“A wreath?” Melanie gives her dad a sideways glance. “Just how serious is it with Joan? Because I know you didn’t put a wreath on your door.”
Frank laughs but it turns into a dry cough. “Pretty serious.” His voice cracks.
Melanie nods, smiling softly. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it was pretty hard for you to choke out the word serious.”
“Yeah, yeah. Your old man needs some company, okay?” Frank pulls Melanie closer. “You’re still my number one girl though.”
Melanie tilts her head into Frank's and before she pulls away, I snap a picture of the two of them. Their backs, but they’re standing close, leaning into each other. It’s a Kodak moment.
The front door swings open before we can get to it, and Joan greets us with a bright smile.
“You’re home!” Two little curly-haired dogs yip at Joan’s feet. She holds open her arms and Frank steps into them.
Mel and I exchange a look. It’s definitely serious with them.
“I made soup and chicken salad in case anyone is hungry,” Joan says, leading Frank inside by his elbow. She has his recliner set up with a blanket and pillow. Next to it is a snack tray with a remote.
Silence hangs in the air before I clear my throat. “These are Frank’s meds,” I say, setting the paper bag down on the snack tray. Desperate to fill the silence. “There are instructions on each bottle for time of day… Well, you know how prescriptions work.” I scratch the back of my neck and look away.
“Great!” Joan claps her hands together. “Frankie, why don’t you sit, and I’ll fix you some food?”
Frank does as he’s told, and Mel and I exchange another amused look.
Joan fixes her eyes on us, a soft, hopeful smile on her face. “Did you kids want to eat?”
Melanie feigns a yawn, shaking her head. “Oh, no. I’m really tired. You know, hotel beds.”
She glances at me, and I desperately fight the twitch of my lips.
“Thank you, though,” she adds quickly.
I look to Joan, wondering exactly how this is going to work. “Will you be staying here, Joan?”
Frank glances between the two women. “Joan’s going to stay as long as I need her.”
A small noise escapes Melanie, and we all look at her.
“I just don’t want to put you two out any more than I already have,” Frank says gently, looking at Melanie.
“Dad. You’re mydad.” Her voice comes out small.
Joan slowly backs out of the living area, and I hear her bustling around the kitchen. I step closer to Mel, putting an arm around her.
“I know, honey, but you and Josh are doing your thing. I don’t want you to have to worry about me.” Frank looks between us. “You have a concert to play.”
Melanie lets out a relenting sigh. “Okay. That’s fair. But I’ll be back every day to check on you.”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
We say our goodbyes and head right to Ellie’s to get my stuff. I’m coming home.
43
MELANIE
The days leading up to the concert blur by faster than I expect. It feels like just yesterday that Josh showed up here, upending my life and somehow putting it back together at the same time. Ever since the night in the hotel, things have been downright blissful. Josh moved back in and it’s as if he never left. We’ve easily slipped back into our rhythm—work, write, rehearse, fall into bed together, repeat—and I still catch myself wondering how I got this lucky.
We still haven’t talked about what happens next. About Tennessee. I think he’s really waiting to see what Mark and the label people have to say after the show. I’d be lying if I said I’m not anxious. But one thing feels solid: we’re together. And I want to believe that’s enough. Ihopeit’s enough.
