Home Again

Chapter 11

The evening sun was bright coming through the windows as it draped across her face. The old woman stretched and heard the door creep quietly open. “Hello Mrs. Singleton,” Ruby greeted her.

“Ruby” She acknowledged her, “I’m glad you made it in finally.”

“I’s been in since this mornin’ but I was told by your granddaughter that you had a bad night and I didn’t want to wake ye’”

“Well It’s about time that Bradley should be on his way out on a date with Melanie.” She looked out the oversized window. “Now Ruby what am I going to do about that?”

“I don’t rightly know Beth. Maybe you could go introducin’ him to more suitable women.”

“I tried that once…” She drifted back to the bed, “Maybe I should just get sick again?”

“Mrs. Singleton didn’t you ever hear the tale of the little child that cried wolf?”

“Yes, I have but haven’t you been payin’ tention Ruby that w***e has got her meat hooks into my Bradley? Ruby Go get Dena and tell her I have fell terrible ill. I have taken to bed again and I want her to summon Bradley at once.”

“Yes Mam.”

Bradley

The trees rustled an ancient music as the sky turned every color of the rainbow. She lay on the blanket looking up at the mystic sky. No words could describe the beauty of this place and she had forgotten just how perfectly breath taking this mountain paradise could be. It was almost as if Heaven rolled out a cloudy rug of colors; that no man had a name for yet and it touched each mountain peak creating a sanctuary for them here. “Happy?” He asked watching the sunlight fade over her head.

“Absolutely” She closed her eyes. “Remember the last time we were up here?”

“How could I forget?” He raised one eyebrow.

“Brad! I mean it.”

“Mel, we were up here all the time. It was the only place we could be alone.” He rolled over on his side and began tracing circles on her stomach. How mad would she get if I raised her shirt, He thought?

“Brad” She raised up sitting Indian style, “I know where this is headed and Before we go there.” She shuddered with anticipation, “I think we should talk.”

“We have been talking all day.” He smiled mischievously.

“We have but not about how we got were we are or where we left things. A lot has happened since…”

He raised up and pressed his lips to hers and she knew it would not be easy to break his spell. She pulled back with maybe a little more force than she had too. “I’m sorry Melanie I just…”

“What? Brad I didn’t mean…” she had not thought he would have reacted like this, “I just have a lot of past and I have regrets too.”

He softened, “Who doesn’t have regrets? Mel, I love you. Your past doesn’t interest me only our future does.”

“Oh no Brad my past should interest you. Trust me it’s very intriguing. Just wait! I don’t know how to word this but.” She stood and looked over the cliff at the large land and surrounding mountains. “I have secrets. I am praying and wishing that you won’t hate me when I tell you everything.” She was fighting back years’ worth of tears.

“Hate you” He touched her shoulders, “Look at me” He turned her to face him, “I could never hate you. What could you have possibly done so bad? Did you join a circus and marry a clown?” He wrapped his arms around her.

“Bra…”

“Oh No! That’s not it. I got it! While you were in Nashville you moonlighted as a stripper!” He chuckled and began to unbutton her shirt, “Why would that make me hate you? It’s kind of a dream I had once.”

“Bradley!!!” She backed away refastening her blouse, “You’re not funny!!!”

“Oh God Mel!!” He looked at her with disgust. For a moment she thought he had figured it out but before she could comment he replied, “Please tell me you didn’t throw your hat into politics some things are just unforgivable.” He snickered.

“Really Brad. I am serious.”

He realized she was really worried, “Okay I’m sorry come here. No more jokes. I just can’t imagine anything you could ever do to make me change the way I feel with you right here.” He wrapped his arms around her, and she sank into his embrace.

“Did anyone ever tell you that I named the Twins Benjamin and Re…”

“I’m sorry Mel one second.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and walked around to the other side of the trees. The phone was relentless, he thought “Hello!”

“Brad! Granny claims she needs you and She is driving me crazy” Dena sounded frustrated.

“Dena, I’m busy can’t it wait” He stood playing with a box.

“I tried to stall her trust me, but she is claiming she’s sick and can’t wait any longer.”

“Sick what’s wrong” He stood frozen.

“She says it’s her heart, but she won’t let me take her to the hospital.”

“If I take her to the hospital who will take Annie and Jess to the cover party thing tonight, they’ll be crushed.” Brad hadn’t seen Melanie come up on him.

“I can just take them with me, Hell I am the main attraction” Smiled, “or Dena can meet Annie and me there.” She smiled Shyly. “You should go to Beth.”

“Yeah, I think you and Ann should get to know each other better.” He smiled back.

“Sis tell you what, Mel and I are on our way tell Annie that uh, she will be spending some one on one with Melanie. I’m sure that will excite her. Yeah Bye.” He slid the phone and the box luckily unseen back into his pocket.

“You are amazing.” He exclaimed as she slid her arm through his.

“What?”

“Dena said you and granny did not see eye to eye and here you are trying to help me take care of her.”

“Oh, what else did Dena say?” She immediately had a fear, Brad and Dena were very close. Would she have told him?

“She was just worried about gossip. Which is nonsense because as I told you I am not letting anything, or anyone come between us this time.” He stopped to look into her eyes, “I hope that is okay with you?”

“Oh Brad” She instantly got drawn into his kiss…

Dena’s

“Where is he?” Beth rolled, “I need him!!! You’re an insufferable girl!” She ranted.

“Granny please; I called him he is on his way. It would be much faster to call an ambulance.”

“I do not want an ambulance!!!”

“Granny,” Brads voice sounded worried as he bounded through the door, “You need an ambulance”

“Hog wash just get me up Bradley.”

“I’ll help Melanie to the car with Annie.” Dena darted out the door she hated seeing granny so riled up, especially when she was certain it was act.

“Melanie!!!” The old woman shouted, “What about Melanie and Annie”

“Melanie is going to be spending the evening with Annie, while I tend to you.”

“Bradley Wayne Singleton!!! You cannot let a stranger keep your child. Have you lost your marbles boy!!!”

“She is hardly a stranger, granny” He took a step back watching the old woman jump out of bed.

“I would have never thought in all my born days.” She paced furious, realizing what she had done she grasp her head with one hand and the back of the rocking chair with the other. “This is too much excitement.”

“Granny?” Brad took a step toward her helping her sit, “Let’s go to see the doctor.”

“No Bradley, you have a daughter to look after.”

“Granny I already…”

“Bradley, I said no!!! I would like to rest please.

“Granny I highly protes...”

“Please!!!” The old woman closed her eyes and clutched her chest.

“Okay, just yell if you need me.” He Backed out of the room confused.

“How is she?” Dena stood at the bottom of the stairs.

“I’m not sure.”

“What do you mean?” She stepped aside as he sat on the bottom step.

“She was furious when she found out about Mel and Annie. Then she was sick again, Hell I don’t know anymore.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“She is acting Brad.”

“What?”

“She is acting. She does not want to go to the hospital because there is nothing wrong with her. She is only sick to stop you from spending time with Melanie.”

“Dena stops! She is our grandmother why would she fake it. She is eighty; it is perfectly plausible she has a heart condition. Let’s just go ask Ruby.”

“Brad think about what you just said. She was upset cause of Melanie and Annie then she just up and sick again randomly. But for a few seconds, the daring and solid Elisabeth singleton, forgot her game and showed her true self.”

“You know what Dena why don’t you go take Jessica to meet up with Mel and Annie. Cause I really don’t want to deal with any of this. If I wasn’t really worried about Granny I’d storm off. Do yourself a favor and back off Dee.”

“Fine, but you hear me Bradley, you are every bit as stubborn as that lying old bat upstairs and you will see that she is horrible and pretending.”

“You ready mom?” Jessica came up behind them, “Sorry” She started back through the house.

“No, babe come on let’s leave uncle Brad to deal with your great grandma.”

“Can you believe the nerve” He said to only himself as she slammed the door behind them…

Melanie

She pulled up outside her parent’s house with a sleeping Annie in the back seat. What was she thinking bringing her here? How would she explain?” Here went nothing cause the twins came running out dressed and ready for family night. She opened the door quietly and let it ease shut getting down on one knee to hug them. She had missed them so much and although it had only been days it felt like months since she had held them. “SHhh” She quiet them, “I need to talk to you about something difficult.”

“Melanie, who is that?” Her mother pointed to the back seat.

“Annie Singleton.” She stood nervously.

Her mother had her hand over mouth and a concerned expression, “Why?”

“Momma Please?” She begged.

“Guys the girl in the back seat is one of the winners of my competition and she is your half-sister. But she doesn’t know that yet. So, can you not say anything?” She held her breath. She kept getting herself in deeper, what am I thinking?

“What do you mean Half-sister?” Ben accused.

“And how come she don’t know about us?” Regina questioned peeping through the windows.

“Guys I have never kept anything from you, so here’s the truth. I have been spending time with your dad. I have been trying to find a way to tell him about you, but I haven’t really found the right moment yet.” She had tears in her eyes, “I want to tell him when I can explain.”

“Mom” Ben hugged her “Don’t cry. We understand right GiGi” He motioned for his sister.

“Well I don’t but I think I do.” She giggled covering her mouth with both her little hands.

“Awe guys. I am so lucky.” She smiled holding them close.

“We will not say anything.” They both smiled.

“Kay, she is going to be hanging with us tonight. So, let’s go.”

She was stopped at one of the many stop lights when Annie woke up. She watched the child roll her head over and look at Regina who was eagerly staring at her. “Uh Hello.” Regina said. Regina seemed so young in her actions in comparison to Annie even though Annie was younger by a few months.

“Uh Hi.” Annie rubbed her eyes, “Who…”

“I’m Regina but you can call me GiGi everyone else does. Although I’m not completely sure why. I’m mean, my name doesn’t have two g’s in it.” She paused thoughtfully for a second, “Anywho!!! mom says your name is Annie.” She reminded her of Annie when she first met her. Talking so fast no one could keep up, yep defiantely sisters, she thought.

“Yeah my name is Annie.” She nervously smiled back.

“My name is Ben.” He turned around, “It’s cool you’ll be hanging with us for a while. Never mind Gi she is just excited to have someone to play with besides me. Of course, you’re just hoping to finally have someone to beat at bumper cars because, I always win.”

“Do not” Regina quickly responded.

“Do too”

“Not”

“Do too”

“That’s enough you two.” Melanie interceded trying not to join Annie in laughing.

“See won again.” Ben added.

“Benjamin” Melanie scolded.

“Sorry mom” He opened his door as they pulled into the parking spot. So much like his father she pursed her lips trying to hold back a smile.

Once inside the girls were rambling from music to make up and Ben looked completely bored. “No surprise brothers huh?” Ben whispered to Melanie while the two girls had excused themselves to the restroom.

“Nope sorry buddy.” She giggled.

“I figured.” He laid his head on the table.

“They are taking a really long time.” She thought aloud.

“Girls do that I noticed.” He leaned back again like his father.

“I’m gonna go check on them.” She stopped at the door close enough to be able to hear them and held her breath.

“So, you don’t know your dad.” Annie ask letting Regina comb her hair.

“Nah, He was never around. Doesn’t even know we exist. He and our mom split after high school and she hasn’t been able to contact him, it’s kind of complicated.” There was a sadness to her voice that had Melanie choked up. A part of her wished she would slip up and just tell Annie. Then maybe She would tell Brad and she would have a chance to get her side to him first.

“I’m sorry GiGi! If it helps, I don’t really remember my mom. She died when I was a baby. It’s just been me and dad.”

“It must be hard not having a mom.”

“It is but you know, your mom and my dad have been spending a lot of time together. So maybe we will both get a mom and a dad soon.” Annie turned, “That would make us sisters.” The child beamed.

“Yeah that would be cool. Sisters” Regina wanted to tell. How mad would mom get?

“You girls okay in here?” Her voice cracked.

“Yeah just doing our hair mom.” Regina called back through the door.

“Ben is wanting to go to the game room. You better hurry.” Melanie turned and pulled her phone from her pocket. “Hey Dee, it’s me. How is Beth? Oh really. I was afraid of that She is going to spill the beans before I get the chance. If you can get him to the hotel tonight for the cover shoot, I’ll tell him.” She closed the phone and almost jumped out of her skin as both girls were behind her.

“You ready?” Regina asked

“Yeah” She smiled nervously, “I’ll be sitting over here;” She pointed to the booths, “you guys go play but stay where I can see you.” She called after the three as they took off on almost a dead run.

“Ben” Regina got close to him as Annie was getting her bracelet just out of ear shot, “I want to tell her.”

“No Gi we promised.”

“Actually, you promised I just hugged. You should know a loophole when you see one; you are the master at them.”

“What if she gets upset or it makes mattes worse for mom.”

“She won’t and it won’t! Annie can handle it!”

“I can handle what?” She questioned.

The two stood looking back and forth at each other, “Gi I don’t think it is a good Idea.” Ben stared at Annie.

“I do, can you trust me.”

“What is going on?” Annie questioned

“Okay listen, Mom uses this time to comment to her fans on her website. You have maybe ten minutes’ tops. Ride the bumper cars and ride in the same one. Then if you need more time to explain, go to the photo booth. I am not a part of this.” Ben stormed off drawing Melanie’s attention momentarily before she dropped her gaze back to her phone.

“What is going on?” They got in line at the bumper cars just as Ben had instructed.

“I have a secret and I want to tell you, but I am afraid you will get upset. We promised not to tell but…”

“It’s okay you can tell me” Annie hooked her arm through Regina’s as they moved one up in line.

“What if I told you that we were already sisters?”

“I can claim you too that’s the spirit.” Annie giggled. “We can make a plan to get them together.”

“No Annie, I mean blood sisters. Your dad is my dad. Although he doesn’t know it. Mom is afraid to tell him because she thinks he will hate her.”

“What why would he hate her? And that isn’t possible. Although I wish it was.”

“But it is, my mommy had us after dad and her broke up. He didn’t know she was gonna have one baby never mind two. She never saw him again. She said he would hate her for keeping us a secret because there is this woman in her way. Someone who hates her. Mom said she is our great grandmother…”

“Gran Beth. Yeah, she is no fan of your mom. I overheard Dad and Dee talking the other night.” They moved up in line.

“She used all kinds of money; cop stuff and I don’t know how’s to really explain it; but mom thinks that he will blame her. She wants to tell him she just don’t know how.”

“I do” Annie was bouncing. “I’ll tell him…” They got in two cars signaling to Ben they were done talking.

“Guys after the one trip in the car, we gotta go” Melanie leaned over the bars at the girls, “OR Annie and I will be late for our photo.”