Hamilton rolled over and stretched his arms over the edge of the single sized bed. The morning sunlight assaulted his still sleepy eyes. He put his hand to his mouth and stifled a long yawn. As he squinted into the day his brain reprocessed his surroundings. Something in him stirred. He sat up sharply and put his feet on the floor. He looked at the empty space where she had been. "Jake?" He called out. "Jake!" He yelled louder.
Jake entered through the half opened door. She carried two paper bowls and two plastic spoons. "Shhh. Hamilton, I'm right here. Stop shouting." She said. Jake extracted two single serving boxes of cereal from one pocket and another box of cereal and small carton of milk from the other.
"Where were you?" Hamilton questioned sounding concerned.
Jake held up the cereal. "Breakfast...sleeping beauty. I got in under the wire too, they were starting to set up for lunch." Jake handed Hamilton a bowl and spoon and tossed two of the boxes of cereal onto his lap. "Hope that's Ok." She said.
Hamilton picked up the boxes of Frosted Flakes. "They're Grrrrreat!" He chuckled.
"Cute..." She said. Jake sat crossed legged on the bottom of the bed while Hamilton propped a pillow behind his back. She poured some milk into her cereal and handed Hamilton the carton. She smiled to herself as she watched him promptly drain it into his bowl with his usual lack of consideration for anyone but himself, at least when it came to food.
"Breakfast in bed?" He winked. Jake blushed slightly. "Hey, thanks for letting me stay here last night. I really needed to be with you." He said.
"Well, that's the nicest thing anyone has said to me....this week." She giggled. He smiled back at her again.
"I heard that Ryder was moved to the infirmary this morning." She told him.
"Really...I guess that means he's Ok." He said.
"I hope he realizes how lucky he is that you were there last night. Can you imagine what could have happened?" She questioned.
"Yeah...and I'd rather not think about it right now." Hamilton said as he tried to clear his mind of all the unpleasant thoughts he'd been having continuously over the last twenty-four hours.
"Seriously Hamilton you were a hero." She said.
"Well, I don't feel much like a hero. I think I'll check in on him later." Hamilton said.
"Good idea, I'll join you." Jake got off the bed and dumped her empty bowl and spoon into the trash. "I think I'll grab a quick shower." She said.
"Good idea, I'll join you" Hamilton said smiling. Jake took the empty dish from Hamilton and discarded it. She returned to him and sat on the edge of the bed. She leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips...she looked into his eyes.
"No way." She smiled as she backed away from him.
Hamilton felt uncomfortable leaving Jake alone. He felt the need to watch over her, to protect her. At her urging, he reluctantly left her to shower and change and proceeded to his own house to do the same. This time...he would remember to wear sneakers.
******************************
"So, does anyone have any idea what all this means?" Bella asked.
Scout sat with his feet propped up lazily on a display of tires. "Not a clue."
"So we know that Melanie went to school here in New Rawley when she was...what around 8 or 9. Then her parents moved because of her fathers job...but her Grandmother still lives in the original house." Will said.
"Right...and she had a sister, who died in a fire." Bella added.
"Man...that's rough" Scout said.
"Maybe that explains the chip on her shoulder." Bella suggested.
Scout took his feet off the tires and stood, stretching. "I'm still confused." He said.
Will smiled broadly and Bella chuckled. In unison they said, "And this would be different...how?"
Scout smiled back, "Funny. I'm serious. What does any of this have to do with anything?"
Will and Bella looked at each other. "I don't know...exactly. There's just something about her that makes me...uncomfortable." Bella answered.
"So, now what?" Scout asked,
"I guess we should check in and see how Hamilton is today. He was really out freaked last night." Will said.
"I've still got some work to do around here. Why don't you guys head back to school and I'll catch up with you later?" Bella said.
"Right...Ok. We'll see you later on." Will motioned to Scout and the pair headed out the door.
Bella considered her options. She waited patiently for her younger sister Grace to relieve her of her gas station duties. When she did, Bella left heading back in the direction of Hillside Elementary School.
******************************
"I haven't been in here since Orientation Day." Jake said to Hamilton as they strolled the halls in the direction of the school infirmary. As they reached the door the nurse at the window stopped them.
"We'd like to see Ryder Forrest...if it's Ok." Hamilton said.
The nurse made then sign in and directed them toward a bed at the end of long room. "You really shouldn't stay long. He needs to be resting." She said.
Hamilton and Jake walked the length of the room to the last bed on the left. The curtain was pulled shut and they both hesitated in front of it.
Hamilton cleared his throat. "Ryder?"
"I'm here." Ryder answered. Hamilton pulled the curtain back. Ryder lay back encased in the sterility of hospital linens. A thin strand of rubber tubing pumped oxygen into his nose. An intravenous was running into one arm and leads and wires connected his chest to a box on the wall. A steady blip blip blip sound came from the monitor with each beat of Ryder's heart.
"Well, well...Master Fleming. I hear that my parents owe you a debt of gratitude."
"How are you Ryder?" Hamilton stuttered.
"I'm fine...now." Ryder answered him.
"What happened?" Hamilton asked.
"Funny you should ask." Ryder said sarcastically. Hamilton pulled the curtain back a bit further to reveal Jake who was standing just outside. Ryder's eyes widened. "What the hell are you doing here?" His voice raised. Jake was surprised by his sudden volatile reaction.
"Get out!" Ryder yelled. "If it weren't for you...I wouldn't be here!" Ryder stared at Jake and continued to yell causing the nurse to respond immediately.
"Mr. Forrest calm yourself. You should be getting excited.
Hamilton looked confused. "Ryder...what do you mean?"
"Your little boy toy tried to poison me last night." His British accent getting in the way of his intended sarcasm.
Jake was stunned. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
"What are you talking about?" Hamilton asked.
"Get the hell out of here!" Ryder hollered again.
The nurse left Ryder's side and put a hand to Hamilton's back. She ushered him toward the door with Jake close behind. "It's Ok...he's still a little confused because of the medications he's been given."
"What does he mean...poison?" Hamilton asked her.
The nurse responded calmly. "It appears that Ryder ingested something last night, something that caused him to be very sick. If you hadn't pulled him out of the water...chance are, he wouldn't be here with us today." She tried to sound reassuring. "He's going to be just fine now, thanks to you."
"Someone tried to poison him?" Hamilton looked dumbfounded. He turned to look at Jake who was turning a whiter shade of pale. "Jake are you Ok?" He asked.
"He thinks it was me?" She said. "Oh my God...he's blaming me for this." Jake turned and ran down the hallway toward the exit.
As Hamilton left the school building he found Jake seated on the lower step with her head resting on her knees. "Jake...come on. You heard the nurse, he doesn't know what he's saying." Hamilton tried to console her.
"Why Hamilton...why does he think I would try to hurt him?" Jake asked.
"Well, not that I think you did it or anything...but it's not like you and Ryder are best buds." Hamilton said looking like he was stating the obvious.
Jake looked at Hamilton in disbelief. She shook her head. "I didn't do anything. I can't believe you would say something like that. Most of the Rawley population can't stand Ryder. You...for example. It pisses you off that he teases us about being gay." Jake was beginning to hyperventilate.
"Jake, calm down. No one thinks you did anything." Hamilton said. "You're right...I guess if we took a poll...there's a lot of people who would like to poison Ryder. The suspect list would be endless." Hamilton smiled.
"I've gotta go." She said.
"Back to the dorms?" Hamilton asked.
"No...I've gotta leave Rawley." Jake answered.
"What? Why?" Hamilton's mouth fell open.
"Hamilton...if Ryder accuses me of trying to poison him...hell, if he accuses any one of anything, there WILL be an investigation. Police WILL be involved Hamilton. I WILL get caught. I WILL be escorted to the border by the 'men in blue'" She said.
"Jake...don't be so dramatic. Stop worrying. We'll figure something out." Hamilton said out loud although he was at a loss to think of what that might be.
"Hamilton, I have to leave Rawley." Jake rested her head back on her knees.
******************************
Scout and Will traveled up the stone steps passing Melanie on her way down. "Hey, where's Hamilton?" She said.
"No idea." Will said as he continued up the stairs.
"I need to talk to him, it's important." She said taking the time to stop and watch the back of both boys as they entered through the doors of the school building.
"He doesn't live here Melanie." Scout shouted before the door shut.
Once inside Will stopped. "She's looking for Ham." He said to Scout.
"She's always looking for Ham." Scout replied.
"Mmmm. I've got an idea." Will said as he headed back outside the building. "Melanie!" He called from the top step. Melanie turned around to look at him. "I'm pretty sure that Hamilton was planning to go..." Will tried to think quickly. "...he was heading to the volley ball courts. They're on the other side of the lake. If you head toward the dock and then walk all the way around to the other side...you should find him." Will said pointing his finger toward the lake.
"Was Jack with him?" Melanie called back.
"No...he was all alone." Will said slowly. Melanie turned on her heels and headed down to the dock.
"Who's Jack?" Scout questioned. And...there are no volley ball courts at Rawley...are there?" Scout asked looking confused.
"No...there aren't" Will said smiling.
"So...what was the purpose of sending Melanie on a wild goose chase."
"I think it's time we paid Caroline a visit." Will answered.
"I think I'll sit this one out. I'm getting just a little tired of standing by and watching Hamilton and Jake drool all over each other. I'm in no mood to watch you with Caroline." Scout replied.
"Seems to me that Caroline lives on the third floor of Rawley Academy for Girls....about three doors down from Melanie Manos. Coincidence or convenience?" Will asked.
"Buddy boy...I like the way you think. Let's go." Scout added.
******************************
Bella knocked on the front door of Mrs. Kolopolus' house. She waited patiently remembering how difficult it was for the older woman to get around. She knocked again. "Mrs. Kolopolus?" She called out. "Hello?" Bella hesitated. She reached down and turned the handle on the old wooden door. She was surprised when she found that it was unlocked. She hesitated again. Finally, Bella took in a deep breath and opened the door. "Mrs. Kolopolus?" She called out loudly. "Is anyone home?" Bella walked through the front foyer and listened to the stillness. She walked into the kitchen and saw that everything appeared to be in order. She back tracked to the living room and again found no one. Bella walked toward the old TV and picked up the framed picture perched on top. She stared into Melanie's dark eyes. What was it about this girl that intrigued her so much?
"What do you want?" An angry voice startled Bella and she dropped the picture to the floor scattering shards of glass onto the worn carpeting. Bella turned to see Mrs. Kolopolus standing with her walker in the doorway.
"I'm sorry..." Bella stuttered trying to regain her composure. "I called out...but no one answered." She said.
"And that gives you the right to just come into my home?" She said still sounding angry.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Kolopolus. I'm very sorry. I knocked but the door was unlocked." Bella tried to explain.
"Unlocked, yes. Closed, yes." The older woman said.
Bella was speechless. She knew this was a bad idea and yet she felt compelled to return.
"I came back...I don't know if you remember me...I was here earlier...." Bella was quickly cut off.
"I'm old dear, not senile...and least not yet." Mrs. Kolopolus smiled...the edge in her voice lifting slightly.
"I mean...I came back because I wanted to show you this." Bella extracted the fourth grade class picture from her backpack. She approached the woman and handed it to her.
It took a moment for her to process all the little smiling faces before a smile came to her own. "My my... is that Melanie?" She said softly. "She looks like such a dear...then."
"Isn't it Melanie?" Bella asked.
"I think so. I'm not really sure...it could be. My daughter and her husband took those girls from foster care. They lived here with me for a year or two when the children were younger. It was nice to have a little laughter in the house, it's so desperately quiet here now." Mrs. Kolopolus sighed as she looked around at the walls that kept her enclosed. "I don't get out much these days. I don't get around so good anymore."
"I didn't really know Melanie when we were in school together. I wasn't sure if that was really her or not. This is me..." Bella pointed to herself in the picture.
"Adorable..." The woman smiled. "Melanie didn't have many friends then. She didn't make friends easily."
"And...she still doesn't." Bella thought to herself.
"She used to come home from school and cry...." Mrs. Kolopolus moved herself to the sofa and took a seat motioning to Bella to do the same. "...she cried because she said everyone at school teased her, especially the boys. She was sure that no one liked her. She was so unhappy with herself."
Bella watched the old woman's face. The memories of Melanie as a young girl seemed to make her sad.
"She didn't have any friends?" Bella asked.
"Oh just one little boy. A little neighborhood boy that didn't go to her school. She talked about him all the time. You know how kids are...they take crazy notions when they're young. She said she was going to grow up and marry him someday. " Mrs. Kolopolus grinned.
"Do you know who the boy was?" Bella asked.
"Oh...I don't remember things so good anymore. Once my daughter moved away...I never thought much about him again...until now." She answered.
"Where did they move away to?" Bella asked.
"They moved out of state...to New York. My son-in-law's business took him there. It was good money...so they packed up and left. Melanie grew up in that city. The next time they came for a visit I hardly recognized her."
"What do you mean?" Bella questioned.
"She changed a lot. She lost some of the baby fat she had, and she changed her hair. She didn't have to wear braces anymore and she no longer wore glasses. She had grown into quite a beauty." Mrs. Kolopolus remembered.
"That must have made her happy." Bella said.
"Well, dear...it's just an old ladies opinion but you have to be happy on the inside before you can be happy with the outside." She said.
"And you don't think Melanie was happy?" Bella asked.
"I think she was a little jealous of her sister. My daughter wanted to adopt Phoebe...Melanie, on the other hand, was quite a handful"
"Just Phoebe?" Bella asked.
"Yes. She was the light of my life. She was the light of everybody's life. She was so sweet and talented. Did you know she sang?" She asked. Bella shook her head.
"Like a lark. Everybody loved Phoebe." Mrs. Kolopolus reached into her sleeve for her well used hankie and dabbed at her eyes.
"How long has it been since Phoebe....um...." Bella hesitated.
"Passed on?" She finished her thought. "A year ago last May. Such a terrible thing. It's just something you never get over."
Bella reached over and placed a comforting hand on the old woman's shoulder. "I'm sorry about your granddaughter." Bella said sincerely.
"Did I tell you that Phoebe means 'light' in Greek?" She said. Bella nodded. "And Melanie means 'dark'. Funny isn't it?"
Bella felt her stomach pitch. "Where did Melanie go to school last year, before she changed to Rawley Girls?" Bella asked.
Mrs. Kolopolus was silent for a short while. "Melanie was in a special school for a while. A special place. She had a lot of trouble getting over the death of her sister. My daughter said that she went to a school that was helping her deal with things. I think she called them her 'issues'. I guess they don't like to worry me with all the details. I can tell though...something was wrong with that young girl."
Bella stood and started to pick up the pieces of the broken frame. "I'm sorry about this Mrs. Kolopolus, I'll replace it." She said.
"Don't you pay that no mind dear. Those kind of accidents are easy to fix." She said.
Bella swept up the glass and emptied the contents of the dustpan into the trash. "I guess I should get going. Is there anything else I can do for you?" Bella asked. She felt a little guilty now leaving her all alone in the old lonely house.
"Not a thing. You feel free to drop by anytime. I'll be saving my bottles and cans for you."
She smiled at Bella and Bella smiled back. She waved and pulled the door shut tight behind her. Bella wasn't sure that she had learned anything new about Melanie, but she was quite sure that she had a made a new friend in Mrs. Kolopolus.
Jake entered through the half opened door. She carried two paper bowls and two plastic spoons. "Shhh. Hamilton, I'm right here. Stop shouting." She said. Jake extracted two single serving boxes of cereal from one pocket and another box of cereal and small carton of milk from the other.
"Where were you?" Hamilton questioned sounding concerned.
Jake held up the cereal. "Breakfast...sleeping beauty. I got in under the wire too, they were starting to set up for lunch." Jake handed Hamilton a bowl and spoon and tossed two of the boxes of cereal onto his lap. "Hope that's Ok." She said.
Hamilton picked up the boxes of Frosted Flakes. "They're Grrrrreat!" He chuckled.
"Cute..." She said. Jake sat crossed legged on the bottom of the bed while Hamilton propped a pillow behind his back. She poured some milk into her cereal and handed Hamilton the carton. She smiled to herself as she watched him promptly drain it into his bowl with his usual lack of consideration for anyone but himself, at least when it came to food.
"Breakfast in bed?" He winked. Jake blushed slightly. "Hey, thanks for letting me stay here last night. I really needed to be with you." He said.
"Well, that's the nicest thing anyone has said to me....this week." She giggled. He smiled back at her again.
"I heard that Ryder was moved to the infirmary this morning." She told him.
"Really...I guess that means he's Ok." He said.
"I hope he realizes how lucky he is that you were there last night. Can you imagine what could have happened?" She questioned.
"Yeah...and I'd rather not think about it right now." Hamilton said as he tried to clear his mind of all the unpleasant thoughts he'd been having continuously over the last twenty-four hours.
"Seriously Hamilton you were a hero." She said.
"Well, I don't feel much like a hero. I think I'll check in on him later." Hamilton said.
"Good idea, I'll join you." Jake got off the bed and dumped her empty bowl and spoon into the trash. "I think I'll grab a quick shower." She said.
"Good idea, I'll join you" Hamilton said smiling. Jake took the empty dish from Hamilton and discarded it. She returned to him and sat on the edge of the bed. She leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips...she looked into his eyes.
"No way." She smiled as she backed away from him.
Hamilton felt uncomfortable leaving Jake alone. He felt the need to watch over her, to protect her. At her urging, he reluctantly left her to shower and change and proceeded to his own house to do the same. This time...he would remember to wear sneakers.
******************************
"So, does anyone have any idea what all this means?" Bella asked.
Scout sat with his feet propped up lazily on a display of tires. "Not a clue."
"So we know that Melanie went to school here in New Rawley when she was...what around 8 or 9. Then her parents moved because of her fathers job...but her Grandmother still lives in the original house." Will said.
"Right...and she had a sister, who died in a fire." Bella added.
"Man...that's rough" Scout said.
"Maybe that explains the chip on her shoulder." Bella suggested.
Scout took his feet off the tires and stood, stretching. "I'm still confused." He said.
Will smiled broadly and Bella chuckled. In unison they said, "And this would be different...how?"
Scout smiled back, "Funny. I'm serious. What does any of this have to do with anything?"
Will and Bella looked at each other. "I don't know...exactly. There's just something about her that makes me...uncomfortable." Bella answered.
"So, now what?" Scout asked,
"I guess we should check in and see how Hamilton is today. He was really out freaked last night." Will said.
"I've still got some work to do around here. Why don't you guys head back to school and I'll catch up with you later?" Bella said.
"Right...Ok. We'll see you later on." Will motioned to Scout and the pair headed out the door.
Bella considered her options. She waited patiently for her younger sister Grace to relieve her of her gas station duties. When she did, Bella left heading back in the direction of Hillside Elementary School.
******************************
"I haven't been in here since Orientation Day." Jake said to Hamilton as they strolled the halls in the direction of the school infirmary. As they reached the door the nurse at the window stopped them.
"We'd like to see Ryder Forrest...if it's Ok." Hamilton said.
The nurse made then sign in and directed them toward a bed at the end of long room. "You really shouldn't stay long. He needs to be resting." She said.
Hamilton and Jake walked the length of the room to the last bed on the left. The curtain was pulled shut and they both hesitated in front of it.
Hamilton cleared his throat. "Ryder?"
"I'm here." Ryder answered. Hamilton pulled the curtain back. Ryder lay back encased in the sterility of hospital linens. A thin strand of rubber tubing pumped oxygen into his nose. An intravenous was running into one arm and leads and wires connected his chest to a box on the wall. A steady blip blip blip sound came from the monitor with each beat of Ryder's heart.
"Well, well...Master Fleming. I hear that my parents owe you a debt of gratitude."
"How are you Ryder?" Hamilton stuttered.
"I'm fine...now." Ryder answered him.
"What happened?" Hamilton asked.
"Funny you should ask." Ryder said sarcastically. Hamilton pulled the curtain back a bit further to reveal Jake who was standing just outside. Ryder's eyes widened. "What the hell are you doing here?" His voice raised. Jake was surprised by his sudden volatile reaction.
"Get out!" Ryder yelled. "If it weren't for you...I wouldn't be here!" Ryder stared at Jake and continued to yell causing the nurse to respond immediately.
"Mr. Forrest calm yourself. You should be getting excited.
Hamilton looked confused. "Ryder...what do you mean?"
"Your little boy toy tried to poison me last night." His British accent getting in the way of his intended sarcasm.
Jake was stunned. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
"What are you talking about?" Hamilton asked.
"Get the hell out of here!" Ryder hollered again.
The nurse left Ryder's side and put a hand to Hamilton's back. She ushered him toward the door with Jake close behind. "It's Ok...he's still a little confused because of the medications he's been given."
"What does he mean...poison?" Hamilton asked her.
The nurse responded calmly. "It appears that Ryder ingested something last night, something that caused him to be very sick. If you hadn't pulled him out of the water...chance are, he wouldn't be here with us today." She tried to sound reassuring. "He's going to be just fine now, thanks to you."
"Someone tried to poison him?" Hamilton looked dumbfounded. He turned to look at Jake who was turning a whiter shade of pale. "Jake are you Ok?" He asked.
"He thinks it was me?" She said. "Oh my God...he's blaming me for this." Jake turned and ran down the hallway toward the exit.
As Hamilton left the school building he found Jake seated on the lower step with her head resting on her knees. "Jake...come on. You heard the nurse, he doesn't know what he's saying." Hamilton tried to console her.
"Why Hamilton...why does he think I would try to hurt him?" Jake asked.
"Well, not that I think you did it or anything...but it's not like you and Ryder are best buds." Hamilton said looking like he was stating the obvious.
Jake looked at Hamilton in disbelief. She shook her head. "I didn't do anything. I can't believe you would say something like that. Most of the Rawley population can't stand Ryder. You...for example. It pisses you off that he teases us about being gay." Jake was beginning to hyperventilate.
"Jake, calm down. No one thinks you did anything." Hamilton said. "You're right...I guess if we took a poll...there's a lot of people who would like to poison Ryder. The suspect list would be endless." Hamilton smiled.
"I've gotta go." She said.
"Back to the dorms?" Hamilton asked.
"No...I've gotta leave Rawley." Jake answered.
"What? Why?" Hamilton's mouth fell open.
"Hamilton...if Ryder accuses me of trying to poison him...hell, if he accuses any one of anything, there WILL be an investigation. Police WILL be involved Hamilton. I WILL get caught. I WILL be escorted to the border by the 'men in blue'" She said.
"Jake...don't be so dramatic. Stop worrying. We'll figure something out." Hamilton said out loud although he was at a loss to think of what that might be.
"Hamilton, I have to leave Rawley." Jake rested her head back on her knees.
******************************
Scout and Will traveled up the stone steps passing Melanie on her way down. "Hey, where's Hamilton?" She said.
"No idea." Will said as he continued up the stairs.
"I need to talk to him, it's important." She said taking the time to stop and watch the back of both boys as they entered through the doors of the school building.
"He doesn't live here Melanie." Scout shouted before the door shut.
Once inside Will stopped. "She's looking for Ham." He said to Scout.
"She's always looking for Ham." Scout replied.
"Mmmm. I've got an idea." Will said as he headed back outside the building. "Melanie!" He called from the top step. Melanie turned around to look at him. "I'm pretty sure that Hamilton was planning to go..." Will tried to think quickly. "...he was heading to the volley ball courts. They're on the other side of the lake. If you head toward the dock and then walk all the way around to the other side...you should find him." Will said pointing his finger toward the lake.
"Was Jack with him?" Melanie called back.
"No...he was all alone." Will said slowly. Melanie turned on her heels and headed down to the dock.
"Who's Jack?" Scout questioned. And...there are no volley ball courts at Rawley...are there?" Scout asked looking confused.
"No...there aren't" Will said smiling.
"So...what was the purpose of sending Melanie on a wild goose chase."
"I think it's time we paid Caroline a visit." Will answered.
"I think I'll sit this one out. I'm getting just a little tired of standing by and watching Hamilton and Jake drool all over each other. I'm in no mood to watch you with Caroline." Scout replied.
"Seems to me that Caroline lives on the third floor of Rawley Academy for Girls....about three doors down from Melanie Manos. Coincidence or convenience?" Will asked.
"Buddy boy...I like the way you think. Let's go." Scout added.
******************************
Bella knocked on the front door of Mrs. Kolopolus' house. She waited patiently remembering how difficult it was for the older woman to get around. She knocked again. "Mrs. Kolopolus?" She called out. "Hello?" Bella hesitated. She reached down and turned the handle on the old wooden door. She was surprised when she found that it was unlocked. She hesitated again. Finally, Bella took in a deep breath and opened the door. "Mrs. Kolopolus?" She called out loudly. "Is anyone home?" Bella walked through the front foyer and listened to the stillness. She walked into the kitchen and saw that everything appeared to be in order. She back tracked to the living room and again found no one. Bella walked toward the old TV and picked up the framed picture perched on top. She stared into Melanie's dark eyes. What was it about this girl that intrigued her so much?
"What do you want?" An angry voice startled Bella and she dropped the picture to the floor scattering shards of glass onto the worn carpeting. Bella turned to see Mrs. Kolopolus standing with her walker in the doorway.
"I'm sorry..." Bella stuttered trying to regain her composure. "I called out...but no one answered." She said.
"And that gives you the right to just come into my home?" She said still sounding angry.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Kolopolus. I'm very sorry. I knocked but the door was unlocked." Bella tried to explain.
"Unlocked, yes. Closed, yes." The older woman said.
Bella was speechless. She knew this was a bad idea and yet she felt compelled to return.
"I came back...I don't know if you remember me...I was here earlier...." Bella was quickly cut off.
"I'm old dear, not senile...and least not yet." Mrs. Kolopolus smiled...the edge in her voice lifting slightly.
"I mean...I came back because I wanted to show you this." Bella extracted the fourth grade class picture from her backpack. She approached the woman and handed it to her.
It took a moment for her to process all the little smiling faces before a smile came to her own. "My my... is that Melanie?" She said softly. "She looks like such a dear...then."
"Isn't it Melanie?" Bella asked.
"I think so. I'm not really sure...it could be. My daughter and her husband took those girls from foster care. They lived here with me for a year or two when the children were younger. It was nice to have a little laughter in the house, it's so desperately quiet here now." Mrs. Kolopolus sighed as she looked around at the walls that kept her enclosed. "I don't get out much these days. I don't get around so good anymore."
"I didn't really know Melanie when we were in school together. I wasn't sure if that was really her or not. This is me..." Bella pointed to herself in the picture.
"Adorable..." The woman smiled. "Melanie didn't have many friends then. She didn't make friends easily."
"And...she still doesn't." Bella thought to herself.
"She used to come home from school and cry...." Mrs. Kolopolus moved herself to the sofa and took a seat motioning to Bella to do the same. "...she cried because she said everyone at school teased her, especially the boys. She was sure that no one liked her. She was so unhappy with herself."
Bella watched the old woman's face. The memories of Melanie as a young girl seemed to make her sad.
"She didn't have any friends?" Bella asked.
"Oh just one little boy. A little neighborhood boy that didn't go to her school. She talked about him all the time. You know how kids are...they take crazy notions when they're young. She said she was going to grow up and marry him someday. " Mrs. Kolopolus grinned.
"Do you know who the boy was?" Bella asked.
"Oh...I don't remember things so good anymore. Once my daughter moved away...I never thought much about him again...until now." She answered.
"Where did they move away to?" Bella asked.
"They moved out of state...to New York. My son-in-law's business took him there. It was good money...so they packed up and left. Melanie grew up in that city. The next time they came for a visit I hardly recognized her."
"What do you mean?" Bella questioned.
"She changed a lot. She lost some of the baby fat she had, and she changed her hair. She didn't have to wear braces anymore and she no longer wore glasses. She had grown into quite a beauty." Mrs. Kolopolus remembered.
"That must have made her happy." Bella said.
"Well, dear...it's just an old ladies opinion but you have to be happy on the inside before you can be happy with the outside." She said.
"And you don't think Melanie was happy?" Bella asked.
"I think she was a little jealous of her sister. My daughter wanted to adopt Phoebe...Melanie, on the other hand, was quite a handful"
"Just Phoebe?" Bella asked.
"Yes. She was the light of my life. She was the light of everybody's life. She was so sweet and talented. Did you know she sang?" She asked. Bella shook her head.
"Like a lark. Everybody loved Phoebe." Mrs. Kolopolus reached into her sleeve for her well used hankie and dabbed at her eyes.
"How long has it been since Phoebe....um...." Bella hesitated.
"Passed on?" She finished her thought. "A year ago last May. Such a terrible thing. It's just something you never get over."
Bella reached over and placed a comforting hand on the old woman's shoulder. "I'm sorry about your granddaughter." Bella said sincerely.
"Did I tell you that Phoebe means 'light' in Greek?" She said. Bella nodded. "And Melanie means 'dark'. Funny isn't it?"
Bella felt her stomach pitch. "Where did Melanie go to school last year, before she changed to Rawley Girls?" Bella asked.
Mrs. Kolopolus was silent for a short while. "Melanie was in a special school for a while. A special place. She had a lot of trouble getting over the death of her sister. My daughter said that she went to a school that was helping her deal with things. I think she called them her 'issues'. I guess they don't like to worry me with all the details. I can tell though...something was wrong with that young girl."
Bella stood and started to pick up the pieces of the broken frame. "I'm sorry about this Mrs. Kolopolus, I'll replace it." She said.
"Don't you pay that no mind dear. Those kind of accidents are easy to fix." She said.
Bella swept up the glass and emptied the contents of the dustpan into the trash. "I guess I should get going. Is there anything else I can do for you?" Bella asked. She felt a little guilty now leaving her all alone in the old lonely house.
"Not a thing. You feel free to drop by anytime. I'll be saving my bottles and cans for you."
She smiled at Bella and Bella smiled back. She waved and pulled the door shut tight behind her. Bella wasn't sure that she had learned anything new about Melanie, but she was quite sure that she had a made a new friend in Mrs. Kolopolus.