Read the Prologue of “Buried Secrets”
“Mother, how could you?” cried Melanie as she stormed through the door.
“How could I what?” Pat responded, looking up from her dinner preparations.
“How could you send me there, knowing he’d be there?”
“Who?” Pat asked, confused by her daughter’s outburst.
“Matt! How could you ask me to go to the store knowing he worked there?” Melanie’s voice cracked as tears flowed freely down her cheeks.
“Oh my goodness! I’d completely forgotten.” Pat pulled the trembling young woman into her arms.
“I’m so very sorry, honey. I wasn’t thinking at all. I was so focused on dinner preparations and grateful I could send you on the errand rather than me. Oh, Melanie, I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”
Melanie rested her head against her mother’s shoulder and quietly wept while her mother held her tight. Despite all the difficulties of the last year, she’d never allowed herself a good cry.
After a few minutes, Melanie pushed away and whimpered, “It was awful, Mom. If I’d known he worked there it might have helped, but to walk into the produce department and see him standing there was such a jolt. I could tell he was shocked, too. Oh Mom, it was just awful!” she wailed.
“I’m so sorry, Melanie. What can I do to make it better?” Pat asked helplessly, continuing to embrace her daughter.
“Nothing. Nothing can make this better,” Melanie cried.
Pat closed her eyes and stroked her daughter’s hair, remembering how the problems used to be so simple and easy to heal. Now the young woman was almost an adult, making very adult decisions, and as her mother, she’d been relegated to the position of spectator who oftentimes could do nothing but love and pray for her.
As the emotions receded, Pat gently guided Melanie to a chair and sat down next to her. Sighing deeply, Melanie continued, “I knew it was going to happen eventually. I simply wasn’t prepared.”
“Did he say anything?” asked Pat gently.
“Maybe. I think I blubbered something to him. I was so surprised, Mom. I ran away, leaving the cart filled with food at the store. I’m sorry,” Melanie apologized wiping the last tear from her face.
“Not to worry,” her mother assured her. “I can make do. Right now my concern is you. Worst case scenario, we can always have cold cereal.”
Melanie chuckled slightly at the remark. Her mother often made the threat of cereal for dinner, but in her entire life she couldn’t recall a time when that’s what they actually ate.
The two women sat in silence for several minutes, Melanie staring at her hands, when Melanie’s little sister came running into the house.
“Mellie, come play with me. Sarah had to go home, and I don’t have anyone to play with.”
“Beth, Melanie isn’t up to playing right now. Have you done your practicing for today?” Pat asked, switching from compassionate mother to stern mom.
“Ah, Mom, you know. . .”
“None of that now. Go on. You need to get it done before dinner.”
Beth rolled her eyes, and shuffled out of the kitchen, mumbling under her breath. As the sound of Lightly Row filled the house, Melanie stood up and said, “I’m going for a hike. I think I’ll head over to Bear’s Trail. It’ll be good for me.”
“Are you sure, honey? Dinner will be ready soon, and I don’t like the idea of you on that trail by yourself.”
“I’ll be fine. I need to get away and think. I’ll be back for dinner, I promise,” Melanie guaranteed.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Pat repeated. “Just a few minutes ago, you were hysterical.”
“I know. The fresh air will help clear my head. It always does. I need to prepare for the next time I see Matt. I’ll be careful. I promise.” Melanie gave her mother a quick peck on the cheek, said “I love you,” and was out the door before Pat could object further. Three hours later, she wished she’d tried harder.
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