Beyond the Runway

CHAPTER THREE

The day Melissa was supposed to arrive, Martha went about her day as usual.

She made breakfast, got the children ready for school and left for work. She knew Melissa's train would arrive that afternoon. She also remembered promising to pick her up.

She simply chose not to.

Martha wasn't interested in having Melissa stay with her. She had only agreed because Joe kept insisting. If Melissa got to the station and found nobody waiting, perhaps she'd get the message and go back home.

By the time Martha returned from work, she had put the whole thing out of her mind. She changed into her house clothes, settled on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and turned on her favourite show.

The doorbell rang.

She frowned, looking towards the door. She wasn't expecting anyone.

With a sigh, she put the popcorn down and went to answer it.

The moment she opened the door, she stopped.

Melissa stood outside, her suitcase beside her.

“Hi, Aunt.”

Martha stared at her for a moment before her expression changed.

“What are you doing here?”

Melissa's smile faded.

“What do you mean?”

“What do you mean, what do I mean?”

“You said you'd pick me up.”

“I didn't.”

Melissa looked at her, confused. “You did, Aunt.”

Martha stepped outside and pulled the door shut behind her.

“I've been calling you since I arrived,” Melissa said. “You weren't answering. I waited at the station for almost three hours. I thought something might have happened, so I took a bus here.”

“And?”

Melissa hesitated. “I just thought—”

“If I didn't answer your calls or show up at the station, what made you think I wanted you here?”

Melissa fell quiet.

Martha shook her head. “Are you seriously that dumb?”

Melissa looked away.

“I don't need this kind of inconvenience in my house,” Martha continued. “I thought I made that clear when we spoke.”

Melissa's hand tightened around the suitcase handle.

“So what am I supposed to do?”

“Go back where you came from.”

Martha pointed towards the street.

“If you're lucky, you'll catch the next train.”

Melissa glanced past her aunt. The television was still playing inside. She could see the bowl of popcorn on the table.

Martha had been sitting there watching television while she was stranded at the station.

She looked back at her.

“Aunt…”

“What?”

Melissa lowered her eyes. “Nothing.”

There was no point arguing. She had already said everything she could think of, and Martha clearly wasn't going to change her mind.

“Goodbye, Aunt.”

She bent to pick up her luggage.

“Goodbye,” Martha replied, before adding, “And don't bother coming back.”

Then she shut the door.

Melissa remained outside for a moment, staring at it.

She adjusted her grip on the suitcase and walked away.