Oh, fuck.
Taking off my helmet, I dismount the Triumph and eye her. “Jett home?”
Proud and protective, she shoots back, “What do you care?”
Hannah peeks out from the screen door. I see her whisper something, but it’s too far away to hear what. Melodi frowns and mutters something back.
I hate knowing people are talking about me like this. Not a great feeling.
“Melodi, I think you have the wrong idea.”
Snorting, she throws her hands on her hips. “I fuckin’ doubt it.”
“Luna?!!” I hear Carmen call from inside. She appears behind Hannah and pushes through. “LUNA!!!”
It didn’t even dawn on me that Carmen and Tonk would be back by now. So good to see a friendly face.
“Carmen!”
We meet each other on the steps, hugging under Melodi’s chafed glare.
“How was the train ride? How’s Celia? How are you? All healed?” God, I didn’t know how lonely I was until that tumbled out of me.
Nodding with a huge smile, she answers, “So fun! She’s beautiful, come and see her! Tonk is on the road with the Ciphers. I’m almost healed. Feels a little funny if I touch it. Want to?” She motions to her dress. “I have to wear these because pants are too tight around where they cut me. Gonna be a big scar, too.”
Even hyper-aware of our audience, I am still grinning at her. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Come and see Celia.” She waves at Melodi. “Don’t worry about her, she’s the mother of the house. Real protective of everyone. And they all say you broke Jett’s heart.”
It feels like someone just slammed a sword in my chest. I glance to Melodi and Hannah as I walk past, feeling like the biggest piece of shit in the world.
“I don’t like her being here,” Melodi calls after Carmen.
Carmen patiently tells her, “She’s my friend. She saved me, so I really don’t care what you think! Sorry!”
Hannah blinks way too much from the discomfort of standing up to the matriarch. “You heard the story, Mel.”
They both follow us inside to the old foyer. “Luna, you looked too surprised to see Carmen to be here for her.”
I want to yell, Fucking bitch, but bite my tongue.
How dare she call me on that!
Especially because it’s true!
“I already told you, Melodi, I’m here to see Jett.”
“So you can play him like a fiddle again?” She crosses her arms.
Carmen whispers, “Let’s just go.”
“No. I don’t run from fights. You want to do this, Melodi? You want a piece? Let’s do it.”
She glares at me through narrowing slits. “I would love to.”
Hannah jumps between us. “NO NO NO!!”
We both look over as four children disappear from where they were spying on us. “Shit,” Melodi mutters under her breath. She looks truly embarrassed, and human for once.
Hannah whispers hoarsely to her, “You promised them no more fighting.”
“I know! Shit!” Shaking her head, she disappears after them.
Carmen and I exchange a look. We can’t help but follow to find out what the hell that was all about.
In one of the downstairs bedrooms there are two beds. On one sits Melodi’s son Taylor with tears in his eyes. She is kneeling in front of him. “I’m sorry, baby. You know Momma has a temper but I’m workin’ on it. I’m not perfect, you know I’m not. But I’m tryin’ to get better.”
Sniffling, he whispers, “Uh huh!’
“I wasn’t really going to hit her.” She pauses. “Okay, maybe I was. But that wasn’t the right thing to do, Love Bug! I was just really angry because of your uncle Jett.”
“Okay,” he sniffles.
She pulls him into her arms and sits on the bed, glancing over to us. Whispering, she tells her only child, “Sometimes adults get angry just like you kids. Remember when you and Joanie were mad about the rabbit you found? When you both wanted it as a pet?” He nods a little as he rubs his eyes. “Remember how you pinched Joanie’s arm so hard it left a mark? Well, that happens to us, too, baby. It’s just a part of life. But I’m older than you so I should be able to control it better. I’m tryin’, okay?”
“Uh huh!” His squeaky voice is so cute. I am just melted by this whole scene, and the defensiveness I felt with that woman isn’t nearly as strong as it was.
I wish I could be a mother.
Melodi sets her son down and walks to me with a purpose. I step forward to meet her. She holds out her hand and says loud enough for him to hear. It’s stilted but sincere. “I’m sorry I almost punched you. I was angry.”