�Morning honey.� Kathleen said smiling at her daughter. �Are you hungry?�
�Hi mom, no thanks. I�m just going to have some tea.�
�Are you okay?� She asked looking at her exhausted daughter. �You look sick.�
�No mom, I�m fine. I just didn�t get much sleep last night.� Melissa stated filling up the tea pot and turning on the stove.
�Well, why don�t you try and get more sleep before everyone shows up.�
�What?� She turned and looked at her mother.
�Aunt Rachel and I decided since both you and Jenny are back in town, we should have a pool party.�
�Mom, I�m not really up for a party. Can�t we do this another time?�
�I�m sorry, we can�t sweetie. You still have some time to get some rest. The party is in three hours.�
�You really need to give me some more notice when you pull stuff like this.�
�I promise it will be fun, honey. I have to go to the store, be back later.�
After an hour of just laying in bed, Melissa got up and took a shower. She changed into her hunter green swimsuit and put a tank top and jean shorts over her suit. She dried her hair and put on a little bit of make-up.
�It is going to be a long day.�
�Honey, I�m back from the store and Jenny is here!� Kathleen yelled as she entered the house.
Melissa took a deep breath and with one finally look, she left the bathroom. She was greeted by Jenny, Gavin, and her Aunt Rachel.
�Hey cuz!� Jenny gave her a quick hug. �I hope you don�t mind me bringing Gavin.�
�No, of course not, hi Gavin.� They hugged.
�Hey guys, can you help us before heading out to the pool?�
�Sure mom. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can have some fun.� Jenny smiled.
Fun wasn�t something Melissa thought was going to happen today.
�I remember when they were younger they wanted to be alike that they started dressing the same.� Kathleen laughed.
�I know it was like we had twins and didn�t know about it.� Rachel added.
�Why is it when these two get together they always talk about us?� Melissa asked Jenny who was sitting with her and Gavin at the kitchen table.
�I think it is because they don�t have anything better to talk about.�
�No, it is because you two are the most important people in our lives. When you are a mother, you�ll understand.� Rachel smiled at her daughter.
Jenny looked at Melissa after that comment and she gave her a reassuring smile.
�Were you two always so close?� Gavin asked Melissa.
�Umm�yes we were, but we still had our own groups of friends.�
�Mel and I are more like sisters, then cousins.�
�So Gavin, do you have any brothers or sisters?� Kathleen asked wanting to know more about this man who had feelings for her daughter.
�Yes, I have two younger sisters. Ashley is sixteen and Carly is twelve.�
�Wow, I bet you wished you had a brother.� Rachel stated placing the fruit in a bowl.
�Actually, no I love my sisters. There isn�t anything I wouldn�t do for them. I�m very protective of them.�
�I�m sure your parents are very appreciative of knowing that they have you watching over them.�
�My mom does, my dad died when I was young. It has just been the three of us, so I had to step up.�
�Why didn�t you tell me that your dad died?� Melissa asked. Not once during their many talks did Gavin mention that his dad was died. She felt awful not knowing. The pain she was feeling was the same pain he felt not too long ago.
�I didn�t want to burden you with my past. You needed to talk, so I listened. Besides I�m okay about it, I mean I miss him very much but I have made my peace with it.�
The foods and drinks were out on the picnic table. The music was playing in the background. Everyone was having a good time, talking, eating, swimming.
�Rachel, have you seen Mel?� Kathleen asked sitting down a bowl of chips on the table.
�Yeah she is over there with Gavin.� Kathleen watched her daughter and Gavin talk. �He is a cutie, isn�t he?�
�He is cute.�
�What�s wrong Kat?� Rachel asked sensing something was wrong with her sister.
�I�m just worried about Mel.�
�Don�t, she seems to be doing fine. Come on Kat, it�s a party. When was the last time both of our daughters were in town?�
�Years.�
�Exactly, so smile, enjoy yourself.�
�How old were you when he died?� Melissa asked as she sat down on the grass beside a tree.
�I was fourteen.�
�What did he die from?� Gavin remained silent. �I�m sorry; we don�t have to talk about this.�
�It�s okay Mel. I know why you are asking me.� He turned and faced her. �He had cancer. I can remember him going to the hospital all the time, but he always came home. Till one day, I woke up and my parents weren�t there, but my grandparents were. I knew something was wrong.�
�That must have been horrible.�
�It was. I saw how upset my mom was and then she had to tell my sisters. I decided then that I would be strong for her. She needed someone to be strong for her, to support her. So I helped in anyway I could. Cleaning, watching my sisters, working to help get money, anything.�
�I�m trying to be strong for my mom. The first night I was here, she saw a picture of my dad and ran out of the house.� She ran a hand through her hair. �I have been strong, but I have these moments when I can�t but help to think about him.�
�Mel, you should think about your father. He was a big part of your life. You should do everything you would normally do if he was alive. Talk to him, think about him, love him.�
�But he isn�t alive, Gavin.�
�Yes he is. He is alive in your heart. He will always be there, because you love him and he loved you.� After Gavin�s last comment, a tear fell down her cheek.
�Thank you Gavin.�
�Anytime Mel, anytime you need to talk I�m here.� She smiled at him and then kissed his cheek. She slowly pulled back and they looked into each others eyes.
�Hey you two, why don�t you join the party!� Rachel yelled to them. They stood up.
�Come on, this is your party right?� He asked offering her his hand.
She looked at him and then accepted it. �Yes it is.�
�We are so late!� Samantha stated as she got out of Brian�s car.
�If you didn�t have to try on three different swimsuits, we could have been here on time.� Brian stated with a smile.
�I wanted to look good for you. Besides, I had helped removing the swimsuits.� Nick looked at Brian and he had a huge grin on his face. Brian was in love. He was in love once and he was hoping he could reclaim it. Nick knocked on the front door.
�Hi guys, come on in.� Kathleen said when she opened the door. �Everyone is out back.�
�Thanks Mrs. Barnes.� Brian smiled as they walked out to the porch and out another door.
�No! Don�t you dare!� Melissa screamed as Gavin picked her up and tossed her into the pool. Once Melissa resurfaced, Gavin picked her up in his arms. �Put me down!�
�Sorry Mel, I can�t do that!� Gavin laughed.
�Jenny, some help please!� Jenny laughed and then jumped in.
�Put her down Gavin or I�ll have to use force!� Gavin shook his head no. �Alright, I warned you.� Jenny quickly jumped on Gavin�s shoulders sending him, Melissa, and Jenny into the water.
�Great job Jenny!� Melissa laughed once they reached the surface. �Go after her for awhile; I need to get something to drink.� Melissa got out of the pool and wrapped a towel around her. Just then she felt someone eyes on her. She looked up on the upper level of the porch and saw Nick. She turned away and took a deep breath. �I�m in way over my head.�
�Hey Mel, hand me a soda.� Jenny stated as she dried herself off with a towel.
�Mel? Are you okay?� Jenny looked at her cousin with concern.
�Nick is here.�
�I�ll make him leave.� She turned to leave, but Melissa stopped her.
�Jenny, please don�t.�
�Mel, what is going on? I thought you were over him.�
�I thought that too, Jen. But things have changed.�
�Please don�t tell me you are in love with him.�
�No, Jen I�m not in love with him. And I still remember everything he did to me, but��
�But�what?�
�I don�t know Jen; I don�t know how I feel.�
�Well you better figure it out and soon.�
