NINE:

A few days later we held the funeral for Grandpa Samuel, and I was shocked at how many people turned up. There cars lined up outside for quite a way, and people milled outside in large groups.

"I guess our grandparents really were pillars of this society." I said to Cary as we walked into the church. The church where Cary and I would be getting married in a little over a month.

"Yeah," Cary agreed. "Even if Grandma Olivia was a monster, which reminds me-did your mother ever return your call about Grandpa Samuel?"

I shook my head. "I left a message on her answering machine, but she didn't reply. I know she didn't show much emotion about Grandma Olivia dying, but I would have thought she would have been different about this. I know myself how much he doted on her!" I was angry at my mother's indifference. It didn't surprise me anymore, but it did annoy me, and I was hoping that she would call back soon so I could tell her exactly what I thought. The idea also occurred to me of telling her about how my real father had told me the story of them, but I dismissed it as quickly as it had come. There was no point in stirring up the past if you asked me!

Cary made a noise of disgust, which I mistakenly thought was because of my mother's behavior, until he whispered "Don't look now but the entire Jackson clan is here."

"Oh no!" I said. "I can't face them at the moment. I don't want to see Mr. Jackson after-" And then I realised that Cary hadn't yet been told about our conversation the other day. So much had happened since then that I had simply forgotten to tell him, but if I mentioned it now he'd be sure to think I was keeping it from him.

"After what?" Cary asked perceptively.

"After knowing he's my father and all and the role he played in certain things.." I muttered.

"Well bad luck, because he and the family are headed this way." Cary replied, trying not to speak too loudly.

"Cary. Melody." Mr. Jackson said as he reached us. "I'm sorry about this. Samuel was an amazing man."

"He was." Mrs. Jackson chimed in. "I remember one time I was coming home in the rain with Adam from the shops when he was only little, and we were soaking because stupid me locked the keys in the car. And not only did he go out of his way to drive us home, but he also helped carry all the shopping in. And when I thanked him, he actually seemed puzzled about me thanking him!"

Cary smiled. "Well that was Grandpa Samuel for you, right Melody?" He asked me.

"Right." I said trying to appear polite. "Grandpa Samuel was a real gentleman."

I saw a flicker of pain run through Mr. Jackson's eyes, but it was gone so quickly maybe I imagined it. "Well, we better get a seat." He said.

During the funeral quite a few people were crying, including myself. Even the knowledge that Grandpa Samuel was not my real grandfather hadn't stopped me from loving him. Cary whispered to me "Don't cry Melody, he's probably better off where he is now. You saw the way he was before, when he couldn't remember things, and there's no way that was a life!" But I still cried.

*****

It took a few days after the funeral before things began to get back to normal. Whether it was Grandpa Samuel's death, or the medication, Aunt Sara was beginning to get back to normal, and things were well under way for the wedding. Theresa Patterson came over to see me one afternoon. She hadn't been able to afford to go to college and was working in town instead.

"It seems like your wedding is going to be the event of the year!" She told me with a grin. "Have you given any thought to your honeymoon?"

"Honeymoon?" I repeated, a little embarrassed by the smirk on her face.

"Well you'll have to have one won't you?" Theresa demanded. "You can't get married without having one!"

"I guess we'll have one.." I admitted. "Maybe we'll go to New York or somewhere. I was there for a few days and it was great!"

"Not very romantic though?" Theresa asked, making a face.

"Oh I don't know." I said. "Hansom cabs through Central Park, the view from the Empire State.."

"Well whatever turns you on-in more ways than one!" She said, and I had to laugh.

*****

That evening after Theresa left I was making dinner when I heard a car pull up out the front. A few minutes later it drove off, and there was a knock on the door. I sighed, wiping my hands on my apron. I was trying to make a nice fried chicken dish Cary had mentioned he liked, and I didn't need any interruptions! When I opened the door my mouth dropped open in shock.

"Well fine welcome I get from my own daughter!" My mother grumbled. "Aren't you going to help me with my things?"

I glanced down, and saw that she had three large suitcases with her.

"Uh, sure.." I said, and I picked one up, grunting from the effort. "I didn't know you were coming."

"Nor did I." My mother admitted, as we went inside. "I've finished filming my bit, and I thought it would do me good to get away for a few days, so I thought why not go visit Melody, and the family?"

"Why not?" I echoed, but there was something unspoken lingering. It didn't seem right that my mother, who had all but ignored us in the last few years, would now want to spend some time here in Provincetown.

"And considering I won't be able to make your wedding too-which reminds me, look at you Melody-you look like you've been cooking!" My mother said.

"I have been cooking Mommy." I replied. "And what do you mean you can't make the wedding?"

"I'm going to France!" My mother squealed. "France! Do you believe it Melody?"

"No." I said dully. Again my mother had crushed me. She was actually going to France rather than her own daughter's wedding. And then another thought occurred to me. "Mommy people round here wouldn't know you as Gina Simon, they'd know you as Haille Logan who they all thought was dead. How are we going to explain that?"

"Exactly the reason I can't come to you wedding Melody!" My mother said triumphantly, but I got the impression that she had just seized on this as an excuse. "And I won't leave the house and go into town where people will see me. I just needed to get away from L.A for a few days."

But I still didn't think she was telling me the complete truth.

"I've got to get back to my cooking Mommy." I said. "I'm making a chicken dish Cary has always liked and I want it to be just perfect."

"Already it starts." My mother said, shaking her head. "I warned you about this Melody-you could be a star, really make something out of yourself. If you had of stayed in L.A-"

"Mommy, maybe you don't mind what it takes to be a star, but I sure do. The film that Archie arranged for me to be in.." I shuddered just thinking about it. And thinking about my mother's reaction when I'd told her what had happened, and how she had said oh so casually that she had been in those sort of movies before herself. "So, what's up with Archie anyway?" I asked, as we went into the kitchen, and I went back to my cooking.

My mother sighed, and threw herself into a kitchen chair. "It's funny you should ask actually." She admitted. "He's part of the reason I'm here."

"You mean you're not just here for a holiday and to see me?" I asked, not surprised. I had guessed from the beginning that there was more to my mother's visit.

"Not exactly." My mother said. "He's been harassing me a lot lately. Firstly he claims I owe him money, and secondly he claims he wants another chance with me, and that he really loves me. I'm sure he does of course, but I've gotten used to being single now, and I'd never go back to anything else I don't think!"

I felt tears prick my eyes. How did my mother manage to hurt me so much without trying? Hadn't she been happy with my father and me in Sewell?

Just then Aunt Sara and May returned home from school. Aunt Sara looked shocked to see my mother, but then she recovered her composure. "Haille!" She said. "How nice to see you!"

"Hello Sara," My mother replied sounding a little uncomfortable. "How have you been?"

"Can't complain." Aunt Sara replied, even though if anyone had any complaints to make it would be her, with her ankle and her condition. "Are you here for Samuel's funeral? Because if you are you're a little late!"

"Samuel's funeral?" My mother repeated looking shocked. "What?"

"Grandpa Samuel died Mommy." I said. "I called and left a message on your answering machine."

"Oh, well I was on location and then I came straight here so I didn't get it." My mother replied. "How did it happen?"

"He had a stroke." I replied. "But it might have been better that way when you consider how he was and all."

"Right." My mother replied quietly.

There was silence in the kitchen for a moment, and then my mother asked Aunt Sara "Do you have anything to drink in here? I mean, anything proper to drink? Like gin or something?"

Aunt Sara shook her head. "No, we don't have alcohol in here. Jacob doesn't like it."

"Doesn't like it huh?" My mother repeated, her eyes narrowed. "Melody, I don't suppose you could go into town and get me some?"

"Sorry Mommy, I'm not going for my license until next week. But maybe Cary could when he gets back from the docks?" I offered.

My mother sighed. "I guess I'll have to wait then. If you don't mind I think I might freshen up before dinner-I've had a long trip."

We didn't mind. After my mother had gone upstairs to the guest room where I had put her bags Aunt Sara sank weakly into a chair. "I didn't know she was coming." She said.

"Nor did I." I assured her. "I think she's just here for a few days before she's off to France."

"France." Aunt Sara shook her head. "She does get around doesn't she?"

*****

When Cary got in later I greeted him at the door. "Cary, sweetie-" I began, but he interrupted me, and threw his arms around me.

"Melody, on my lunch break today I went and had a look at something, and you've got to come and see it tomorrow." He told me excitedly.

"Something?" I repeated. "Something what?"

"A house. And not only a house Melody, but it also has a huge shed on the beach. It's perfect for us. We can use the shed for my business!" Cary said, a big smile on his face.

I couldn't help but smile too. His happiness was infectious. "That's great. We'll go have a look at it tomorrow, and then maybe we can get things rolling, so as soon as we're married you can begin work."

"And also I've been thinking, I know Dad wouldn't like this, but I've decided to sell the business to Roy Patterson at a very reasonable price. I won't have time for it, and he's worked for us for years. He deserves the chance to be his own boss now."

"You don't have to convince me Cary, I agree with you one hundred percent." I said, hugging him tighter.

"Cary Logan? Is that you? My future son-in-law." My mother said, making her entrance.

Cary looked shocked. "Uh, hello Haille." He said, looking at me surprised.

"Mommy just surprised us all by dropping in for a few days Cary." I said in answer to his puzzled look. "Then she's off to France."

"France hey?" He said, still clearly shocked by the whole thing.

"All the stars go there." My mother explained. "Now Cary, Melody and I were thinking that a nice bottle of wine would go good with our dinner, and perhaps a bottle of Gin for after it?"

Cary nodded slowly. "Sure, I'll go into town and get it then, Melody?"

I nodded.

Cary left and I went back into the kitchen to make sure the dinner was coming along alright. May set the table for me, and my mother watched her.

"She's sure grown up." My mother commented. "Quite a beauty too."

"Yeah." I agreed, peering at the chicken critically.

"Bet she'll have a lot of boyfriends." My mother said.

"Don't say that in front of Cary!" I told her. "He's very protective of her."

"Well that's only natural with her being the way she is and all." My mother said.

"Deaf Mommy," I began, but Aunt Sara came in then, and I stopped.

"Yes, well." My mother said. "And I heard what Cary was telling you about the house tomorrow. I can't wait to see it."

I frowned, but said nothing-how could I? But I knew Cary wasn't going to be too impressed to have my mother along with us when we checked it out.