“I have something for you too Mel,” Aj said, picking up the flowers and the other package he had brought with him to the hospital. He sat the flowers on the table where the letter had been sitting then handed her the package.
“What is it?” she asked looking at it.
“You have to open it up to see,” he told her. She ripped off the wrapping paper and opened the box. She gasped when she saw what was in it. Melody pulled out an 8x10 framed picture, the one the photographer took of her and Aj.
“I told you that you looked fine in that picture,” he said, smiling at her.
“Thank you Aj, this is so nice. I think my mom would really like to keep this though, do you mind?” Melody said, thinking that she would have no use for it when she was gone, and it would mean the world to her mother.
“Sure, of course, but keep it here for now.”
“That’s what I planned on doing.”
Before they had even realized it, many hours had passed. Kevin knocked on the door; he entered the room, followed by Brian, then Nick, and last Howie.
“It’s time to go,” Kevin informed Aj. Aj nodded, and looked at Melody. Each of the boys walked up to say their last goodbye to Melody.
“I’m sorry we have to take him away,” Kevin said, giving her a hug.
“It’s okay, I understand.”
Brian and Nick walked up together. Brian didn’t say anything; he just looked at her, his eyes full of sympathy and sadness and gave her a quick hug.
“I’ll come visit you with Vallery everytime I am in town, okay?” Nick said, holding her hand.
“You better,” she said, knowing what he meant. He leaned down and gave her a kiss on her cheek.
Howie walked up last; he had gotten to know her better than the others. “Hey, you know I’m going to miss you. Even though you made comments about my height, I still know that you really are a great person. God will be lucky to have such a wonderful person up there with him.”
“Thanks Howie, and just for the record, I don’t think you are that short, really,” Melody half laughed, half cried. Aj gave them a “let me be alone with her” look. They all nodded, and after a last wave, they left her room.
“I’m going to miss you so much angel,” Aj said, tears shinning bright in his eyes.
“You know I will never leave you, I will always be in your heart, and I will watch over you, from heaven.”
“I know you will.”
“I love you Aj.”
“I love you too Melody.”
“One last kiss?” Melody said, leaning up. Aj leaned down and kissed her gently, savoring their last few moments together.
“Goodbye Aj,” Melody said, after they had pulled away.
“Goodbye my angel,” he said, standing. Aj turned and walked from the room. He took one last look at Melody before closing the door behind him. He quickly found the arms of his mom, who had shown up at the last second to comfort her son.
“I’m sorry Alex, baby, I should have never said any of those things to you,” she said, almost in tears herself, seeing the pain in her only son’s eyes.
“It’s okay mom,” he said, hugging her tightly.
“Ready Aj, it’s time to go?” Kevin asked, starting to pick up his bags.
Aj nodded and grabbed his things, then followed the others to the door. He turned one last time, he would never see Melody again, until the day he died and could join her in heaven.
“Goodbye my love,” he whispered before he left.
*************
A few minutes after Aj and the other boys had left; Vallery, Suzy, and the Hartfords entered Melody’s room.
“Hi sweetie, how are you?” Mrs. Hartford said, sitting down next to her.
“Aj left,” she said straightforwardly.
“We know, Nick told Vallery, and she told us,” Mr. Hartford said.
“He left me a picture,” Melody told them, pointing to the photo. “I want you to have it when I am gone, mom.”
“Whatever you want.”
“I’m tired, I think I want to sleep now,” she said, closing her eyes.
“Okay, we will be hear when you wake up,” Vallery said, taking a seat next to Mrs. Hartford. It was the last voice Melody heard before she drifted to sleep.
