Chapter Three
Melissa went home after her last class. She grabbed a can of pop and headed to her room. Her cell phone lit up as she plopped onto her bed. She read Molly’s messages then Carl’s. Someone had sent him a picture of her and Joshua having lunch. He didn’t like it and called her a tramp.
Her fingers danced over the alphabet of the touchscreen with precision. ‘FYI- you broke-up with me. Why do you care who I eat with? IF you care so much, why did you stop replying to my texts this weekend? Your new girlfriend doesn’t like it?’ Melissa pressed the send button and went to the kitchen for ice cream.
“Hey, Sweetie.” Her father walked in and kissed her on the forehead. “Are you going to share?” He fetched a spoon, sat across from her, and dug into her tub of cherry flavoured comfort food.
“Aren’t you supposed to get ready for work?” Melissa suggested as her father stuffed three cherries into his mouth.
He wiggled his index finger, swallowed and his eyes criss-crossed. “Brain freeze… Aren’t you supposed to be at school?”
Melissa shook her head. “My spare is last period this week.”
“I see. Back in the day, we studied during our spares.”
“That’s because you needed to. I’m smarter.” Melissa giggled when her dad mimicked her. His smile warmed her heart.
“How was your day?” he asked between spoonfuls.
Melissa stared in the tub of ice cream, pensive. “Dad, since you’re a man, you might understand better than me. This is old news, but three weeks ago, Carl broke-up with me. He said it would be best for both of us. He never replied to any of my texts during this period. Then, on the first day of school he texts – ‘say hi to all our friends.’ I didn’t, but we texted for the rest of the week. On the weekend, he stopped replying and started again today. I don’t get it.”
“Did you have the right number for the first three weeks?”
“Yes, I did. His mom gave me the new number.”
“Maybe he’s working.”
She looked her father square in the eyes. “He can’t be working twenty-four seven.”
“Are you guys supposed to be a couple?”
“No, but today he freaked out when someone sent him a picture of Joshua and I having lunch together. Do you think he’s jealous, that he still loves me?”
Mr. Brady ran his fingers through his hair. “Well, it’s possible he’s jealous. I’ll be honest though, Sweetie, he also sounds controlling if he’s using others to keep tabs on you.”
“I don’t think he’d do that. Someone had nothing better to do than tattle tale. He did, however, call me a tramp.”
Thud. Her father’s fist landed on the table. “Please give me his number.”
“Dad, please let me deal with this on my own. You know I could have kept this from you. Come on, I promise I’ll tell you if it gets out of hand. Okay?”
“Carl did get out of line.”
“He’s upset.”
Her father took deep breaths. “You promise?”
Melissa nodded as her mom’s voice sang. “Rick, I’m home. How would you like to—”
“Gabby, I’m in the kitchen with Mel.” Her father glanced at Melissa. “Have you shared this with your mom yet?”
Melissa shook her head as her mom walked in, straightening out her top. “Oh, sharing ice cream in the middle of the afternoon. Are you guys playing hooky?” She caressed Dad’s shoulders and kissed Melissa. “Hello, Sweetie. How was your day?”
Mr. Brady squeezed Melissa’s hand. “You’re growing up so fast, but I’ll always be here for you.” He stood and handed his wife his spoon. “I’ll see you later on.” He kissed her and left.
As her mother dug into the ice cream, Melissa repeated some of the details she’d shared with her father.
“Your father is right. Carl likes to control everything. It’s a good quality in a leader, not so much in a relationship. Trust and compromise create a healthier bond. Given a chance, he might change, but one never knows. Besides, it’s next to impossible to break someone of his, or her, traits and habits.”
“Did you change any of Dad’s?”
“Not really, but he did learn to choose his words when he’s about to lose his temper.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, he’s much better than he was. It’s a work in progress.” Her mom winked. “So, who’s Joshua?”
“A new kid at school.” Melissa dropped her spoon in the tub. “Mom, I made a fool of myself. I thought he was a male whore, turns out he has an identical twin.”
“You are so much like your father. Tell me you didn’t call him a male whore to his face?”
“I was close, but I didn’t.” Melissa explained the incident.
“He might have thought you were a tad jealous.”
“You think so?”
“It’s a possibility.” Gabrielle covered Melissa’s hand and peered at her. “Were you?”
“No.” She bowed her head. “I don’t know. I don’t want to be an adult anymore.”
“Oh, Sweetie.” Her mother squeezed her hand. “You might find this hard to believe, but being an adult is fun. You make your own decisions, boss your kids around, and if you’re real lucky, you do it all with a great partner. Look at me.” She smiled wide. “Now, go do your homework while I whip up something good for supper. Your brothers will be starving when they come home from school.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Melissa moved toward the doorway. “FYI, your blouse is not buttoned properly.”
“Would you look at that?” Her mother burst out laughing.
After a sleepless night, Melissa decided she wouldn’t let her drama queen ex-boyfriend control her.