Page 109 of Love is a Harmony
Melanie reached the entrance to the courtyard and looked out to where a microphone was set up at the front. She was about to walk out when her phone vibrated in her pocket.
Something told her she had to answer it.
A number she didn’t recognize flashed across the screen, a foreign number.
Stepping back into the hall, Melanie found a quiet alcove and brought the phone to her ear. “Hello?”
“Is this Melanie Snyder?” An accented voice asked.
“It is.”
“Thank the heavens. My great granddaughter asked me to call you. One moment.” There was a rustling before another voice spoke.
“Mel?”
“Stella?” Melanie leaned her head back against the wall. “Is everything okay? Why are you calling me?”
Stella hiccupped back a sob. “We need you, Mel.”
We.
“Honey, I’m still in L.A. I’ll get Noah to let me see you when you get home.”
“No.” There was a surprising strength in Stella’s voice.
“Stell—”
“I said no. Noah… he’s not okay. He… He…”
“Melanie?” the first voice said as Stella faded into the background.
“I’m still here.”
“I’m Noah’s nan.”
Melanie smiled at that. “He told me about you.”
“He hasn’t said much about you, but my grandson has always kept his secrets. He’s hurting. I can tell. And it isn’t only about his brother.”
“I’m sorry about that, I truly am.”
“Stella tells me you love him.”
“I don’t… I can’t.”
She sighed. “You can always love someone. It’s the choosing not to that takes work. I won’t pretend to know you or your relationship with Noah, but I have a very distraught little girl here who seems to think seeing you is the only thing that can help him right now. He isn’t himself.”
“She’s wrong. He won’t want to see me.” Her heart pounded against her ribs.
“Well, that may be true. Or it may not. I’m only relaying a message from a sad Stella. She wishes to say goodbye.”
Stella came back on the line. “Mel, will you come? We need you.”
“I can’t, Stella. I’m sorry.”
“Okay.” Stella sounded dejected. “I love you anyway.”
Melanie closed her eyes. “Love you too, kiddo.” As she hung up, she realized how true it was.
