Monday December 10
“Hi Lisa.”
“Hello Ms. Price. How are you today?”
“I am great actually.” This is the first time in years Melanie has really meant that. It wasn’t just the mindless response to someone’s question. She really was doing great. Her life was finally coming together. Her interior design business was getting great buzz within the local community and she was planning to marry the sexiest, most considerate man. What more could a girl want?
“I know you are over the moon about your wedding. I can’t believe it will be in here in two weeks.”
“Time has gone by so fast, but everything is coming along nicely and not having drama helps too.” The thought of marrying Tyler actually made her begin to glow from the inside out. Melanie had her fair share of devastating blows in love and work alike. It was time for her to really enjoy her life and take the good that life has to offer.
“Your party is waiting for you.” As Melanie followed Lisa to their seats she discreetly scanned the room noticing the glances of a few admirers.
A girlish giggled sprang forth as she approached her cousin Lauren with her best friend Stacey. Everyone exchanged hugs and began to catch up on the events from everyone’s hectic day at work.
Before Melanie could take a bite of the piping hot bread the waiter sat before them her efficient always prepared side-kick Stacey presented her with a to-do list. Melanie sighed loudly looking at the detailed list set before her.
Stacey was an up and coming corporate lawyer. She worked for Covington, Wallingford & Blake, a law firm that specializes in taking over companies and feeding them to corporate raiders for lunch. Stacey was their newest and brightest star. She was good at her job and everyone knew it.
“Don’t sigh at me. Have you completed one task on this list? Your wedding is in two weeks and you are acting like you have a lifetime in front of you.” Stacey raised her eyebrows to Melanie knowing she was asking a rhetorical question.
“Actually I have completed half of it. I am way ahead of the game. I only have one job that I am putting the finishing touches on. So I am virtually free for the next two weeks.…so there.”
“I am shocked, well as your wedding planner slash best friend; I have to say that I am proud of you.” Stacey offered as she bit into her salad.
“Why thank you...and Lauren I can’t thank you enough for sending Tom and Joan my way. They have agreed to let me photograph their condo to use in my portfolio. It is coming along better than I expected. I think they are going to be really pleased with the end results.”
“Not a problem…happy to do it. I will send you whatever leads I get…you know family sticks together….so the dresses are back and we are just getting fitted today?” Lauren asked looking at her watch.
“Yeah, it won’t take long. We should be in and out in an hour. Why? Where are you in a hurry off to?”
“Just asking… I have a new client that I am meeting with tonight and it is across town.” Lauren was more like a sister to Melanie than a cousin. Lauren is at the very beginning of starting her real estate career. The client was returning back to town and was referred to her by Tom and Joan her exceptionally pleased clients.
As the friends finished up there lunch exiting the restaurant standing at the valet stand waiting for their cars Melanie turned as she felt someone tap her on her shoulder. As Melanie was facing Stacey; she could see her hazel eyes widen as a slender O shaped formed on her mouth. Her eyes quickly turned to straight slits as a smirk rose on the side of her mouth.
Melanie turned to see Seth standing inches from her.
Melanie instantly felt a queasy tightening in her stomach. Her heart began to pump wildly in her chest almost as if it were freeing itself from the cage she placed it in. Every hair on her body stood in recognition of him. It is true what they say that your body holds every memory in it even if your mind forgets. Her body remembered his touch, his scent, the feel of him inside of her. Melanie’s body instinctively reacted to the numerous all night love making sessions. The lazy Sunday’s full of lying in bed and watching Bruce Lee movies all day. No her body had not forgotten even if her mind had.
Jake reached down to hug her while she willed herself to keep her arms at their side.
“Hi Mel, it is so good to see you…what a surprise running into here…like this.”
“Yeah right…what a coincidence.” Lauren snickered as she turned her face towards Stacey. Stacey looked at Lauren in agreement. They both hated the sight of Jake. They were there through the crying nights and bed ridden days. They both watched as Melanie put her life back together after Seth walked away after ripping it apart. Lauren felt justified in feeling this way. Melanie was getting married in two weeks…damn if this was not a good time for this coincidental run in. Lauren didn’t believe in Santa Claus, the tooth fairy or coincidences. Lauren folded her arms across her chest purposefully rolling her eyes so that Seth could see it.
“It is good to see you too. I didn’t know that you were back in town….you look great.”
“You look beautiful Mel.” He said the words solemnly entranced with her smile. Seth realized his thoughts trailed off. Melanie was captivating. He willed himself to finish his sentence.
“I am back permanently. I am starting my medical practice here in town.”
The valet pulled up with Stacey’s car opening the door for Lauren to enter. Stacey walked around to the driver’s side.
“We will see you at the BRIDAL salon for our BRIDE’S MAID DRESS fittings for your WEDDING in two weeks.” Stacey purposefully emphasized those words for Seth’s benefit.
“You are getting married?” Melanie had the distinct feeling that it wasn’t a total surprise to Seth that she was getting married. Melanie still ran into his mother on occasion and both their mother’s belonged to the same country club so her personal information was bound to filter back to him.
“Yes, I am in two weeks.” Melanie reached out her hand showing him the 3 carat princess cut engagement ring that sparkled effortlessly with the slightest move of her hand.
Seth reached out and took her hand in his. Melanie attempted to pull it back feeling what she felt was a small shock shoot between them…pure energy. His hand was hot around hers. He interlaced his fingers between hers. Wishing he could turn back time. Realizing how young, immature, selfish and stupid he had been. How could he tell her that he thought of her often and never called once? Could words explain how he closed his eyes and thought of her while having making love with someone else?
“Do you love him?”
“What kind of question is that? I wouldn’t be marrying him if I didn’t. And, who do you think you are seeing me one time after four years and questioning my relationship…my loyalty.”
“I didn’t mean for it to come off like that. I apologize…I just thought maybe…I don’t know…I guess I am not as over things as you are.”
“Really…you could have fooled me.”
Melanie forcefully pulled her hand out of his hold. The valet pulled up with her car opening the door for her to enter.
“I have to go. Take care of yourself.” Melanie walked away never looking back.
“You never answered my question.” Seth held his breath hoping….
Melanie stopped and stood in between her adjacent door. “Goodbye, Seth.”
As the valet closed her door she looked at her trembling hands concentrating at the wheel as she drove to The Enchanted Garden Bridal Salon.
Seth stood there watching her speed off. He always told her she drove too fast. The valet stood looking at him like the idiot Seth knew he was. Seth replayed the conversation in his head kicking himself for being a first class ass. He should have known Mel would re-act that way giving the last time that they saw each other. It was a sore spot for the both of them how Seth left things. Mel had every right to be angry with him. He should be thankful that she didn’t slap him on sight.
Seth could see that the sky mimicking how he felt inwardly. It was a drab cloud filled grey which was a sure sign of impending snow.
Seth made his way to the bar taking the barstool against the mahogany wall. He placed his order for a double of Johnny Walker Black straight up. The reality of Melanie’s engagement slowly started to find its way into his acceptance. The knowledge that she would be someone else’s wife in the next two weeks was almost un-believable. His mother called him after she ran into Camille Price at the country club. She told him that Melanie was engaged and proceeded to try and have a heart to heart with him. Even then it didn’t seem real to him. For some unknown reason he always thought that it would be called off. Seth knew that he could no longer pretend like the knowledge of her upcoming wedding wasn’t slowly killing him. He knew that she would eventually move on, but he was not ready for the toll that it would take on him. The thought of never having her again was like a death sentence. That is how he felt, like a dead man walking. You know the date of your execution. You know that your life is going to end and the torture is in the waiting. The thought of Melanie Price belonging to someone else squeezed him until he felt like he was suffocating.
“Come on…what did you expect?” Seth asked himself trying to bring himself back to a place where he could think…think rationally about Melanie and the part he played that landed him right here at this moment.
The couple sitting two barstools down from him turned as he mumbled to himself.
Seth started to quietly laugh to himself as he thought 'What is that saying...it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.No, it's actually worst. It is far worse-having the love of your life; losing it....no make that walking a way from it-only to have them marry someone else. No I would say that was much worse.' Seth mumbled to himself as he held up his glass showing the bartendar that it was empty and to get his ass over here to refill it...quickly.
“Did you honestly think you were just going to walk back into her life? Hey Mel, I know that I dumped you. I felt like a worthless jerk that had no direction and nothing to offer you so I will just pick up and go to medical school on the opposite side of the country as far from you as possible and…so I get to you when I get to you.” Seth asked himself already knowing the answer. No one could beat Seth up better than himself. The excuses of being young, immature and self-absorbed don’t carry much weight anymore.
How could he show Mel that he was a changed man? That the time away from home, his family and her did allow him to grow up and mature. Would she understand that the idea of loving someone as much as her absolutely terrified him? Can Melanie understand that he felt lost inside of her? How can a 23 year old say I feel like I am losing myself in you?
As Seth drank down the JWB while simultaneously ordering another he resigned to the fact that he had to explain himself. Seth thought that ‘If I could just explain how truly sorry I am. How I regret ever hurting her. If Mel knew that I suffered away from her-that I just didn’t pick up and move on. In that time I realized that family and true friends are the only things that matter. That true love is not bountiful. It is a rare treasured gift that is to be valued and protected at all cost. He now knows that your soul-mate comes along only once and that you may never get another chance to find real happiness when you have had it with your soul-mate and now it’s gone.’
Seth knew that he had to try at least to explain himself. He felt like his life depended on it.
___________________________________________________________________________
“I can’t believe that mother-fu.”
“Lower your voice.” Stacey and Lauren were waiting for their attendant to return with their dresses.
“I can’t believe he just accidentally shows up to where we are having lunch. That SOB better be glad we were in a public place.”
“What is taking Melanie so long…she should be right behind us.” Stacey looked at her watch knowing she had a conference call in an hour about a pending merger she was overseeing.
“One word…Seth. She just doesn’t need this right now…not now…not just before her wedding.”
“Mel is a lot stronger now. I know that she loves Tyler…I think this will be just a blip on her radar.” Stacey smiled hoping that was the truth.
Melanie sat in the car watching the light fluffy snowflakes fall from the sky and melt in front of her eyes on her car’s windshield. She tilted her head back as Luther’s velvet voice singing about finding and losing love at Christmas time on her car radio.
Amazing how your life can change in one minute. You look at your life from a series of events of before and after. My life before I met Seth after he was gone. Before I started that new job or after I finished college. Before Tyler and I were engaged now it’s a standard of after I saw Seth at the Chestnut Grill.
The ringing of her cell snapped her out of her self imposed daydream.
“Hi Babe.”
“Hey Sweetie…How are you making out at the fitting. I was hoping we could meet up later tonight. I want to see my favorite girl.”
Melanie loved Tyler’s voice. It was deep and soulful. She always blushed when he call her his favorite girl.
“That sounds great. I will call you when we are finishing up. I am about to walk in to the salon now.”
“Cool….I will talk to you soon. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
The call from Tyler is just what she needed to bring her back to what was real and good in her life. This is a new chapter that she was beginning. No more hurt of the past…no more crying all night and trying to rebuild her life. Melanie knew she had a good man with a bright future ahead of her and that is what she was going to choose to focus on.
Melanie opened the door seeing Lauren in the back of the salon with her maid-of-honor gown on. As she approached Stacey came out of her dressing room adjusting her side zipper.
“Woooow! You two look great…just beautiful.” Melanie was proud of her choice of dress. She chose a copper colored taffeta gown with chocolate brown sashes which was her favorite color. The color complemented both their skin tones.
Melanie stood behind Lauren taking the back of her hair and twisting it up.
“You would look great with a sloppy bun in the back…maybe?” Lauren looked back at Mel through the mirror. Lauren stared in her eyes offering a sympathetic smile, knowing that seeing Seth had to have been hard for her. You just don’t see someone you were with for 7 years and it doesn’t through you off your rocker. Looking at Mel she was transported back to 11th grade for their junior prom-Seth and Mel’s first date. Seth had finally got up the nerve to ask Mel out and the two of them went on a double date so that they could be together. Mel and Seth stayed together through the rest of high school. They were voted homecoming King and Queen. They stayed together throughout college and got an apartment right after graduation. Soon after Seth applied to medical school out of state and said he needed space and to move on….out of the freaking blue.
“Honey…are you ok?” Lauren turned to face her.
“Lauren let it go…she will talk when she’s ready.”
“No…it’s fine.” Melanie diverted her eyes to the floor which is her tell tale sign that she is lying. How pathetic did everyone think she still was for Seth?
“He was the last person I was expecting to see today. To be honest I didn’t know if I would ever talk to him let alone see him again. So just the sheer fact of being unexpectedly face to face with him while in the throws of planning my wedding was not on my itinerary for today.”
The attendant sized up Stacey and Lauren giving their gowns small adjustments to that perfect fit. Stacey slid into her jacket adjusting her hair.
“I have to get back for a very important conference call. I will call you as soon as I am done.” Stacey lifted her hand to Melanie’s cheek.
“Sweetie, everything is going to be fine. Let me know how Tyler takes it.”
Stacey rushed out the door waving goodbye to Lauren. Melanie flopped herself down into the plush Victorian style sofa with her head in her hands.
“You do plan on telling Tyler don’t you?” Lauren bent down leaning over so that she was directly in front of Melanie; looking directly into her eyes. “Don’t you….you are going to tell him that you ran into Seth at lunch today…you know Seth…your first love…Seth- your first everything. The man that took just up and left leaving you devastated.”
Melanie lifted her head up annoyed at Lauren for bringing up the past that she had so painfully lived.
“I know what Seth! No, I haven’t forgotten anything. But the past is the past. It is done and over with. I have moved on and am engaged to marry a wonderful man in two weeks. Nothing or no one is going to stand in the way of that. I don’t see a need to get Tyler worried or even concerned about nothing. It was a 30 second conversation that went no where. It’s not worth mentioning”
“Ok… so you are going to keep this a secret???” Lauren placed her hands on her hip not believing what was coming out of Melanie’s mouth.
“I am not keeping this a secret. What is the point in mentioning an accidental run-in with someone from my past? It is not like I am going to see Seth again or have any contact with him at all. So what’s the point? You are making a bigger deal out of this than I am.”
“Because I know you, and I think that you are making a major mistake in not saying anything. You don’t want this to come back and bite you in the ass. But if this is how you want to handle it, I will accept that and keep it moving.”
Melanie stood to her feet. She reached out and kissed Lauren on her cheek while giving her a hug goodbye.
“Thank you. I appreciate you caring about me. But I know what I am doing.” Melanie turned to wave good-bye as she closed the door to the salon.
“I hope you are right.”
______________________________________________________________________
Lauren pulled up to the house that she was showing to a new client that was recommended to her by a couple that just bought a condo in a new high-rise on the north shore. Lauren arrived 30 minutes early to give the house a once over before the potential customer arrived. Lauren hoped that the client was serious about buying this home; if she could get the asking price it would prove to be a considerable commission bonus in this for her. The real estate market was dead on its feet and she needed this sell really bad.
Lauren buttoned her jacket as the doorbell rang. She opened the door to the last person she was expecting to see- Seth Gallagher.
“Oh hell!”
Lauren brought her hand up to her forehead her mouth agape.
“You are friends with Tom and Joan?” Lauren stood in the doorway not moving aside to let Seth in.
“Actually my parents are....aren’t you going to let me in?” Seth smiling at Lauren taking delight in her surprise.
“You knew I was the agent on this house.” Extending her arm so that he could walk by.
“Yes, I knew.”
“And you didn’t mention it when you saw me earlier?”
“We weren’t exactly set up to have small talk.”
“Listen Seth I don’t know what kind of game you are playing, but I don’t have the time or the interest.” Lauren turned to walk out the door.
“Lauren calm down…just give me a second to explain.” Seth reached out and held onto Lauren’s arm as she opened the door.
“This is my livelihood. Don’t mess with my money.”
“I really am in the market to buy a house. You really were recommended to me by Tom and Joan. I knew that you were the agent and thought I would throw a possible sale your way. I told them not to mention my name because I knew you would not talk to me.”
“You got that right.”
“Are you going to show me the house or not?”
Lauren proceeded to walk away from Seth. “This is the living room. Right there is the dining room and back there is the kitchen. Ok...I have shown you the house.”
Seth started laughing. “Lauren am I that bad?”
“Do you know the position this puts me in…hell do you know the position you put Melanie in by coming back here…now?” Lauren turned on her feel to face Seth directly.
“The same old selfish Seth; thinking of no one but himself.”
“I deserve that. That may be true of me a few years ago but not today.”
“Yeah, we’ll see.”
“Yes, you will see; and by the way I am taking the house.”
“You are just going to buy the house without seeing the rest of it?”
“I like it…it has character.”
“What am I suppose to tell Mel?”
“You can tell her the truth. I bought a house from you today. I am moving back here. My medical practice will be a five minute drive or a twenty minute jog away from here. It is close to the restaurant and museum district and not far from my parents. I couldn’t ask for anything better.” Seth smiled knowing that Lauren was not in a position to turn him down. This was an offer that would be difficult for Lauren to refuse.
“Why here…why now Seth?”
“It was time for me to come home. I belong here. Everything and everyone I love is here.”
“Does that include Mel?”
“Everyone makes mistakes Lauren. Haven’t you ever done something that you have regretted? Have you ever looked back over your life and called yourself a fool? How long am I suppose to live in this web of what-ifs? How much longer do I have to torture myself for being young and immature? I am not a monster Lauren. You have known me since we were 16. You know that….you know me.”
“You didn’t answer my question Seth. Does that include Mel? We all thought we knew you until you up and left. You feel guilty about that…well that’s all well and good. But this is here and now. Things have changed…times have changed. You know that Mel is my family and I love her. I don’t want to see her hurt. Granted you were young and you made a mistake leaving her like you did, but that does not mean that you can just stroll back here trying to put together what you broker apart. It took years for Mel to pick herself up and move on and find happiness with someone else. I am not going to let you or your guilt gets in the way of her starting her new life. As long as we are clear on that fact- you and I are fine.”
“I didn’t leave because I didn’t love her. I left because I did love her. I never stopped loving Mel.”
“I am going to say this one time. Stay away from her.”
“Lauren – that is not your call to make. Melanie can tell me that.” Seth turned to walk out the door. He turned back to look at Lauren knowing he told her what she didn’t want to hear.
“Call me at my parents when all of the papers have been drawn up for me to sign.” Seth turned as he closed the door behind him.
Melanie drove down Memorial Boulevard admiring the beauty of Providence on this late December afternoon. The sun was setting over the city casting a faint glow through thin grey clouds. She loved growing up in Providence Rhode Island which led to her not going to New York to study design but staying home to attend The Rhode Island School of Design where she obtained her degree in Interior Architecture. Truthfully, the main reason that she went to RISD was that she and Seth both agreed to stay local. They never wanted to be far from each other. Going to different schools in the same city left them the ability to concentrate on their studies with a sense of independence while always being within reach. Seth went to the University of Rhode Island where he majored in Biology.
Immediately after college Melanie obtained a job as an assistant to internationally known furniture designer that resided locally in Providence. She was able to learn the ins and outs of the industry as well as support herself financially. This fueled her desire for her own interior design firm which she was eventually able to start. Design Within Reach is Melanie’s baby. The business is going much better than she had anticipated. Lauren was great about passing along her business cards to clients that she worked with in Real Estate. Melanie focused on making interior design available to everyone. She wanted to get rid of the notion that it was only for the wealthy or a privileged few. Melanie clicked her wireless earpiece.
“This is Melanie.”
“Hi Sweetheart, how are you?”
Melanie hesitated…should she tell him the truth? Should she tell Tyler she feels like she walked through an episode of the Twilight Zone? Melanie could hear Lauren’s warning of not telling Tyler right away would be a secret that could easily come back to bite her right square in the ass or should she just put today away as a happenstance to be forgotten.
“I am good. Just finishing up some errands for our big day.” Carefully uttering her words not to give any hint of the strain from this afternoon.
“Mrs. Melanie Roberts…I like the sound of that…my wife. It has a nice ring to it.” Melanie knew that Tyler was all smiles on the other end of the phone. A twinge of guilt pierced her heart at the thought of not telling Tyler.
“I like the sound of it too….The next two weeks can’t come fast enough.”
“Is someone getting a little nervous?”
“No just anxious for it to happen…hey how about we elope?” Melanie liked the idea the more she thought about it.
“Let’s just run away…tonight. We could hop a flight to Vegas…have a wedding and honeymoon all in one.” She has never been to Vegas and always wanted to go.
“What??? Are you serious?” Tyler removed the phone from his face to actually look at it. He had a hard time Melanie really wanted to scrap all the plans that they made to just run off and elope at some cheesy chapel with Elvis and a bunch of strangers.
“Yes, I am dead serious. Tonight…married…me and you.”
“What has gotten into you?” Tyler was beginning to think Melanie was serious, if he agreed to it she would happily jump on a red-eye to Vegas to say I do.
“Oh nothing, I just thought that it would be fun…something spontaneous…irresponsible even.” Now that Melanie thought about it…has she ever done anything spontaneous? She had a hard time trying to think of one single time.
“There is no way I am not going to stand at the altar and watch you walk through those church doors on the arm of you father with our family and friends all there to share this day with us. Mel you are just stressed out. I know what you need…something to take your mind off of things. We will kick back and relax tonight over some drinks. How about Capital Grille?”
Melanie sighed thinking that was the end of her bright idea. All of their problems solved…well her problem named Seth Gallagher.
There was no way she was going back to Capital Grille after running into Seth there this afternoon. The last thing she wanted to do was take the chance that he still may be there or anywhere in the surrounding vicinity. It is true what they say that the guilty always return to the scene of the crime.
Melanie closed her eyes at the thought of Tyler and Seth being in the same place at the same time. Tyler was all too familiar with her relationship with Seth. Despite being a small city Providence had the feel of a small town. If you didn’t know most people by name; you knew someone that they were related to or at the least recognized their face.
“How about McFadden’s? I could go some hot wings and a cold beer.” Melanie knew Tyler could not resist McFadden’s buffalo wings.
“Sounds good to me. I am running a little late. I am finishing up editing a story I am working on. I will there as soon as I can.”
“I can’t wait. I will see you there.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” Melanie pressed the button on her ear piece ending the call frustrated for not mentioning what happened today. Was she really being honest with herself about not admitting the truth to Tyler? Was it because she really thought of it as something so miniscule it was not worth mentioning or was it something more?
“I am going to tell Tyler about Seth today.” Melanie told herself as she turned on Fountain Drive heading towards McFadden’s.
Seth wasn’t expecting the warmest welcome from Lauren, but her warning to stay away from Melanie hit him harder than he thought. He was sure that the rest of her family felt the same way. Even his own mother was happy for Melanie. Helene Gallagher undoubtedly carried some of the guilt for Seth’s unpredictable and irresponsible actions. His mother and Camille Price were friends the entire time they were dating. Their break-up but some strain on their friendship, but they have managed to stay cordial to each other; with no thanks to Seth.
Seth walked into McFadden’s with every intent to finish what he started this afternoon with his good friend Johnny Walker Black. The comfort of the burn as it slid down his throat eased the pain of knowing that he took for granted the love of his life. His mistake of being careless with life and love made the good fortune for the man that would soon be her husband. Seth thought of Lauren’s question ‘why here…why now?’ No one would believe him if he told them that is intent is not to hurt Melanie. He would easily offer his own life rather than to hurt her any more than he already has. Seth knew this statement was contradictory because his mere presence here back home was already a source of tension and discomfort for Melanie and her family…especially now right before her wedding.
Seth just wants for her to understand why he left those years ago. He needs her to forgive him. They both need closure. He could feel the energy pass between them earlier this afternoon. He could see the hurt and confusion in her eyes as he held her hand. Melanie was no more over him than he was over her.
Seth reasoned to himself the fact that she was engaged to be married to someone else was just repercussions that he would have to deal with…accept no….deal with…yes.
Anyone can move on if the person is completely out of their lives. The true test is seeing that person and still being able to move on. This was a cold hard fact that Seth knew too well. The distance that he placed between himself and Melanie didn’t make him feel whole. The theory that he was losing his identity in Melanie was a lie. He rationalized his moving away with the arguments of ‘we have been together since we were 16. I don’t know who I am as a man. I don’t know what I want or who I want to be.’ What an idiot. All he learned was that the life that he lived without Mel was cold and bland…without meaning.
“Charlie love sucks.” Seth slurred as he tapped his glass on the bar indicating to the bartender Charlie that he needed a refill.
“Seth…how about I get you a nice black cup of java?” Charlie was a tall beefy guy with a bald head and two arms with more blue ink than skin. He had a very intimidating look, but was one of the nicest guys around.
“I need a refill of what I have been drinking is what I need.”
“This is your last one. After this I am going to have to flag you. You have had enough for today.”
“See that’s where you are wrong. I am just getting started.” Please Come Home for Christmas was playing in the background. The bluesy version; everyone knew that Charlie loved the blues. Surprisingly the Blues never depressed Seth the Blues actually made him feel good. This reminded him of Mel’s favorite Christmas song Merry Christmas Baby. Maybe he could convince Charlie to play it for him for old time’s sake.
“Getting drunk is not going to bring Mel back.” Charlie has seen this scene more times than he can count. Charlie knows both Mel and Seth from their days of coming here their senior year of college and meeting friends here on Friday night for happy hour.
“Does everybody in this town freakin know???”
“This is Providence Seth…there is no such thing as personal business in these parts. Plus Mel and Tyler come in pretty frequently. I know you don’t want to here this but he’s a good guy. She seems happy. Mel deserves that.” Charlie whipped the towel from over his shoulder and proceeded to wipe down his mahogany bar. The tattoo of a voluptuous woman prominently displayed on both his forearms. “Speak of the devil.”
“Tyler? What kind of idiot is named Tyler?” Seth tilted his head back finishing the shot in one gulp. He remembered how he taught Melanie how to drink shots. He told her she had to learn out to take it to the neck; lean her head all the way back take a deep breath and swallow…voila. The perfect shot. Seth smiled knowing that Mel could drink him under the table. She was petite but powerful. He teased her about having a wooden leg to store all the alcohol she consumed in. Melanie could out drink a line-backer.
Seth turned around to see Mel walk through the door. Melanie tilted her head to the side as she started laughing. This can not be happening… she thought to herself.
“This can not be freaking happening!” Looking directly at Seth obviously inebriated at the bar.
“You have got to be kidding me right?” Melanie looked at Charlie in amazement.
“Mel if you don’t call him a cab; I am going to have to take his keys. He has been here all afternoon. He is in no condition to drive.” Charlie threw his dish towel over his shoulder.
“How long has he been here?”
“Since a little after four. He is depressing my customers. He’s costing me business.”
Charlie winked at Mel knowing he was giving Seth a well deserved hard time. What do you expect from a small town Melanie thought to herself as she took her seat at the bar. Who in this town didn’t know the two of them and both their families?
“I’ll take care of him…I mean...it. I will take care of it.” Melanie turned to Seth seeing the guilt in his eyes and pain on his face. She convinced herself that she was not going to feel sorry for him; though it was getting increasingly hard.
“What are you doing Seth?” Melanie took off her scarf and let her coat fall across the back of the barstool. She took the glass out of his hand setting on the bar at arms length out of his reach. She and Seth have both gotten drunk before, but she has never seen Seth this drunk or sullen.
“Just having a drink with friends…oh that’s right I don’t have any friends.”
“So what am I suppose to do? Pat you on the back and tell you everything will be ok Seth. I will be your friend. All is forgiven and right with the world. Is that what you want?”
“I can’t have what I want.” He looked at Melanie directly in her eyes slowly lowering them gazing at her breast moving them down over her stomach and stopping at her jeans. Melanie closed her leather blazer and crossed her legs not enjoying the memories of what Seth’s gaze brought up.
“Stop brooding. You are being pathetic coming back here now. What did you think I was going to do Seth? Take one look at you and call the whole thing off. Am I supposed to just forget the past four years? How you just walked out on me? No compromise-not trying to make it work-nothing? What the hell did you think was going to happen when you came back here?”
“I know sorry is not enough. I didn’t know how to explain that it wasn’t you but me. I didn’t know who I was or what I wanted. I was young and immature. We set ourselves into a routine so young. I felt lost in you. Mel you always knew what you were going to do and be. Me…I was just floating along. I didn’t know how to say that I needed to grow up and be on my own. I didn’t want to hurt you and in the end that is exactly what I did. Not just you but my parents and your family. The more time passed the harder it got to come to terms with what I did and how I handled it. I just need you to forgive me…please…forgive me.”
“I forgave you a long time ago. I wouldn’t have been able to move on to let love in my life if I was still holding on to anger and resentment.” Melanie knew that Seth had to realize and come to terms with the fact that she was with someone else. That in two weeks she would be Tyler’s wife.
“I need to know that you don’t hate me.”
Melanie could feel the sincerity in Seth plea. She could feel the well of hot tears forming. She reached up to catch them before they fell. Melanie’s emotions were a confusing mass of hurt, anger and disappointment. Breaking through those feelings was a sense of relief. Relief in the knowledge that it was not something she did or that Seth didn’t love her anymore. She could finally put to rest the endless speculation of there being someone else or wanting to play the field. Though all was not forgotten; the burden of not knowing had finally been lifted.
Seth’s face suddenly turned an ashen white from being a blushed rosy color a few seconds ago. Seth could feel the room spinning as a wave of heat mixed with nausea ran through him.
“I think I am going to be sick.” Seth leaned over holding his stomach.
Melanie jumped off her chair. She slung Seth arm over her shoulders supporting him with her opposite arm around his waist. She helped him out the door directly to the side alley next to the dumpster. As soon as they reached the side of the dumpster she removed herself from under Seth’s arm. It was weird being so close to him after all this time it felt familiar at the same time as feeling new to her. He smelled of soap and sandalwood. She stood to the side as Seth bent over. She screamed as she jumped back as Seth vomited next to the back end of the dumpster. Seth reached out his hand against the brick wall lowering himself closer to the ground. Seth felt a slight pressure, was that her hand on his back?
He felt like a complete idiot. ‘Good going moron not eating before you down a half of bottle of whiskey.’ Seth chided himself not only did he get sick from drinking too much but he did it in front of Mel.
He didn’t even hear her walk away. He slowly leaned up as Melanie returned with a bucket of steaming hot water and a cold white towel.
“Compliments of Charlie.” She said as she smiled at him. Melanie leaned the bucket down in an attempt to wash away the vomit. Seth took the bucket from her.
“I can clean up my own mess. It seems as though I am doing that a lot lately.” He sheepishly smiled at her knowing he was speaking of what happened between them years ago. “I don’t want you near this.”
Melanie stepped back as she let Seth wash the remains away. She handed him the towel. It felt like heaven to him. He covered his face with the towel. The fresh cold air brought him back to reality…even if it was one he had not come to accept.
He could see past her to the street as a fluffy blanket of snow covered the street. Really looking at Mel he could see she hasn’t changed all that much in four years. Her eyes were still warm; her smile still contagiously beautiful. Those lips…he called them his gateway to heaven. He always joked with Mel he would tell Ms. Price the things her daughter could do with those lips. The places she could take him. She was wearing her favorite color Cabernet it was a deep, dark red that gave her a sultry look. He knew she probably chose that color for Tyler. Melanie didn’t look older, but he could feel a sense of maturity…maybe strength that he never noticed before. It felt good just being around her.
“Put the towel on your neck. It will make you feel better….I am afraid to ask what brought this on. You probably haven’t eaten all day.” Melanie rebuked herself…there she was taking care of him.
Seth placed the towel around his neck and could feel his body instantly cool down.
Melanie slid both her hands into her back jean’s pockets. She felt awkward being around him while he was obviously hurting and vulnerable.
Melanie could see the cab pull up from the side of the alley. If you would have told Melanie that she would be standing in an alley cleaning up vomit with her old boyfriend she would have asked you what planet you flew in from. This is the last place she thought she would be; with the last person on earth she would be helping.
“I called that cab for you. It’s time for you to go home and sleep that off. ”
Seth knew by her tone that it was not an offer. Was that a sympathy or disappointment he saw in her eyes? He knew the mental and physical state he was in that he was not in a position to argue with her. The fact that she was here helping him was more than he deserved. He handed Melanie the towel and bucket as he walked pass her to the cab.
“I am sorry…about everything.” Seth sat down in the back of the cab and rolled the window down. “Thank you for tonight.”
“I don’t hate you Seth. Why don’t you try forgiving yourself…let what happened between us go.”
“I can’t. I won’t.” Seth leaned back in the cab rolling up the window.
The driver pulled off down Fountain Drive as the snow fell around her casting a beautiful glow from the street lights above her.
Melanie walked back into McFadden’s handing Charlie the bucket and towel.
“Thanks for that Charlie. Could you make sure he gets his jacket when he comes back to pick up his car?” As she leaned over the counter.
“Anything for you Mel.”
“Flirting when I am not around I see?” Charlie and Tyler shook hands.
Melanie turned around to see Tyler sliding down into the stool next to her. Melanie leaned in to hug Tyler. She held on longer and tighter than usual. Melanie didn’t know how to explain how she felt. The closest description to the emotion that she felt was – scared.
“Hey Beautiful.”
“What’s wrong?”
Melanie inwardly fought with herself on what to do. Does she tell Tyler? How will he re-act to the news? Will he get worked up about nothing? Is there anything to tell? The one thing that Melanie did not want was for this to come back to haunt her, but to bring up a run in with Seth in such a small town as Providence is crazy. And if he is moving back here it is bound to happen again. Melanie had to ask herself is this town big enough for the three of us?
Melanie rationalized that it was pointless to bring up Seth. She didn’t want Tyler to know how bad Seth was taking the news. It almost seemed like rubbing it in to tell Tyler how hurt about everything Seth was. Seth’s drunkenness tonight was his own way of coming to terms and dealing with the fact that Melanie had moved on and was getting married. So why bring up Seth? On top of it, there was no need to rub Seth in Tyler’s face.
She met Tyler a few months after Seth left for medical school. Melanie was in no shape to be friends with him, they started out as mere acquaintances; but Tyler ended up being a good friend. Over the past 2 years their friendship blossomed into a relationship that Melanie has come to respect and appreciate.
Tyler was good for her and she for him. Melanie decided not to inject Seth in between them. She was determined to enjoy her evening with her fiancé despite the bizarre day she had.
“Nothing babe…I could use a stiff drink.” Melanie turned and smiled “I missed you today.”
Melanie and Tyler’s evening went on to be a good time despite how it may have started out. She enjoyed Tyler’s company. He always made her laugh and put her at ease. He always had a funny story about something that happened at work. Tyler was an up and coming news reporter for the local NBC channel. He was still a street reporter with his eye on the anchor seat. The behind the scene antics of the television news room never ceased to amaze her. He had an early call for the morning, these are the times that she regretted moving home, but after ‘shacking up’ with Seth as her mother so politely puts it, Melanie made spending the night over Tyler’s far and few between. Another mundane routine before a commitment is a path that she was going to avoid.
She loved being with Tyler just being near him wrapped up in his arms made her feel safe. Melanie loved how he loved her. Tyler was so attentive and charming. He was a good solid man that was sure of himself and what he wants and that is Melanie. She proceeded to bring him up to date on the last minute details of the wedding.
On her ride home back to her parents, she checked her voicemail seeing she had 3 messages from Lauren. She couldn’t even hear her phone over the loud music.
Lauren told her about selling the house to Seth earlier and Melanie told her about McFadden’s and Seth vomiting from being drunk.
“You should have taken your foot and pushed him over into the pool of his own vomit.”
Melanie burst out laughing. Lauren could say what she thought and how she felt and didn’t care what others felt about it. There was definitely freedom in speaking you mind that Melanie has come to accept from Lauren.
“You are so bad.”
“What in the hell did he mean by ‘he can’t…he won’t?’ Huh…does he mean he can’t forgive himself or does he mean we won’t give up on trying to pick up where the two of you left off?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“Well, I sure as hell would like to know what he meant by that. He has got another thing coming if he thinks he is going to bring some drama up in here…up in here.”
“Seth won’t be any trouble. He’s harmless. He is just going to have to deal with it….I know him. He is not going to purposefully cause trouble. Helene and Joseph would kill him.”
“I wouldn’t count on that if I were you.”
“I am in front of my house. I am going straight to bed. I will call you tomorrow as always.”
“Think about what I said.”
“Good-bye.”
“Bye.”
Melanie pulled up to the front of her house thinking over the day and how her past and future came to an intersection at this point in time. She looked at her house and tried to count how many birthday, Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas mornings she had shared with her family and Seth. If you had asked Melanie four years ago what else did she want; she would have easily said nothing. She grew up with loving parents and a good life. Melanie always thought that she was lucky to find the love of her life at 16. She was content to spend the rest of her life with Seth. Everyone told them they were young. Melanie’s father always told her to take a break from Seth in college to date other people, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Maybe her father was right?
One thing was certain that there would be no more dwelling on the past…her future was two weeks away. Tyler was her future. The life and love that Melanie is building will be as Tyler’s wife and one another’s families. She owed him to concentrate on their commitment to each other. More importantly, he owed that to herself.
