Aj sat with Melody on the couch for an hour, just sitting in the silence holding her. Aj took a deep breath and prepared himself for what he was about to do. After calming himself, he picked up the phone and dialed Melody’s house.
“Hello?” Aj heard Melody’s mom’s sad, monotone on the other end of the line.
“Mrs. Hartford?” he asked.
“Yes, may I ask who this is?”
“Um, yeah, this is Aj.”
“Aj, why are you calling here?” she asked rudely.
“I just wanted to let you know that I am here with Mel…”
“Yes, Aj, I know. Suzy informed me of that, she and Vallery are sitting in my living room right this moment.”
“Please, just listen to me for a minute.”
“Fine, go ahead.”
“Melody came here after you mentioned going to the doctors to her. She left because she was scared, she didn’t want to go. She came to me and has been here, sleeping in my living room almost the whole time since she arrived. Her problem is she is sick, not me. I know what you believe about me, because Suzy has informed me of that. I just wanted to say that you have a wrong impression of me. I love your daughter and would never to do anything to hurt her. In fact, it is the exact opposite. The past few days every second I have spent with her was to help her.”
“Yeah, and there was nothing for you thrown in the deal. I know your type.”
“My type?”
“Just because you are famous you think that you can do anything to anyone and it is okay, just because of who you are. Melody is probably just another name on your list of girls.”
“You’re wrong about my type. I would never do that to anyone, especially a sweet caring person such as your daughter. You are right about one thing though. I do get something back from Melody. I get to see the look in her eyes, a look of love, of thankfulness. When I just see that look in her eyes, I am repaid for everything I have done for her. In fact, that look makes me happier than anything has ever made me feel before. To look at the person I love so much and know that maybe, just maybe, they feel the same way as me is all I need. I don’t know whether you think I am a bad person or not. You know, that doesn’t matter, as long as Melody doesn’t think I am a bad person I am the happiest man alive.”
Aj listened for a reply on the other end of the line. He waited for a minute before he finally heard Mrs. Hartford’s voice again.
“Oh my, Aj. I’m sorry.”
“Your sorry?”
“I may have been wrong about you. If you meant every word you said, then you are welcome to see Melody as long as you wish.”
“I did, thank you for understanding.”
“Take care of Melody until tomorrow. We are all anxious to hear what she has to say.”
“Okay, I will. See you then. Bye.”
“Goodbye Aj.”
Aj hung up the phone, a small smile creeping across his face.
“I love it when you smile like that,” he heard a small voice say. He looked down at Melody, her head resting in his lap.
“You’re awake?”
“Just long enough to hear your entire conversation with my mom.”
“Really, what did you think.”
“I don’t think I should tell you?”
“Why not? Please?” Aj begged, making a puppy dog face.
“Okay, I’ll tell you, but I’ll have to whisper it to you,” she told him, motioning him closer with her finger. Aj leaned down close to her. She lifted her head quickly and kissed him, bringing her arms around him, pulling him closer.
“I love the way you think,” he smirked after they had pulled away. Howie made his way upstairs from the small studio in the basement, hearing their voices.
“She’s up,” he said cheerfully. Melody smiled and sat up, nodding her head.
“Now that you’ve had your little ‘nap’ I think you need to go out and get some fresh air. How does a baseball game sound?” He asked, holding up four tickets.
“Sounds great, but who is going to use the fourth ticket?” Melody asked.
“Isn’t your mom in town Aj?” Howie asked.
“Sure is. Now that I’ve made amends with your mom, how would you like to meet mine?” Aj asked Melody. She stood up, pulling down the white sleeveless top.
“Ewww, I can’t meet your mom now,” she groaned.
“Why not?” Aj asked.
“I’m wearing the same cloths that I had on yesterday,” she whined, looking down at her shiny blue pants. Her comment sent both Aj and Howie into a fit of laughter. Melody pouted for a second, but then started laughing to; she did sound pretty funny whining about her cloths.
“You look fine Mel. I’ll go call my mom, she is at her hotel,” Aj said, running into the kitchen to get the number. A few minutes later he came back into the living room.
“Okay, she’s on her way over,” Aj informed them.
“Great,” Melody said, plopping back down on the couch.
