I pull up at my apartment complex and sit in my car just taking in the lush ‘ghetto-ness’ of my life. I hate living here. Having spent the last day in Greg’s world, this is the last place that I want to be. I’m pretty sure there is a homeless man sleeping on the corner of my building and I’m fairly positive that the apartment across from mine is running some massive drug warehouse.
With a deep sigh, I drag myself out of the car and make my way up to my apartment. Passing the drunk unconscious man in the bushes and the neighbor’s door that smells like a pot factory, I curse my financial status while throwing the door closed and locking all seven locks. I’m not paranoid, just smart.
Not surprising, the message light is blinking; I’m shocked that my house phone wasn’t ringing constantly all weekend. I realized too late Saturday that I had left my cell at home. With a mother like mine, that isn’t something you want to do. Having already lost Fia, she tends to go into crazy mode when she can’t get ahold of me after too long.
I toss my keys and purse down on the counter, before pressing play and settling in for a good time.
“Meli-Kate, where are you, baby? Cohen misses you. Call me baby.” My mother’s voice echoes through the room, making me feel slightly guilty for not being home when she called.
“Meli-Kate, where are you? Call me.” Not even an hour later.
“Meli, baby? Please call me… you know I will worry.” At least she waited until Saturday night for that one.
Five more messages and the increasing unease that laces her tone has me reaching for the phone until the last one begins playing. Her words immediately stop me.
“Melissa. Baby, they’re at it again. I don’t know where you are, but they sent another letter.” Click. She doesn’t need to say more because I know exactly who she is talking about and I know exactly who they want.
“Fuck,” I hiss, quickly picking up the phone and calling my mother.
“Baby, where have you been?” she rushes out. Not even a full ring and she has the phone in her hands.
“Jesus, Mom, I told you I had the wedding for my friend and wouldn’t be around this weekend.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry but you should keep your cell phone on you.” She takes a deep breath and seems to hold it for hours before letting it out in a rush. “They’re at it again, Meli.”
“What did the letter say this time?” I question.
“Susan claims that with my old age, and with you working too many hours to care for Cohen, that she should have sole custody. She claims that Sofia’s will was incorrect and that Simon wouldn’t have ever agreed to that, regardless of the fact that his signature is on the contract.”
“How can she argue that son of a bitch didn’t agree with it when Fia had all the proper paperwork drawn up? She wasn’t stupid, mom. She knew what would happen if Susan got her hands on him.”
“I know. She isn’t going to stop easily, Melissa. She wants him. I don’t know why she is so determined, when best I can tell she didn’t give two shakes about her own son. Probably why he ended up crazy and possessed.” I can hear her starting to lose her patience.
“She won’t get him.” I promise. No way in hell, I would snatch him up, and run off to Mexico quicker than she can blink.
“Come over tomorrow? I need to see you; he needs to see you. I would feel better with my baby home with me.”
I laugh but it holds no humor.
“Alright. I’ll tell Dr. Shannon that I can’t stay late and come over for dinner.”
“Love you to pieces, Meli-Kate.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
That night, nightmares of Fia’s life, her insane mother-in-law, and shadows stealing my nephew haunt me until the light of dawn filters through my shades. My blissful weekend and the man that has wedged himself in my heart after such a short time are long forgotten.
For the last two years, I have watched one of the most important people in my life find herself, and then find love. After that, I started second-guessing everything that I thought I was okay with in life. A relationship was never something I wanted; I was happy to spend my time with bitches like Mandy.
Well, that might be a stretch. I have definitely misjudged her, big fucking time. Watching Izzy and Axel find each other again and overcome so much shit to be together, makes me crave what they have. I want someone to lift me up, someone to go home to, and someone to have children with. I am ready, and for the first time in my life, I have a woman I feel might be worth making those changes for.
I won’t go so far as saying it was love at first sight, but it damn sure was hard on at first sight. That motherfucker doesn’t have selective taste though, so I can’t rely on that alone.
The first time she opened her mouth and started throwing her attitude, is when I knew that she is worth it. She won’t be easy. I know that she’s hesitant to start something and I am willing to bet it isn’t because of someone burning her. When she told me about her sister, and I realized just whom she is connected to, I knew… I knew whatever issues she has are because of that motherfucker.