Melody packs up her grading. Then she erases the board where she wrote examples of conjunctions during their English class. Melody thought it would be a good idea to use the time conjunctions to help Rebecca sort through some of her grief.
Last week, Rebecca said she was worried that she is beginning to forget her parents and she was scared because she thought it meant she doesn’t love them any more. Melody was heartbroken for her and wanted to do something nice to help Rebecca.
Today, they wrote a letter addressed to Rebecca’s parents together describing how she misses them and her favorite moments with them. They were not going to mail it because her parents are deceased. Melody thought it would be good if she just learned to express herself, but Rebecca loved the letter so much that she put it in her memory box so she can read it whenever she feels sad or like she is forgetting her parents again.
These moments are so rewarding for Melody. She is really enjoying getting closer to Rebecca and watching her come out of her shell more.
Melody checks her watch. She has at least ten more minutes before Morrison arrives. She walks down the stairs and waits by the front door for him. Tam is working outside and she saw Will leave the house earlier, so she feels comfortable waiting by the door.
“Uh-oh, already rubbing your forehead. I hope our little Rebecca wasn’t too hard on you today.” Max walks around the hallway, towards Melody, then stands in front of her.
“No, she was fine.” Max has apologized since hitting on her inappropriately. He admitted he was in the wrong and that was not the right way to express how he felt. When Melody told him that after pulling a stunt like that, he stood no chance with her, Max took it well. Ironically, now, with all that’s going on with Tam and Will, Max is the one she is getting along best with. “I have a lot on my plate that’s all.”
Max looks around him to make sure no one is there. His expression changes from relaxed to somber to almost fearful, “Look, don’t take this the wrong way. I know that you and my brother are not getting along.” He looks around and Melody also looks with him. “I’m not what happened exactly, I’ve tried to talk to him and even keep him busy, but I can’t protect you much longer.”
Melody is feeling uneasy again; she does not like what she is hearing. A pit is forming in her stomach. “You are scaring me Max. What are you saying?” She steps back from him. Not knowing what Will is about to do worries her.
He continues, “You need to leave here. It’s not safe. There is a plane that’s leaving the island in the morning.”
“What? Are you say...”
“Melody, get on the plane tomorrow.”
Chapter 7
The next morning, Melody wakes up early with her bag packed. She cannot stay on the island any longer. Her safety is in danger.
First she found Will in possession of her father’s watch; there is no way her father would part with his watch willingly. Then, there was the barn, Tam and Rob were meeting there. Now Melody thinks they may have badly hurt if not killed someone in there. Next, was Rob threatening her and Tam’s suspicions. All these people have broken her trust or proven they cannot be trusted. Melody feels it’s time she left Talon’s Point.
Even if she decided to stay for the people that she cares about, they will most likely be in danger if she confides in them.
Part of Melody feels like she will have failed if she leaves. This is one of the toughest decisions that she has had to make.
Usually when she is in a pickle, Melody picks up the phone and calls her best friend, Brad. Where is he when I need him? She is too nervous to call him because he warned her to leave at the first sign of trouble. It’s safe to say trouble has definitely brewed and if she is not careful, she will be the next one added to the pot.
Besides, she has no time to make a call. She must leave now.
Melody walks out of the inn without saying a word to anyone. She will miss being at the in and exchanging jokes with the barflies each night.
Her heart is racing. This is it Melody she says as she walks out. Everything is happening so fast and there is no turning back after this.
She does not get on the plane like Max advised her. She meets with Nell and they sail out to the small island in a little power boat.
“I really hope I’ve made the right decision.” Melody reflects while sitting in the boat. Nell waited for Melody on the furthest side of the shore, then powered into the sea when she had settled in.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be there in no time. It’s just as you said, they left you no other choice but to go. At least this way you’ll get the answers you’re looking for.”
Melody desperately wants to believe that’s how the story will pan out. She looks back at the town that was home for her during the investigation. It is now sitting in the distance becoming smaller with each roar of the engine.
“This is a powerful boat.”
“It is!” Nell shouts back over the noise. “Just try to sit back and relax. I’ll get you there safely.” Her windbreaker is catching wind and blowing loudly
