"Dad, I'm fine," Amelia Hayes cradled the phone on her shoulder, rubbing
her eyes. "Look, Rebecca will take care of you until I'm home, alright?"
She looked quickly at her watch and groaned. "Dad, I have to go. I'm late
for work. I'll talk to you later, I promise. Love you too. Bye." She hung
up the phone and scribbled a hasty note to her roommate, Tricia. Guilt
gnawed at her stomach. Fresh out of college, she had her own clothing line,
was very successful…with one major setback. Her father had been diagnosed
with cancer. She felt terrible leaving him. With a sigh she looked in the
mirror. She took note of her honey blonde curls, wide blue eyes, and high
cheekbones. Smoothing her blouse, she leapt into her lime-green Bug, and
sped off.
Cranking up the music, "Walk Like an Egyptian," came on. Amelia flicked it off. Someone honked loudly nearby. "Chill, idiot," Amelia muttered, adjusting her rear-view mirror with a scowl. A beat up BMW cruised next to her, honking cheerfully. Amelia grinned as the tinted window rolled down to reveal her best friend, Jake.
"Hey, Mel!" Jake called. Jake Morris, or Rad, as he liked to be called for some strange, unknown reason, had been Amelia's best friend since Mommy and Me.
'
"Rad, are you trying to get me killed?" Mel shouted, veering to avoid a slow Aerostar. Grinning, she called Rad's cell.
"What," came Rad's reply.
"Wassup, Rad?" Mel asked.
"Ah, nothin' much," Rad said in a tone that implied otherwise. "Went to the museum yesterday." Mel was surprised. Rad hated museums. He thought them as 'dull houses of useless mannequins.' She waited patiently for him to elaborate.
"Was there a new exhibit on the fascinating world of Egypt?" Mel commented sardonically. There was a silence.
"Well, yeah," Rad said finally. "Later." His car had long since faded from view. Hanging up, Mel pulled into her EMPLOYEE ONLY space. I really gotta change that to OWNER Mel remarked to herself as she entered the revolving doors of Amelia's Fashion Passion.
"Mel!" Tasha Brinks rushed over. "Mel, Nina just called in. She apparently passed out at the museum yesterday." Mel was alarmed. Nina Davis was not only a great worker, but a wonderful friend.
"Where is Nina now?" Mel whispered.
"Hospital, Room 27," Tasha replied. "They stabilized her, but she experienced signs of suffocation. It's weird." Mel grabbed her purse.
"What hospital?" Mel called over her shoulder.
"St.Marks, but Mel…"
"Later, Tasha! Tell Miranda she's over doing it on the fringe for the Summer Sash design!" Without another word, she drove off.
"Miss, visiting hours are…" a nurse began, to no avail.
"Save your breath for those who need it," Mel said under her breath. "And it's only 12:30." She swept down the corridor to room 27. Nina Davis was sitting up in bed, talking animatedly to a man by her side. Her eyes met Mel's, and she smiled.
"Hey, Mel," she said brightly. Mel held out a bouquet of flowers, not paying attention to the man.
"Hey, Nina. How're you doing?" Mel asked softly.
"I've been keeping her company," the man interjected, his sandy blond hair falling into his striking blue eyes.
"RAD!" Mel exclaimed, shocked. Rad grinned. Mel just shook her head in awe. "I shoulda guessed you'd play hero when a pretty woman is in trouble."
"Wait, is your name Jake or Rad?" Nina asked, confused.
"Both," Rad and Mel replied simultaneously. Nina nodded understandingly.
"What're you doing here anyway?" Mel turned to Rad.
"Remember how I went to the museum?" Mel nodded. "Well, I was standing by an exhibit with Nina, and she just passed out. I was feeling pretty light- headed myself."
"It's funny how the one time you went to the museum, this happened," Mel said. "It's like fate."
"Jake? Can I speak to Mel alone?" Nina said. Rad nodded, and left. Mel took his seat and looked into Nina's dark eyes. She seemed so serious.
"Everything OK?" Mel said gently. Nina shrugged.
"Are you and Jake—Rad—together?" Mel shook her head. A look like relief passed over Nina's face. "Every time I look at him, I feel a connection, almost like love. A sad love." Mel stared openly, then shifted uncomfortably.
"Yeah, well, Rad has that effect on a lot of women," she said slowly.
"But the connection," Nina insisted. "It's like I've known him before!"
"Have you?" Mel inquired. Nina paused, and shook her head.
"All this research on reincarnation is going to my head," Nina mumbled. Mel smiled understandingly, knowing how involved Nina was in Egyptian history. At that moment, Rad appeared in the doorway, crumbs lining his lips, chocolate smudged on his shirt. Mel exchanged a look with Nina and snickered.
"Rad! Someone got a little hungry, eh?" Mel laughed. Rad wiped his mouth and smiled sheepishly. "I hereby dub thee, Rad da Mess." Nina jolted, mouth going dry. Rad froze, eyes widening slightly, and Mel's heart did a double flip. She stared at Rad, an image of him standing before her in a white ceremonial outfit danced before her. Great. One comment and I'm picturing a wedding with my best friend Mel thought dryly. Nina and Rad looked at each other, each mirroring a look of intense longing. Mel looked at them both, and a vague jealousy and sadness snapped at her. I know the truth… Mel shook her head. What truth?
"Excuse me?" A doctor in a lab coat appeared behind Rad, who had not moved from his spot. " Miss Davis is clear to sign out." Nina, Mel, and Rad looked up. The mood was broken, and all previous thoughts were forgotten.
"Thanks," Nina said easily. Her eyes regained their usual, warm look, the look of longing gone. Wordlessly, Mel and Rad helped Nina up (much to Nina's protests). Nina signed herself out, and walked out with the other two. They stood in silence, before Rad cleared his throat.
"Mel…Rad da Mess? Gimme a break," he groaned, rolling his eyes. Mel shrugged and grinned. Nina just laughed.
"Alrighty then. Mel? Can you give me a ride back to work? I don't know what happened to my car," she said. Mel nodded, and opened her mouth, but Rad beat her to it.
"Taken care of," he announced grandly. "One of the staff members at the museum followed us in the car." He gestured toward a beige sedan. Nina's eyes lit up.
"Geez, Jake! I barely know you, but..oh man!" she was exuberant, caught up in the kindness from a stranger. Mel was shaking her head.
"Nu-uh. Oh no, Nina Davis. You're going home to rest. No work for you!" Mel said firmly. "Boss's orders."
"Mel! You're treating me like an invalid! I'm walking, I'm talking, and I've got half a mind to give your eyes another shade of blue. I AM going to work!" Mel stepped back, stunned by the sudden outburst of the normally passive woman. An angry fire blazed in Nina's eyes, and it reminded Rad strongly of something….someone.
"You're home early," Tricia remarked from her position on the couch as Mel trudged into the apartment.
"Doesn't feel early," Mel said with a groan, sinking onto the couch. "So, how was the play?"
"What, Aida?" Tricia said.
"Don't tell me you saw more than one play today. If not, yes, I mean Aida," Mel replied darkly. Tricia raised an eyebrow.
"Whoa. Someone got caught in the sewing machine today," Tricia placed a hand on her forehead for emphasis. Despite Mel's glare, she continued. "It was incredible! The funny thing is, Princess Amneris is so much like you. You look the same, and both have a love for fashion."
"Oh?" Mel glanced at her roommate. "So I'm just a spoiled blond princess with some fashion sense?" Tricia looked startled, and Mel regretted her words. Trish didn't mean anything by what she said.
"Sorry," Tricia said, then shifted over and patted the space next to her. "There's a pint of Ben & Jerry in the freezer. Get that and come tell ole Tricia who looked at you cockeyed." Despite herself, Mel smiled. She grabbed a pint of Phish Food, a spoon, and joined her friend on the couch.
"An employee of mine passed out at the museum yesterday, and was sent to the hospital." Tricia gasped, knowing how close Mel was to each of her workers. "Nina was fine, and guess who was there."
"Who?"
"Rad," Mel said simply. Tricia's eyes widened.
"Rad was there? Do I need to ask why?" Tricia said. Mel shrugged.
"He was at the museum," she silenced Tricia with a look. "Yes, we all know he hates museums, but we should just be thankful that he was there."
"Yeah, so the reason you're a short circuit is…"
"I don't know," Mel admitted. "Everything was cool until I teased Rad and called him Rad da Mess. It got all weird after that. Rad and Nina were gazing at each other in a way I can't describe." Tricia grinned.
"You're jealous."
"What!" Mel yelped.
"You're jealous that something might happen between Nina and Rad," Tricia said gleefully.
"No way! Tricia, seriously!"
"I'm serious."
"You know," Mel said thoughtfully. "My history professor once said that the story of Aida is true, taken from hieroglyphics from a pyramid or tomb or something."
"You're changing the subject, Amelia Hayes!" Tricia admonished. Mel just smiled.
"C'mon. Rad is my best friend. I don't like him in THAT way," Mel said airily.
"What's your strongest suit?" Tricia said suddenly.
"Dress," Mel replied without thinking. "what…?" Tricia's reply was cut short as Mel's cell phone begged for attention. Happy with the distraction, Mel punched in the **talk** button. "Hello?"
"Heyyyy Amelia Hayes!"
"Hey Rad," Mel greeted, spirits lifting. "What's up?"
"Mel, do you have Nina's number?" Mel froze, and snapped the cell phone shut.
"You just hung up on Rad," Tricia stated. "23 years and you hung up on your best friend." Mel glared at her, stormed to her room and slammed the door. I don't like Rad in that way she reminded herself. I was just surprised he didn't ask how I was…
Mel was always one that believed dreams told the truth. A few nights later, she had a dream that confirmed everything she'd come to believe over a series of days….
~*~*~**~**~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~~**~*~*~*~**~
Mel, Nina, and Rad were laughing and hanging out outside the museum. Mel watched curiously as Nina and Rad kept catching each other's eye. Suddenly, the area around them went black. Mel herself was glowing in a way, and Nina and Rad were quivering, as though holding something back. Mel started toward them, but was blocked by some kind of force. Stone. A haze surrounded Nina and Rad individually, before taking shape. Nina's haze formed into a woman, ghostly features shaded slightly. Her feet were bare, and she wore a dark dress. Rad shuddered as his ghost-form took shape of a man. A mournful tune quavered in the air. Mel recognized it as the song "Written in the Stars," a song constantly played by Tricia. The forms were the spirits of Aida and Radames. They reached for each other.
"I told you I'd search a hundred lifetimes to find you again, Aida," Radames whispered, his voice echoing eerily.
"I know, I know!" Aida gasped. "They won't listen! Won't let us be together! I was so sure when Mel said 'Rad da Mess'…so sure they'd get it! Did you feel their reactions, Radames?" Radames nodded gravely.
"Soon, Aida, we will be together. They will catch on soon," he assured her. Nina and Rad stirred, and Aida and Radames looked to them. Mel pounded on the invisible stone wall. Aida and Radames reached without touching, before fading back to their hosts.
"Soon, Radames…" Aida's voice whispered, then they were gone. Nina jerked, her eyes snapping open. Rad got to his knees, shaking his head slightly.
"Nina?" Rad said groggily. "You okay?" Nina nodded, and reached for his hand. Their hands stopped just short of touching, as though another force was needed to join them. They turned away from each other.
"Wait!" Mel screamed. "Oh, gods, let me through!" oh gods? Did I just say that? Mel mused. "Let me THROUGH! Nina! Rad! You are Aida and Radames!" her screams went unheard.
~*~*~**~*~***~***~*~**~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~
Mel woke with a start, her palms clammy, sweating. "I feel a connection…like a love…a sad love…" Nina's words in the hospital raced back. Mel knew who Nina and Rad really were, but for some unknown reason, she had to bring them together. But why me? she asked herself. Putting that thought aside, she smoothed her hair back. The greatest matchmaking plan had to be put into plan. Mel decided it wouldn't be hard making two people fall in love….especially when their souls were in love already.
Cranking up the music, "Walk Like an Egyptian," came on. Amelia flicked it off. Someone honked loudly nearby. "Chill, idiot," Amelia muttered, adjusting her rear-view mirror with a scowl. A beat up BMW cruised next to her, honking cheerfully. Amelia grinned as the tinted window rolled down to reveal her best friend, Jake.
"Hey, Mel!" Jake called. Jake Morris, or Rad, as he liked to be called for some strange, unknown reason, had been Amelia's best friend since Mommy and Me.
'
"Rad, are you trying to get me killed?" Mel shouted, veering to avoid a slow Aerostar. Grinning, she called Rad's cell.
"What," came Rad's reply.
"Wassup, Rad?" Mel asked.
"Ah, nothin' much," Rad said in a tone that implied otherwise. "Went to the museum yesterday." Mel was surprised. Rad hated museums. He thought them as 'dull houses of useless mannequins.' She waited patiently for him to elaborate.
"Was there a new exhibit on the fascinating world of Egypt?" Mel commented sardonically. There was a silence.
"Well, yeah," Rad said finally. "Later." His car had long since faded from view. Hanging up, Mel pulled into her EMPLOYEE ONLY space. I really gotta change that to OWNER Mel remarked to herself as she entered the revolving doors of Amelia's Fashion Passion.
"Mel!" Tasha Brinks rushed over. "Mel, Nina just called in. She apparently passed out at the museum yesterday." Mel was alarmed. Nina Davis was not only a great worker, but a wonderful friend.
"Where is Nina now?" Mel whispered.
"Hospital, Room 27," Tasha replied. "They stabilized her, but she experienced signs of suffocation. It's weird." Mel grabbed her purse.
"What hospital?" Mel called over her shoulder.
"St.Marks, but Mel…"
"Later, Tasha! Tell Miranda she's over doing it on the fringe for the Summer Sash design!" Without another word, she drove off.
"Miss, visiting hours are…" a nurse began, to no avail.
"Save your breath for those who need it," Mel said under her breath. "And it's only 12:30." She swept down the corridor to room 27. Nina Davis was sitting up in bed, talking animatedly to a man by her side. Her eyes met Mel's, and she smiled.
"Hey, Mel," she said brightly. Mel held out a bouquet of flowers, not paying attention to the man.
"Hey, Nina. How're you doing?" Mel asked softly.
"I've been keeping her company," the man interjected, his sandy blond hair falling into his striking blue eyes.
"RAD!" Mel exclaimed, shocked. Rad grinned. Mel just shook her head in awe. "I shoulda guessed you'd play hero when a pretty woman is in trouble."
"Wait, is your name Jake or Rad?" Nina asked, confused.
"Both," Rad and Mel replied simultaneously. Nina nodded understandingly.
"What're you doing here anyway?" Mel turned to Rad.
"Remember how I went to the museum?" Mel nodded. "Well, I was standing by an exhibit with Nina, and she just passed out. I was feeling pretty light- headed myself."
"It's funny how the one time you went to the museum, this happened," Mel said. "It's like fate."
"Jake? Can I speak to Mel alone?" Nina said. Rad nodded, and left. Mel took his seat and looked into Nina's dark eyes. She seemed so serious.
"Everything OK?" Mel said gently. Nina shrugged.
"Are you and Jake—Rad—together?" Mel shook her head. A look like relief passed over Nina's face. "Every time I look at him, I feel a connection, almost like love. A sad love." Mel stared openly, then shifted uncomfortably.
"Yeah, well, Rad has that effect on a lot of women," she said slowly.
"But the connection," Nina insisted. "It's like I've known him before!"
"Have you?" Mel inquired. Nina paused, and shook her head.
"All this research on reincarnation is going to my head," Nina mumbled. Mel smiled understandingly, knowing how involved Nina was in Egyptian history. At that moment, Rad appeared in the doorway, crumbs lining his lips, chocolate smudged on his shirt. Mel exchanged a look with Nina and snickered.
"Rad! Someone got a little hungry, eh?" Mel laughed. Rad wiped his mouth and smiled sheepishly. "I hereby dub thee, Rad da Mess." Nina jolted, mouth going dry. Rad froze, eyes widening slightly, and Mel's heart did a double flip. She stared at Rad, an image of him standing before her in a white ceremonial outfit danced before her. Great. One comment and I'm picturing a wedding with my best friend Mel thought dryly. Nina and Rad looked at each other, each mirroring a look of intense longing. Mel looked at them both, and a vague jealousy and sadness snapped at her. I know the truth… Mel shook her head. What truth?
"Excuse me?" A doctor in a lab coat appeared behind Rad, who had not moved from his spot. " Miss Davis is clear to sign out." Nina, Mel, and Rad looked up. The mood was broken, and all previous thoughts were forgotten.
"Thanks," Nina said easily. Her eyes regained their usual, warm look, the look of longing gone. Wordlessly, Mel and Rad helped Nina up (much to Nina's protests). Nina signed herself out, and walked out with the other two. They stood in silence, before Rad cleared his throat.
"Mel…Rad da Mess? Gimme a break," he groaned, rolling his eyes. Mel shrugged and grinned. Nina just laughed.
"Alrighty then. Mel? Can you give me a ride back to work? I don't know what happened to my car," she said. Mel nodded, and opened her mouth, but Rad beat her to it.
"Taken care of," he announced grandly. "One of the staff members at the museum followed us in the car." He gestured toward a beige sedan. Nina's eyes lit up.
"Geez, Jake! I barely know you, but..oh man!" she was exuberant, caught up in the kindness from a stranger. Mel was shaking her head.
"Nu-uh. Oh no, Nina Davis. You're going home to rest. No work for you!" Mel said firmly. "Boss's orders."
"Mel! You're treating me like an invalid! I'm walking, I'm talking, and I've got half a mind to give your eyes another shade of blue. I AM going to work!" Mel stepped back, stunned by the sudden outburst of the normally passive woman. An angry fire blazed in Nina's eyes, and it reminded Rad strongly of something….someone.
"You're home early," Tricia remarked from her position on the couch as Mel trudged into the apartment.
"Doesn't feel early," Mel said with a groan, sinking onto the couch. "So, how was the play?"
"What, Aida?" Tricia said.
"Don't tell me you saw more than one play today. If not, yes, I mean Aida," Mel replied darkly. Tricia raised an eyebrow.
"Whoa. Someone got caught in the sewing machine today," Tricia placed a hand on her forehead for emphasis. Despite Mel's glare, she continued. "It was incredible! The funny thing is, Princess Amneris is so much like you. You look the same, and both have a love for fashion."
"Oh?" Mel glanced at her roommate. "So I'm just a spoiled blond princess with some fashion sense?" Tricia looked startled, and Mel regretted her words. Trish didn't mean anything by what she said.
"Sorry," Tricia said, then shifted over and patted the space next to her. "There's a pint of Ben & Jerry in the freezer. Get that and come tell ole Tricia who looked at you cockeyed." Despite herself, Mel smiled. She grabbed a pint of Phish Food, a spoon, and joined her friend on the couch.
"An employee of mine passed out at the museum yesterday, and was sent to the hospital." Tricia gasped, knowing how close Mel was to each of her workers. "Nina was fine, and guess who was there."
"Who?"
"Rad," Mel said simply. Tricia's eyes widened.
"Rad was there? Do I need to ask why?" Tricia said. Mel shrugged.
"He was at the museum," she silenced Tricia with a look. "Yes, we all know he hates museums, but we should just be thankful that he was there."
"Yeah, so the reason you're a short circuit is…"
"I don't know," Mel admitted. "Everything was cool until I teased Rad and called him Rad da Mess. It got all weird after that. Rad and Nina were gazing at each other in a way I can't describe." Tricia grinned.
"You're jealous."
"What!" Mel yelped.
"You're jealous that something might happen between Nina and Rad," Tricia said gleefully.
"No way! Tricia, seriously!"
"I'm serious."
"You know," Mel said thoughtfully. "My history professor once said that the story of Aida is true, taken from hieroglyphics from a pyramid or tomb or something."
"You're changing the subject, Amelia Hayes!" Tricia admonished. Mel just smiled.
"C'mon. Rad is my best friend. I don't like him in THAT way," Mel said airily.
"What's your strongest suit?" Tricia said suddenly.
"Dress," Mel replied without thinking. "what…?" Tricia's reply was cut short as Mel's cell phone begged for attention. Happy with the distraction, Mel punched in the **talk** button. "Hello?"
"Heyyyy Amelia Hayes!"
"Hey Rad," Mel greeted, spirits lifting. "What's up?"
"Mel, do you have Nina's number?" Mel froze, and snapped the cell phone shut.
"You just hung up on Rad," Tricia stated. "23 years and you hung up on your best friend." Mel glared at her, stormed to her room and slammed the door. I don't like Rad in that way she reminded herself. I was just surprised he didn't ask how I was…
Mel was always one that believed dreams told the truth. A few nights later, she had a dream that confirmed everything she'd come to believe over a series of days….
~*~*~**~**~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~~**~*~*~*~**~
Mel, Nina, and Rad were laughing and hanging out outside the museum. Mel watched curiously as Nina and Rad kept catching each other's eye. Suddenly, the area around them went black. Mel herself was glowing in a way, and Nina and Rad were quivering, as though holding something back. Mel started toward them, but was blocked by some kind of force. Stone. A haze surrounded Nina and Rad individually, before taking shape. Nina's haze formed into a woman, ghostly features shaded slightly. Her feet were bare, and she wore a dark dress. Rad shuddered as his ghost-form took shape of a man. A mournful tune quavered in the air. Mel recognized it as the song "Written in the Stars," a song constantly played by Tricia. The forms were the spirits of Aida and Radames. They reached for each other.
"I told you I'd search a hundred lifetimes to find you again, Aida," Radames whispered, his voice echoing eerily.
"I know, I know!" Aida gasped. "They won't listen! Won't let us be together! I was so sure when Mel said 'Rad da Mess'…so sure they'd get it! Did you feel their reactions, Radames?" Radames nodded gravely.
"Soon, Aida, we will be together. They will catch on soon," he assured her. Nina and Rad stirred, and Aida and Radames looked to them. Mel pounded on the invisible stone wall. Aida and Radames reached without touching, before fading back to their hosts.
"Soon, Radames…" Aida's voice whispered, then they were gone. Nina jerked, her eyes snapping open. Rad got to his knees, shaking his head slightly.
"Nina?" Rad said groggily. "You okay?" Nina nodded, and reached for his hand. Their hands stopped just short of touching, as though another force was needed to join them. They turned away from each other.
"Wait!" Mel screamed. "Oh, gods, let me through!" oh gods? Did I just say that? Mel mused. "Let me THROUGH! Nina! Rad! You are Aida and Radames!" her screams went unheard.
~*~*~**~*~***~***~*~**~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~
Mel woke with a start, her palms clammy, sweating. "I feel a connection…like a love…a sad love…" Nina's words in the hospital raced back. Mel knew who Nina and Rad really were, but for some unknown reason, she had to bring them together. But why me? she asked herself. Putting that thought aside, she smoothed her hair back. The greatest matchmaking plan had to be put into plan. Mel decided it wouldn't be hard making two people fall in love….especially when their souls were in love already.