Home Again

chapter 14

“You realize they are going to give him a hard time?” Melanie laughed. “They remind me of you and Brad, they have this good twin bad twin thing. It will be interesting to see how he handles it.”

“You said give you an hour?” Dena smirked, “What are you going to do?”

“Show him I am not to be taken lightly.” She picked up her phone and laid it on the table hitting his picture and the speaker button.

“Melanie” His voice bounded sending a small twitch in her stomach.

“Hello, Mr. Singleton.”

“Mel come on.”

“I prefer for all intents and purposes that you call me Ms. Michael or Melanie, as that is my name.”

“Are we really going to do it like this?” He croaked.

“You decided that I should call you Mr. Singleton and you did so very publicly. So yes, it appears we are doing this exactly this way. How are my children?” She put her arms behind her back and began to pace slowly as Dena and Faith exchanged smiles.

“I was upset, and I was wrong pleas…”

“I have no interest in you half- hearted apologies. It is about time That you learn Mr. Singleton, that you cannot insult people and make aggressive or perhaps a better word would violent public displays and then pretend it all just goes away. The only dealings between us will be one of two ways at this point. Dena or my lawyer.” She coughed, “Also I believe I asked how my children are?”

“Would you like to speak to them?” He gripped the phone tighter.

“Where are they?” She answered yet again with another question knowing darn well both children had cell phones she could call later.

“Playing board games upstairs with Annie.”

“Then I won’t interrupt them. I called to talk to you.” She stopped.

“Well can I speak damn it?” He snapped.

“Not if your gonna flap your gums with I’m sorry and excuses.”

“Then what do you want Melanie!!!” He paced the kitchen.

“You embarrassed me, and I won’t let that stand not now and not ever. Also, there is the question of the contest that your daughter won. You have made a spectacle I have to clean up by giving the press a full-on parade of answers. One of those answers is to the question of where my winners are; So, are you going to let her continue with everything this week following on to Louisville?

“I…” He was interrupted.

“If not let me make myself clear that a press release will be put out. It will state and I quote; that you have pulled Annie from the contest because you couldn’t have me back. I turned you down and the mighty Brad Singleton stinks at rejection and while I am thoroughly saddened that poor little Annie cannot continue the show, it must go on for the fan’s sake. The incident in the meeting room will also be construe that you were terrible at rejection and nothing more. So…”

“That is bogus lies and what you are going on about sounds a lot like Black mail.” He chuckled knowing he had planned on letting Annie go back. However, he was a little taken back, this wasn’t like Mel at all.

“Call it what you like, but I prefer to think of it as what you Singletons would call a business transaction. Let’s just say I have learned a lot from the best, Elizabeth Singleton, over the last nine years. Give me an answer through you sister or have Annie and my babies here by let’s say…” She pretended to think, “Ten in the morning or my release to the press goes viral. Good night Mr. Singleton.” She pressed the red button down with a smirk that quickly turned to a sob.

“That was um… not what I expected” Dena stood with her mouth open.

“About time so why are you crying?” Faith was struck frozen.

“I love him, no matter what he said.” She sat down in the window, “He will never forgive this.”

“Who cares.” Faith sat on the end of the bed, “After all he said to you, he is lucky you still care for him.”

“Awe Honey,” Dena kneeled down in front of her, “It will all come out the worsh.” She smiled, “I would think Brad is probably laughing in some extent as shocked as I am. He has always loved your stubbornness; I think this is gonna light a fire under him to make amends to you.”

“Dena you should go home.” She said without emotion. “I can’t imagine it’s going to help your and Bradley’s relationship for you to stay.”

“I don’t care; he’ll get over it eventually besides He needs a quick kick in the ass for listening to granny.”

“She’s a manipulator it’s what she does.”

“I’m so sorry Melanie. He loves you; I know it’s hard to see that he does. I do really believe that he will be considering his options after that. Do you think you could ever forgive him?” Dena paced.

“He was manipulated as I said but he hurt me badly” She was silent for a at least thirty minutes. The silence was unnerving, and she almost jumped out of her skin when Melanie finally began to speak again, “Forgive him. I don’t know, Dena I love him, but at this point I think your both right that I need to be tougher than ever. We will just have to see where we land. It’s okay as long as Regina and Ben are okay that is the main point.”

Dena hugged her and slid out the door as her cell rang out “Hello, you have some nerve, yeah I can come over but don’t be surprised if I don’t whip your ass.” she punched the end button.

High school

Melanie sat sobbing on the bleachers. She was so embarrassed how could she ever show her face in school again. She had tried so hard, practiced for months to be as terrible as she was. She didn’t even make junior varsity. Brad wouldn’t want her now; He was the captain on the football and basketball team. Why would he want her when she couldn’t keep up? Elizabeth was right she didn’t fit in no matter what he did.

“Sulking in solitude you really are worthless.” She bounded from the doorway. “I mean what does he see in you?” She crossed over her red hair swayed left to right as she seemingly glided into the room. “It’s a simple routine”

“You have been on the team for since kindergarten Renee.” Oh God Renee Charles she the head cheerleader and Brads ex all she needed right now.

“I know sugar that why you should have known better. Do you thank for one itsy bitty little second I was gonna let you invade my territory?” She Glared and smiled at the same time taking in her pitiful shape sitting on that bench like a pigeon what was this preschool.

“Go to hell Renee!!!” Melanie wiped at her face.

“Gladly and Ill save you seat” She laughed.

“Mel” Brads voice rang out though the girl’s bathroom. “If you don’t come out her Imma gonna come in Dillion told me what happened. Come talk to me.”

“Ohh” Renee fixed her make up in the mirror. “The breakup how exciting.”

“What do you mean?”

“Brad couldn’t possibly keep you after all this running off the floor like a baby. He is Brad Singleton quarter back after all.” She winked “and when he breaks your puny little heart, I’m gonna be there to help the pain go away and make him all better.”

Melanie grimaced but walked out the door all to aware she stood behind her. Brad looked so tall standing there even though he leaned on the door facing slouching. “Brad… I” She almost choked on the words as he pulled her into his arms.

“Its okay, who needs the stupid cheer squad anyhow? They don’t know what they done went and lost.” He rocked her almost like a baby. She wanted to sob but just listened to his heartbeat.

“stupid cheer squad!!!” Renee repeated from behind her, “This stupid bimbo can’t even get her color straight you call us stupid.”

“Did the captain of the hairbrained monkeys just call a straight A honor roll student a bimbo. Do you even know what that term means darlin?” He kissed the top of Melanie’s head. “Besides Mel if you had gotten on the cheer squad, I’d have to quit the ball team.”

“Huh?”

“Cause the first time one of them guys hit on you in that uniform Id go to jail. You’re my woman and no bod get to see you dressed like that but me and you know if these dimwits had wanted you; you wouldn’t get to spend as much time with me.” He smiled that heart stopping grin and began nibbling kisses from her jaw to her ear, “There would be less of this and” He whispered pinning her against the wall kissing slowly down her neck.

She shivered and moaned slightly, “That would be a shame.”

He rose back meeting her steamy gaze, “Less trips horseback riding through the trails, where we could do more interesting things.” He smirked, “That is unless you would rather hang out with a bunch of snobby girls in miniskirts.”

She laughed wrapping her arms loosely around his neck “Most certainly not.” she suddenly didn’t care anymore. “She touched her nose to his and smiled “So what are we waiting for?” They strolled down the hallway hugged up toward the exit…

Present

About two hours later Dena stepped into the kitchen to find Brad drinking straight out of a bottle Jack Daniels. “Where are the children?”

“Asleep, have been for an hour or more”

“Feeling bad?”

“Of course, I feel bad my temper got the best of me when Granny showed me these photos and this damn letter from Justin.”

“Granny only showed you half the story. You should see the paper trail that Melanie has, I have seen it. Brad, Granny had her arrested for harassment.”

“What?”

“That is why her family never said anything, she had restraining orders put on all them; Granny used you and her power.”

“That explains why Dillion wouldn’t talk to me. I realize that now, Dena. Ok, Can you give me a break?” He took another huge drink.

“A break!!! Give you a damned break!!!” She shouted “You didn’t give Melanie one. You screwed up”

“Don’t you think I know that? I would kill to have chance to do it all over.” He sunk lower in the chair, “She called earlier wouldn’t even let me get a word in to apologize. How bad?”

“Bad, she has been so sick Brad. It scared me, crying until she threw up, and then crying some more. She cried herself until she fainted. Finally, after all this time she got herself together and got angry then she was scary. I had never seen that side of her before. For a second She looked like she belonged in our family. You should have seen her when she was on the phone with you. Shoulders back head held high, confidant and Pissed. All those years being around our family showed her how to play hard ball, I guess.”

He laid his head on the table. “I said things I didn’t mean. Things that probably hit home. Things assholes would’ve said in high school. The same crap I use beat the hell out of people for.”

“She loves you. She’ll forgive you”

“but can I forgive myself? I feel like jumping off a cliff.”

“What would that solve?”

“Put me out of my misery” He took another large swallow.

“The coward’s way out.” She accused, “You got your self into this mess Bradley Wayne you get yourself right back out of it.”

“Your right but how do I make this up to her when she won’t even talk to me without threatening me.” He threw the ring box on the table.

Dena recognized it the engagement ring he had bought when he headed out to Nashville to bring her home years earlier, when he misinterpreted the situation he saw at the diner. “By showing her, you were wrong, showing her you love her and that your sorry. Perhaps…” She sat down beside him “Give her the ring in this box and beg her to accept it. Tell her the whole story from your point of view and listen to her for a change.” She glanced at the ceiling, “How about I take them home with me and you go to the hotel or in your drunken case call Mel to see if she will come here and talk. If she still won’t listen keep calling and calling until she does. I will be sure to have Annie and Jess at the hotel by ten because she wasn’t kidding, and her manager hates you.”

“Take them home with you I’m no fun right now. Seeing me right now would only prove to the boy I’m exactly what he thinks of me. I’m all done out” He put the bottle to his lips again. “He has been giving me attitude all day. He kept saying I’m not his dad and refuses to see any resemblances between us. He wouldn’t take part in anything we tried to do today, and he would barely speak.” He took another drink.

“That ain’t gonna help you know”

“No, but it numbs”

About nine years ago

Ricks was totally packed, maybe I should go to a real bar? No, I am already here, and you can get drunk here without a limit. The Big red headed man wearing a bartender’s apron took one look at him and smiled. “Well, look what the cat dragged in. If it ain’t lil’ Jazz. What’ll it be sonny boy?” Rick or the Irishman the locals like to call him had been a friend of the family for as long he had been alive. Melanie and he had grown up in his establishment.

He looked up at the man with his captain’s cut which normally he would have jibed him about, “Jack… and Rick leave the bottle.”

He did what he was told but one could clearly see he didn’t like it. About a half of the bottle in and he said “Bradley, son, don’t ye thank you have had enough tonight, young lad? You’ve had three times the amount you normally drink.”

“Nope, I reckon I’m gonna finish the bottle and might even start another.” He poured some more in the small glass and quickly relished in the burn.

“Why? What’s gotten into ye lad? You’re not usually so down and out.”

“It’s Melanie Rick, She has moved on and started a family. You know she made the radio too. She is livin’ her dreams without me.” He had tears coming down his face.

“Oh, Come now young lad; there are plenty more a lass where that one came from. You can’t go lettin’ yourself turn up an alcoholic over a pretty face. After all, as your paw would’ve said you’re a Singleton and a might handsome one too.” The man reached out and touched his shoulder and turned to another customer.

“What’s wrong Brad? Brad, wasn’t that what Big Rick called you?” A dark-haired woman with the biggest brown eyes sat down beside him. “My name is Daphne.” She flirtatiously smirked.

He straightened his shoulders and smiled although it was painful, “Yes mam’ Bradley Singleton. It’s a pleasure”

“Why are you so sad?” She touched his hand.

“Well mam, I not usually so straight forward but I’m getting quite hammered, so here it is. I let the love of my life slip through my fingers and now she has moved on and there ain’t nothing I can do about it.” He took another shot.

She reached over and grabbed the bottle and took a large drink, “I’m sorry Brad; about your loss. However,” She turned his seat around, so they were now facing and one of her legs were between his, “How do you know that this other woman was the love your life?” She moved her knee closer to his already hard shaft. “Maybe you don’t need Jack to help you forget This possible love of your life. Maybe all you need is the love of the night.” She placed one hand running up his leg and gave him a seductive crimson smile. “I have a room at the hotel across the street wanna join me, Mr. Singleton?” She took another large swig straight from the bottle.

Both had probably had way too much to drink because Rick watched as they both staggered to stand up. That boy just kept making mistakes. “Bradley lad why don’t you get miss Daphne’s number and let me call ye sister to pick ye up. Then in the morn if ya feel up to you can call the lass.” The large man leaned over the bar.

“Oh, come now you big Irishman; what was you said about other trish… in the, I mean, fish in the sea.” He leaned over the bar, “I agree with you” He steadied himself back up right.

Rick run his fingers through his beard and gave him a pleading expression, but brad followed her out the door leaving a hundred-dollar tip on the bar…

Dena’s

The children walked into the foyer, "So this is your aunt's house?" Ben asked Annie after they were upstairs.

"No, it’s our aunt's house." She looked at the floor,

"So, they did get into it and now, what? he feels bad" Ben accused

"I didn't say that". Annie walked into the living room.

"You didn't have to". Regina hugged her doll.

"He is gonna try to talk to her." Annie reassured.

"I want them together though, we like it here and mom does love him Ben" Regina looked at her brother, "Don't you think dad is awesome."

"No”. He turned his back on the two of them.

“Liar” Regina stomped in front of him.

“Okay, so maybe I do like him, but how do we make them like each other again?"

"Look, it's starting to snow" Annie beamed, climbing up into the large window seat, "That’s it!!! Call your mom and tell her you’re at dad's but you want her to come and get you. That you are unhappy and you want to go home."

"What will that do? She could call Papaw instead", Ben asked.

"Seeing it’s snowing, she won't have time."

"What if she doesn’t come alone?" Ben asks.

"She will", Regina stood up. "Faith is out with Richard at that phone conference where mom wanted time off trying to rework the schedule. She will have, too."

"Okay, I'll do it." Ben smiled and he listened to the rings, when finally, his mom answered... "Mom?" Her voice sounded strange. He could tell he had been crying. She sounded terrible…