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(Suddenly it hit her... She had to tell him about his dad, but he'll be so disappointed. How would she say it...)
Chapter 24
-Timothy... I... there is something I have to tell you. It's about your dad.
The little boy looked at her obviously very curious to know how it went. Mel even thought she had seen a little smile like he was expecting something in particular.
-He came to see us when we came back yesterday, Melinda continued, and it didn't went very well.
-Oh...
It really wasn't what Timothy expected.
-Yeah, he said again that he didn't believed me and that I shouldn't try to talk to him any more... I'm so sorry Timothy, I promised that I will do anything to help you but your dad doesn't let me the chance to, Mel explained in a sad voice.
-It's ok. I understand that it's not your fault, replied the boy sadly too. I thought he would see you were saying the truth after what I did... but I guess he's just too close-minded about these things, Timothy admitted.
-So what did you do?, Mel asked interested.
-Well, I've know for a while that I could... make things happen... like move things, stuff like that. I always it was useless unless I realized it could be a way to tell Dad I was here, so I started to move things in his cabin. I moved the pillows of the couch and put them just like I used to at home. I would put them all on the ground and lie on it to watch tv. Mom found it funny but Dad usually got a bit mad so I thought seeing it like this would make him remember me. When he saw it I think he was a bit upset but also a bit afraid. So I kept going, I made my hat fell down in his bedroom. Dad had bought us -Lily and me- hats that we put when we came here for example or in the forest or parks in Seattle 'cause it made us look like explorers or adventurers. It was very fun, Timothy said laughing but then he became more serious; Dad doesn't do it anymore with Lily, I never understood why...
-Do you think it worked? You think your dad suspected something?, Mel asked.
-I thought yeah... But now that you told me what he did. I guess it wasn't the good way to do deal with it, the boy said disappointed.
-I don't know what to think, Mel confessed. Oh there is something you might be able to help me with. When your dad came he got really mad while saying something like that I even managed to make believe things to your mom. But I never had any contact with your mother so do you what he could be talking about?, Mel asked.
-Hm... no, Timothy said apparently thinking. After doing these thing with my dad I went at the fall a while and then I went back home to see if Lily was feeling a bit better. When I arrived, I saw Mom hanging up the phone. She sounded very distracted, she checked her schedule, I think and made a couple of calls. Then she went to see Lily who was playing in her room before diner, Mom took her in her arms and hugged her very close. She whispered something to her, and I couldn't hear what she said but Lily's face lighted up very quickly. I was very glad to see that she was happy again.
Mel was starting to figure things out and she was hoping very strongly that her intuition was right.
-So you stayed with them till now?, Mel said changing the subject voluntary.
-No, after diner Mom let Lily watch a cartoon on tv so I watched it with her, but when she went it bed I clearly saw that she didn't needed to be comforted so I left and came back here with Dad. This time I made weird things happen with the lights. It was really funny!, finished Timothy laughing.
Mel was so glad to see him laugh frankly, it has been very rare since Timothy had almost always sad things to tell her, it was good to see him with a little boy attitude for once. Because of that she hate to bring this back, but she had to say it even though this feeling she had was getting stronger.
-I'm so sorry that I haven't been able to help you at all..., she apologized.
-It's ok I guess. Like I said it's only my dad's fault not yours. I think I'll just stay with my family and enjoy it while Lily can still see me... If I understood well she won't be able to see my for ever -Mel shook her head- yeah,... well I spent a year like this I think I can keep going like this...
It was always hard for Mel to hear this, she felt like she had failed at her call, but it was especially hard this time since she knew she couldn't do anything more for this amazing little boy. The only people that could help him now were the very people causing him his troubles.
-I think I'll go now, probably to see Lily, he added seeing Mel interrogating look. Oh, and you probably should hurry to go back to your cabin.
-Sorry?, Mel asked very surprised.
Timothy looked up.
-Here they use to say it's not a good sign when the sky starts taking this color..., he explained while vanishing.
'Bye' was the last thing Mel heard, she was truly heartbroken by the little boy again.
When Jim saw Mel turning herself and look at him, he started to walk towards her. He hurried when he saw she seemed to be wiping tears away, so he quickly reached her.
-Hey sweetie what's going on?, Jim asked worried.
-It's Timothy... He's breaking my heart.
Jim let Mel cuddle in his arms, and held her tightly. He knew he had to wait till she was ready before asking anything. After a moment Mel pulled away from his embrace and looked at him, and instantly read in his eyes.
-I'll tell you everything but first we have to go back at our cabin quickly, Mel told him.
-Ok... Why, Jim asked.
-Timothy said the weather is going to turn bad, Mel explained.
They both looked at the sky and agreed, from the clouds and the wind, that the weather seemed to be changing so they started to take the way back, their arms around each other's waist.
They realized very soon that Timothy had been fully right, and even though they hurried the rain started to fall as they were just leaving the forest. They still had to go through the whole camp before reaching their cabin. They could have stayed in the forest and wait for the rain to calm down a little but since there was thunder it wasn't safe. Both Mel and Jim only had a light jacket since when they left the weather was nice and nothing could tell it was about to change soon, so they ended up running as fast as they could.
At one point, Jim took Mel's hand and lead her to an other direction, a few seconds later they were at the main cabin, Jim opened the door and they rushed inside. They were both completely soaked.
-I thought it would be better to stop here, explained Jim.
-I'm glad you did. Thanks, 'cause I'm already freezing!, Mel said shivering.
So Jim went closer to her, put his arms each side of her and started to warm her up. They ended up hugging each other.
There was a fire set in a corner of the principal room, so Jim took Mel by her waist and they walked towards the fireplace. They took place on the comfortable couches in front of the fire.
-Obviously they were prepared for the thunderstorm, Jim said.
-Yeah...
Mel was still feeling very cold so she got up to be closer to fire and she put her hands in front of her to warm her up. Jim got up too but, he, went at the counter.
-Excuse me?, he asked trying to get the employee's attention.
The woman was busy with papers but when she turned and saw Jim she immediately stopped.
-Hey, you're the one that came to ask for the hospital, right?, she asked Jim.
-Yes, I am, Jim answered only realizing at this moment that it was, in effect, the employee that helped him to find the hospital.
-Is your wife ok?, the woman asked concerned.
-Yeah, she is. She was released yesterday, actually, Jim answered. But the thing is we took a walk this morning and on our way back we find ourselves in the middle of the thunderstorm and as we were closer to here than our cabin we took shelter here, he explained.
Jim looked at Mel who was still trying to warm herself up, the woman followed his look.
-I was wondering if you had a blanket or something I could borrow. I really don't want to take any risks seeing she's just out of the hospital, Jim finished.
The woman nodded, understanding.
-Yeah, sure. Let me find something, she said nicely.
She left her counter and took a door with 'Personal Only' written on it. She came back minutes later holding a blanket in her hands. She handed it to Jim.
-Thank you so much, Jim said happily taking it.
-You're welcome. Just bring it back when you won't need it anymore, she asked smiling.
-Sure, thanks.
Jim quickly went back at Mel's side. Without saying anything he wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and let his arms around her.
-What- Aw... Jim you're amazing!, Mel whispered as Jim gently put his head on her shoulder.
-I'm going to go at our cabin, I'll be right back, Jim whispered back.
Mel turned quickly to look at him.
-Why?, she asked him.
-You need to change and dry yourself or you'll be sick by tomorrow, Jim explained.
He slowly removed a few wet hair from Mel's face.
-I'll go with you then, Mel said taking Jim's hand in hers.
-Look outside, Jim said looking himself at the window.
The rain had got stronger since they were inside, and even Mel thought it would be wiser for her to stay inside.
-Ok..., but hurry back ok? And take dry clothes for you too, she couldn't help but say.
-I'll be right back, I promise, Jim said with a smile.
They hugged tightly and after Jim kissed her forehead, he took the exit direction.
He was a few feet from the door when the counter woman called him. He turned around.
-You're going outside, she asked. -Jim nodded- With only this jacket on you? You're going to catch a pneumonia! Here, take this at least.
She handed Jim a big umbrella.
-Thanks I really appreciate, Jim said, touched. You're very nice, he said smiling taking the umbrella.
And Jim took the door way again not noticing that Mel was watching him lovingly, she appreciated so much all he did for her, she was truly blessed.
Less than ten minutes later Jim was back. After giving the umbrella back he came to Mel. He noticed she seemed worried.
-What's wrong? Timothy came back?, he asked concerned.
-No. It's just... I tried to call Delia but no one answered at the store and she doesn't answer her cell, Mel said trying to hide her anxiety.
-Mel, don't worry, Jim started.
He could clearly see now that she was worried, he put a hand on her shoulder and gently squeezed it. He looked at the clock above the administration desk.
-Mel it's 1pm, maybe she just went out for lunch, and if she's at Lento's or Village Java she probably won't hear her cell, Jim said trying to reassure her.
-You're right, I'm probably worrying for nothing, I'm sorry, Mel said a bit embarrassed.
-Hey sweetie, it's ok, you're just very concerned about your friend. I admire that, Jim said taking her in his arms. Plus, if anything was wrong I'm sure Tim would fine a way to tell us, don't worry.
Mel knew Jim was right. So she just breathed deeply and smiled. Jim smiled back at her, glad to see she was calming down.
Then they both went to the bathroom to change, it was a pretty big room so they could go in there together. Jim was clever enough to bring a towel so Mel could dry her long dark hair. They put their wet clothes and the towel on a bag that Jim also had the idea of taking. When they were both changed, they went back in the principal room.
-Are you hungry?, Jim asked.
-Yeah, actually I am, Mel answered smiling.
-Good, Jim said happily and a bit relieved too.
He was glad Mel was getting better. The restaurant was almost full but the waiter managed to find them a table. It was at the very end of the restaurant and a bit distant from the other table so it was rather quiet.
The lunch went fine, they were eating desert -creme brulee for both of them- when Jim noticed Mel kept looking at people, as if she was searching something. He figured she couldn't help but search for Timothy's dad. It reminded him that Mel still hadn't told him about Timothy. He thought that talking about the boy would be a way to change her mind from searching his dad.
-Honey?, he asked to get her attention on him. You never told me what happened with Timothy this morning, he slowly said.
-Oh, right, Mel quickly said, apparently surprised that she could have forgotten this.
By the time Mel told Jim everything, they had left their table and were back on the couches at the fireplace since the rain wouldn't stop. Jim listened to her without interrupting.
-So did you tell Timothy about this?, he asked Mel as she told him about this feeling she had.
-No... I don't want to hurt him any more than I already did if I'm wrong...
Mel sounded so sad. Jim took her in his arms to comfort her.
-You're not the one hurting him, remember this, ok?, Jim whispered to comfort her.
Mel sighted as she couldn't help but think she was part of the little boy's pain...