“God has changed my life. I’m clean and I’ll be getting out in a few months. And, when I do, I won’t be coming back. Ever.”
“Amen,” Melanie said. “I believe you.”
Eyes like her own looked at her. “Do you?”
Melanie nodded. “We have that in common. I try not to say anything I don’t mean.”
“Can we stay in touch?” Janet asked.
“Yes. I want you in my life.”
“Good. I hope that means you’ll invite me to your wedding.”
Melanie’s brow furrowed. “Chase and I … we’re not engaged.”
“You will be,” Janet said. “I saw that man’s face. He’s in love with you. Just don’t get married before I get out.”
***
From her passenger seat, Melanie eyed the mile marker 223 and sighed.
Chase tapped her arm and Melanie turned to look at him. “You’ve been quiet the entire drive.”
They were near the Ellenton shops exit on I-75.
“I was thinking about my conversation with Janet,” Melanie said. “Some of the things she told me hurt. Like how I could have had a brother, but he was born addicted to heroin. And he died. He didn’t even have a chance.”
Chase rubbed her arm.
“Janet doesn’t know who my father is,” Melanie continued. “It makes me feel weird. Incomplete. My father is a nameless face.”
Chase faced her. “You do know your father.” He pointed heavenward. “God has taken you into His hands. He’s the best father you could have.”
“That’s not the same.” Melanie peered out the window, ending the conversation.
Chase pulled over on the curb.
“Are you crazy? We’re on a major highway,” she yelled.
“I know what I’m doing. I don’t want you tuning me out when you feel like it. That is not going to happen.”
Melanie exploded. “You know your father. You know his face and what he looks like. So save the platitude about God being my father. I know that. I don’t need you patronizing me.”
Chase got into her face. “You want me to feel sorry for you? Well I don’t. You’ve got more than most women I know. You’re beautiful. You have a body most women would kill to have. You have this fancy job and you drive a fancy car. So, I don’t feel sorry for you. I think you’re being ungrateful.”
Melanie’s neck snapped from side to side. “Is this how you speak to someone you claim to love? If so, you can keep it.” She gathered her cover up around her needing that layer of protection.
Chase gripped the steering wheel. His chest heaved. Then he faced her. “I’m telling you the truth because I love you. I’m in love with you but that doesn’t mean I’m going to lie flat as a pancake and let you walk over me. It doesn’t mean I’m not going to tell you about yourself. If your breath stinks, I’m going to tell you because that’s what love is about. Telling the ugly truth.”
Melanie squinted. “Flat as a pancake.”
He shrugged. “One of Judd’s analogies.”
She relaxed her shoulders. “Why are we fighting?”
“I don’t know. I think you’re trying to push me away.” Chase’s eyes held a tinge of sadness.
His accusation rang true. Starting a fight was her way of creating a wedge between them. Janet’s assumption that they would get married frightened her. But being frightened was no excuse for losing her temper.
A truck whizzed by shaking the car. Chase started up the engine. Melanie tapped his arm. “I told my mom your testimony of how you got saved. I hope you don’t mind my sharing. Mom said the same thing to me. She thinks I’m afraid to get hurt. Chase, don’t leave even if it seems I’m pushing you away. Give me time.”
“I don’t mind you telling my truth, especially to your mother. I told my father about you. I’m trying, butterfly, to give you time because I know we’re moving fast. But you know how to test a man’s patience. Did you ask Janet about Uncle?”
Did he just call me Butterfly? Melanie shook her head. “I didn’t have the guts to ask after all Janet dumped on me.” Her shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry for my outburst. Things are going so well between us I have to pinch myself. It’s like it’s going too well. It’s all sunshine now and I’m looking for the rain clouds.”
Chase’s eyes softened. “If the rain comes, I’ll get you an umbrella. That’s my job. But for now, relax and bask in the sunshine. It’s okay to be happy.”
“I don’t know how,” Melanie whispered. Tears glistened. “I’m scared that the minute I open myself then something bad will happen. I can’t drop my guard.”
“That’s no way to live,” Chase said. “When I lost my mother and brother, it hurt me to the core. I didn’t know how I would live the rest of my life without them. I wished it were my father who had died. But God knew my mother and Vincent were His and He had plans. My father changed after that day. He became a believer and a new man. I, too, met Christ. I now believe nothing just happens. God has a way of working everything into something good.” He smiled. “Like that day in January when I pulled you over. I’m not a patrol cop. I work in the Major Crimes unit. But God allowed our paths to cross because I was meant to meet you. God brought us together. I’m sure of that.”
Another truck blew past shaking the car. Chase put the Jeep in gear and put on his indicator. “I’ve got to get off this curb and get you home safe.”
Melanie let him drive while she pondered his words. She was jealous of Chase’s optimism. She closed her eyes and admitted some truths to herself. She was afraid to love him. She felt the minute she told Chase she loved him, she would lose him. Melanie knew what she had to do.
Without opening her eyes, she said, “Take me to the studio. I need to dance.”
22
“I shouldn’t have come at her like that. I should’ve listened and kept my opinions to myself. Why did I open my mouth?” Chase mumbled under his breath, though Melanie could not hear him.
Chase drove in misery to the studio. He stole several glances at Melanie but she had her eyes closed. He did not know what she was thinking. His heart ached.
He pulled into the empty lot. Melanie jumped out of the car and rushed to open the door. Chase’s shoulders lifted when he saw Melanie leave the door open. He walked to the same room he had watched her danced before.
She had kicked off her sneakers in the hall and her jeans were tossed on the floor. His eyes widened and his heart rate increased.
Chase poked his head through the door. His feet encountered her tee shirt. He heard the subtle tune of Elvis Presley’s Fool Rush In fill the room. Where was the music coming from? Chase entered the empty space and looked around. Where was Melanie?
Chase stood in the center of the floor as the music swirled around him.
Then Melanie sailed into the room. Chase’s breath caught. She was a vision in an ice blue leotard and swirling skirt. She flew toward him with the grace of a swan. He swallowed.
Melanie propped a leg around him. Then in a bold move, she pushed him away and got caught up in the dance. Chase watched her whirl around the room. He took out his phone and snapped several shots before pushing the phone into his pocket. He could not take his eyes off her. Melanie’s fluidity and grace mesmerized him.
When the words, “I can’t help falling in love with you,” played for a second time, Melanie lip-synched the words. How she knew when to say them would remain a mystery. With each word, she floated toward him.
Chase knew she told him her feelings the best way she could. Through dance. His chest swelled. “I love you, too,” he mouthed back.
Melanie held her arms open. Chase clasped her hands and moved with her. “I don’t know the steps,” he said.
She placed a finger on his lips. “Just move with your heart. Keep your eyes on me. Trust me.”
Chase nodded. With his eyes on hers, he coordinated his step with hers. With each step, his trust grew. She led him around the room and Chase followed her lead. They kept thei
r eyes pinned on each other and their hands joined. In all his life, Chase had never experienced such a romantic moment.
They danced together never losing contact until the song ended. Chase chest heaved as he strove to catch his breath. He released a breath of air, but Melanie opened her mouth, captured it, and pressed her lips to his.
She kissed Chase with so much passion, he felt off kilter. When she broke the kiss, Chase held her face with both his hands. “Thank you for the dance.”
“Thank you for trusting me,” she said. Then she squared her shoulders. “I love you. I want to be happy. See where this goes.”
Chase smiled. “I love you, too. Thanks for trusting me with your heart.”
“It’s yours, as long as you want it.” Melanie laughed. “And to think I said I would never date a cop. Not after Uncle.”
Chase’s eyes widened. “Uncle was a cop?”
She nodded.
Chase hugged her. Now he understood. If an officer of the law had beaten him to the point where he lost his hearing, he would stay away from them. Chase kissed the top of Melanie’s head. No one would ever hurt her again, he vowed. Not while he had breath in his body. He heard a loud gargling sound and pulled back.
“Let’s get out of here.” Chase pointed to Melanie’s stomach. “Your tummy’s rumbling.”
She patted her midriff. “Thanks for telling me. I’m not surprised. I’m starving. The bagel this morning was not enough. Let me get changed and lock up. Then we can figure out where we want to eat.”
“I know where we can go. Let me make a phone call.”
With trust in her eyes, Melanie nodded. She blew him an air kiss and scooped up her clothes to change.
Chase pulled out his phone. “Hey, Dad. Are you up to lunch guests? Put some fish in the fryer. I’m bringing Melanie to meet you. I want you to meet my future wife.”
***
“What if he doesn’t like me?” Melanie asked.
“My father is going to love you. You’re worried over nothing,” Chase said. Melanie had fretted the entire thirteen minutes it took him to drive from the studio to Ted’s house.
She leaned against his Jeep wringing her hands. Chase captured her hands and kissed them. They walked up to his childhood home. Chase opened the screen door. The front door was unlocked so they went inside.
“Dad? We’re here,” he called out.
He watched Melanie’s curious gaze as she scanned the room. She wandered over to the wall unit where most of his handiwork was displayed.
“These are beautiful,” she spoke and signed.
Chase’s chest puffed with pride. “I made them.” She turned back to admire the rest of the pieces.
His father walked in holding a large platter with three large red snappers. “I just finished cleaning and seasoning these. I’ll fry them outside.”
“Dad, she can’t hear you,” he said, pointing toward Melanie.
“Oh, yes. Sorry, I forgot. Bring her outside,” he said, going out to the lanai.
Chase went over to tap Melanie on the shoulder. “Come meet my dad.”
She took his hand and Chase led her outside. “Melanie, I’d like you to meet Lieutenant Theodore Lawson. My father.”
Melanie smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
Ted rested the platter on the small table. Then he walked toward Melanie with an extended hand.
Suddenly, Melanie’s body curled into Chase and she gripped his shirt.
“Uncle! Uncle!” she screamed, covering her ears.
Chase froze. Uncle? Goose bumps rose on his flesh.
Ted shook his head. He dropped his hand. Shock was written all over his face. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“Why did you bring me here?” Melanie lifted terrified eyes to look at Chase. Her body shivered and she looked ghost-pale. “Is this some sick joke?”
“What are you talking about?” Chase asked.
His father looked puzzled. He took a step toward Melanie.
She held up a hand. “Don’t touch me. Don’t come near me.” With that, she jerked out of Chase’s arms and sped through the house.
“I’ll call you,” Chase yelled to his father before racing after Melanie. She moved with the speed of a deer and could be halfway down the block already.
Chase tore through the screen door and stopped short. Melanie’s body was folded over the hood of his Jeep. Her shoulders shook from the intensity of her crying. Her wails whipped at his heart. He staggered over to where she was and leaned into her.
Melanie twisted her body and clung to him. Chase stroked her hair. Had she screamed at him, he would have felt better. But, the woman in his arms trembled from head to toe.
She soaked his shirt with her tears. “Uncle. Uncle,” she sobbed. “He beat me. He made them take my mama from me.”
Chase looked to see his father standing by the front door. Chase shook his head. Ted’s face fell but he went back inside. It took Chase another ten minutes before Melanie released him. He gently deposited her into his Jeep and drove her home.
For the entire drive, Melanie huddled into the corner as far away from him as possible. Chase dared not question her about Uncle. He prayed this was all a misunderstanding. As long as he lived, Chase would never forget Melanie’s scream or the stark fear on her face.
Could my father… ?
No. Chase shook his head. Ted was not that monster. There had to be some other explanation. He swerved into her driveway and went to the front of the house to ring the doorbell.
Gary answered the door.
“Come, quick. It’s Melanie,” Chase said. He sprinted back to his Jeep, afraid to leave Melanie alone too long.
Gary was right behind him. “What’s wrong? Did Janet upset her?”
“I wish it were that. She thinks my father is Uncle,” was all Chase could say.
Gary went to the passenger side and opened the door. Melanie rolled into her father’s arms. Chase saw Gary struggle to hold her. Chase went over and swung Melanie into his arms.
Gary crooked his head and Chase followed him into the house. “Rhoda’s at Tricia’s house,” he said. “Put her on the couch.”
Chase deposited Melanie on the floral sofa. He stroked her face but she shuttered her eyes and closed him out. His heart ached. Melanie did not want to look at him.
Gary came over and tapped his shoulder. “You should go. I’ll see to her. Rhoda will be home, soon.”
“But …”
“Go, son. I need to talk to my daughter. She needs her family right now.”
Gary’s words pierced his very soul. “She is my family,” he croaked. “I love her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
“Then pray for her.” Gary’s tone was firm but his eyes were filled with compassion.
Melanie started to cry again. The couch muffled her tears but seeing her so distraught broke Chase’s spirit.
Gary went over to his daughter.
“Is Chase gone?” she asked. “I don’t think I can bear to look at him. Uncle. Uncle. Uncle is his father.”
Gary waved him out. Chase sagged. His cell phone vibrated. Chase saw Ted’s face appear on the screen.
Rage blinded his good sense. He stomped outside the Benson’s home to answer the phone. “How much more are you going to take from me?” he snarled into the phone. “Because of you I lost my mother and brother. And now I lost the woman I loved.”
“Son, let me—”
“Is it true?” he interrupted. “Are you Uncle? That’s all I want to know.”
“I …”
“Is it true?” he yelled.
“I—I don’t know. Son, give me a chance—”
Chase squinted against the sun. How could he not know? “No! No more chances. I looked up to you. I thought you were a hero. But, you’re nothing but a monster. A monster. I told you about Melanie and how she lost her hearing and you said whoever hurt a child should be hanged. Well, get the noose, Dad. Get the noose!”
23
Rhoda entered Melanie’s suite holding a tray with tea, a muffin, and half a grapefruit. “Aren’t you going to work today?”
Melanie shook her head. She pulled herself up in a sitting position. Her hair was uncombed and her eyes were bloodshot. “Thanks, Mom.” Her stomach was filled from hurt but Melanie took a small bite of the muffin. “I’m not going back. I sent Nancy my two-weeks notice. Then I put in for my vacation days. I have at least three months so I’m not worried.”
“How could you quit like that?” Rhoda perched on the bed. “That wasn’t professional. You might not get a reference.”
Melanie shrugged. “I don’t care. Wasn’t that what you’ve been telling me to do for months?”
“I said to pursue your dreams, but I wasn’t advocating you up and quitting like this,” Rhoda said. “I didn’t think being a banker satisfied you. I’d be happy for you right now, if I didn’t think you were running.”
“I’m not running.” Melanie sipped the tea.
“Then you’re hiding.” Rhoda swooped her hands. “Except this is a much larger closet.”
Melanie pushed the tray aside. “I saw Uncle yesterday. I don’t feel safe anymore. A part of me hoped he was dead, or long gone. Imagine my surprise when I find out Uncle is none other than Chase’s dad. If I’m with Chase there’s no avoiding him.”
Melanie shook her head in wonder. She was having a hard time seeing the man Chase described as her monster. She rambled. “Chase said his father was a well-respected police officer who was a recovering alcoholic. It was because of Ted giving his life to God that Chase also gave his heart to the Lord.”
“Are you sure it was him?” Rhoda asked.
“Yes,” Melanie nodded. “It’s him. Ted is Uncle. I know it.”
“You were only five at the time. Is it possible you could think it’s him?”
Melanie glared. “Mom. I wish it weren’t him. But, it is.”
“That’s a heinous crime, I just want you to be sure,” Rhoda said.
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