I could be an expert on co-dependency,
I could write the best book on underage tragedy,
I've been spending my time at the local liquor store,
I've been sleeping nightly on my best friends kitchen floor,
So I sit and wait and wonder,
"Does anyone else feel like me?"
I'm so over-dosed on apathy and burnt out on sympathy.

The Science of Selling Yourself Short – Less Than Jake

Kade had been right. When I pulled off the road before the dam I found Mel’s car parked on the side of the road. After I took my keys out of the ignition I sat behind the wheel for a few moments trying to think of what I was going to say. When I could no longer take the silence I forced myself to jump out of the cab of my truck. I had never been to the dam in the daylight before it was so much different.

I slipped through the already open gate and onto the ledge like I had so many times before. But no other time had I looked up to see Mel sitting precariously on the very edge. My heart stopped, if a slight wind came by that girl would’ve fallen off. She had somehow brought her knees to her chest and her head was now resting on them. The whole thing would have made a beautiful picture. I could only imagine the thoughts that must be running through her head.

Slowly I made my way towards her, I didn’t want to interrupt her thoughts for a single second. When I reached her I didn’t make a sound but sat down behind her with my back against the wall of the dam much like she had the first time we came out here. All I could do was stay there and watch her shoulders rise up and down with each breath she took.

After a few long minutes I sat forward on the ledge and stretched out my hands. They lingered only inches from her waist. The last time I held her that close– I didn’t want to think about it. In a swift movement I grabbed hold her and pulled her away from the edge. If she had fallen in God knows I would have followed without a second thought.

Mel didn’t make a noise, she didn’t say anything, she only sat there and pressed her back against my chest. She was totally trusting that it was me holding her, not anyone else. It took all the strength I had not to turn the girl around and just start kissing her. Instead I settled for just breathing in the smell of her hair.

“How did the meeting with the Record Executive go?” God, the girl didn’t sound like my Mel. I wanted my Mel back, and I wanted her now. But how could I make her OK again?

“It went great.” We sat their together for a long time before Mel shifted uncomfortably in my hands. I let go of her but immediately she grabbed my hands and wrapped them around herself again.

“I so sorry Nathan. I wish I could go back and change what I did. But I can’t.” She sounded as if every word she spoke was strangling her.

“I want to forgive you. But I don’t know if I can.”

Mel let out a nervous laugh. “Good, I don’t want you to forgive me. Not for what I did.”

“Then, let’s not talk about it.” I felt her whole body relax as if a hundred pound weight had been lifted off her small body.

I heard her take in a deep breath then exhale slowly. “My Dad came back.”

“Mhmm.”

“He showed up at my house. My Mom was home alone, except for little Jack. He wanted to talk to her but she wouldn’t listen to him. Then she and my step-Dad took off taking the baby with them.” She busied herself with entwining her hands with mine while she spoke. “It’s so hard meeting someone you’ve pictured your life to be ugly and mean, when really they aren’t.” She paused. “Did Luke tell you that–”

“Yes, he did.”

“It’s so weird. I mean, I had started to consider him as my brother. But to think that we really are brother and sister. Even if we only have the same father. It’s just… I have a Dad for once in my life. I even have a little sister! After he left Carla he got remarried. He said they are really happy together and my sister is ten now, her name is Beth. He even told me he’d let me meet her one day really soon.” When Mel finished speaking I could tell she was happy, that hole I had sensed in her had been filled. Maybe Mel and I could be happy together after all. She had filled that hole for me.

“You wanna’ go somewhere tonight?” I knew it might be a mistake to ask the question, but it didn’t to hurt anything by asking.

Mel laughed, how I loved it when she laughed. “You have another hide-out besides the dam and the Depot?”

“Not so much a hide-out. I just need your help with something”

“Your car or mine?

Ok, another short chapter I apolgize. But Mel and Nathan are together again!

Thanks for all the reviews, as always. And leave one for this chapter! Next chapter ALOT will happen. It will be long so I might need a while. But no more than a week.

Hope you enjoyed! M.C. Amelia