�Today we lay to rest Mitchell Barnes.� Father Claymont started looking at everyone who had gathered. �He was a wonderful husband to Kathleen, a loving father to Melissa, and a generous friend to everyone. He will be truly missed. Everyone who would like to say farewell, please do so now.�
People came forward, carrying roses to lay on the casket. Nick, Brian, and Samantha watched as Kathleen, Melissa�s mother, laid the rose on her husband�s coffin, and then whispered something to him. Melissa followed behind her; she laid her rose down and then kissed her hand, laying it down on the casket.
It killed Nick not to be able to take away all of Melissa�s pain. Even if he could, he knew she wouldn�t let him. She hated him, but she needed him, even if she didn�t think so.
�The Barnes family asks that you join them at the church for a brunch in honor of Mitchell.� The Father said once everyone said their farewells.
Everyone was at the church, enjoying the brunch provided. Nick, Samantha, and Brian sat together as Nick watched Melissa. She was standing next to her mother as many guests came to say their respects. Once again, he could tell she had put on a fake smile. �Your father was a great man. He will be missed.� Mrs. Williams replied.
�Thank you for your kind words, Mrs. Williams.� Mrs. Williams smiled at her and her mother, then left.
�Mom, I�m going to go outside and get some air.�
�Okay honey.�
Nick watched as Melissa left the church. �I�ll be right back.� Nick stated and left before Samantha or Brian could respond.
He found her sitting on one of the swings in the church�s playground. She swung slowly back and forward with her eyes closed. Nick�s breath got caught in his throat as he watched. The sun was hitting her skin making it glow; the wind was blowing her thick brown hair. She looked beautiful. Finally he made his way over to her.
�Mel.�
�Nick.� She stated not opening her eyes.
�I just wanted to say I�m sorry for your loss.�
�I swear if I hear another person tell me how sorry they are for my loss, I�ll scream.�
�Sorry.�
�No, I�m sorry. This hasn�t been the easiest day for me. People telling what a great man my father was, like I didn�t know already. No matter what they say, it won�t bring him back. Nothing will, nothing is ever going to be the same again.� She responded finally opening her eyes. Nick sat down in the swing next to her. He felt relived that she didn�t ask him to leave.
�I just wish this whole thing was over.�
�Why don�t I take you away for awhile?�
She turned and looked at him. He looked so handsome in his suit and tie. She had to focus on something else besides how good he looked. She was regretting opening her eyes. �I can�t leave my mother, Nick.� �It�s not for hours, just twenty minutes, half an hour, tops!� She did need a break; all of this was suffocating her.
�Alright, but not for long.� Nick smiled and then they headed over to his SUV.
Nick had driven them to a pond that was in the local park. He laid down a blanket on the grass. They sat down, facing the pond.
�This place hasn�t changed at all.�
�No, it�s hasn�t. The park district was thinking about making it bigger, but decided it was perfect just the way it was.� He said the last part looking at her.
All she could do was smile, when he looked at her. �Damn him, all he as to do was look at me and then I�m speechless.� She thought to herself.
�Do you remember when you pushed me in the pond?� He asked grinning.
�I didn�t push you, you were just clumsy.�
�No, remember I said something about your dress and then you pushed me in!�
�Oh yeah, I did push you in!� They both started to laugh, reminiscing about the past. After some time, they stopped, but Nick couldn�t stop looking at Melissa.
She felt his eyes on her again and she took at deep breath.
�So Brian and Sam are getting really serious?�
�Yeah, they are which is so funny considering they didn�t like each other at first.�
�I remember, she would get so mad at me when I told her that we were going to hang out with you two.�
�Do you remember all the pranks Brian played on her?�
�Yeah, especially the one where you guys put on hockey masks then tapped on my windows. You really scared us!�
�You were so mad at me. I had to apologize to you over ten times.�
�You really scared me.� Once again a silence fell upon them. With the sun setting, the temperature started to drop. Melissa�s white short sleeve blouse didn�t provide much warmth. Nick noticed her shaking and took off his jacket.
�Here.� He placed the jacket over her shoulders and ran his hands up and down her arms trying to warm her. Having him so close, made her heart race. She couldn�t stay there with him anymore.
�Umm�we better go; I don�t want my mom to worry.�
�Okay.� Nick stood up and offered his hand. She took it not knowing how it would make her feel. His touch was warm and soothing, she didn�t want to let go, but she knew she had to.
Nick was disappointed when she quickly removed her hand from his. He had missed her touch. He missed everything about her.
The drive back to the church was quiet. No one knew what to say or was too afraid to talk.
�Thanks Nick.� She said as they entered the church.
�Sure Mel, anytime.� She handed him back his jacket and went to find her mother.
Three weeks had gone by since Mitchell�s funeral. Things were starting to go back to normal.
�Hi honey.� Melissa�s mother said as Melissa entered the kitchen.
�Hi mom. What are you up to?� She asked reaching into the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water.
�Well your father and I were doing some renovations to the house. And I like to finish them, you know as a way to remember him.�
�I think that�s a great idea. Do you want me to help you find a construction company?� She asked then took a sip of her water.
�No that�s okay, I found one already. Don�t be mad, but it�s Carter Construction.�
�MOM!�
�Mel, I�m not always going to be around and I would feel better knowing it was someone I can trust. Don�t be angry with me.�
�I�m not mom. You�re right; it makes sense to hire Carter Construction. When do they start?�
�Today. Do you want anything for breakfast?� She said quickly.
�Wait, did you say today?� Her mother nodded her head. �Thanks for the notice!�
�Honey, has it been that bad to see Nick?�
�Mom!�
�Okay, I�ll drop the subject.�
�Thank you.�
�Honey can you do me a favor?�
�Sure, what did you need?�
�Well we are running low on food, so would you mind going to the store?�
�Sure make a list, I�ll be right back I just need to change.� She headed to her room and changed into jeans, a white tank top, and flip flops.
�Here you go.� Her mother handed a list and some money.
�I�ll be back in a little bit.�
�Thanks honey.� Melissa left and headed toward her mother�s blazer.
The crew from Carter Construction pulled in just as Melissa was getting into the car.
�Wow, look at that!� Gary, one of the workers stated, watching Melissa.
�Keep your eyes in your head, Gary.� Nick said looking at him.
�Why should I? That girl is fine!�
�She�s a friend of mine, so back off.� Gary just snickered at him then started to unload the truck.
�Eggs. Where are the eggs?� Melissa was down to one thing on her mother�s list, but she couldn�t find the eggs.
�Excuse me, can you tell me where the eggs are?� She asked a middle-aged woman, who had her back to Melissa.
�Sure, they�re�Mel?�
�Mrs. Carter, hi.�
�Hi honey, I didn�t think I would run into you here.�
�I�m running an errand for my mom.�
�How is she doing?�
�Better.�
�How about you?�
�I�m okay.�
�I was going to talk to you at your father�s service, but I saw you and Nick run off somewhere.�
�Yeah, I needed a break.�
�Does this mean you two are back together? I hope so, you two were so cute together. Plus Nick hasn�t been the same since you left.�
�No, we aren�t.�
�I�m sorry to hear that, you two were so great together.�
Melissa didn�t know how to respond, her normal response would to be to insult Nick. But she couldn�t do that when she was talking to his mother.
�I was thinking about inviting your mother over for dinner tonight. You know, so she gets out of the house.�
�That�s a great idea.�
�Good, tell her I�ll call her for the time.� Melissa simply nodded. �Oh and eggs are over there.�
�Thanks.�
�It was good to see you Mel.�
�You too, Mrs. Carter.� And with that they parted.
By the time Melissa got back from the grocery store, the crew was hard at work.
�Mel, how are you doing?� Mr. Carter asked as she walked onto the sidewalk.
�I�m doing well, how are you Mr. Carter?�
�Good, got the guys working hard.�
�I see that.�
�Running errands for your mom?�
�Yeah, we were getting low on food.�
�Let me get Nick to help you.�
�No that�s okay.�
�Don�t be silly, Nick, come and help Mel with her groceries.� Nick walked over and grabbed some bags.
�This is the last one.� He stated handing her the bag.
�Thanks, you better get back to work.� Nick nodded and left.
�She�s hot; I wouldn�t mind getting with that!� Gary said to another co-worker.
�Shut up Gary!� Nick said hearing every word.
�What are going to do Carter?�
�She�s off limits!�
�I�m not going to date her; I just like to tap that!� Gary and the other co-worker started laughing.
Nick grabbed him and shoved him against the garage door. �Stay away from her or I�ll beat the hell out of you.�
�Get off of me!� Gary pushed Nick back. They started to fight, but other co-workers pulled them apart.
�What the hell is going on here?� Mr. Carter asked them.
�Just a misunderstanding sir, but everything is fine. Right Carter?� Gary smiled at Nick.
�Nick?�
�Everything�s fine dad.�
�Alright then get back to work!�
�Mom, I�m back.� Melissa announced as she entering the kitchen with her arms full.
�I see honey; here give me some of those.� She grabbed three bags and sat them down on the counters.
�Guess who called me?�
�Mrs. Carter.� Melissa stated unloading the bags.
�Yeah, how did you know?�
�I ran into her at the grocery store.� She turned and looked at her mother. �So are you going over there for dinner?�
�Yeah, I shouldn�t be long.�
�Go mom, have fun. Don�t worry about me.�
�But I do honey. I�m a mother that�s what I do best.�
�Mom, I�m not a little girl anymore.�
�Mel, you will always be my little girl.� She smiled at her daughter and then continued to put away the groceries.
