her that information.

  Should I be direct or ease into it? As an attorney, he’s probably used to direct questioning, no being around the bush. Direct it is.

  She reached out and turned the knob, but the door didn’t budge. “Must not be open yet.”

  They both turned and started to make their way back to the car when she heard the door open.

  “May I help you, young ladies?” a man’s voice called from behind them.

  Melina spun around and saw an older-looking man, who she assumed was Mr. Harvey, standing in the doorway, smiling at them through a pair of thin-rimmed glasses. He had on a brown tweed suit with matching brown shoes, and his wavy gray hair was neatly combed to one side. Melina could tell that he prided himself in physical appearances, both of himself and his office building, but his warm expression told her he wasn’t arrogant. Maybe he was going to be easier to talk to than she'd thought.

  She gave a quick glance to Tessa and then cleared her throat. “Hello, sir. Are you Mr. Harvey?”

  He gave them a small nod. “I am.”

  Melina smiled at her correct assumption. “My name’s Melina. My friend Tessa and I were hoping to talk with you for a bit, but we thought you weren’t open yet.”

  “I was actually coming to unlock the front door when I saw you two walking away. I usually don’t accept walk-ins, but as it turns out, I have about thirty minutes or so before my first appointment is to arrive.” He motioned inside his office as he took a step back and opened the door a little wider. “Come in, come in.”

  Melina and Tessa walked inside to see a dimly lit reception area.

  “You’ll have to excuse me,” Mr. Harvey said as he rushed ahead of them, flipping on more lights as he went. “My receptionist is coming in late today, and I’m afraid I’m not as efficient as she is in opening up the office.” He let out a little chuckle and then gestured for them to follow him into a room off to the right.

  His office was a spacious one and appeared to be very well organized. Papers and file folders were neatly stacked on top of his large oak desk, a matching bookcase was filled with carefully placed legal encyclopedias, his college and law school diplomas hung perfectly on the wall next to his desk, and his coat and briefcase were both hung on hooks next to the door instead of lying on a chair. Everything was in its own perspective place.

  Mr. Harvey invited the two to have a seat as he walked around his desk and took a seat of his own. “Now, the initial consultation is free but—”

  “I’m sorry,” Melina interrupted. “We’re not here about a legal matter.”

  “Oh,” Mr. Harvey said, a bit taken aback. “Then what is it you’d like to talk to me about?”

  “Well…” Melina paused and looked over at Tessa, who nodded her head encouragingly. “I’m here to talk to you about Charles Atwood.”

  “Charles Atwood? Did you know him?” Mr. Harvey asked.

  Melina nodded. “Yes, I’m a local business owner myself, and I shopped in his jewelry store from time to time.”

  “I see,” said Mr. Harvey as he folded his hands together and leaned back in his chair. “So why do you want to talk to me about Mr. Atwood?”

  “I’m trying to help his son, Lee, with something. And since you were Mr. Atwood’s attorney, I thought you might be able to help as well.”

  Mr. Harvey narrowed his eyes at her but remained silent.

  “I’m not sure if you know or not, but ever since Lee’s parents divorced, he wanted nothing to do with his father.”

  “Anyone who was close to the Atwoods knew that,” said Mr. Harvey. “What are you trying to get at?”

  Melina cleared her throat and continued. “Okay, well, he wanted nothing to do with his father because he thought his father was the one who initiated the divorce and walked out on them. It wasn’t until he saw the divorce papers, which were amongst the items you gave to him after his father passed, that he realized it was his mother who'd actually filed for the divorce. He’s been in agony ever since then because he believes his father went to his grave thinking that his son hated him for something that wasn’t even true. I need to find a way to prove to him that his father didn’t feel that way.”

  Mr. Harvey leaned forward in his chair again and placed his arms on his desk. “I can sense that it’s very important to you to prove that to Lee. Why is that?”

  Just be direct and honest, she thought to herself. “I care for Lee and his well-being. I don’t like seeing him so upset, and his behavior and attitude have started to jeopardize his family’s store.”

  Mr. Harvey’s expression was one of genuine concern. “Really? The store isn’t doing well?”

  “I’m afraid not,” said Melina.

  “I’m sad to hear it. Charles was not only my client but a dear friend, so of course I would like to help Lee. Actually, I’m pretty sure I can help him, but I’d first like to know why you thought to even come to me for help.”

  Melina shrugged. “Lee won’t listen to anyone else, not even his mother or sister. It seems like he thinks they’re only saying that to make him feel better. I thought if he heard it from someone who wasn’t that close to him but was to his father, then he might actually listen.”

  “Very clever, very clever,” Mr. Harvey said as he nodded his head. “But I can do you one better.”

  “
Really?” Melina looked excitedly at Tessa and then back over at Mr. Harvey. He actually had some information that he seemed confident would help, and he was going to tell her, just like that. It was almost too easy. She waited anxiously for him to start talking again, but the pain that was throbbing throughout her entire body suddenly decided to skyrocket at that very moment. “Ahh!” she screamed as she leaned over and buried her head in her hands.

  Mr. Harvey jumped up from his chair. “Miss, are you all right?”

  Tessa stood up from her chair and tried to help Melina up from hers. She glanced back and forth between Melina and Mr. Harvey as she attempted to spit out a believable explanation. “She’s been experiencing horrible migraines lately. Sometimes they come on suddenly. I’m sorry. I need to get her home to rest. Thank you for your time.”

  Melina saw Tessa give him a brief smile and then felt her friend's arm wrap around her waist as she tried to walk her out as quickly as they could. Melina resisted, trying to turn back to Mr. Harvey.

  “No,” Melina said in a quiet voice that suddenly turned louder. “I have to know what you were going to tell me first. Please, I must know.” She broke free from Tessa’s grasp and turned back around toward Mr. Harvey, looking up at him slowly with pleading eyes.

  Mr. Harvey, who seemed a bit rattled by her behavior, took a step back as he stared at her. Finally he found his voice. “Lee’s father left him a letter. I’m not sure of the exact details of it, but I think it’ll help. It was with all the documents I gave to Lee. I never got the chance to tell him about it because, well, after I informed him that he'd inherited the store, he didn’t want to talk much anymore. So I gave him the documents and let him go. I guess I thought he would find it.”

  Melina cried out in pain again and almost fell to the floor, but Tessa’s quick reflexes stopped her just in time. Tessa lifted her back up and placed her arm around her again.

  “Thank you once again, Mr. Harvey,” Tessa said over her shoulder as she strained to get Melina to move. “We need to get going now.”