by Dan Alatorre
And she knew what she needed to do.
* * * * *
About an hour later, the phone rang. It was Troy.
Melissa, fresh from the shower, took a break from picking out her clothes while she toweled off her hair. She picked up the phone.
“Melissa? Where’s your father?”
“I don’t know. I thought he would be with you at the campaign rally.”
“Normally, yeah, but I needed to stay at the campaign headquarters all day to put out fires.”
She slid into her jeans with a slight hop, holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder. “And?”
“And the speech was a home run. He’s even more popular than he was before. Turns out the people trust him more than I did.”
“Really? I didn’t think the speech was that good. Why are you calling here, anyway?”
“I can’t reach your father on his cell phone. He’s been avoiding me all day.”
“I bet.” She picked over some tops she’d laid out on the bed. “I heard the messages you left.”
“Okay, well, we’re running a flash poll and it’s sailing over the rooftops. It’s ninety percent approval. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“You haven’t done any other political campaigns. That could have something to do with it.” She quickly set the phone down and put on the shirt.
“Could be, but the guys who’ve done this for a living say it’s pretty remarkable. Your old man really dodged a bullet.”
Melissa winced. “You think so?”
“I know so.”
“Then now would be a good time to hit him up for a favor?” She sauntered to the living room to check her look in the big mirror. It was a cute outfit.
“It just might be. Have him call me when he gets in. I gotta go. The phones are ringing off the hook here.”
As she hung up, the front door opened. Her father, smiling from ear to ear, walked in.
“Did you see that?” He held out his arms. Melissa ran into them, closing her eyes and squeezing him.
“Dad, you were amazing.”
“No, it was all you.”
“What?” Her cheek still pressed to his chest, her eyes flew open. “What do you mean?”
“I gave a speech to a crowd, but I was thinking of you the whole time.”
“Why?”
“I’m not sure. I guess I just wanted the whole world to know how much I love you.” He picked her up in a massive bear hug and spun her around, then kissed the top of her head. Setting her down, he strolled into the kitchen.
“Hey, where’s Janice?”
“Oh, she’s busy doing some reporter stuff. You know how it is. I’ll be meeting her at the Hilton in a few hours for a fundraiser dinner.” He tossed his wallet and some papers onto the counter. “I booked a suite and a limo, so I’ll be staying down there tonight. You’ll have the house to yourself.”
Melissa shoved her hands in her pockets, eyeing the floor. “Janice is… pretty special, isn’t she?”
“Oh, she’s the best.”
“No, I mean she’s special. You can admit it. It’s probably the worst kept secret in Tampa anyway. Even Uncle Troy knows you’ve been dating her.”
Mr. Mills crinkled his nose and scratched the back of his neck. “He does, huh?”
“And it’s okay, Dad. Really.”
He sighed. “Missy, you know I would never do anything to disrespect your mother.”
“I know. And you haven’t. Mom… would have wanted you to be happy.”
“I tell you, kiddo, I look at you, and I see her face, her strength.” He smiled broadly, showing the brilliant smile and boyish dimples that had made him famous. “How proud of you she would have been, to see what a beautiful, strong young woman you’ve become.” His smile faded. “That’s why this thing with Janice, it really—I wanted to keep it quiet. I just . . . I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You didn’t. She’s nice. I like her. A lot.”
“I like her a lot, too, but…”
Melissa hugged her father. “Dad, I love Mom and that will never change. Nobody can ever replace her.” She gazed up at him. “But I love you, too, and part of that is wanting you to be happy.” She buried her face in his chest. “You’ve done so much for so many, it’s okay to do something for yourself. Mom would want that for you, your happiness. Give Janice a chance. It’s okay. Really. We have one life, right?”
Mr. Mills gently patted his daughter on the back. “Just like your mom. You get right to it, don’t you?”
“Maybe she’s not the one but it’s okay to test the water. You’ll never know if you don’t at least try. Right?”
“Right.”
“So, you booked a suite at the Hilton?”
“Yes.”
“For just yourself?”
“Well…”
She looked up. “It’s okay. I’m teasing. Go. Have fun. Do you have a condom?”
“Missy!”
“I’m just kidding. But, seriously—do you?”
He stood back. “Okay, I have to shower and change before the next event. May I?”
She made a sweeping gesture in the direction of his bedroom, bowing. “Please do, Mr. Future Mayor.”
“Thank you.” He breezed past her, disappearing around a corner. “Will you be staying at the house tonight?”
“Actually, I was just thinking I might borrow the BMW.”
“What? No. Get your car out of the impound lot.”
“Come on. You have a limo and I need a car. I can’t get mine until Monday.”
He peeked around the corner at her. “It might not be a bad idea for you to stay here until then.”
“Please, Daddy?”
He sighed. “Okay. That smile doesn’t work on me. I’m just being nice because I’m in a good mood.” He disappeared again. “You’re not running off to go see that Barry character, are you?”
She smiled. “I thought I might stop by the hospital to see him, yes.”
Mr. Mills walked out of the bedroom. “Maybe I’d better tell you a few things about that guy first, then.” He sighed. “Sit down.”
* * * * *
Mr. Mills’ BMW was a sleek machine. Top of the line. Like the ads said, it practically drove itself. Even so, it was illegal for Melissa to be talking on a cell phone while driving it.
“Mandy, we need to make a vehicle trade. My dad’s 500 series for your shitty pickup truck, for the whole weekend. What do you say?”
“I don’t think my dad will let me.”
“Then don’t ask him. Come on, I need a favor and you owe me.”
“Bullshit I owe you. You got me in some deep shit with my dad. I don’t owe you anything.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Just forget it.” Melissa glanced out the window. “Hey, by the way, does your dad know your boyfriend moved in with you?”
* * * * *
Melissa paused outside the door to Barry’s hospital room, one hand on the knob and the other poised to knock. She took a deep breath, cracking the door open. “Knock, knock.”
Barry glanced up from his magazine, then broke into a big smile. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself. How are you doing?”
He set the magazine on the side table and pointed to the sling holding his broken leg. “They think I’ll survive. All that running around made my leg swell up so bad, they had to cut the old cast off and make me another one. I’m supposed to keep it elevated now.”
Melissa sauntered to the foot of his bed. “Does it hurt much?” She laid her hand on the cast, noticing the bruised knee, the firm muscles of his tan thigh, the hem of the hospital gown... “Oh!” She whipped around to face the wall. “I – I didn’t know you were naked under your gown.”
“Sorry about that.” Barry quickly placed one hand on the bed rail and stuffed the bottom of the gown between his legs with the other.
Melissa waved her hand, talking to the wall. “Oh, it's okay. I mean, it's not okay—it's more than okay. It's ni
ce. I mean-”
Barry pushed himself up in the bed. “Missy, what are you doing here? I thought your dad locked you away like Rapunzel in her tower.”
She walked to the side of the bed. “Actually, Dad told me what you did. Lying to protect me.”
“He did, huh?”
Melissa put her hand on his. “Nobody’s ever done anything like that for me before.” She looked down, stroking his hand. “I mean, my family, maybe, but nobody else. It meant a lot.” She raised her eyes to meet his. “I wanted to say thanks. You know, none of this would have happened if it weren’t for you.”
“Yeah. Don’t remind me.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Are you laying out your case for my defense here, counselor?”
“No. You don’t need anybody to do that for you. Not now. But there is one more thing I wanted to say.”
“What’s that?”
Melissa leaned over and kissed him, locking her mouth on his, letting the warmth of his lips electrify her. She wasn’t sure her heart had ever pounded so fast in her life. She found herself pulling him closer, straining forward to him, aching for him. Her hands glided along the sides of his neck and into his hair, winding her fingers up in his brown locks.
Their eyes met as she pulled away. He gave her a crooked smile. “You’re a good talker.”
“I was raised by a lawyer.” She lingered there, her face inches from his, gazing into his eyes.
Not at all like a brother.
His face was more mature to her, more familiar, more handsome. Even the stubble on his chin looked delicious. More than anything, she wanted to feel his lips on hers again. “Any rebuttal?”
“Oh, yeah.” He pulled her close and kissed her deeply, lifting her onto the bed with him. She reached inside the neck of his gown, feeling his muscular shoulders and warm, smooth skin. His heart beat against her hand. Time slowed for her—in that moment it was like the Earth paused to simply allow her to fully find him.
He rested his forehead on hers. “I have wanted to do that for a long time.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “Whatever my reason was, it sure seems stupid now.”
* * * * *
Dr. Harper walked out of his office and over to the desk where his training intern was waiting. “Time to make the rounds, Gina. Who’s on the roster today?”
She handed him the clipboard. “You have a recovering appendectomy in 2201, a broken arm in 2203, and a broken ankle in 2207.”
“This won’t take long then. Is pharmacy preparing their meds?”
“Yes, doctor.”
“Then let’s have another look at this appendectomy’s post-op report. Always double check, Gina – that way there are no surprises.”
* * * * *
Melissa kissed Barry on his neck, tugging at the hospital gown. “Hey, what day is it?”
He stroked her cheek. “Um, Friday.”
She glanced up. “Aren’t you supposed to have your big date tonight?”
“Uh, yeah, I guess so…”
Melissa sat up and moved to straddle him as he lay on the bed. She pulled her shirt off and let it drop to the floor. “Cancel it.”
Keeping his eyes on Melissa, Barry grabbed at the phone on the side table.
* * * * *
“Okay, Gina. Pharmacy’s getting ready to do their job. Let’s do ours. Room 2201. Appendectomy. What are we looking to see with this young man?”
Gina eyed the sheet the nurse had prepared. “We are checking the stitches and making sure there is no sign of infection. Then he can be readied for release.”
“Good. Good. This will only take a minute, and then we’ll go see about the broken arm. Let’s have a look.” He knocked on the open door. “How are you, young man?”
* * * * *
“Sophia, I’m sorry to call on such short notice, but I can’t make it tonight. I kinda broke my leg.”
“Oh no, you poor dear. Are you okay?”
Melissa sat astride Barry, tugging at his hospital gown. “Hey this comes right off, doesn’t it?”
“Um, I’ll be okay. But I’ll be getting laid – I mean, I’ll be laid up for a while.”
“Can I get you anything?” Sophia asked.
Melissa reached back and unhooked her bra, letting it drop down over her arms.
“No thanks, Sophia. I have everything I need.” He aimlessly dropped the phone onto the side table and reached for Melissa.
* * * * *
Dr. Harper walked out of room 2203 where the broken arm resided, sliding the x-rays back into the folder. “Who’s next, Gina?”
“Broken ankle, room 2207.”
“Oh, yes.” Harper took the clipboard from her, scanning the notes. “Barry Helm, broken ankle, cast removal, new cast applied.” He turned to Gina. “You remember Barry—he broke the ankle and then did all this crazy running around, to the point where his whole leg was swollen and painful.”
Gina smiled. “Yes, I remember.”
Harper shook his head. “Quite a character, that one.” He gave the clipboard back. “I wonder what kind of story Barry will have for us today.”
* * * * *
Melissa wiggled out of her jeans, her eyes never leaving his.
“Missy, should we slow down a little?”
She gazed up at him. “I’m done with going slow, just floating along like a leaf in a river.” She tossed her jeans onto the floor and dropped his gown on top of them. She leaned down and kissed him again. “It’s time to plot a new course.”
He slid his hands down her back. She leaned over him, letting her hair brush his face as her hips slowly moved against his.
The door to Barry’s room flew open. Dr. Harper cleared his throat loudly. “Am I interrupting something?”
Melissa shrieked, grabbing the sheet and diving for the floor. Barry’s hands flew to cover his naked crotch.
Harper smiled. “Barry, how are you?”
Barry swallowed. “Good, sir.”
Harper motioned to the intern. “You remember Gina?”
Barry lifted one finger off his crotch and nodded.
Harper addressed the pile of sheets and clothing on the floor. “Miss Mills? Everything okay down there?”
“Just peachy,” the sheets replied.
Harper scanned his notes. “Well, it’s time for your pain meds.” He peered over the clipboard at Barry. “Or is this a bad time?”
“Could you maybe come back in a few min-”
“-in an hour?” the pile on the floor asked.
Barry smiled. “In an hour?”
Harper glanced at his clipboard. “Not a problem. Gina, make a note please. And watch that ankle, son. If I have to put a third cast on it, I’m breaking the other ankle, too. Understand?”
Barry nodded again.
Gina peered around Dr. Harper. “Should I still give him something for the swelling?”
“It seems like Miss Mills has that under control.” Harper chuckled.
Gina blinked. “I meant for his ankle, doctor.”
“Oh, of course. Barry? Something for the leg?”
“In an hour?”
Harper winked and shut the door.
As they made their way down the corridor, Harper folded his arms over his clipboard. “Better get used to that, Gina. It’s fairly common.” He frowned. “There’s just something about the white hallways or smell of a hospital. Maybe it’s the way the gowns don’t close, I don’t know. But those college kids get admitted and suddenly it’s a frat party orgy in here.”
He sighed. “Gina, do you get migraines?”
“No, doctor.”
He squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed his brow. “You will.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
“Will he still be there?”
Melissa sat on the edge of the hospital bed, pulling one of her shoes on. “Probably. Where else is he going to go?”
“I don't know.” Barry t
ook a sip of water from the bedside table. “He doesn't have much stuff to pack.”
“Packing is not what keeps someone in their room all day.” She stood up. “I’ll be fine.
“Oh, I’m not worried about you.” Barry smiled. “I’m worried about Peeky.”
“Just worry about resting that leg and getting out of here.”
“Yes, doctor.”
She nodded. “We’ll play doctor again when I get back. I have to go trade dad’s BMW for Mandy’s truck.”
“And she’s going to let you?”
She leaned over and kissed him deeply, letting her lips linger on his. “I can be very persuasive.”
“Don’t I know it.”
* * * * *
My small, unfashionable suitcase stood in the center of the tiny dorm room. It had been humbling to stand in line at the airport to receive a piece of luggage so old and out of style. Other travelers grabbed sleek, expensive bags. Mine looked fifty years old, maybe older; a faded tan color with brown trim. It might have been more than fifty years old. I had not asked Ankit how old it was when he offered to lend it to me.
“You will go to America, Peeky, and you will return rich and famous. And I will be able to say I helped you.”
Ankit was a good friend. I wondered if he still would be when I returned disgraced and without the riches I’d promised everyone. And with no way to pay them all back.
It was all I could think about, just a taste of what my great-grandfather had gone through, to be sure. At least there was the mercy of not going through a humiliating trial like he did. Just a quick deportation hearing.
Then this country would be rid of me the same way it had ridden itself of my great-grandfather.
I sat on the bed, staring out the tiny window. The dormitory linen service would come by in a few minutes to pick up sheets and towels, with their exit forms for me to sign. I knew I wouldn’t sleep; there was no sense in pretending I needed sheets.
There were so many things I was going to miss. The university had been so different from what I expected. So much newer, and modern, and so much more open and accepting. And beautiful. The grounds were lush with landscape. So many places to eat, or shop, or just hang out.
