July 1, 2023

"Kimmy!"

Bridge's mother, Melody, stood outside her best friend's house slightly irritated. She has tried calling Kimberley multiple times and yet, still no answer. She banged on the door.

"Kimmy!" Melody yelled again. "I know you're in there! I leave you for about fifteen years and you're still living in the same stupid, white fenced house Nathan bought you and Sky."

Finally, Kimberley opened the door. She was wearing a pink robe with her pajamas. Her hair was also in rollers. She was obviously ready to sleep but, none of that mattered as Melody noticed how red and puffy Kimberley's eyes were. She could tell her friend had been crying.

"Will you shut up already?" Kimberley asked Melody, letting her inside her house. "I have neighbors and Nathan's ghost doesn't like being disturbed at these hours of the night."

"Nathan's ghost better get used to me again." Melody shrugged as made herself at home. After Nathan died, anything suspicious that happened in the house was blamed on his ghost. It was their own little inside joke. She gestured to the heavy bottle in her hands. "I got liquor."

"God bless you. This is exactly why we're best friends." Kimberley got wine glasses out of her China cabinet, almost like she was desperate, and started pouring herself and Melody a glass.

Melody faked a gasp. "Has Dr. Tate been drinking again?"

"Nope, I stopped." Kimberley clicked her against Melody's for cheers. "Well, I did until Sky left me last month."

"Is that why you've been crying?" Melody asked as they got settled on the couch.

"It's obvious, isn't it?"

"I was surprised when Bridge told me he wanted to join the academy too. I honestly didn't want him to go. I was the one that actually saw Nathan fall to his death, remember? I was terrified. Bridge isn't so right in the head sometimes. My poor baby can't handle his powers. You know, unlike Sky, Bridge just graduated a month ago. He's barely an adult. But, even so, he's old enough to make his own decisions. I had to let him go. He didn't want to return to Camp Protégé this year like Mathew and I wanted him to."

Kimberley nodded. "I've seen him perform on TV. You have a talented son, Mel. How do you deal with all of…this?"

Kimberley made a gesture with her hand to refer to the situation. Melody sighed and took a big gulp of her drink before refilling.

"I'm not doing much better than you, honestly." Melody thought about her friend's question again. "I just…I try not to think about it too much, I guess." She sighed again. "Our sons are fine, Kimmy. I talk to Bridge every day. He and Sky are alive and healthy."

"For now." Kimberley muttered.

"Says the woman that wasn't even a Ranger."

"I came over enough to know what you guys did during your free time."

"Well, there was that one time Nathan shot me during a game…" Melody murmured. "I don't blame you for not remarrying. You and Nathan were a great pair. You both wanted to kill me."

"Don't change the subject. Sky and Bridge are still in danger."

Melody rolled her eyes. "What can I do to make you happy, old woman? Did I ever forgive you for stealing Nathan from me?"

"Not really…"

"Nathan!" Melody shouted into the dark living room. "I forgive you for breaking up with me! Kim is all yours!"

"I don't accept your apology." Kimberley said bluntly. "You're too late. I can't have sex with him anymore."

Melody and Kimberley busted out laughing as a bittersweet memory flooded their minds.

It was the year 1998. Nathan was about to play his last basketball game of the season at NewTech High School. Cheerleaders, Melody and Kimberley, were getting ready for the big night in the girls' locker room. Kimberley pulled out Nathan's jersey from her locker and sighed.

"Mel?"

"What?" Melody answered without looking at Kimberley. She was too busy stuffing her bra with tissue paper.

"I think I broke girl code."

"What did you do this time?" Melody asked, now facing the other cheerleader.

"Nathan and I…" Kimberley didn't bother finishing her sentence. She held up the red and gold jersey she pulled from her locker. Melody frowned.

"You're such a whore."

"I know." Kimberley replied sheepishly.

Melody looked around to make sure no other cheerleader was listening to their conversation. She had enough gossip floating around her head in the school. She didn't need anymore, especially one that could break her up with her longtime friend. She let out a heavy breath.

"Thanks for telling me."

"I'm so…wait, what?"

"Nathan and I aren't together anymore." Melody turned back around to face her locker. She started adjusting her high ponytail. "I had a feeling you two were going to hit it off at some point whether I liked it or not."

"Aw, bestie!" Kimberley walked over the bench that separated her from Melody and hugged her tightly. "Thanks for not being mad at me!"

"Yeah, whatever." Melody returned the hug. When Kimberley let go, she grabbed her pom-poms. "Come on, we have Puma asses to beat!"

"Look at us now, Mel." Kimberley continued to laugh. "Nathan passed away over a decade ago and we're still getting drunk and crying over his existence."

"Nothing's changed then." Melody grinned with tears now running down her face. "Can you believe we're already in our forties?"

"And you still haven't married me."

"I promised to marry you after Nathan died, didn't I?"

"Yup! I remember the day like it was yesterday. Bridge was three months old. You went home drunk night after night, leaving Mathew to take care of Bridge himself. So, he kicked you out to pick up your life at your mother's house."

2005 was one of the most difficult years Kimberley and Melody have been through. Melody gave birth to Bridge September 2005 and barely a month later, Nathan died in battle. Now, it was December 2005 and Melody got kicked out of her own apartment by her boyfriend, Mathew.

Kimberley was in bed next to Melody, constantly rubbing her back. She whispered comforting words to her every time she said, "I'm a horrible mom", "Bridge and Mathew don't deserve me", and "I screwed up".

"I suck at being an adult." Melody told Kimberley for the millionth time.

"Me too." Kimberley agreed. "If it wasn't for Nathan's mom, Sky and I would be living in a pigsty. Yesterday, Sky almost got a hold of my thong I left lying on the ground."

"You don't have a man to impress. What are you doing with those uncomfortable things?"

"I do so! Nathan still lurks around the house. I know it!"

Melody ignored her friend and played with her old pom-poms. "Oh Nathan…Nathan and Mathew…one was a high school jock and SPD officer and the other is just a damn nerd. Still, they both managed to be the biggest assholes I have ever met. Men are annoying, girl."

"Tell me about it. We've known each other longer than those guys. We should just marry each other."

"Totally. I'll buy the ring if you break the news to Mathew for me."

"Deal."

"You still have to tell Mathew for me to buy the ring." Melody said back in reality.

"Fine." Kimberley shrugged. All of a sudden a swift, cool breeze blew through the window, causing the two women to shiver. "Oh, hush. It's not legal to marry ghosts, Nathan. I don't want to be a widow forever."

Kimberley got up from her spot on the couch to close the window. When she went to sit back down, Melody looked like she was ready to pass out. "I'm adult enough today to know that I can't drive home like this."

"I'm proud of you." Kimberley smiled at her drunken friend. She helped her stand up. "Let's go make out in my room."

I'm not too sure where this chapter came from but it was too good for me not to publish. LOL! I hope you enjoyed. Please review :)