Signed, Sealed, Delivered ... I'm Yours

by Naleighna Kai

  She pushed him away immediately. “Melanie?” Her expression shifted from hurt to anger. “You missed one of the biggest days in my life because of Melanie?”

  “Yes, but—”

  Natasha chuckled, and Gavin couldn’t quite figure out what was so amusing.

  “Of course it was Melanie,” she spat, putting distance between them by moving back to her seat. “Of freaking course. I’m so sick and tired of playing this game with you, Gavin.” She glared at him, her lips trembling in an effort to control her rage. “I understand that you and Melanie are longtime friends. I get that. But what she needs to understand is that you’re in a relationship now. She can’t keep calling you with all of her problems.”

  Gavin gave Natasha’s words some thought. “You’re right, baby, but she was having trouble with her car, and you know I couldn’t just leave her stranded like that. Would you really want to be with a dude who could be that heartless?”

  “No, but—”

  “And that’s all it was.” He walked around and swiveled her chair to face him. Kneeling in front of her, he said, “I’m sorry.”

  Her watery brown eyes fixed on him. “That doesn’t make this better, Gavin. When it comes to us,” she said, waggling her index finger back and forth between the two of them, “I’m here for you one hundred percent. I don’t think it’s fair that I’m not getting the same from you.”

  A knock on the door caused both of them to turn in that direction.

  “Come in.” Natasha wiped her face.

  “These just came for you,” Sarah announced carrying a colorful bouquet of flowers. She was talking to Natasha, but she never took her gaze from Gavin.

  “Thanks. Just put them on the table,” Natasha instructed.

  “Look, it won’t happen again,” Gavin continued as soon as they were alone.

  She didn’t respond as he pulled her up with him. He held until her shoulders relaxed. Gavin cupped her face with his hands and stared at her until her frown finally broke into smile.

  His eyes lowered to her cleavage, which was spilling out from an orange fitted dress. “You look so good.”

  “I’m glad you think so,” she said, using an index finger to lift his chin so his gaze locked with hers. “But please understand this. If you ever plan to unwrap this package again.” She motioned her hands up and down her curvy body. “Then you’d better remind yourself of who’s your friend and who’s your lover.”

  She moved her body closer to him before returning to her chair and letting her distance give him a sign of things to come.

  Chapter 6

  “Hello, are you listening to me?” Casey asked while holding up a sheer white blouse.

  “I’m listening.” Melanie pushed through the rack of clothes, looking for nothing in particular.

  Casey crossed her arms and awaited Melanie’s response. “Okay, then what’s your answer?”

  Melanie continued sliding one hanger after the other.

  “You said you were listening. What’s wrong with you anyway? You’ve been acting strange ever since Gavin and Mama Rosa left the bakery the other day. Did something happen?”

  “I’ve just been doing a lot of thinking lately,” Melanie replied, glancing up at Casey before walking over to the next display of clothes.

  “About?” Casey followed behind her.

  “My life. Aaron. Gavin. Just everything.” Melanie handed Casey a black and white chevron print dress.

  Casey frowned at first, then held the dress up. “This is kind of cute.” She tipped to the wall mirror and placed the dress in front of her. “Is that what has you so upset?” Casey looked at Melanie’s reflection through the mirror.

  “I wouldn’t say upset. Just in deep thought.” Melanie watched as her friend turned this way, then the other, admiring her reflection. All the while, the thoughts continued to filter in, and every one of them a sign of something she should have done a long time ago.

  “Casey I have to go. I’ll call you later,” Melanie said, slipping her purse over her shoulder.

  “Wait! Where are you going?” Casey hollered behind her.

  “I’ll fill you in later.” Melanie continued walking.

  “You left your umbrella!” Casey shouted.

  “Later!”

  Melanie almost made it to the entrance when another thought hit. She turned and hurried to the cookie stand. She ordered a white chocolate macadamia nut, then dashed to her car, trying to avoid the sprinkles of raindrops.

  She eased out of the parking spot and was on the interstate approaching the Baker exit within a matter of minutes. Melanie took a deep breath as moisture pooled in the palms of her hand. This was long overdue.

  Melanie pulled into Southern Memorial Cemetery and admired the freshly cut lawn. Choosing a place that was well kept had been a must on Melanie’s list. She removed the cookie from her purse, took a deep breath, then left the car. As she walked, she remembered the first time she’d been here. There’d been too many people to count and enough flowers to fill a hundred gardens. She’d had no idea Aaron was loved by so many people.

  She smiled as she arrived at his final resting spot, something she’d never been able to do before now. Normally, she cried the whole ride here, while she was here, and all the way back home.

  “Hey you,” Melanie kneeled down and momentarily forgot all about the raindrops that were now falling much harder than before. “I know it’s been a while. I see you’ve had a visitor, though.” She looked at the flowers lying on top of his plot. They had to be from his mom.

  “Aaron, I had to come and see you. I know you’ve been disappointed in me. You made me promise you that I would not stop living and that I would love again once you were gone, but I made that promise while still having faith that you would live.” She sighed, focusing on the letters etched in the stone. “I came to see you because I need you to know something that I’ve never been able to say out loud to anyone else. I wanted you to be the first to hear this and I need to know that you’re okay with what I’m about to share with you.” Melanie stared at Aaron’s picture on his headstone for a few seconds, as if she was waiting on him to tell her to continue.

  “Aaron.” She took a deep breath. “I’m in love with Gavin.” The words spilled out quickly before she could suck them back in. “I’m in love with him,” she said slower. “I tried everything to prevent this from happening. I didn’t want to love anyone else, but somehow … someway he was able to get to me.” She stroked a hand across the wet stone. “I don’t know if we’ll ever be together because he’s seeing someone else now, but I needed to tell you because I was always able to talk to you about any and everything.”

  Melanie swept her wet hair out of her face.

  “You’re the one person I could never hide my true feelings from, no matter how hard I tried.” She chuckled. “I really hope you’ll understand,” she said remembering how, in the movies, people always seemed to get a sign from their loved ones who’d passed on.

  Melanie stood to leave. “Oh, I almost forgot.” She pulled the cookie from her pocket. “I know how much you used to love white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Sorry, I didn’t have time to make one of my own,” she said. “I love you, Aaron. I will always cherish our time together, but I know it’s time for me to make some new memories now. And do exactly like you encouraged me to do.” Melanie kissed her palm and placed her hand gently on his headstone.

  As she walked back to her car, the rain drizzled to a halt. She turned around to get one last glance before leaving. Colors shifted into view. The most beautiful rainbow she’d ever seen shimmered in the sky.

  She smiled, looked up to the Heavens and mouthed, “Thank you.” She knew it was the sign she’d so desperately wanted and needed.

  The beautiful rainbow told her that Aaron was smiling down on her. That’s all she needed to know. Now she only had to give herself permission to be happy, too.

  * * *

  ONE WEEK LATER

  When ret
urned to the shop, she went headfirst into completing a large custom order. Two hours later, Melanie leaned against her desk, phone to her ear as she listened to Mama Rosa’s invitation—actually her demand—to sit down and talk.

  “Well, Mama Rosa, I—”

  “Melanie, I won’t take no for an answer. There’s a park right across the street from my church. You know where Living Faith is, don’t you?” she inquired.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good, I’ll meet you over there in an hour,” she replied. There was a triumphant lilt to her voice. “What I have to say won’t take long.”

  Melanie knew it was pointless to argue with Mama Rosa. “I’ll be there.”

  She walked through the kitchen to where Casey was busy mixing another batter for a tray of petite fours. “I’ll be back shortly,” she yelled over the grind of the electric mixer.

  “Okay. Have fun,” Casey responded just as loudly.

  “I’ll be back, Joy,” she told the college student they’d just hired. The dark skinned beauty was a godsend as business had picked up substantially after a write-up in The Advocate.

  Melanie’s mind raced head as she started her car. Is Mama Rosa okay? Is she sick and don’t know how to tell Gavin? Had something happened to Gavin?

  She cruised down Greenwell Springs Road. Every bad thought imaginable was now running through her head.

  Melanie approached the huge cathedral where Gavin and his mom worshiped every Sunday. After waiting for a few cars to pass, she was able to pull into the entrance of the park. The gravel rustled underneath her tires as she maneuvered into a parking spot between two other vehicles.

  She arrived fifteen minutes early, which gave her a chance to sit and enjoy the surroundings. She chose the white bench underneath the huge shady oak tree.

  In the distance, past the swings and slides, her eyes fell on what appeared to be a family of four feeding the ducks in the pond. The sight made Melanie smile, but once again her outside appearance didn’t match the empty feeling on the inside. She always wanted a family of her own, but that was a dream she’d given up after Aaron’s death.

  Her reverie was broken by the contagious sound of a child’s laughter. A lady, who Melanie assumed to be the mother, pushed a little girl back and forth in a swing. Beyond that, she spied Mama Rosa.

  She had always admired and respected Mama Rosa—the epitome of a Southern lady. Mama Rosa always said, “You’re only as old as you feel, and if you look good, you’ll feel good.”

  Melanie could tell that Mama Rosa felt really good. Mama Rosa, wearing a peach Capri outfit accented with gold jewelry and sandals, was slowly making her way down the paved walkway. No matter where she went, Mama Rosa always wore rouge colored blush and the lipstick to match. The colors were so beautiful against her cinnamon skin.

  She stood and smiled at the spunky, silver-haired lady with the spry step and smile that spoke of confidence. “Hello.” Melanie kissed her cheek before the woman settled in the spot next to her. The smell of White Diamonds filled the air.

  “I promised I wouldn’t take up much of your time,” Mama Rosa said in a gentle tone. “And I’m a woman of my word.”

  “It’s okay. Take as long as you need.”

  Mama Rosa gave Melanie’s hand a gentle pat. “Sweetie, I wanted to talk to you because I’m concerned about you.”

  Melanie’s gaze narrowed in on the woman she had loved ever since she was eleven years old. “Concerned? Why?”

  Soft, wrinkled hands clutched Melanie’s, and once again, she wondered if the older woman was ill. “When I see a young lady who’s headed down the same path that I took, I do everything in my power to prevent that from happening.”

  Melanie mulled that over for a moment, but couldn’t figure out how her experiences were similar to Mama Rosa’s.

  “I know how it feels to lose the love of your life.” She rubbed Melanie’s hands as if she knew that what she was about to say would be difficult for Melanie to hear.

  Melanie appreciated Mama Rosa’s concern and her approach. Unlike her own mother, who was constantly nagging her to get out and date, Mama Rosa was more sensitive about her feelings.

  “I know what you’re going to say and you’re right.” Melanie said before Mama Rosa could continue.

  “I am?” Mama Rosa asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

  “Everyone’s been telling me all along that I couldn’t keep holding on to Aaron. That I had to let him go, but no one understood this pain. It hurt too bad, and I felt it was better for me to be alone. I just needed time to heal and to come deal with things on my terms.” Melanie said, her gaze leaving Mama Rosa and focusing on two squirrels running up and down the tree across from them.

  Mama Rosa was silent for a long time. It was as if she was really allowing Melanie’s words to absorb in her mind.

  “I understand exactly what you’re saying,” she said finally, giving Melanie a gentle smile. “You sound like I did forty years ago. The only people I had to be concerned about were me and my child, and that’s the way I wanted it.” She laughed, but instead of joy, Melanie heard pain. “I said that so often that I even started to believe it. But once I was honest with myself, like you are now, I realized that was a lie that I created, thinking it would make me feel better. But it didn’t. It was a cop out, and that’s what you were doing too.”

  Melanie nodded, and before she could respond, a football rolled and stopped at their feet.

  “I’m sorry,” a young boy said as he ran over to retrieve it.

  “It’s okay.” Melanie smiled at him before turning her attention to Mama Rosa.

  “I saw something special between you and Gavin last week when we came to the bakery to pick up the cake I ordered.” She leaned in and winked. “The ladies at my social club loved it by the way. They have you to thank for a few extra pounds.”

  Melanie smiled, recalling how much love and effort went into the dessert that had been decorated with blue flowers and edible gold glitter.

  “I saw it all over you,” she continued. “Actually, I saw it over both of you.”

  Melanie smiled because she was finally ready to admit to someone, other than Aaron, that her feelings for Gavin are a lot deeper than she wanted to acknowledge before.

  “The way the two of you tried not to look at each other, but your eyes kept connecting. How he made it a point to touch your hand a lot longer than needed when you handed him the box,” she said, her voice low and tender. “I watched how your expression softened. You two confirmed what I’ve known all along—that you belong together.” Mama Rosa continued. “The feelings you have for him are not going to disappear and—-”

  “And I don’t want them to,” Melanie placed her hand over Mama Rosa’s. Normally she would never think of interrupting her elder while they’re speaking, but Mama Rosa wouldn’t give her a chance to share her news.

  “You don’t?” Mama Rosa’s eyes were almost as wide as her smile. “So, does this mean there’s a chance for you and my Gavin?” she asked.

  “I don’t know.” Melanie was suddenly hit with the realization, once again, that Gavin’s heart with someone else now. “It may be too late for us.” She looked at Mama Rosa, praying that she could share something … anything that would make her feel better.

  Mama Rosa placed her arm around Melanie’s shoulders. “Real love always wins in the end. Now, you do what you want with that information, but just know if it were me and I had it to do all over again, I wouldn’t waste another second, even if I had to fight for it.” She raised her eyebrow and slightly tilted her head.

  “Gavin thinks he’s in love with Natasha, but he isn’t. A mother knows. Trust me, what he’s feeling isn’t love; it’s mostly rebound and part lust.” She lifted her chin and gazed directly into Melanie’s eyes as she said, “What I saw between the two of you is love. Even a blind man can see the love the two of you share for each other.”

  Melanie closed her eyes and allowed Mama Rosa’s words to s
ink into her spirit. Was it possible that there was still a chance for them? Should she put herself out there and risk being rejected?

  “I just don’t want you to miss out on love again. You’re blessed to have a second chance. Don’t blow it like I did.” Mama Rosa said as if she were reading her thoughts.

  Melanie looked into the older woman’s eyes and witnessed a sadness so profound that it nearly caused her to forget her own disappointment. “You fell in love again after Gavin’s dad left?”

  “I did,” she replied. “There was a gentleman who tried to win me over, but I would never break. I held true to my lie for a long time. But after having a long talk with a very good friend, she made me realize the only person I was hurting was myself.”

  “So what happened?” Melanie asked, curling one leg underneath her on the bench, and shifting her body so that she was facing Mama Rosa.

  “The next time he asked me out, I accepted,” Mama Rosa smiled, and just that movement was enough to put a light in the woman’s light brown eyes. “And do you know what?”

  “What?”

  “That man was determined to make me fall in love with him … and he did.” She blushed. “Gavin didn’t even know about him because our time together was so brief. I can honestly tell you those were the best two weeks of my life. He showed me what it felt like to be loved. I fell for him hard and fast,” she said, chuckling.

  “Where is he now?”

  “He passed away,” she answered, and her expression became solemn again. “And I still beat myself up to this day. I’d been praying for happiness for years and never realized he was there all along. I allowed fear to blind me.” Her look became very distant before she turned back to Melanie. “I’m trying to help you, baby. I don’t want you sitting here forty years from now, telling another young lady this same story. I want your story to be different. I want you to be able to tell how you overcame fear and how in the end, love won.”

  Melanie knew Mama Rosa’s story was the confirmation she needed. No longer would she deny herself the love she deserved. Although she wanted to build a life with Aaron, she knew her main focus at this moment was rebuilding herself and knowing that love will come and when it does she’ll be ready.