Melody smiled so brightly, she was sure she rivaled the Christmas lights. “You know, when Michael bribed me into going along with this, I was skeptical at first. But I guess you’re okay. At least I’ll get some candy out of the deal.”
He laughed, and Melody was proud of herself for catching him off guard. “That boy would not trade candy for anything in the world—except for maybe more time spent with you. Even if you are only here due to bribery, thank you for coming.”
With no further explanation necessary, Melody said, “Thank you for inviting me.”
“Do you think we should go rescue your mom?” he asked, coat in hand.
“I think we better go rescue you--middle-of-the-night you. She’s probably sugaring him up so that he’s bouncing off of the ceiling.”
“We’d better hurry then,” Reid said. “Middle-of-the-night me is not someone to be trifled with.”
It was about a quarter of a mile to his truck, and as they walked amidst the Christmas lights, the softly playing carols, and the laughter of families and friends enjoying themselves off in the distance, a light snow began to fall. Melody wrapped her coat more tightly around her and stood for a moment, looking up at the sky, littered with stars, snowflakes cascading around her, the cool night air lifting her spirits. She wondered if her father was up there, smiling down at her. Reid took her hand and they walked along in silence each of them finding solace in the gentle touch of the other.
Once inside the truck, Melody remembered the last time she’d sat here in the passenger seat, and as he made his way to her house, she rested her left hand on the seat between them. When he slipped his fingers between hers, she distinctly remembered asking herself if she would ever sit here like this, holding his hand. Now, here it was only a week later, and holding his hand seemed as natural as breathing.
Reid pulled into the driveway, and remembering what her mother had said in the shop earlier that day, Melody pushed the door open and hopped out, not giving Reid the opportunity to even contemplate breaking her mother’s rule. Seeing the lights out, except for the soft glow of the Christmas tree in the window, Melody opened the door cautiously, Reid right behind her, and she entered the living room to see her mother sitting in her favorite chair next to a roaring fire, Michael snuggled up under a blanket on her lap. Melody couldn’t remember ever seeing her mother look so contented—not in the last two years anyway—and she stood and gazed at them for a moment, encasing the sweet scene in her memory.
Michael was awake, but his voice was quiet and groggy. “Hi, Dad,” he said. “Hi, Miss Melody.”
“Hey, there, buddy,” Reid said quietly, stepping around Melody. “Are you sleepy?”
“Yeah,” Michael said, rubbing his eye with his fist.
“He has started to doze off a few times but hasn’t quite gotten to sleep yet,” Sarah explained, smiling down at him. She lifted Michael up, and Reid scooped him into his arms.
“Ready to go home?” Reid whispered into his ear.
With his eyes already closed on his father’s shoulder, Michael only nodded.
Sarah stood, placing the blanket on the chair. “We had such a good time.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. Thank you so much,” Reid replied, both arms wrapped tightly around his precious package.
“Anytime,” Sarah said, smiling.
Melody followed Reid to the door so she could get it for him, both of them walking as softly as possible so as not to jar the sleeping child. When they reached the front door, Melody took Michael’s coat from the hook and slipped it around him. She asked, “Do you want me to get the door to the truck?”
“No, it’s okay. I can manage,” he assured her.
“Night Miss Melody,” Michael said groggily, not really lifting his head or fully opening his eyes.
“Good night, sweet boy,” Melody said, rubbing his back and stroking his cheek.
“I’ll call you in the morning,” Reid said, leaning in toward her ear. The feel of his breath on her skin made her knees weak, and she placed her hand on his arm to steady herself. When she felt his lips softly brush her cheek, she was glad she’d taken precautions. The reaction was enough to make her fully understand the Southern term “swoon,” and she could only imagine what it must be like to feel those lips against her own. “Good night, Mel.”
“Good night,” she managed as he carefully guided Michael out onto the porch. Melody pushed the door closed and leaned back against it, thankful for the support. Her face felt flushed, but she could still vividly feel the imprint of his lips where they’d graced her cheek.
***
“Did you have a nice time?” Sarah asked, flipping on a lamp and straightening up a few things Michael had apparently strewn around the room.
On weak legs, Melody made her way back into the living room and dropped onto the sofa. “Yes,” she said, knowing she was still starry eyed.
“Take your coat off and stay a while,” her mother said.
The phrase was something her father would have said, and it jarred Melody back around a bit. She had forgotten she was still wearing her coat, so she began to unbutton it.
Sarah folded the throw blanket up and sat it on the back of her chair and then sat down to face her daughter. “He seems like an awfully nice young man, Melody.”
Her coat on the sofa beside her now, Melody agreed. “He is, Mom.”
“And Michael is a doll.”
“I know. There’s just something about that kid. I love him to pieces.”
Sarah let out a soft sigh in a way only a mother can do. “I know you do. That must put Reid’s mind at ease. It’s not easy wading back into the dating pool when you have children to think about.”
“No, I wouldn’t think so,” Melody replied. “He said he hasn’t dated since his divorce.”
“Really?” Sarah asked. “Well, then, he is overly-cautious.”
“Yes, he said he’s afraid that Michael will get too attached, and then things won’t work out.”
“I guess he doesn’t have to worry about dating you then. Michael was already attached since before the two of you even admitted you were attracted to each other.”
Though Melody found the wording a little strange, she understood what her mother was saying, and it was true. “Thank you for taking Michael. It gave us a chance to talk.”
“About serious topics?” Sarah asked, leaning back in her chair, likely in an attempt not to seem too nosey.
“Yes,” Melody answered quickly. “I still don’t know why it is he won’t go to church. I need to figure that out. But we talked about his wife, what happened, and… other things.”
“Did you talk about music, Melody?” Sarah asked, crossing her wrists over her knee.
“We did,” Melody admitted, a lump forming in her throat. “Anyway, I’m going to go with them tomorrow to meet Santa at the library.”
“That sounds like a lot of fun,” Sarah said.
“Do you want to come?” Melody asked, partially just being polite, but then she was sure Michael would love to see her mom again.
Sarah seemed hesitant. “Actually, no,” she said. “Melody, I’m going to have lunch with a friend tomorrow.”
“Oh, okay,” Melody replied, smoothing out her sweater. She looked up to see her mother’s eyes watching her carefully, and Melody realized there was more. “Who?” she asked, cautiously.
Clearing her throat, Sarah said, “Curtis Haywood.”
Melody’s forehead crinkled. Of course, she knew who Mr. Haywood was now, thanks to Reid, but she could tell by her mother’s tone that she was missing something. “Why are you having lunch with Mr. Haywood?”
“Because he asked me to. And I like him,” Sarah said with a shrug.
Suddenly, Melody realized what her mother was implying, and a knot began to grow in her stomach. “Mom, is it a … date?”
“Yes, darling,” Sarah said.
Melody felt like she might be sick. Her eyes were wide and she realized her mouth was gaping open so she snapped it closed. So many questions flooded her mind.
Before she could ask any of them, her mother began to explain. “I know this might be difficult for you to understand, Melody, but Curtis and I have known each other a long time. He’s a good man. A gentleman…
“What? Mom! What about Dad?” Melody asked, scooting to the edge of the seat.
“Melody,” Sarah continued, her voice even, “of course I’ve thought about your father. I can’t stop thinking about your father. And that’s part of the reason for this. Tim always told me, if anything should ever happen to him, he’d want me to go on with my life, to try and be happy. I didn’t think that was even possible at first. Even a year ago, I would have said it was out of the question. But one thing time has taught me is that we can continue living our lives and be happy without dishonoring your father’s memory.”
Melody heard her words, but she didn’t know what to say in response. She never would have imagined her mother would even consider dating again. With tears in her eyes, Melody said, “I think I should go to bed now, Mom. I… I really don’t know what to say.”
“I understand, Melody,” Sarah said, exhaling loudly.
Without bothering to say anything more or even hang up her coat, Melody made her way up the stairs and threw herself down on her bed, the tears finally coming. How could her mother be dating again? How could she just go on with her life without her father? As she began to sob, Melody prayed that God would help her understand and accept her mother’s decision, to help her see how the rest of the world could manage to keep on turning when her dad was no longer in it.