Chapter Five
Melissa and Molly’s brainstorming marathon on ways to eliminate the world of mean, nasty liars ended in the wee hours of Saturday. They hadn’t found a perfect solution, but it had been great therapy for Melissa and, in the morning, she’d fulfil her plan.
After Molly went home, Melissa walked to Joshua’s house. Every ounce of courage metamorphosed into fear as she neared his front step.
Woof, woof, woof.
The inside door opened and a woman with snow white hair spoke through the screened door. “Good morning. Can I help you?”
“Good morning. Is Joshua home? I’m Melissa Brady, a friend from school.”
The woman smiled and opened the screened door. “Come in.”
“Thank you.” Butterflies fluttered in Melissa’s stomach as she entered.
“He’s outside cutting wood with his grandfather.”
Melissa followed the woman and the dog through the living room, into the kitchen, and out the back door. The big lab wobbled down the steps and sniffed at the hedges. At the back of the yard, Joshua lowered his axe onto a large log and it split in half. His broad shoulders, strong arms, and lean waist were appealing in a muscle shirt.
“Josh, there’s someone here to see you.”
The woman’s announcement reached him and he raised his head. His mouth opened, he wiped perspiration from his face onto his shirt and stepped forward. “Mel? Wow! What are you doing here?”
The woman smiled and went inside.
“If this is not a good time, I could come back later.” Melissa held her breath, hoping for a positive answer.
“No. Please stay.” He walked toward her. “I’m surprised you’re here. Let me start over.” He stopped beside her. “I’m glad to see you.”
“I’m glad to see you, too. I was worried about you when you left school yesterday.”
“I’m better now.” He stepped closer.
Melissa didn’t move.
Joshua cleared his throat. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Yes.”
“The door handle is behind you.”
“Oh! Right.” She inched toward him and looked him in the eye.
A light peppermint scent drifted from his half opened mouth. “I—I meant…”
Run for the hills or kiss him now.
Melissa stood on the tip of her toes and brushed her lips against Joshua’s. He wrapped his arms around her waist, held her against him and kissed her. A warm fuzzy feeling spread through her body.
Joshua pulled away, but kept her hands in his “Mel, I just remembered my grandfather’s out here somewhere.”
“Oops, I wasn’t thinking. Sorry.”
Joshua squeezed her fingers. “No need to apologize. It’s okay.”
“Just okay?”
His cheeks reddened.
“Can you take a short break? I really need to talk to you.”
“Come in.” He opened the door and held it for her. He walked to the refrigerator. “Would you like orange juice, apple juice or lemonade?”
“Orange juice, please.”
He poured two glasses, handed her one, and led her to a set of steps. “Jonah and I sleep and hang out down here.”
Her eyes adjusted to the dim light. “Ooh, the boy cave.”
Joshua cleared off the couch and Melissa sat. “Thank you!” She sipped her juice, sat her glass on the table, and wiped her hands nervously on her jeans.
Beside her, he looked content.
“Carl and I dated for one year. Three weeks before school started he broke-up with me and, a few days later, he moved to Alberta with his dad. He’s there for at least six months, maybe more. He wanted us to be free so we could move on. I had a hard time with that. I left him voice messages, text messages, and he didn’t return a single one. I walked around like a zombie. I slept and went to work. I didn’t feel like seeing anyone, except Molly and my family.” Melissa took a long sip of juice. “On the first day of school, I finally get a message from him. ‘Say hi to everyone for me. Miss You.’ I didn’t reply, and I didn’t say hi to anyone for him. I was angry. The message felt so cold. The next day, I saw a girl hanging from your shoulders...”
“It wasn’t me.”
“I know that now. Anyway, that’s when I started texting him. He didn’t say much, but he sent pictures of his apartment and his school, and I described my days at school. On Saturday morning, I asked, ‘So what are you up to?’ He didn’t reply, but on Monday he sends a smiley emoticon and kisses. I was furious and didn’t want to be bothered, so I left my phone at home. That day, he sent me a pic of you and I having lunch, calling me a tramp. I reminded him we were no longer in a relationship and I haven’t heard from him since.”
“I have.”
“You’re kidding?” Melissa’s heart raced.
Joshua shook his head. “He’s been sending me messages. Telling me how the two of you are still together.”
“We’re not.” Melissa snapped.
“Hey! I’m just the messenger.”
“I’m sorry.” Melissa stood and paced. “He makes me so mad.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
Melissa detected a tinge of disappointment and stared into his eyes. “I couldn’t talk about it without crying, I was struggling. I didn’t want to give up, I wasn’t ready.”
“So you gave up, but you still have feelings for him?”
“No. I didn’t give up, I woke up. After I spoke to my parents a couple weeks ago, I realized Carl was a manipulative, lying scum. You have to believe me.” Tears stung her eyes.
Joshua joined her and held her in his arms. “I believe you, but why did you wait so long to tell me?”
“Josh, I needed time. Not another boyfriend.” Melissa wept on his shoulder.
“Now, now, it’s okay.” He ran his hand down her back and swayed. “I really do believe you.”
“There’s more. He might show up on Thanksgiving weekend.”
“I know.”
Melissa wiped her cheeks and stepped back, surprised.
“Yesterday, Cherry, a girl I’d never spoken too in my life told me all about it. I didn’t have a clue how you felt and what was going on. The whole thing reminded me of my parents and it made me sick.”
“I’m so, so sorry, I should have told you earlier, but I had no clue. Since Carl and I haven’t been talking, I thought it was over.” Melissa paused. “Did Gossip Girl leave with you?”
“Gossip Girl?”
“Cherry.”
“Yes.”
She felt pain in her chest. “I see.”
“In the parking lot, we went our separate ways.” Joshua grinned and pulled Melissa into his arms. “Do you want to go to the movies tonight?”
“I’m working tonight, but we can spend the day together.”
His lips tasted like peppermint.