Page 47 of Resolutions

“I don't understand.” Mom looks up from the phone. “Why didn't you tell us you talked to her?” Mom pauses, her eyes examining my face. “You didn't.”

The hurt in mom's voice is raw with emotion. She'd always loved Melanie. She was so excited to add another daughter to the family. Mom loves her daughters-in-law and treats them like we're the sons-in-law and they're her biological kids. It's mentioned a lot at family get-togethers. With Melanie, sheand mom bonded instantly. I think it's because Melanie's own mother was so ill and mine is caring. Like a mama chicken, she scooted Melanie under her wing, keeping her warm and loved. I have no doubt that when Melanie left; it broke mom's heart almost as much as it did mine. And after last night, that's something I'll never forgive her for.

“Watch.” I'd gone back and pieced all the footage into one loop knowing I was going to have to show this to the family.

Once the video stops, I turn to face mom. She reaches out to touch the screen, another soft gasp escaping her. “Even with everything that's happened. All the hurt, the unanswered questions, the emptiness. Even with all of that, I still miss her.” She wipes at the corner of her eye. “I don't understand why she didn't talk to you. Cameron, what are you going to do?”

“What do you mean, what am I going to do? I'm not going to do anything. Melanie was here, with the perfect opportunity to talk to me. And she didn't. We thought she was dead. DEAD! My heart was ripped from my body and trampled on by her.” I point at the computer screen. “No, no, I'm not going to do anything. Our family suffered through all that pain and hurt. The number of nights I lay awake terrified for what my mind was telling me she was having to endure. And here she is fine. More than fine!” I shake my head. “Mom, you know the endless comments from the concerned people.” I make air quotes around the words. “Hell, she was on the other side of a door from me and she never said a word! No, she left me. She made that choice. And now I have to make mine. I don't want to see her. Ever again.”

Mom sighs and wipes away her tears. “But you love her.”

I retreat behind my desk, not wanting to have this conversation again. We've been through it too many times over the past month.

“Correction, I loved her. We've had this conversation before, mom. This has all been too much.”

“I know, dear, but that was before we knew she was here in Whispering Pines. Maybe she needs us to make the first move. We should tell people to watch for her.”

“Us? Come on mom. Did she sit around thinking we were dead? No. Did she come up with every excuse in the world trying to figure out what happened? No. Did she write a note saying she didn't ever love me? Yes. So, explain to me why should we make the first move? We didn't do anything wrong. She did! She left us! She couldn't even face us; she couldn't look me in the face and say she wanted out. NO, she dramatically set up a situation and ran away. And then she turned up here, at my work, and didn't say a damn thing? No way in fucking hell I'm making the first move.”

“Language,” mom warns, giving me her signature raised-eyebrow look.

I don't say anything for a moment. I'm mad and I have every right to be. But I don't want to get into it with her. “Sorry.” Being the mother of three sons who could out-curse a crew of sailors hadn't been easy on mom. But we learned from the best, our dad, the captain of our crew. We'd all been forced to learn to watch our language around her. I unconsciously rub the back of my head where her whack usually landed.

“I'll let it go because I know how emotionally upset you are.”

Shaking my head, I take a deep breath and blow it out. I close my eyes and speak. “Mom, I just can't. I just can't. I'll drive myself crazy looking for her, trying to get answers I know I can't get. Please understand, I just can't.”

“I understand, dear. Cameron, now that I know what I know, I'm going to look for her. I want answers for what my family's been through.”

“Sure mom, if it makes you feel better.”

She stands, gathering her purse before coming around to kiss the top of my head. “I'm sorry for all the pain you've endured,son. I wish I could take it from you. Your father and I both do. But now, it's time for mama bear to take over.”

I stand to hug her, always surprised by how small she feels in my arms. I tower over her. We all do, but the way she runs our family, you'd think she was a giant. And truthfully, she is - just not in height.

“Don't forget dinner Saturday night. Your brothers will be there.”

“I won't forget. I'm going back to swimming, I'll come over after that.” I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. She can look all she wants, but she won't find Melanie. I'll let her try for now, then have a talk with her about letting go, for her own good. But I would be lying if I didn't admit that I kind of hope she does find Melanie. Mom's been on the front lines when it came to finding Melanie. But now that she knows the truth and her family's suffered for no reason, Mom is a force to be reckoned with.

Chapter 24

TwoWeeksLater

Melanie

The soft knock at my door startles me from my dozing. Before I can fully shake off my afternoon haze, another knock follows.

Peering at the clock, I see it's noon, time for David to be home from his half-day of school. I push myself up from my chair to go answer the door.

“Well, how did the science project go?” I ask cheerfully, throwing open the door. The words die in my throat. Standing there, perfectly put together in one of her signature sweater sets, is my ex-future mother-in-law, Evelyn Whitaker.

Time stops and my mouth hangs open as I stare at her. A thousand thoughts race through my mind at the same time. Should I slam the door? Invite her in? Throw myself into her arms and sob? My heart can't settle on which emotion to feel first.

“Hello Melanie.”

“Mrs. Whitaker,” I manage, dropping my gaze to her sensible shoes. A familiar “tsk” sound makes me look up. There it is, the look her boys often referrer to. One eyebrow raised, eyes wide, head tilted just so, lips pressed together. The expression that could make three grown men confess to crimes they hadn't even committed yet. Another disapproving “tsk.”

“Evelyn,” I tried. Another “tsk.”

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