“I knew he’d adore you,” Alex said, smiling at his son nestled in Melanie’s arms. “He was so funny with that photo of you, showing his auntie Nellie to everyone he met.”
“So you’ve taught him to call me Nellie, too. When you know I don’t like it.”
Alex grinned. “You were Nellie to me for such a long time. Even when I could finally say your name, I didn’t want to. I liked Nellie. And what was it you called me? Biscuit?”
Melanie grinned, too. “Something like that.”
Melanie lowered her head to rest it against her nephew’s. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d held a child like that. Maybe the last time she babysat. When was that? A decade ago in Omaha?
A lifetime ago, it now seemed.
“When are you going to tell Mom and Dad they have a grandson?” Melanie murmured.
Alex sighed and stroked Nicky’s socked right foot. “I don’t know. They’ll be mad I didn’t tell them. They’ll be mad I wasn’t married to his mother. They’ll be mad they didn’t get to hold him when he was a baby.”
“And then they will get over it,” Melanie said. “Actually, I don’t think they’ll be mad, Alex. They’ll be sad they missed his first four years but they will get over that, too. In time.”
“I know but they just…everything has to be their way. You know? And only their way.”
Melanie shrugged. “I guess.”
“Youguess? Mel, you know it’s true. Were they happy you came to California? Were they happy you gave up college to become an actress? Did they send you flowers and champagne when you got that movie role after, what, years of auditions and bit parts that paid you next to nothing? Are they happy now about everyone here thinking you’re a commie? Are they happy you’re here instead of there?”
The barb went a little deep. Alex didn’t seem to notice.
“No. They didn’t want me to come here,” Melanie said.
“See? You do know it’s true.”
Melanie had always thought her brother disappeared because he didn’t care about what his parents thought or wanted. But now she understood so clearly that not only did he care about what his parents thought, he cared too much. And damn it all, she did, too. “It matters to you what Mom and Dad think. That’s why you’ve stayed away. It’s why I don’t like going back there, either. We both care. Maybe more than we should.”
Alex didn’t say anything.
A moment later Nicky stirred and Alex abruptly stood up.
“I should get him to bed.” His tone was impossible to interpret.
“I’m sorry I said that,” Melanie said.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“No. I really am sorry. I shouldn’t have said it.” Though she knew what she’d said was true.
“You don’t have anything to be sorry about. I should get to bed, too. Long day.”
“We can talk more tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
“Or, better yet, how about we go into Santa Monica and get a little Christmas tree and some decorations? Wouldn’t that be fun? Maybe get a few presents to wrap up for Nicky? I’d love for you two to stay for the holidays. Or longer.”
“That sounds nice. Nicky would love that.”
Alex picked up his sleeping son and Melanie followed him into the guest room to turn down the bedspread.
“If you need anything during the night, I’m just down the hall,” Melanie said as she turned to leave the room.
But Alex reached for her, pulled her into a hug, and squeezed tight. “Thank you. It’s really good to be here. I’m glad I came.”
