The Keeping(107)

“Oh, Ruth, that’s so sweet of you.” Mel stood and gave the woman a hug, wincing when her arm came in contact with Ruth’s boney frame. “Where’s Al, I want to thank him, too.”

“Oh, he’s out back arguing with our meat supplier; the hamburger has been too greasy lately. He’ll be out shortly.”

Mel sat back down, absentmindedly rubbing her arm.

Lucy returned and noticed the gesture. “Hey, how’s your arm doing?”

“Still sore.” Mel extended the limb and was surprised to see that it showed red around the edges of the bandage.

“That doesn’t look good. I think you’re developing a bit of an infection.” Ruth shook her head. “I have some antibiotic cream in the back that will fix it right up. I’ll just go get it.”

After Ruth had doctored the wound to her satisfaction, Al appeared and Mel thanked him for his efforts in learning how to make ‘fancy coffee.’

“Nothing’s too good for my favourite girl.” He rubbed his chin self-consciously, but then grinned sheepishly at her. “You liven things up around here. Ruth and I reckon we’re in a bit of a rut.”

“That’s right.” Ruth nodded, beaming. “We’re going to try to expand our customers’ horizons and make some special dinners every Saturday and Sunday. Maybe even fold the napkins all fancy like I see in the restaurants on my soap operas.”

Al rolled his eyes at this comment, but said nothing, merely grunting that he had to return to the kitchen to start work on the lunch menu. Ruth followed, after insisting that Mel keep the antibiotic cream, just in case.

Mel watched them go sadly. “I’m going to miss them.”

“Miss them? Are you leaving?” Lucy looked up from the silverware she was wrapping in napkins.

“Yeah, it’s time I headed back home.”

“But, you’ve not finished your interview with Ryne, have you?”

“No. He changed his mind and isn’t granting me one.”

“Why that dirty bastard.” Lucy glared across the street to where Ryne was backing a car out of the service bay.

“My sentiments exactly, but it will be nice to get back home.” Mel tried to sound positive, but in truth the idea of her dumpy little apartment surrounded by concrete, pollution and too many people held little appeal.

“I’d like to go to Chicago some time. It must be pretty exciting.” Lucy sounded wistful and on the spur of the moment Mel made an offer.

“Would you like to come back with me for a visit? You can stay with me and I can show you the sights.”

Lucy’s whole face lit up. “Do you mean that?”

“Sure, why not?” The more Mel thought about the idea, the better it seemed. She didn’t really want to go back to Chicago, but if Lucy was with her, it wouldn’t be so bad. “Can you get some time off? Maybe a week?”

“It shouldn’t be a problem. I haven’t taken a vacation in years. Let me just go check with Ruth and Al and then I’ll call Armand. Oh, I’m so excited!” Lucy hurried out back, grinning ear to ear.

With Lucy gone, Mel allowed herself a few minutes of doubt and self-pity. She was really in a pickle now. Once she was home in Chicago, Aldrich would want to know what she’d found out and when the article might be ready. He wouldn’t be pleased to learn that there was no article because Ryne had backed out. And then there was the whole issue of the cash advance. Last time the subject came up, Aldrich had basically said that if she didn’t produce, she’d have to return everything. All expenses would have to come out of her own pocket. Unfortunately, said pocket had nothing in it.

She caught herself chewing on her thumbnail, but was too worried to feel guilty about falling back into old habits. Staring across the street, she wondered if she dared ask Ryne one more time. Maybe if she begged and told him that she really needed to earn the money this article would bring... No. She couldn’t do it. Not only would it be pointless, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to grovel like that, not after the way he had treated her.

There had to be another solution, but what?





Chapter 28





Lucy was ecstatic about being able to get some time off work and with amazing ease. Mel obtained another ticket to Chicago, even though it did mean rebooking for Friday rather than Saturday. It was almost a ten hour drive to Toronto, but by taking turns behind the wheel, they’d get there in plenty of time to catch their flight if they left by mid afternoon.

While Lucy packed, Mel headed back to the Gazette to say her goodbyes to Beth. She offered to pay rent for the rest of the week, but Beth had refused, saying it wasn’t fair for her to pay when she wouldn’t be using the cabin. Mel didn’t argue the point, since she was in serious doubt as to her finances. If Greyson started legal proceedings in an attempt to retrieve the entire advance, she didn’t know how she was going to survive. Hopefully, she could get her waitressing jobs back, but all thoughts of finishing her education in the near future would have to be put on hold. On top of that, the rent on her apartment was only paid until the end of the month, after which she’d be searching for friends who had couches she could crash on.