Page 82 of Save the Drama for your Mama
“All right, all right,” I conceded. “When I was fifteen, I was kicking back on the beach, watching Chad surf, when he got hit in the head with his own surfboard and went under.”
“Oh, my goodness.” Melody reached across the table and put her hand on mine. “That must have been so scary.”
“Tell me about it,” I said. “Without thinking, I did what you saw me do this morning. I ran out into the water to help. I was the big brother, but keep in mind that I was still just a scrawny kid who had no idea what he was doing. Luckily, I could get the surfboard under him, but I struggled to get him to shore. We were both exhausted and scared. That was when a lifeguard showed up in his Jeep, and just like that, he rescued Chad. I had felt like a little helpless twit, if I’m being honest. And something about that event stuck with me. After that, I decided I wanted to help people for real, to know what to do in an emergency. I wanted to be the person who jumps in when help is needed, to do it without risking their life or mine. I signed up for lifeguard training the next day.”
Melody’s eyes glistened. “That’s beautiful, Coop.” She squeezed my hand. “You have a big heart.”
I shrugged. “Just trying to make my mom proud.”
“I’m sure she’s proud of you,” Melody said.
“Is that true, Mom?” I called out, ready to change the subject.
Melody smiled and lifted her wine glass. “To making a difference.”
I clinked my glass against hers. “To making a difference.” I set my wine glass down and gestured to the living room. “How about we watch a movie now?”
“I’d like that,” she said.
As we curled up on the couch together, I grabbed the remote to scroll through the movies. “Fast and Furious.”
“Hard pass.” Melody scrunched up her nose. “You know I’m not into those kinds of movies. What aboutEmma?”
“I would rather have someone staple my face to a cork board.” I chuckled and kept scrolling through the options. “Oh, here’s a good one.The Bourne Identity.”
Melody gave me a look. “Not bad, but not for today. Can we watch something with a little more depth? How aboutCitizen Kane?”
I nodded. “Also, not a bad choice, but I’ve already seen it twice in the last year.”
We went back and forth, with me suggesting movies I thought had a romantic element, and Melody shooting them down for being too focused on action and not enough on the story. I was trying to avoid period dramas, and she wanted nothing fast-paced or explosive.
She was right, this was going to take all night.
After I rejected Melody’s suggestion ofThe Notebook, she pondered for a moment before her eyes lit up.
“Ooh, what aboutTitanic?” she exclaimed, pointing at the TV. “It’s got romance, but also some action too that I think you’d like.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Titanic is like the ultimate cheesy romance, with a side order of death. Almost everyone dies. Where exactly is the action?”
“Well, think about it,” Melody said. “There are all the scenes with people running through the sinking ship trying to escape. Plus, there’s her mean jealous boyfriend during those dramatic moments. Those are pretty action-packed!”
I shook my head. “Sorry, but no.”
“What about when the ship hits the iceberg? The way the ice ferociously rips into the hull? Sprays water everywhere!” Melody was so cute trying to play this movie up, but it would not happen.
“You’re ridiculous,” I said. “That’s more disaster than action. You must be kidding.”
“Well, how about when Jack and Rose have to hack at the handcuffs with the fire axe to break free?” she continued. “That’s pretty intense!”
I grunted. “Fighting rusty handcuffs is not heart-pounding action. Let’s move on because I’m not agreeing to this one.”
Melody gasped and pointed to the TV again. “Wait, go back up! They haveJane Eyre, the 2011 version with Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska. Oh, it’ssogood. It’s a historical drama from the mid-1800s with elaborate costumes. It’s beautiful and deep, but also has a bit of mystery. I think you’ll like it too. Please say yes.” She looked at me pleadingly.
How could I say no when she looked at me that way?
I shrugged. “I barely remember the story, but I’m pretty sure I liked it. It’s the only thing I’ve read from Charlotte Brontë. My mom loved that book and gave me a copy when I was a teen. Say no more. Let’s give it a shot.”
“Yay!” she said.
