“You seem nice,” Amelia said to me and moved closer to the edge of the bed.
She tilted the phone she still had in her hand toward me and whispered, “you can watch my show with me.”
She pressed play and I looked up to Melanie while Amelia was engrossed in her kids show.
“If you want to go get food or anything, I’ll stay here with her.” I pulled out my keys and handed them to her. Melanie took them in her hand and looked from them and to me before flinging her arms around my neck for another hug.
“I’ll be back. I’m just going to grab her a change of clothes and some snacks. The doctor said she needs to stay here for a few nights and I want her to be comfortable.”
Melanie started to leave but I wasn’t going to let her go that easily.
“Melanie.” She stopped just at the door. “Please remember to bring yourself something too.”
She nodded her head and I went back to watching the show with Amelia. It was utter silence until the episode ended and Amelia put the phone down.
“Mommy likes you.”
I was stunned by her comment and wasn’t quite sure to say, especially with Melanie not being here to buffer the conversation. I didn’t want to overstep. I kept it simple and truthful.
“I like your mommy.”
“I like you.”
“You do?” I sat back in the chair and watched as Amelia moved to lay down in the bed.
“I do. You’re always here when I need you.”
“I’ll always try to be here when you need me, Amelia.”
She turned toward me on her side and placed her small hands under her head and closed her eyes. The door to the room open and closed. When I looked up, Melanie was standing there. I wasn’t sure how much she’d heard of the conversation Amelia had with me but I hope she knew that it was all true.
“She’s something else, isn’t she?”
“That she is.”
Melanie pulled the second seat in the room over next to mine and placed a hand on my leg. I placed my hand on top of here and for a moment it was just us watching over Amelia. It strangely felt like a family moment and as much as I thought I didn’t belong here right now, neither of these girls made me feel that way. They made it seem like I was already a part of their family.
“She likes you.”
“That’s what she said.”
“What else did she say?” Melanie asked and when I faced her, she refused to look at me, only keeping her sights on Amelia.
“She said you liked me too.”
“She’s not wrong.” Melanie moved her gaze to me, locking eyes and the tears that had been there when I came into the room earlier came back. This time she was silent in her cries and whipped them away with a smile on her face. “I didn’t think I was going to be able to admit that so soon.”
“I’m glad you did.” I leaned in and used my free hand to help wipe away stray tears.
“Jack,” Melanie started to talk but then placed a finger over her lips, clearly trying to think of what to say next, “why did you stay last night?”
“I wanted to be here for you and Amelia,” my response was instant because I didn’t need time to think. It was the truth and I needed Melanie to know that.
“I told Amelia that I would always try to be here for you both and I meant it, Melanie.”
“I know you did, Jack. I think I just needed to hear you say it.”
Melanie leaned into me, running her hand higher on my thigh. She inched herself closer in her chair and was only inches away from my face. As much as I wanted to make a move, I wanted to see what she was going to do.
