“She’s in Tampa,” Melanie said. She picked up a roll and tore off a small piece. “I was hoping you’d come with me. I plan to go next Sunday.”
Chase reached across the table to touch her hand. “Of course, I’ll come. I’m touched you’d ask me.”
Her eyes were warm. “I want you with me.”
Her words melted over Chase’s heart like snow under the sun. “Melanie, I …” He bent his head. The words, “I love you,” were on the tip of his tongue.
Melanie leaned in. “I’m sorry you lowered your head. What did you say?”
Chase’s eyes met her expectant ones. He knew she knew what he wanted to say but he did not want to scare her off. “I wanted to ask what movie you wanted to see.”
Melanie’s eyes dimmed with disappointment but Chase planted a smile on his face. The awkward moment hung between them. Chase was glad to see Amanda appear with their steaming plates of food.
Chase took Melanie’s hand. “Lord, we thank you for this meal You’ve provided. Remove all impurities so that it will enrich us. We pray this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Melanie twirled her fettuccine around her fork and scooped it into her mouth. Some of the sauce was on the side of her mouth. Chase reached over and wiped the sauce away with his finger. Then he sucked his finger.
“I’ll have to try this next time,” Chase said.
Melanie’s gaze was pinned on him. “That was hot what you just did.”
Chase grinned. “When we’re married, I’ll use chocolate.” He ate some of his Mezzaluna. His taste buds welcomed the burst of ricotta cheese and tomato cream sauce. “Hmmm. This is good.”
“I want to see Selma.”
Chase eyes widened at Melanie’s words.
Her eyes held a challenge. Chase thought of the Oscar worthy movie depicting Dr. Martin Luther King’s epic walk across the bridge. He opened his cell phone and pulled up the theater app to check show times. “The next show starts at 7:30, so we’ll make it.”
Melanie raised a brow. “You don’t have a problem watching that with me?”
Chase shook his head. “Why should I?”
“Well, it deals with race issues.”
“And?”
“Doesn’t it make you uncomfortable?”
Chase shook his head. “No. I’m not responsible for the actions of an entire race. I’m only answerable for what I do. Besides, you don’t know, if I were born back then, I could’ve been one of the people walking with Dr. King.”
Melanie nodded. “I didn’t think of that.”
Chase touched her cheek. “So, we’ll go see Selma.”
“I’ll wait for the DVD and watch it at home,” Melanie said. “I only chose that because I wanted to see what you would say. Let’s go see The Boy Next Door instead. I love Jennifer Lopez.”
Chase narrowed his eyes. “You don’t have to test me like that. Melanie, I’m quite aware that when society sees us, they see race first. With all the mess out there in the news with trigger-happy cops, I have to counteract that stereotype every day. Cops have a bad rep. When I’m on the road, I’m doing my job. Period.” He gestured between them. “But when I look at you, all I see is a beautiful woman.” His voice deepened. “A woman I can’t wait to see every day. I’m sure I’ll feel that way ten years from now.”
Melanie’s eyes glistened. “What are you saying?”
Chase reached for her hand. “Can’t you tell? You must see how I feel about you? Melanie, I—”
Her phone vibrated. She looked to see who was calling. “That’s my mom. I’ve got to take this.” She swiped the answer button. “Mom?”
Chase watched as her smile froze. He heard Rhoda’s voice but the volume was too low for him to hear from across the table.
“What’s happened?” she asked. Her face lost all of its color. “Oh, no. I’ll be there.” Melanie ended the call and clutched her chest. “We have to go to the hospital. Right now.”
Chase jumped to his feet but she was speeding toward the front door. He tossed sixty dollars on the table and rushed after Melanie.
20
“She’ll be on bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy, but thank God, Tricia’s all right,” Melanie said, coming out to the Fawcett Hospital emergency room wait area where Chase sat waiting. She had rushed inside while Chase parked his Jeep.
Chase heaved a sigh of relief. “I’m glad to hear your sister and her baby are okay.”
“You can come back if you want,” Melanie said. “My parents would like to meet you.”
“Now? Are you sure? I want to meet them but this is not how I envisioned it? I wanted to—”
Melanie held out her hand, stilling Chase’s comment. “Come meet my parents.”
Chase wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans. “Do you have any gum? I can’t meet them with questionable breath.”
Melanie laughed. To Chase, it was a sweet sound. He wished she could hear it. She rummaged into her purse and pulled out a stick of gum. Chase plopped it into his mouth. Then he held out a hand. When Melanie clasped her hand in his, Chase felt his heart shift. It was at that moment he acknowledged he was in love with Melanie. He never wanted to let her go.
The attendant on duty unlocked the door so they could go back into patient care. Melanie drew back the curtain and they entered the room. Tricia was propped up on the bed with a fetal monitor and blood pressure monitor attached.
“Chase, meet Gary and Rhoda Benson, my parents,” Melanie said, going over to stand between them.
Chase held out a hand and shook Gary’s. Rhoda gave him a hug. Chase returned the shorter woman’s embrace.
“I’m so glad to meet you, Chase,” Rhoda said, pulling away. “Melanie has been beaming and now I know why. You’re one handsome man.”
Chase knew his face warmed. “Thank you. It’s a pleasure meeting both of you.”
Melanie rolled her eyes. “Trust Mom to embarrass me,” she spoke and signed.
Tricia spoke up. “Nice seeing you again, Chase. I hope it will be under better circumstances next time.”
Chase nodded. “Take it easy.” A flash of Melanie’s tummy rounded with his child entered his mind. How he would like that. Chase looked Melanie’s way. She was fussing.
“You must come over for dinner,” Rhoda said, turning his attention away from Melanie.
Gary shook his head. “Give the young man a moment to breathe, Rhoda. Don’t be pushy.” He curled an arm around Melanie’s waist. Melanie closed her eyes and smiled.
So, she’s a Daddy’s girl, Chase observed.
“I’d love to come to dinner,” Chase said to Rhoda. “Just let me know the date and time.”
A doctor and nurse entered the small area. “Let’s see how our patient’s doing.”
Chase took that as his exit cue. “I’d better be going.”
Melanie stepped forward. “I’ll walk you out.”
From the corner of her eye, Melanie saw Tricia waving her hands. She turned to face her sister.
“Go on with Chase.” Tricia rubbed her tummy. “This little guy’s going to be just fine. Mom and Dad will stay with me until Emory arrives.”
Melanie bit her lip. “I don’t know if …”
“Go,” Tricia urged. “Nothing’s going to happen. Mom prayed so hard I know God heard her loud and clear.”
After another reluctant nod, Melanie ambled over to where Chase stood. Once again they joined hands.
“Call me if there’s any change,” Melanie said.
“If you’d step outside for a minute, we just have to make sure Mrs. Yang and baby are okay,” the doctor said.
Her parents stepped out in the hallway with Melanie and Chase. The nurse pulled the curtain close.
“Chase, are you saved?” Rhoda asked and signed.
“Rhoda! This is not the time to question Chase about his personal beliefs. At least wait until you’ve fattened him up,” Gary joked.
“Yes, I am. I accepted Christ three years ago and that’s
the best decision I’ve ever made.” He squeezed Melanie’s hand. “The second was going out with your daughter.”
Rhoda touched her chest. “Oh, I like you,” she whispered, a little choked up. “Come over next Thursday and we’ll talk some more.” Rhoda signed her words as well so Melanie could hear.
“More like an inquisition,” Gary said.
“Mom, lay off,” Melanie said. She tugged Chase away from her parents. ‘See you later.” They walked outside the emergency room. “I’m sorry you had to go through that just now. I would apologize for my mother, but that’s who she is. She’s bound to ask you more outrageous questions next week.”
Chase laughed. “I don’t mind. Your mother can ask me anything she wants. I’m willing to face the inquisition for you.”
Melanie blushed.
As they stood by the automatic doors of the emergency entrance, Chase could hold his words no longer. He turned Melanie toward him and said, “I love you, Melanie.”
She barely met his eyes. “I care about you, too, Chase.”
Chase bit back his disappointment. He tells a girl he loves her and she says she cares for him. He pulled Melanie close and kissed her. Her body melted into his and her breathing labored. Chase had his answer. Her body did not lie. He broke the kiss and looked into Melanie’s eyes. What he saw stole his breath. She loved him but she was scared. Scared of feeling. He could understand that as he loved Melanie with an intensity he found hard to put into words. He could wait for the words.
“Chase,” she spoke his name with a raspy breath.
He put a finger over her lips. “I need you to meet my father,” he said.
Melanie released a shaky laugh and fiddled with her sweater. “Turnabout, huh?”
“The last time I took a woman home was when my mother was alive. I said the next woman I take home would be the one I plan to marry.”
Melanie’s eyes widened. Chase cracked up at the panic in her eyes. “Don’t worry, I have no plans of asking you right now. But, I’m putting you on notice so you know my future plans.”
“I … I …” Melanie gulped.
Chase held his smile and walked to his Jeep. His butterfly was a little freaked out. That was okay by him. Melanie lingered a few steps behind. Her arms were folded about her. In time, his butterfly would land. And, he would have her just where he wanted her. His bed.
21
“Thanks for coming with me,” Melanie said to Chase that Sunday. They had passed through security and had already been screened. She was dressed in an Aeropostale white tee shirt and blue jeans with sneakers. She had a white cover up in case it was cold inside the jailhouse.
“I would have come even if you didn’t ask me anyway,” he said. Chase was also dressed in jeans and wore a green long-sleeved tee.
“I wonder if my mother will recognize me,” Melanie signed.
Chase shook his head. “I only understood a couple words. Your hands moved too fast.”
“I’m sorry,” Melanie said. “When I get nervous, I forget you can’t sign.”
“Yet,” he said, lifting a finger. “I’ve been taking lessons.”
“The best way to learn is by doing,” she spoke and signed.
She was pleased when Chase repeated her hand movements. Melanie appreciated his effort.
“From now on we will communicate by signing and speaking.”
Chase nodded. “Good idea. Although I love watching your eyes on my lips.”
Melanie jabbed him in the ribs and laughed. “You’re a trip.” She reached up to touch his cheek. “Thanks for making me laugh. I was nervous until now.”
“I hope to make you laugh every day.”
Melanie broke eye contact. Chase had these comebacks that made her feel so special. There were about ten other people in the holding area. The guard escorted them into the visiting room. It had the bare necessities. Bolted-down tables that had seen better days and rickety chairs. Melanie resisted the urge to scratch. She thought of her purse in Chase’s Jeep, which had her tangerine-scented hand sanitizer and moaned. She hated this place and the moldy, rusty smell. Melanie wrinkled her nose. Surely their taxes provided more livable accommodations than this. She gripped Chase’s hand.
Chase led her to an empty table in the corner. They sat next to each other with their backs against the wall. From their vantage point, Melanie would see when Janet arrived.
Chase rested an arm behind her chair. To Melanie, he looked composed but alert.
Melanie’s stomach knotted. Her Secret deodorant was working over-time. If nervousness had a scent, she would be it.
Then Janet approached. Melanie’s throat went dry. Unbidden, tears filled her eyes. She looked at the mother she had not seen in 22 years.
Janet scanned the room before her eyes rested on Melanie’s. Melanie’s heart leapt as Janet’s eyes widened with recognition. Janet weaved through the other tables until she stood by the tables. The two connected. Janet ambled over in their direction.
Janet held her arms open though there was no physical contact allowed. “My beautiful daughter.” The two connected. Melanie wiped her face and sat across from them. “Lainey,” she said. “I can’t believe you came.”
Melanie signed and spoke. “I go by Melanie. It’s good seeing you.”
“I’m grateful you decided to visit me. When I got your note, I cried for two days straight,” Janet said. “I see you read lips. I’m fixing to take some sign language classes.”
Melanie nodded. Her shoulders tensed. She was deaf because of Janet’s neglect. The urge to lash out surfaced but Melanie squelched it down. Bitterness had no place here. “You look great,” she said.
Janet laughed. “Girl, don’t lie to me. Drugs and alcohol did a number on me. The only thing tight on me is this dark skin. Everything else needs fixing.”
Melanie stared. Janet’s self-assessment was spot on. Her skin shone. However, she was missing a couple of teeth. Her once luxurious hair had thinned and she was smaller than Melanie remembered. But, Melanie had been five years old so her memory was murky.
Janet’s curious eyes sought out Chase’s. “Is that your bodyguard?” she asked.
“No, Chase is my … friend.”
Chase waved in greeting. He angled his body so Melanie could see him. “I’m hoping to be her fiancé one day.”
“You’re bold,” Janet said.
Chase nodded. “It’s nice meeting you. Now, I’m going to give you some time with your daughter.” He stood.
Melanie missed his presence already. “You don’t have to go,” she said.
“No, you need time to bond.”
When he was out of earshot, Janet said, “I’m glad to have you to myself a little.”
Melanie squirmed. She didn’t know what to say or how to act. If it were Rhoda, she would have been talking up a storm but her history with Janet was not pleasant. Maybe it was time to start better memories. She hunched her shoulders. “What do you want to know about me?” she asked.
“Anything you want to tell me,” Janet said. “But first, I’ve got something to say to you. I’m sorry. Lainey, I’m sorry for not protecting you. I was your mother. I brought you into this world healthy and happy. I should’ve done everything in my power to keep you that way.”
Melanie choked up. She needed Janet’s words. “What about my father? Where was he?”
Janet shook her head. “I don’t know who he is. I … I did a lot of things I wasn’t proud of to score drugs. He could have been Hispanic or white or Indian. I have no idea.”
Melanie swallowed the bile that threatened to spew. She closed her eyes and prayed on the inside. Lord, this is tough to hear. I don’t know if I can continue this reunion.
I’m here. God breathed the words into her spirit, calming her.
Melanie felt the table vibrate. Janet was tapping the table. Melanie lifted her head. Janet’s face was flushed from tears. “I’m so ashamed to tell you that but I won’t lie to you.”
“T
hanks for being honest. I’m glad you’re clean and sober now.” Melanie gulped. “Do you have any more children?”
Janet’s gaze shifted before she jutted her chin. “I had another child. A son but he died a month after he was born. Low birth weight. It’s for the best as he was addicted to heroin. I wasn’t able to keep sober like I was with you.”
Lord, this is too much. Melanie turned away. She wished Chase had not left her alone with Janet. She wanted to scream and hurl but Melanie was not about to show out in jail.
I am with you.
Gathering her courage, Melanie turned around. Janet was humped over on the table. Her body shook. Melanie hated to witness the other woman’s breakdown. But, she had to ask the tough questions before they could move forward. If there was a moving forward.
Melanie tapped the table.
Janet’s head popped up. Her face looked ravaged with pain. “I knew I would have to answer for my dirt one day. I didn’t know it would feel like this,” she said. “I feel like a knife is twisting my insides. I see the disgust on your face and I …” She shook her head. “Maybe this was a bad idea. I’ve done too much.”
“God has forgiven you.” Melanie’s eyes widened at her words. Where had those words come from? “God has forgiven me for many things. I can forgive you.”
Janet cupped her mouth. “Oh, God. I don’t deserve it.”
One of the guards on duty brought them tissues. Thank goodness. Melanie and Janet blew their noses. They pulled more tissues and dabbed at the corner of their eyes.
Melanie straightened. “That’s the power of forgiveness. We never deserve it. I can’t hold anything you’ve done over your head. I was blessed with good parents who took me into their heart and home. They gave me so much love, I have plenty to share with you.”
Janet fell apart at Melanie’s words. “I’m glad you had them. I’m glad you’ve got your life together. I’m working on getting my act together so one day you can be proud of me.”
Melanie’s lip trembled. She wanted to be proud of Janet as well. “I’m proud you accepted God as your savior. He’s all you need.”
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