Page 70 of Love's Home Run

Melissa was in the kitchen getting her morning coffee when her cell rang.Nettie.Her pulse sprinted. “Hello?”

“Hi, Melissa. Great news, I think. Jason and I are willing to come to take a look at Lilac Lake. Neither of us is about to jump ship easily, but we’re excited to think of other possibilities. That’s all I’ll say. How about we come in two weeks? There’s a quiet period after school starts. We can come then for the first few days of that week.”

“Wonderful! That will give me time after returning from New Jersey with Ross to give my full attention to the idea. In the meantime, Crystal and I will think about what we need to discuss. Oh, Nettie! Maybe this will work.”

Nettie chuckled. “I’m liking the idea more and more. The dinner restaurant service night after night is a real grind.”

“Tell me about it,” said Melissa, relieved she wouldn’t have to be part of that now or maybe ever.

“I’ll talk to you later,” said Nettie. “I’m looking up information about Lilac Lake and the entire area online.”

“Smart idea,” said Melissa. “No matter what you might read, it’s even better when you see it for yourself.”

As soon as she ended the call, Melissa phoned Crystal. “Let’s meet. I’ve got some encouraging news.”

“Okay, come by the café mid-afternoon. I should be able to talk then.”

After ending the call, Melissa decided to visit her parents. Her father was home from the hospital, and though he reportedly was grumpy from his change in diet and the need to exercise, her mother promised her that he was fine.

She drove to their house in an older, quiet part of town. Houses there tended to be large and on good-sized lots.

As she pulled up in front of the gray clapboard colonial, Melissa remembered her days as a child living there. Often, her parents were gone, working at the restaurant, and she’d been alone with her babysitter, an older woman named Mrs. Williams, or Willy, as Melissa had called her.

Gazing at the house, Melissa thought of Ross and wondered if he, like his brothers, wanted a large family. She wasn’t sure about having a lot of kids, but she knew she wanted at least two. As an only child, she’d often wished for a sibling to talk to to help her navigate life with a mother who both approved and disapproved of her, making life difficult and creating insecurity in her. It was hard not measuring up in appearance and behavior but winning accolades for her help in the kitchen.

Melissa decided to say as little as possible about her relationship with Ross, do as Crystal suggested, and wait and see how it evolved. She cared about Ross in a way she’d never experienced.

Melissas shook her head at herself. She might as well admit the truth. She loved Ross, loved the way he made her feel, loved that he was a friend as well as a lover. But until she knew he felt the same way about her, saying nothing was her best protection.

She got out of the car and went to the front door.

Her mother greeted her, looking frazzled.

“Mom? Is everything all right?” Melissa asked.

“We’re still trying to get into our new routine while working with our lawyer and real estate advisor to try and sell the remains of our restaurant. The sooner we get it sold, the better it will be. Your father is already having second thoughts about leaving the business even though he promised me he would.”

Her mother looked so fragile, so Melissa reached out and hugged her. “Even though it’s inevitable, change can be hard. I’ve got some news to share.”

They walked into the huge kitchen at the back of the house to find her father sitting at the kitchen table.

“Hi, Dad,” said Melissa. “It looks like another beautiful day. I swear I smell a hint of fall in the air.”

Her father smiled hello and went back to the papers he was reading.

“What’s this?” Melissa asked after kissing him on the cheek. “Do you have a buyer already?”

Her father made a face. “Looks like it might happen. The people who run Fresh Restaurant outside of town are considering buying it. Though I wouldn't say I like the thought of selling, their concept of fresh, farm-to-table food is appealing. And, they’re excited about adding fresh fish to their menu.”

“I think they’d do well in town,” said Melissa.

“They’d be getting a hell of a bargain,” grumped her father. “All those years of building our reputation certainly helps them. Right now, it’s caught up in many legal and financial issues, but your mother is delighted everyone wants to make it work.”

“Except you?” Melissa asked, giving him a knowing look.

He gave her a sheepish grin. “I know it’s the right thing to do. I’m just not ready.”

“Dad, you’ve been talking about retiring for the past three years. It’s time.” Seeing him looking as frail as her mother brought tears to her eyes. After going through the pain of Ross losing his father, seeing them this way scared her.

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