THREE:
"Hello, Gina Simon speaking." Said my mother. Hearing my mother's voice, and hearing her call herself that name, made my throat tighten, and when I opened my mouth no words came out.
"Hello?" The impatient tone I was so used to. Especially after my stepfather died! Like when she thought we should get on with our life and be happy, and I thought that we should be in mourning. One time I'd returned home from school and she complained about my moods, claiming "if you walk around with a sad-sack face all the time do it. You wont have any friends, and you certainly wont attract and handsome boys." I had been in shock that she would think I would actually care about that when I had just lost the man I thought at the time to be my boyfriend.
"HELLO?" This time it was a yell, and I opened my mouth to speak but she continued "It's you isn't it? Damn Richard, I told you to stay the hell out of my life and I meant it. I've wised up to your lies. You said you'd make me a star, and you didn't. All you wanted was me to wait on you. I'm an actress not a housewife! I'm not going back to that ever! EVER Richard!"
"Mommy," I managed to say. "It's me. Melody."
"Melody. Well why didn't you speak up and say so?" My mother demanded. "Did you get my message?"
"Yes Mommy. I have some news for you anyway, so I was going to call-" I began, but she interrupted.
"I've got news too Melody. I've finally gotten the break I was looking for." My mother's voice rose in excitement. "I'm in two flashback memories- I'll be on screen for almost ten minutes! I play the woman who Mel Gibson had an affair with when he was younger!"
"That's great Mommy." I said flatly.
She either didn't hear, or didn't notice, my insincerity. "I know! Even though I am only on screen with Mel for a few minutes my agent is convinced that this will make Hollywood sit up and take notice of me! Gina Simon is going to be famous!"
"I hope so Mommy." I said, sighing inwardly. Even though I hadn't ever expected my mother to change I still had hoped that she might be a little less selfish, and ask how I was before spouting off about how she was going to be famous!
"Like I told you awhile back I've sacked Richard. I didn't think he was honestly trying hard enough for me." My mother continued. I thought about her words only a few moments before when she had thought I was Archie Marlin: 'I'm an actress not a housewife! I'm not going back to that ever!' Those words hurt. They told me that my mother would rather die then go back to the life we had once had.
"That's good Mommy. I never liked him." I said. Especially after he had the gall to accuse me of trying to seduce him when he had actually tried to rape me. And then my mother had actually believed him. That had hurt more than anything-she should have been on the side of her daughter!
"I know Melody. It's a shame I didn't listen to you." My mother sighed. "Anyway, my new agent is very professional. We're not involved in any relationship other than our business one. I've had a few boyfriends since Richard of course, but there is nobody I want to think about being with seriously. But my agent tells me that being single is better for my image, and my work. I don't need anyone to hold me back."
My eyes welled up with tears. Had I ever held her back? Did she actually think I had?
"So, how are you anyway? How's Sara coping with Jacob's loss?" My mother asked, reminding me that she knew about Jacob's death as Cary had called me whilst I was in LA with the news.
"As well as can be expected." I replied. "Grandma Olivia died as well Mommy."
"Oh. I didn't know. How did she die?" My mother asked.
"She had a stroke and was sick. I think she wanted to die though. There was no way she would have coped being put in the home." I replied. I had tried to contact my mother to let her know, but wasn't able to get hold of her, so I didn't really bother trying further.
My mother was silent a moment, making me think that the news had actually affected her. Then she added "Not that it really matters to me. She was never much of a mother to me. She was one cold-hearted woman."
"She did what she thought she had to do." I replied, a little surprised at myself. I would never have imagined I would defend my Grandma to my mother! At the time of Grandma Olivia's death I had considered letting my mother know, but I never did.
"You didn't have to grow up with her pointing out your every little flaw!" My mother snapped. "Anyway, I don't want to talk about that. I am sorry she is dead, but personally it doesn't affect me."
"I have some news for you Mommy." I said.
"What is it Melody? And make it quick can you? I've got to get to the beauty salon to get my hair done!" My mother said.
"I'm getting married to Cary." I said. The conversation with my mother had taken the wind from my sails a bit, and I didn't really sound like an excited bride to be!
"Married? Oh Melody, don't make the same mistake as I did." My mother said, pouring rain on my dreams as usual. "You're cut out for more than being the wife of a smelly old fisherman-"
"-for your information Mommy Cary is not just a fisherman. With Grandma Olivia's death I inherited everything. It's all being held in trust for me so that when I turn 25 I get it all. In the meantime we've put the estate up for sale and the proceeds are going towards Cary starting a boat- building business. He's already built one for Kenneth, and had talks with some of the more wealthy townspeople about building for them too." I said coldly.
"Olivia left it all to you?" My mother seemed shocked.
"Yes Mommy." I said.
"Hmm..well..I'd better get going. I'll expect an invite to the wedding in the mail, although I might be making movies so who knows whether or not I'll attend? I can't believe she left it all to you.." My mother said.
When I hung up I leant against the wall shaking a little. The only thing my mother had cared about in the entire conversation was the fact that I was now rich! She didn't care that I was getting married, and thought I was making a mistake! Unlike her I had no problem being a housewife if it meant I would make my husband happy! Like I'd always thought she and my stepfather had been! And all my mother could talk about was herself. Well I was glad she didn't know whether she would be able to come to the wedding, because I didn't want her there!
Cary came in then, and he looked at my face. "You rang your mother." He stated simply.
I nodded.
"And?" He asked.
"Once she finally stopped talking about herself long enough for me to tell her the news she actually told me not to get married. She said it would be a mistake." I replied.
Cary frowned.
"Of course I told her that it wasn't! And the only thing she actually cared about was the fact that I was now rich. She then told me to send her an invite to the wedding, but said she didn't know whether or not she would be able to make it!" I finished off.
Cary came over to hug me, while I leant against him, blinking back my tears. Even though I knew what my mother was like, and how selfish she was, it still hurt.
"I better get these to Ma." Cary finally said, drawing away from me. "But Melody, don't think about her. She isn't a proper mother! We don't need her to be happy!"
"I know." I said, with a sigh. "I better give Alice a call now while I've got the time. I bet she jumps at the chance to be a bridesmaid."
I was right there! When I told her I was getting married and wanted her to be a bridesmaid she squealed with joy. "I can't believe it! This is so exciting Melody!" She cried.
I laughed. "I know."
"Is it going to be a big wedding? I mean, you don't have to worry about money or anything." She asked.
I'd written to her about Grandma Olivia telling me that she would be leaving everything to me.
"I don't think so." I replied. "I know money's not an issue. But I'd rather just have the people I want to be there, the people who are closest to me, instead of the whole town including people I've never even spoken to!"
"Yeah, good idea." She said. "But are you still going to college? I'm waiting for my acceptance letters, but I'm praying I get into an Ivy League college!"
"I don't know that I will." I said. "I'll be married. I can't really just go off to college and leave my husband behind can I? Besides with all that happened I didn't even get the chance to apply!"
"But you have to go to college." Alice said. "You can go next year instead- many people do that! You can get a scholarship with the fiddle and-"
"-Alice!" I interrupted her. "I haven't thought that far ahead now. I'm thinking more about the wedding..."
"Right, sorry for being pushy." Alice said. "You know what I'm like when it comes to education!"
I laughed. "Yeah I do, and it's alright."
"So when is the wedding going to be?" Alice asked.
"We're thinking November so we've got two months or so to organise it all." I replied.
"Well if there's anything I can do-I mean apart from being your bridesmaid- let me know!" Alice said.
"Of course." I agreed.
"I've got to go before Mom cracks it with me." Alice said. "But I'll speak to you soon, and of course see you at the wedding."
"Sure, and you'll have to come up a few days before so we can spend some time together. And if there is anyone special you want to invite let me know!" I said.
"Special?" Alice asked. "No, there isn't. You're talking about a boyfriend or something aren't you?"
"Yes." I admitted.
"Well there isn't. The boys here are so fake-they only think about looks!" Alice complained.
I sighed. "Well there will be someone out there for you. You've just got to find them." I said. "It's fate."
"Fate?" Alice echoed. "I don't know about that. Fate is a notion-"
I heard her Mom in the background, and then Alice said "I've got to go right this second Melody. I'll speak to you soon."
"Alright, bye Alice."
"Bye, and congratulations again!" Alice said before she hung up.
'Well,' I thought with a wry grin. 'At least someone's happy for me, even if my own mother isn't.' And then I shook my head to clear the thoughts. I was getting married and nothing was going to darken my days, and take away from my happiness.
"Hello, Gina Simon speaking." Said my mother. Hearing my mother's voice, and hearing her call herself that name, made my throat tighten, and when I opened my mouth no words came out.
"Hello?" The impatient tone I was so used to. Especially after my stepfather died! Like when she thought we should get on with our life and be happy, and I thought that we should be in mourning. One time I'd returned home from school and she complained about my moods, claiming "if you walk around with a sad-sack face all the time do it. You wont have any friends, and you certainly wont attract and handsome boys." I had been in shock that she would think I would actually care about that when I had just lost the man I thought at the time to be my boyfriend.
"HELLO?" This time it was a yell, and I opened my mouth to speak but she continued "It's you isn't it? Damn Richard, I told you to stay the hell out of my life and I meant it. I've wised up to your lies. You said you'd make me a star, and you didn't. All you wanted was me to wait on you. I'm an actress not a housewife! I'm not going back to that ever! EVER Richard!"
"Mommy," I managed to say. "It's me. Melody."
"Melody. Well why didn't you speak up and say so?" My mother demanded. "Did you get my message?"
"Yes Mommy. I have some news for you anyway, so I was going to call-" I began, but she interrupted.
"I've got news too Melody. I've finally gotten the break I was looking for." My mother's voice rose in excitement. "I'm in two flashback memories- I'll be on screen for almost ten minutes! I play the woman who Mel Gibson had an affair with when he was younger!"
"That's great Mommy." I said flatly.
She either didn't hear, or didn't notice, my insincerity. "I know! Even though I am only on screen with Mel for a few minutes my agent is convinced that this will make Hollywood sit up and take notice of me! Gina Simon is going to be famous!"
"I hope so Mommy." I said, sighing inwardly. Even though I hadn't ever expected my mother to change I still had hoped that she might be a little less selfish, and ask how I was before spouting off about how she was going to be famous!
"Like I told you awhile back I've sacked Richard. I didn't think he was honestly trying hard enough for me." My mother continued. I thought about her words only a few moments before when she had thought I was Archie Marlin: 'I'm an actress not a housewife! I'm not going back to that ever!' Those words hurt. They told me that my mother would rather die then go back to the life we had once had.
"That's good Mommy. I never liked him." I said. Especially after he had the gall to accuse me of trying to seduce him when he had actually tried to rape me. And then my mother had actually believed him. That had hurt more than anything-she should have been on the side of her daughter!
"I know Melody. It's a shame I didn't listen to you." My mother sighed. "Anyway, my new agent is very professional. We're not involved in any relationship other than our business one. I've had a few boyfriends since Richard of course, but there is nobody I want to think about being with seriously. But my agent tells me that being single is better for my image, and my work. I don't need anyone to hold me back."
My eyes welled up with tears. Had I ever held her back? Did she actually think I had?
"So, how are you anyway? How's Sara coping with Jacob's loss?" My mother asked, reminding me that she knew about Jacob's death as Cary had called me whilst I was in LA with the news.
"As well as can be expected." I replied. "Grandma Olivia died as well Mommy."
"Oh. I didn't know. How did she die?" My mother asked.
"She had a stroke and was sick. I think she wanted to die though. There was no way she would have coped being put in the home." I replied. I had tried to contact my mother to let her know, but wasn't able to get hold of her, so I didn't really bother trying further.
My mother was silent a moment, making me think that the news had actually affected her. Then she added "Not that it really matters to me. She was never much of a mother to me. She was one cold-hearted woman."
"She did what she thought she had to do." I replied, a little surprised at myself. I would never have imagined I would defend my Grandma to my mother! At the time of Grandma Olivia's death I had considered letting my mother know, but I never did.
"You didn't have to grow up with her pointing out your every little flaw!" My mother snapped. "Anyway, I don't want to talk about that. I am sorry she is dead, but personally it doesn't affect me."
"I have some news for you Mommy." I said.
"What is it Melody? And make it quick can you? I've got to get to the beauty salon to get my hair done!" My mother said.
"I'm getting married to Cary." I said. The conversation with my mother had taken the wind from my sails a bit, and I didn't really sound like an excited bride to be!
"Married? Oh Melody, don't make the same mistake as I did." My mother said, pouring rain on my dreams as usual. "You're cut out for more than being the wife of a smelly old fisherman-"
"-for your information Mommy Cary is not just a fisherman. With Grandma Olivia's death I inherited everything. It's all being held in trust for me so that when I turn 25 I get it all. In the meantime we've put the estate up for sale and the proceeds are going towards Cary starting a boat- building business. He's already built one for Kenneth, and had talks with some of the more wealthy townspeople about building for them too." I said coldly.
"Olivia left it all to you?" My mother seemed shocked.
"Yes Mommy." I said.
"Hmm..well..I'd better get going. I'll expect an invite to the wedding in the mail, although I might be making movies so who knows whether or not I'll attend? I can't believe she left it all to you.." My mother said.
When I hung up I leant against the wall shaking a little. The only thing my mother had cared about in the entire conversation was the fact that I was now rich! She didn't care that I was getting married, and thought I was making a mistake! Unlike her I had no problem being a housewife if it meant I would make my husband happy! Like I'd always thought she and my stepfather had been! And all my mother could talk about was herself. Well I was glad she didn't know whether she would be able to come to the wedding, because I didn't want her there!
Cary came in then, and he looked at my face. "You rang your mother." He stated simply.
I nodded.
"And?" He asked.
"Once she finally stopped talking about herself long enough for me to tell her the news she actually told me not to get married. She said it would be a mistake." I replied.
Cary frowned.
"Of course I told her that it wasn't! And the only thing she actually cared about was the fact that I was now rich. She then told me to send her an invite to the wedding, but said she didn't know whether or not she would be able to make it!" I finished off.
Cary came over to hug me, while I leant against him, blinking back my tears. Even though I knew what my mother was like, and how selfish she was, it still hurt.
"I better get these to Ma." Cary finally said, drawing away from me. "But Melody, don't think about her. She isn't a proper mother! We don't need her to be happy!"
"I know." I said, with a sigh. "I better give Alice a call now while I've got the time. I bet she jumps at the chance to be a bridesmaid."
I was right there! When I told her I was getting married and wanted her to be a bridesmaid she squealed with joy. "I can't believe it! This is so exciting Melody!" She cried.
I laughed. "I know."
"Is it going to be a big wedding? I mean, you don't have to worry about money or anything." She asked.
I'd written to her about Grandma Olivia telling me that she would be leaving everything to me.
"I don't think so." I replied. "I know money's not an issue. But I'd rather just have the people I want to be there, the people who are closest to me, instead of the whole town including people I've never even spoken to!"
"Yeah, good idea." She said. "But are you still going to college? I'm waiting for my acceptance letters, but I'm praying I get into an Ivy League college!"
"I don't know that I will." I said. "I'll be married. I can't really just go off to college and leave my husband behind can I? Besides with all that happened I didn't even get the chance to apply!"
"But you have to go to college." Alice said. "You can go next year instead- many people do that! You can get a scholarship with the fiddle and-"
"-Alice!" I interrupted her. "I haven't thought that far ahead now. I'm thinking more about the wedding..."
"Right, sorry for being pushy." Alice said. "You know what I'm like when it comes to education!"
I laughed. "Yeah I do, and it's alright."
"So when is the wedding going to be?" Alice asked.
"We're thinking November so we've got two months or so to organise it all." I replied.
"Well if there's anything I can do-I mean apart from being your bridesmaid- let me know!" Alice said.
"Of course." I agreed.
"I've got to go before Mom cracks it with me." Alice said. "But I'll speak to you soon, and of course see you at the wedding."
"Sure, and you'll have to come up a few days before so we can spend some time together. And if there is anyone special you want to invite let me know!" I said.
"Special?" Alice asked. "No, there isn't. You're talking about a boyfriend or something aren't you?"
"Yes." I admitted.
"Well there isn't. The boys here are so fake-they only think about looks!" Alice complained.
I sighed. "Well there will be someone out there for you. You've just got to find them." I said. "It's fate."
"Fate?" Alice echoed. "I don't know about that. Fate is a notion-"
I heard her Mom in the background, and then Alice said "I've got to go right this second Melody. I'll speak to you soon."
"Alright, bye Alice."
"Bye, and congratulations again!" Alice said before she hung up.
'Well,' I thought with a wry grin. 'At least someone's happy for me, even if my own mother isn't.' And then I shook my head to clear the thoughts. I was getting married and nothing was going to darken my days, and take away from my happiness.