“Can you believe it’s been almost twenty-five years?” Liam asks, looking back and forth between Melanie and me. “We should do something for it. Since you’re here, Josh.”
I nod, and the wheels start turning. “Maybe… How big are you thinking?” The truth of the matter is, we had a quiet burial for Cara, and then we left town. Her life never felt fully celebrated to me, and if I think too hard about that my heart splits. Shedeserveda celebration.
Liam pushes his lips together in thought. “I always wished we could’ve done something in her name, you know? Pay tribute to her.”
I shake my head in agreement. “Oh, yeah, like some kind of memorial. Scholarship fund maybe?”
“A memorial benefit concert!” Melanie shrieks, just as the waitress brings our salads over. “The money we raise could go to a scholarship or something.”
Liam checks his watch before standing and putting his chair back. “That’s a great idea, Mel.” He holds his hand out to me again. “I should let you two eat. Let’s get together and talk about it.”
I stand up and shake his hand, patting him on the shoulder. “Yeah. Sounds good.” I nod. “I’ll give you a call.”
“Great. See you guys later.” Liam calls, pushing the stroller away.
I sit back down and narrow my eyes at Melanie. “Abenefitconcert? Way to put me on the spot,” I retort.
“Come on, Josh. You know how amazing that would be? You are astar—a concert in yoursister’shonor in your hometown to raise scholarship money? It’ll be amazing.”
I chew on my lip, thinking for a minute while Melanie digs into her salad. I watch her thoughtfully, the way she picks through her salad to find the perfect bite. Melanie has never been anything but unapologetically herself. She wears her heart on her sleeve. Even all these years later, I never question where I stand with her. It’s refreshing and disarming all at the same time.
I suck in a breath, and she expectantly raises her eyes to meet mine. “Fine, you know what? I’ll do it,” I say, digging into my own salad. I take a bite and look at her again.
Her eyes sparkle with excitement, a hopeful grin pulls at her lips. “Yeah?”
“On one condition,” I add, wagging my empty fork in her direction.
“What’s that?” Melanie shoots me an exaggerated eye roll. She knows me too well.
“You play it with me,” I say, taking another bite.
Melanie drops her fork in her salad bowl. “Come on, Josh, be serious.” Melanie frowns. “I can’t do that.You’rethe performer, not me.”
“Why not? You were once a performer too,” I scoff, taking a sip of my lemonade.
She stares quietly at me, chewing.
“Come on, we have all summer till the anniversary. Let’s write some music,” I urge. I play footsies with her and offer her a teasing smile. “You know you want to.”
Melanie eyes me cautiously but I can see that she’s spinning these thoughts around in her mind.
“It’ll be like old times,” I tell her, my voice softening. “I don’t know about you but… I’ve really missed those times.” This time I offer her my open hand.
Melanie nods and takes a deep breath, clasping her hand in mine and meeting my eyes. “I have too,” she says solemnly. “Okay, fine. You sold me. Let’s do it.”
My eyes widen in shock. I didn’t think she’d agree so easily. “Really?”
Melanie lets a smile break through then. “Yeah. Let’s do it. For Cara.”
Then
What are you doing this weekend?
Ugh, Cara wants to look at prom dresses tomorrow. There’s a store up the parkway that apparently records what dress you buy for your prom so no one else at your school can get the same dress as you. She’s hell bent on going. I don’t even want to go to the prom.
Why not? I’m sure you could find someone to go with.
Not the person I want to go with.
