Forever and Always

by Beverley Hollowed

  She woke every morning to the sound of the ocean in the distance. She went for a swim before breakfast each day and then spent the day curled up on a sun lounger reading or sitting in the sand staring blankly at the ocean unable to think about anything but her and her Dad and how much she missed him.

  The night they arrived at the house she had phoned her Mom to tell her all about the house and beach.

  “Mom it is amazing. You can actually see the sea from my bedroom window” Melanie said her words with a rush of excitement. “We are right on the beach and the view is unreal. We are about a twenty minute walk to the centre of town”.

  “Sounds perfect” Sarah replied relieved that her daughter actually sounded happy. “I am so happy you like it there”.

  “Yeah it’s great” Melanie said sounding a little less happy. “I miss you though; I wish you were here with us. You would really love it here Mom”.

  “I miss you too sweetheart” Sarah replied her heart aching to see her daughters face. “So does Dad”.

  Melanie didn’t reply. Sarah let the silence go for a moment before speaking again.

  “Please call him Mel” Sarah said softly. “He is so upset”. Again Melanie didn’t reply. She hated to think of her Dad upset. That was the last thing she wanted. She closed her eyes and sighed as she remembered her Dad’s face the day after their big argument.

  “Melanie I hate that you are so far away and you seem so sad” Sarah sighed wishing she had never agreed to let her daughter go far away. “I wish I was there with you”.

  “I’m ok Mom” Melanie finally whispered as the tears began to trickle down her face. She didn’t want her Mom to know she was so upset because she knew it would only upset her too. And that was the last thing she wanted to do. And the truth was it was killing her that her Dad was upset too. She loved him so much. But she was hurt. He had hurt her more than he could ever realise.

  Ever since she was little she had always feared she had ruined their lives. She remembered when she was about five; she was staying over in Alex’s mom’s house for the night. She had woken up after a bad dream so she went looking for her Gran. She was halfway down the stairs when she heard her Grandmother crying. She didn’t know why she stopped but she did. She could just about make out what her Grandmother was saying.

  “Oh Tommy” she sniffed. “What is he going to do”.

  “He’ll be grand Pat” her Grandfather replied.

  “How can he be” She snapped at him. “Single, and with a child. And now this nonsense about going back to college. Why can’t he just face it, he ruined his life and so did that young one next door. He will never find a nice girl now and settle down. What girl is going to want someone else’s brat hanging around? That little girl has ruined everything for him”.

  “Ah Pat” Tommy replied. “Whatever else might be true Melanie is certainly no brat. She is a lovely little thing”.

  “She will grow up wild just like her mother and will be nothing but trouble” she snapped back in righteous indignation. “You mark my words”.

  Melanie couldn’t listen anymore. She crept back up to her bed and cried herself to sleep.

  After that Melanie never really liked her Grandmother. She never told anyone what she heard that night. Since then she always had the same doubting insecurities in the back of her mind. But now they were soaring through her and sometimes they were so strong inside her she could barely breathe.

  “I will call Dad” Melanie promises her Mom. They talked for a few more minutes. “Love you Mom”.

  “Love you baby” Sarah replied and hung up the phone.

  But it was now four days later and Melanie still hadn’t rung her Dad. She had dialled his number a couple of time but never pressed send on her phone. She was miserable. Part of her wanted to just go home but there was also a part of her that wished she never had to.

  Maggie tried everything to cheer her up. She would ask her to go shopping, or go to a movie or to dinner but Melanie always replied politely saying she was fine that she would rather just sit on the back porch and read.

  When she woke up on her fourth morning at the beach, it was Saturday. She climbed out of bed and pulled on her turquoise swimming suit. Then she pulled out her favourite white summer dress and slipped on her beach sandals.

  She let herself out of the house quietly and walked down to the water’s edge. The beach was empty because it was not yet 8 o’clock but the sun was already hot. She bent down and slipped off her sandals and dropped them on the sand. She walked forward until the waves tickled her toes. The water was cold yet refreshing. She didn’t feel like swimming today. She didn’t really feel like anything today. She sighed and walked back to where she left her shoes and sat in the sand.

  She didn’t know how long she was sitting there when suddenly she is aware of someone standing behind her.

  “Ok I have had enough of this” a voice said and sighs loudly before they sat down next to her.

  Melanie’s head spun around quickly to find possible the most gorgeous guy she has ever seen sitting beside her. He was smiling warmly at her, his beautiful piercing blue eyes staring straight into hers. His thick black hair blew slightly in the breeze. He had the perfect smile that just lit up his face. “Wow” she thought. He had to be the most perfect creature she had ever seen.

  “Excuse me” She finally managed to say after a few minutes when her brain began to work again. For a moment she actually wondered if he was even talking to her.

  “I have been watching you all week” he says, his piercing eyes holding hers. “And I don’t understand how someone so beautiful can sit in a place almost as beautiful and look so sad”.

  “I’m sorry do I know you” Melanie replied her heart beating so hard in her chest she thought it was trying to break free, completely taken back by what he had just said.

  “My name is Sam” he said and held out his hand. “Sam Cooper”.

  “Melanie” she replied and shook his hand feeling a little confused. When their hands met it felt like a thousand volts shot through her body. “My friends call me Mel” she added feeling a little self-conscious.

  “Nice to meet you Mel” Sam said giving her a bright smile.

  “ Wow, he is overly confident” she thought to herself.

  “I never said you were my friend” Melanie replied sharply, feeling a little irritated by this gorgeous guy in front of her. And part of her irritation was the fact she had thought he was possibly the most amazingly gorgeous guy she had every met and all she could think of was what it would feel like to kiss him, which was ridiculous because he was a few years older than her and definitely way out of her league.

  “Ouch” Sam said and smiled shyly and blushed a little. “I guess I deserved that”.

  Melanie tried her best not to smile but she couldn’t help herself. She felt a little bad that she seemed to have embarrassed him. She turned and looked back out over the sea. She needed a moment to calm her thoughts.

  “So” Sam said after a couple of minutes. “I assume from the accent you are from around here”.

  “No I’m not” Melanie answered with a smile but still didn’t look at him. “I am from Dublin. I am staying with my Mom’s best friend for the summer”.

  “Ah top o the morning to ya” he said in his best fake Irish accent and laughed loudly.

  “I don’t talk like that” Melanie snapped and tried but failed miserably not to laugh too. “Why does everyone who isn’t Irish assume we all talk like bloody leprechauns?”

  “I am sorry” he barely managed to say through his laugher. “I couldn’t resist”.

  Melanie giggled too and for the first time in almost three weeks she could feel herself relax a little.

  “Now that’s much better” Sam said softly he eyes capturing Melanie’s once again. “A beautiful girl like you shouldn’t look as sad as you have looked all week. It’s nice to see you finally smile. I knew it would be a beautiful one”.

  Melanie was spee
chless. No one had ever said anything so sweet like that to her before. She wanted to look away because she knew her face was now burning pink from embarrassment but she couldn’t seem to drag her eyes away from his.

  “And I have to wonder, what fool in his right mind could have broken your heart so badly” he continued softly as he reached up and brushed a lose strand of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. His finger touched off her face ever so slightly but it sent a shock wave right down through her body that made her jump back.

  “Nobody broke my heart” she snapped and shifted slightly to put some distance between her and him. She turned back to the ocean as her heart raced. Her breathing quickened. “Do you always make such personal observations?”

  “I am sorry” he replied quickly. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable”.

  She didn’t reply. She just gazed down at her fingers as they combed through the small patch of sand that was between them. They sat for a few minutes in an awkward silence.

  “So how do you know Dan” Sam finally asked.

  “Dan?” Melanie repeated not knowing who he was talking about.

  “The guy who owns the beach house you are staying in” he explained.

  “How do you know where I am staying?” Melanie asked; surprised he seemed to know so much about her.

  “My Mom and Dad own the house next to Dan’s” he explained. “I saw you sitting on the deck reading a few times”.

  “Oh, right” she said as she glanced back at the house next to the one she was staying in. It was much bigger than their one and was beautiful. “The guy, Dan, is Maggie’s editor. He is gone to Europe for the summer and he said we could use it”. He nodded and smiled.

  “So how long are you staying for?” he asked, never taking his eyes off her.

  “A couple of month’s maybe” she answered, giving him a sideways glance. He was still watching her and a small smile danced on his lips when he saw her looking at him. Her heart started beating faster in her chest. Why was he here beside her, asking all these questions and why did he have to be so damn hot. “I guess for the rest of the summer”.

  “Great” he said sounding genuinely pleased. “Maybe I could show you around the place”.

  “Thanks” she said smiling shyly at him. “But I really don’t want to put you to any trouble”.

  “It would be no trouble at all” he replied and smiled. “In fact it would be my pleasure”.

  “Ok then, that would be great then” Melanie replied softly. She felt like pinching herself to make sure this was actually happening.

  “Ok so I should go” he says standing up and brushing the sand from his butt. “How about I call around about half ten and we can head out?”

  “Today?” Melanie asked her voice probably an octave or two higher than it should have been.

  “Yeah” he said standing over her. “Unless you have other plans”.

  “No, today will be fine” she replied as she slipped on her sandals and began to stand up. He reached out his hand to help her up. When she took his hand he pulled her to her feet so fast she almost lost her balance. He quickly grabbed her in his arms and held her till she found her feet. But even then he didn’t let her go. He held her to him closely. His body felt firm and strong under his white t-shirt. She could feel his breath on her face. And his piercing eyes were locked with hers.

  She wanted him to kiss her with every ounce of her being. She had never wanted anything more. She stared into his eyes and her head began to spin. He smiled warmly at her

  “Breathe Melanie” he whispers softly. She hadn’t realise she was holding her breath. Slowly he released her. Her face flushed once more and she quickly pulled away from his hold.

  “Ten thirty then” she said finally. Then without saying another word she turned and walked back to the beach house. She could feel his eyes on her as she walked but she didn’t turn around until she reached the deck of the house. When she looked back he was still standing in the same spot. He lifted his hand and gave her a wave and a bright smile. She waved back and the turned and walked in the house and closed the door.

  “Maggie” she called as she slumped against the door. Her heart racing so face she thought it might burst through her chest. “I need your help”.

  Chapter 5Maggie was almost ready to burst with excitement by the time half ten arrived. She had chosen about a dozen different outfits for Melanie to wear. She fussed with her hair and tried to do her makeup but Melanie drew the line there.

  When Melanie was ready, Maggie paced up and down the living room waiting for Sam to arrive. She was making Melanie even more nervous than she was already.

  “Maggie you do know this isn’t a date” Melanie said as she nervously smoothed down her dress for the hundred time. She had finally decided on a cream halter neck dress that had a pretty, full skirt. She had a chocolate coloured belt around her waist and wore matching Chocolate coloured strappy sandals. She left her hair down in dark curls draped over her shoulder. “I mean he is just being nice showing me around”.

  “Yeah I know” Maggie replied but gave Melanie a mischievous smile. “But who knows, right”.

  A sudden knock on the door made them both jump. Immediately Melanie felt herself blush.

  “Yeah this isn’t a date at all” Maggie said sarcastically and gave her a knowing grin as she went to answer the door.

  “Hi” Sam said nervously. “I am here so see Melanie”.

  “You must be Sam” Maggie replied as she gestured for him to come into the house. He stepped through the door and his eyes met Melanie’s. Gone is the confident guy that sat next to her on the beach two hours early. He smiled shyly at her his eye ran all over her body as if he was seeing her for the very first time.

  “Hi” he said softly, his eyes finally settling on hers. He was wearing dark jeans and a crisp white t-shirt. His hair was still a little damp from the shower and he looked even more gorgeous then Melanie had remembered.

  “Hey” Melanie replied shifting uncertainly on from one foot to the other, her fingers knotted together at her waist.

  Maggie watched him closely. He was really good looking but she was a little worried that he might be a little too old for Melanie.

  “So um...exactly how old are you Sam?” Maggie asked suddenly sounding all mother hen. Melanie shot her a look of complete disbelief. She could have murdered her. Sam’s face turned bright red.

  “Maggie” Melanie snapped, a nervous giggle escaping from her.

  “I am 21” Sam said quickly. “I will be 22 in December. I know I look older, everyone tells me that”.

  “You know Melanie is only 17” Maggie replied.

  “Maggie” Melanie said again, this time she was angry. “I am almost 18. Beside that is none of your business”.

  “Sorry sweetie” Maggie said giving Melanie a sympathetic look. “But I promised your Mom and Dad I would look after you. So I had to ask”.

  “Could this be any more embarrassing” Melanie replied mortified. She grabbed her bag and headed for the door. “I will see you later”. Sam smiled nervously at Maggie and followed Melanie out the door.

  He took her hand and led her down the side passage of the beach house to where his car was parked in front of his parent beach house. He held the car door opened and waited for Melanie to climb inside. The car was amazing. It was a pearl black Porsche Boxster with cream interior. It was gorgeous.

  “I am sorry about that” Melanie says as Sam slid into the car next to her. “Maggie is great but tact is something she lacks”.

  “It’s fine” he replied with his usual dazzling smile. “You look beautiful, by the way”.

  Melanie could feel her face heat with embarrassment. No one had ever said anything like that to her before.

  He started the engine and slowly reversed the car out of the parking space. Then he accelerated forward so fast Melanie was shot backwards into her seat. As they drove with the top down, her hair was blown everywhere and she wi
shed to herself she had tied her hair back.

  Ten minutes later they pull up into a parking space in the centre of town and Sam switched off the engine. Melanie tried desperately to smooth down her hair with her fingers.

  “Don’t worry Melanie” he reached over and took her hand, lifting it to his lips he kissed it softly on the back. “You still look beautiful”. Melanie’s heart nearly stopped.

  He climbed out of the car and hurried around Melanie’s side to open her door. Melanie stepped out and Sam immediately reached for her hand. They walked down through the town and he pointed out all the best shops and restaurants. He insisted on buying her a beautiful cream coloured chiffon scarf for her to wrap around her hair while they were in his car.

  She felt totally comfortable with him. He was funny and charming and so much fun to be with. Melanie never wanted the day to end.

  At lunch time he brought her into his favourite little Italian restaurant. The girl behind the counter greeted Sam warmly when they walked in. Then she shot Melanie a questioning look.

  “Rachel, this is Melanie O’Leary” he said answering the girl’s unasked question. “Melanie this is Rachel Brooks. Rachel and I spent nearly every summer together when we were kids. There were a whole gang of us who used to hang out every day. Don’t see much of them anymore though”.

  “That’s true” Rachel said with a sad smile. “It must be three summers since now you were last down here. Not since the summer before your senior year. Suddenly you just stopped coming around. Heard you had something more important keeping you busy”.

  “Yeah well things change Rach” Sam replied shortly, suddenly looking a little uncomfortable with the conversation. Melanie’s looked at Rachel who smiled brightly at her and seemed almost embarrassed.

  A man appeared at their side and ushered them to a quiet table at the back of the restaurant. Sam introduced Melanie to the man who showed them to their table as they took their seats. His name was Joe. He took Melanie’s hand and kissed the back of it and smiled broadly at her then he turned to Sam and told him he should hang on to such a beautiful young lady.