Chapter Sixteen

 

Melissa unlocked the door to the house just as Pam’s phone started to chirp. After a day of retail therapy, the dark circle under her eyes had lightened and the crying jags had stopped. Pam dropped her bags in the entrance to pull her cell from her purse.

“It’s my mother. Should I answer it?” Pam asked.

Melissa placed her packages in the nearest chair. “Girl, I’m still on a shopping high. Let me stay there a little longer. I’ll go get us something to drink.” Melissa left Pam standing in the foyer.

In the kitchen, she glanced at the phone. The red message light was blinking. It was probably Darius telling her he’d arrived in New York. She glanced at the clock on the microwave. If she could get Pam settled, she might be able to reach him tonight.

She unzipped her boots and kicked them into the corner. Turbo stuck his nose into one of them. “Dog, leave my shoes alone. Don’t even think about it.” She pulled a Milk Bone from the box under the sink and placed it in his mouth. He stretched out on the floor with the treat between his paws and began gnawing on the end.

After extracting her cell phone from her purse, she retrieved the voice mail from Darius.

“Call me.” His voice was like a cold blast freezing her in place. The warmth she expected to hear in his message was missing. The two-word command echoed in her head while her stomach battled to right itself. She set the phone on the table face down and opened the refrigerator.

“What do you want to drink?” she yelled to Pam while examining the icebox and trying to push his voice out of her head.

Pam came into the kitchen. “Just give me water. After such a big dinner, I can’t drink another thing,” “How is your mother?” Melissa placed a bottle of water on the counter and poured herself a glass of milk.

“Since I’m not crying and sound coherent, she’s less likely to jump on a plane to fly out here to rescue me. I told her we spent the day together, so I think I appeased her.” Pam opened the bottle and took a long swallow. “I think I’ve come to a conclusion today. I’m moving back to the east coast. Other than you and Darius, I have nothing here. The two of you have each other, so I’m going back home to find my own love.” Even though the words were upbeat, there was no happiness in her voice.

“Hopefully, in time you will convince yourself you’re doing the right thing,” Melissa said before propping her elbow on the island. She didn’t want to think about having her best friend so far away. “How soon do you think you’ll leave?”

“In a few weeks, maybe a month. The way I figure, the sooner the better. The more miles between me and Steve, the sooner I’ll get over him.” She stood. “I should get out of here. I’ve got a pile of tissues I need to put in the trash and a bottle of wine chillin’ in the fridge. Besides, the last thing I want to hear is lovey-dovey talk between you and Darius.”

“He’s out of town for a few weeks. And based on the message he left for me, there may not be a whole lot of loving conversation. Why don’t you stay here tonight? We can have girls’ night.”

“On a Friday night? Just the sound of that is downright pitiful. Thanks, but no thanks. I’d rather go home and watch re-runs of Friends. No offense.”

Melissa laughed. “None taken.”

In the foyer, Pam grabbed her bags and planted a kiss on Melissa’s cheek.

“Call me in the morning,” Melissa said to her friend as she ran down the steps. “I mean it, Pam. If I don’t hear from you by ten, I’m coming over.”

“I’m not suicidal, Melissa. I’m just alone.” She waved.

Melissa closed and locked the door. Back in the kitchen, she picked up her phone and dialed Darius. It was one o’clock on the east coast. His concert might be drawing to a close. She tapped her fingers against the glass table as she listened to the rings.

“Hey,” she said when he picked up. “I really didn’t think I’d get you. How was the show?”

“Where have you been? I called on both phones as soon as we landed and you didn’t pick up either one.” His accusatory tone bumped her temperature up several degrees. Where was the sweet, considerate man she’d relaxed with on the beach just a few days ago? Were they bound to be at odds whenever they were apart? Where was the trust that should have sheltered their love?

“I shouldn’t have to explain myself. But if it makes you feel any better, Pam stopped by as soon as you left. You know what she’s going through. She was in a mood, so I spent the day trying to cheer her up. We got massages, did some shopping, and stopped for dinner.” The words rushed out. Having to justify her behavior angered her even more. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know I needed your permission to have a life while you were enjoying yours.”

He paused for several moments. “I’m sorry, Melissa. I just wanted to hear your voice when I got here, and then, when I couldn’t reach you…I’m really sorry, sweetheart. I’m so glad you called me. I miss you so much.”

As his tone softened, so did her mood.

“How is Pam?” he asked.

“Not so good. She’s moving back to Philly. Maybe it’s for the best. But I miss her already.” She paused. “So, how was the show?”

His voice gained animation as he detailed his performance. His excitement fueled her adrenaline. Unable to stand still, she strolled around the kitchen while he recanted every component of his day. As he talked, the emotion in his voice drew her closer to him, recapturing the happiness she’d gotten used to in Maui.

“How ya been feeling? Any better?” he asked.

The affection in his tone made her smile. “No headaches, but my stomach is still funky. As a matter of fact, I’m heading to bed soon.” She glanced at the untouched glass of milk on the counter.

“Are you going to find out what’s the matter, or do I need to drag you to the doctor?”

“If I’m not better soon, I’ll make an appointment next week. I promise.”

“Okay, now, tell me what you’re wearing.” His voice slipped into a seductive whisper. She glanced down at her skinny jeans and oversized sweater.

“Absolutely nothing. As a matter of fact, I’m standing in the kitchen in my birthday suit, just waiting for you to ask me.”

He laughed. “You’re fully dressed, aren’t you?”

“I am. How about you; what are you wearing?”

“Baby, I’m in boxers. Nothing but boxers. And I’m not lying. But no matter what you have on, I have a real good image of what my sexy wife looks like when she’s really naked. If I close my eyes, I can almost believe I’m touching your luscious, perky breasts. I’m going to fall asleep with that image plastered on my brain. I’ll call you in the morning. Melissa, I love you.”

“I love you too. And I can see right through those boxer shorts.”

Darius broke into a full laugh. She couldn’t help but join in.

“I’ll sleep on your pillow tonight just to be closer to you.” She clicked off. The moment she put the phone down, her heart called out to him. She felt connected to him in a way that transcended logic. Her heart would forgive him of anything.

After gathering her bags from the entry hall, she made her way to the second floor. With a thud, she dropped the packages in the middle of the bedroom and undressed. “Turbo, stay away from my stuff.” She tapped the bed. The dog jumped up next to her and immediately dropped his head on his paws. “I guess I’ll let you keep me company tonight.”

In the empty house, the quiet bounced off the walls and heightened the feeling of loneliness.