A Summer Homecoming

by Leah Atwood

  Her fingers shook as she handed Mr. Renault the papers. “Is there anything else?”

  “That is all we needed. By the end of the day, your house will have a listing. I’ll have my secretary make a copy of all the papers and bring them to you in the lobby.” He stood up and shook her hand over the desk. “I’ll be in contact soon. In the meantime, please call us if you have any further questions.”

  Melanie walked out to the lobby on unsteady legs. With a few signatures and initials, she’d confirmed her future—her childhood home soon would no longer belong to her. A glance out the window showed Zach waiting for her, still parked in the same spot. He sat in his truck with his head down, and it looked like his eyes were closed.

  Curiosity got the better of her, and she wondered where his appointment had been. She hadn’t been at the realtor’s office long enough for him to go and come back from anywhere. It’s not your business.

  The walls closed in on her as she waited. Why couldn’t there have been another way? When the secretary walked out with a folder in hand, Melanie snatched it from her hands and bounded out the door.

  ***

  Zach couldn’t help smiling when he saw Melanie approach. While she met with her realtor, he’d met with his, who conveniently was in the same office. He had put in an offer on the house and prayed it was accepted. When the time was right, he would tell Melanie.

  He reached for her door to open it but stopped when he saw her frown. “Everything go okay?”

  “I guess. All the paperwork is finalized.” Her throat constricted. “I decided last month to sell my house.”

  The news didn’t surprise him. She’d lived there her entire twenty-seven years, and the house held many negative memories for her.

  “Where will you live once it sells?” What he really wanted to ask was would she marry him and move into the house he hoped to buy, but it was entirely too soon to entertain those thoughts.

  “Don’t laugh, but I haven’t thought about that. The memories in the house choked me. I tried redecorating and changing things around, but it didn’t help.” A cloud shadowed the sun as memories darkened Melanie’s eyes. “It’s time to move on, but thinking about finding somewhere else to live is scary.”

  “I understand. I know many of the memories you have from that house.” Zach felt like a cad when he realized he didn’t know what happened to her father other than he had died. Now was his opportunity to find out, and he took it. He caressed her forearm with the tips of his fingers. “What happened to your dad?”

  “You know Dad wasn’t the easiest man to live with. He loved me in his own way, but he was very stubborn and set in his ways. We often argued about me going back to school. I’m sure you remember his extremely old-fashioned views and believed a woman should stay at home. I wanted to get my Master’s Degree, but he threatened to kick me out.”

  “He didn’t.” He clenched his fists and reminded himself it did no good to be angry at a dead man.

  Mel nodded. “I could have left and easily made it on my own, but I couldn’t leave him alone. His mind began slipping, but he refused to go to the doctor. I believe it was a case of early onset Alzheimer’s.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Dad got so frustrated that he took to drinking. He was a man who needed control and not having control of his mind pushed him over the edge. Two years ago, on parent-teacher night, the sheriff showed up at school.” Her voice shook, and she paused for a second. “Dad had been drinking and went off the road. Killed on impact. I was so angry I couldn’t even grieve for a long time. Thank God he did not hit anyone else.”

  “I’m so sorry.” For your father’s death. For not being there. “That must have been hard to reconcile. Having spent so much time around your dad, I can’t picture him like that. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.”

  “With a lot of prayers, I made it through. I still cry sometimes because I don’t know if he was a believer. I want to believe he was, but there were never any signs, and he never allowed mom to go to church.” She looked up, a sudden smile on her lips. “Have I told you how happy I am that you accepted Christ? I don’t think I could endure losing another man and not know where he would spend eternity.”

  “I’m here now, love, and I don’t plan on going anywhere. And should my time come before yours, we will meet again in Heaven.” Zach took her in his arms, soothed her sniffles. He rubbed circles on her back, remembering how the motion calmed her like a baby.

  She held onto him, and he relished the contact. Minutes later, they still stood in the parking lot, and people were beginning to stare. He didn’t want the whole world privy to their personal moment.

  Once he felt her breathing return to normal, he released her and stepped back. “Come on, kiddo, let’s get some lunch.”

  “Didn’t I tell you never to call me kiddo again?” She glared at him, but her smile betrayed her.

  “Oh boy, do I remember. We were in sixth grade and during recess you stomped on my foot and declared if I ever called you kiddo again, you’d stomp on both feet. However, my dear, I do believe that statute of limitations has expired.”

  He noticed the gleam in her eyes too late. She quickly stomped on both of his feet then opened her door and jumped inside, squealing with laughter.

  Sliding into the driver’s seat with a good-natured grin, he winked at her. “Okay, okay, lesson learned. There is no statute of limitations on threats from fifteen years ago.”

  “Want to grab lunch to go and eat at the park?” She glanced at him with a hope he didn’t deserve. “I don’t have anything planned for the rest of the day until the final planning meeting tonight for the Independence Fest.”

  His heart leaped. He’d never expected her to take the initiative to spend more time together, and he wouldn’t turn her down. “Is that little dive off Winchester Street still open? When I was in Mississippi, and even driving cross country, I would lay in bed at night and dream of their Italian cold cuts.”

  “I haven’t been there in about a year, but they were open then. An Italian cold cut sounds delicious.” She rubbed a hand on her stomach. “We’ll have to run around the park to work off all the food we’ve been eating. Please tell me you’ve outgrown your ketchup phase. Ketchup on an Italian cold cut is the grossest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “Never!” He laughed. “Ketchup is good on everything.”

  He held her hand as they drove in quiet peace. The sub shop was halfway between Frederick and Hope Springs, and they arrived at the apex of the lunch hour. While they awaited their turn, they reminisced about old times, and they quickly fell back into their role of lifelong friends. When they reached the front of the line, Zach placed both of their orders.

  Only after he ordered, did he remember the incident at the parts store that morning. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think before ordering for you.”

  Her face showed no sign of annoyance. “Thanks for remembering exactly how I like mine, even having them put the dressing between the meat and cheese. Everyone thinks I am odd because I won’t eat it any other way, but it is no stranger than ketchup on an Italian cold cut.”

  “Don’t knock it until you try it.”

  “Actually, I have. On a rough night after you left, I thought trying it would make me feel closer to you. Not only did it make me feel worse, but I wasted my money.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

  “You’re kidding me, right?”

  “Sadly, no.” She tapped the corner of his lips. “No long faces allowed. We have a new beginning now. The past is the past.”

  Her innocent comment reminded him of all the pain he’d caused, but he forced a smile on his face and paid for their food. He grabbed the to-go bags, and two sodas from the case next to the counter then they walked back to the truck.

  Melanie filled the gap between the restaurant and park with stories of her students. Second graders lent themselves to entertaining stories, never knowing what may happen. Zach learned that Sam Cooke was one of her favor
ites, full of imagination and spirit. Yesterday he came in and pronounced that Saturn must be married because it had a ring around it. They both chuckled as she relayed story after story.

  After arriving at the park, they walked hand in hand to a picnic table as fallen pine needles crunched under their feet. A blue jay flew across their path and settled on the branch of a nearby maple tree. Few clouds dotted the sky, and the sun sent bursts of warmth upon them.

  Melanie took their lunches out of the bag and used the given napkins as plates.

  Zach eyed his greedily. She had barely set his down before he was snatching it up and devouring it, ketchup and all. “This is just as amazing as I remembered.

  His sub had all but disappeared before Melanie was even a quarter of the way done with hers. He twisted the cap off his bottle of soda and took a hearty drink before setting the beverage back on the table.

  Maybe it was the gorgeous day or the open conversations they’d had, but for the first time since coming back to Hope Springs, he was able to look at Melanie without remorse and shame. The years had been kind to her. Flawless, creamy skin shined softly against the late morning sun, and the autumn breeze perfectly tousled her blonde hair. Those emerald eyes sparkled with life and energy.

  Melanie looked up from her sandwich with a shy smile—she must have sensed his scrutiny.

  His breath hitched as their eyes met. The need to be near her overwhelmed him. She was his better half, the one that made him whole. Friends were hard to come by in this world, let alone a best friend like her who understood and accepted him, flaws and all.

  He wanted her as his wife plain and simple. It must be true that distance makes the heart grow fonder because his heart felt like it would burst with love for her. Could he hope to make that a reality in the future?

  Melanie scooted across the bench and snuggled into him. He wrapped his arm around her, and they sat in blissful silence as life went on around them. Dogs ran after Frisbees, kids chased the dogs, and the mothers kept a close eye on the children.

  Couples strolled along the tree covered paths while others held conversations talking and texting on their cell phones. At this moment though, Zach focused only on Melanie.

  Until a baseball collided with his right eye. He jumped up, startled out of his beautiful real-life dream.

  Two young men ran over, apologizing profusely. He assured them everything was fine, and it was just an accident. After Zach convinced them he didn’t need medical attention and held no ill will, they grabbed their ball and left.

  Meanwhile, Melanie fretted over him. “We need to get some ice on that eye. It’s already swelling.”

  He let out a low groan. The pain he could tolerate. He’d had much worse pain. On a scale of one to ten, this barely rated a one. Maybe a two. Cutting short this miraculous date together hurt much worse. However, the heaviness above his eye indicated swelling without having to touch it or look into a mirror. If he had any hope of avoiding a black eye, he needed ice pronto.

  “Give me your keys, I’m driving.” Melanie held out an open hand.

  “Come on, it’s just a little bump on the eye. You’re overreacting. Besides, no one drives my truck but me.” He protested, but to be honest, he enjoyed Melanie doting on him.

  “Really Zach, you taught me to drive. Quit the macho act. I know better.” She winked when he tossed her the keys. They both knew she could handle the truck as well as he could.

  They left the park, and she drove to the nearest convenience store for a cup of ice.

  He had to admit the ice felt good against his eye, which had begun to throb. Then he remembered he still had to switch out her car battery. Not that it was a hard or complicated task, but he just wanted to go home, take some aspirin, and lay down a bit. He clenched his jaw, hoping to relieve the growing pain in his head.

  Perceptive as usual, Melanie offered to drive him home.

  He vehemently protested, arguing that he still had to change the battery in her car. “Besides, how would you get home? I’m staying in a hotel right now. I don’t think that would be wise or beneficial to your reputation to be there.”

  Crimson raced up her neck and cheeks. “You can just drop me off at home. I can always have Lily pick me up, and I’m sure we can find someone to switch out the battery.”

  “Mel, I’m fine really. I can change out the battery in ten minutes. Let me do this for you.”

  She pulled into Sally’s parking lot and stopped in front of her car.

  Clenching his jaw to block out pain, he slid from the passenger seat and grabbed the battery. True to his word, he switched it out in ten minutes. He stood by while she started her car and stayed until he saw that it ran smoothly.

  Leaning over, he gave her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek through the window opening, with promises to call that evening.

  Her mouth twisted, and she watched him with concern in her eyes. “If I don’t answer, it’s because I’m at the meeting for the Independence Fest. You’re welcome to join if you’re up to it.”

  “I’ll let you know. Right now, I just want to take some aspirin.”

  He blew her another kiss then sunk into the driver’s seat of his vehicle. He watched while she buckled up and left the parking lot, then reached into the center console, found his small stash of medicines, took two pills out of the bottle, and downed them with some water.

  Within minutes of returning to his hotel room, he fell into a deep slumber filled with dreams of a beautiful, dark blond beauty.

  Chapter Eight

  Melanie closed the door behind her and leaned against the wall in a blissful state. Never in a hundred years would she have imagined such an amazing day. As she dropped her purse on the dining room table, she caught the subtle, lingering scent of Zach. How she wished that baseball hadn’t hit him in the eye. She hadn’t enjoyed a day this much in a long time, and she could have stayed with him all day.

  The clock on the stove told her she still had several hours before she had to leave for the meeting, so she sat down to relax with a good book. A few hours later, the ring of her phone brought her out of nineteenth-century California and into the present. Lily’s number flashed across the screen, and Melanie couldn’t wait to tell her about the turn of events.

  She swiped her thumb over the screen to answer. “I’m so glad you called.”

  “Hi to you too.” Lily laughed. “You sound different, almost dreamy. Spill it friend. What happened after we left Sally’s?”

  Melanie settled into the recliner and smiled. “A lot, too much to tell you over the phone. Want to come over before the meeting?”

  “Sure. I need to swing by my house to pick up my notes, then I’ll head over.”

  “Come on in when you get there. See you soon.” Melanie disconnected the call and set aside her book. She breezed to the kitchen and mixed a pitcher of lemonade and set it in the fridge to get cold. Her mom had taught her to always have refreshments available to offer guests.

  She thought about calling Zach before Lily came over. By her calculation, she had at least a half hour before Lily got there. Plenty of time. Grabbing her phone, she went out back and sat in a cushioned patio chair. Dialed Zach’s number.

  “Hello,” a drowsy voice answered on the other line.

  “Zach? It’s Melanie. I just wanted to check on you.

  “Hi. I took some pain meds and fell asleep. What time is it?”

  She found his groggy voice adorable and had always loved talking to him when he first woke up because it gave him an innocent boyish aura. “Three-thirty. Lily is on her way over for a bit before the meeting tonight.

  Zach chuckled. “My ears are already burning.”

  Her hesitance to reply confirmed his suspicions, she realized. She needed a friend with whom she could discuss events, and to give her an outside opinion unclouded by emotions, but she didn’t know how to respond to his comment.

  With an awkward silence still penetrating the air, Zach put her at ease. “I was teasing,
Mel. Talk about me all you want. What time is your meeting again? Independence Fest was always one of my favorite happenings in town. If it’s not too late to join in, I’d love to help out.”

  “Six o’clock but we usually show up around 5:30 to set out refreshments and chit chat some so we can get down to business right at six.” A thrill surged through her when she thought of seeing him a second time that day. “We always take willing volunteers. Tonight, we’re going to finalize booth placements and make a schedule for the volunteers who are manning game booths.”

  “I’ll be there. Is it at the church?”

  “Yes, we’re meeting in the fellowship hall.”

  “See you then. Have fun with Lily.”

  ***

  Hanging up the phone, Zach looked at his reflection in the mirror, particularly his eye. A little swollen, but at least there was no bruising. He could only imagine the teasing that would ensue if it did. He checked his voicemail and then booted up his laptop to check his e-mail. Nothing important.

  His Bible sat on the corner of the desk, begging to be opened. Caught up in seeing Melanie again, he’d neglected it the last few days, when, of all times, he really should have dug in. He opened to Romans, where he’d read a devotional the other day, and continued on where he’d left off. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

  How appropriate for this phase of my life. He meditated on those words and then prayed, thanking God for his bountiful blessings, and then for wisdom on what path to take with Melanie.

  When he was done, he changed into fresh clothes and walked across the street to the grocery store. Not enticed by any of the frozen entrées, he chose a plate lunch at the deli counter with a generous slab of meatloaf, creamy mashed potatoes, and buttery green beans.

  He walked back to his hotel room and ate in silence. A wave of loneliness rushed over him. Spending the day with Melanie made him ache for what had been. How had he survived those years without her? Now, after only a few hours without her, he already missed her. This will take time. No matter what the future held, he’d remain grateful for Melanie’s forgiveness and offer of friendship.