Chapter 123

Melody spent Friday peacefully to herself. Until 3.40pm that is, the kids got home and noise returned to the house. All day it had been quiet but now 4 people were talking at once, talking about their day or the plans they made for the weekend.

When J and Tyler brought up a party they were going to on Saturday night Melody reminded them they still had to work at the cd store during the day, like they always did. Melody’s job there might have become needless, but theirs hadn’t, she also reminded them of the last few tests they still had during the last week of school.

Grumpily both boys went downstairs to their room. At least now she only had two voices talking at her. To be fair she reminded them of their homework too. Then nobody had to remember last minute homework at their dad’s house. Which she was sure they did since they always did it at hers.

After 20 minutes, her little bit of peace returned. She lied back down on the couch and tried to enjoy the extra few minutes of quiet. Her headache weren’t as bad anymore but still very present.

Her few minutes didn’t take long and Faith bounced back into the living room, jumping the last two steps from the stairs, creating a bang.

Melody sighed, quiet just never worked with kids.

“Faith, don’t do that.”
“Why not?” She asked innocently.
“It’s a lot of noise.”
“Why?” She asked again.
“It is, keep it down or go to your room.” She usually got annoyed when Faith started her why questions, Melody was still desperately hoping for that faze to pass.
“Okay.” Faith sat down on the other couch and flipped on the tv.

Just the tv, Melody thought to herself, it’s not that loud.

But she knew Jon didn’t have a concert tonight and decided to listen to him instead. His voice was nicer than the tv. Melody got up and went to her room, picked up her phone where she had left it and dialed Jon’s number.

After talking to Jon for a while she promised to phone him back when she was going to bed later on. Now she still had her job as a mother and needed to prepare dinner. Definitely something teenage boys didn’t do. In fact she wondered how they would survive at college and just hoped there would be a dining hall or something like it.

Once again Melody braced herself for the noise that would come with dinner. Unlike yesterday she prepared a dinner herself. It wasn’t much but it would do just fine.

During dinner, chatter started again, a mother never got rest. She knew that fact and tried to listen to what they were telling her and tried to ignore how bad she felt. Her headache had already returned and it wasn’t going to change now either, so she let them be and let them talk about their day.

Hearing them talk happily helped her though, there was nothing that could make her happier than the happiness of her children. If they were happy, she was happy. Even though she didn’t feel well, she was happy to listen to them.

She was glad to hear about the art project Faith got to do in the afternoon. Interested in what Ryan learned in History class and happy for both J and Tyler to only have 2 more tests next week. She just hoped they studied enough for it, school was one of the things she found most important for them.

When bedtime came around, Melody was glad she could go to bed. After Faith had gone up to her room, Melody left the living room and went to her own bed. Thinking how much nicer it was when Jon was there last time, it had been easier and she was almost thankful he hadn’t let her out of bed.

Like she had promised she phoned Jon back as she got in bed.



Saturday was much quieter again. J and Tyler had both gone to work and Ryan was out with friends. Which only left Faith at home with Melody.

Usually Saturday was the day Melody went grocery shopping with Faith but today she just couldn’t be bothered. She knew there was enough food in the house for another week, so she skipped her usual routine. Instead she slept in until Faith woke her up with a knock at her door.

Of course Faith wasn’t going to give her the day off but Melody had a better idea. In the living room she picked out a few movies, some of Faith’s favorites and convinced her to have a day full of movies. Luckily it didn’t take Faith much to convince.

The girl got herself a box of Lucky Charms and a bowl and planted herself in front of the tv. Melody was glad she was easily convinced and not hard to please. She took her spot on the couch again and started the first movie.

By the time the fourth movie ended, her youngest son joined their movie party and decided on the next movie, much to Faith’s dislike but Melody let him. Faith had her chance to watch her movies all day; it was only fair if Ryan wanted to watch something now too.

Melody missed most of Ryan’s movie, after twenty minutes into it she fell asleep.



“We’re leaving early!”
The slam of the door woke Melody up. Confused she looked over at the clock, 7.16. “Where are you going?”
J walked in the room, followed by Tyler. “That party, told you about it yesterday.” J answered.
“Where is it?” They hadn’t mentioned where or who’s party it was, she couldn’t let them just go.
“It’s nothing really.” He answered. “We’re just celebrating school’s over.”
“Where?”
“Marina Park.”
“Your party is at a public park?” She asked suspicious.
“It’s hardly a party, we’re just hanging out.”
Melody looked up at Tyler.
“It’s just some people from school and we already said we’d be there.” He backed up his brother.
“Fine, but be home by midnight.”
“We will.” They both answered and left the room.

“Who wants pizza?” Melody asked the two other children.



Hours later she lied in her bed, waiting for Jon’s call, it was almost midnight and she was waiting up for her sons too. She just felt better if she knew they were home, safe and sound again.

A few minutes after midnight her phone finally started ringing, the noise irritated her and she tried to make it stop as fast as she could.

“Jonny?” She asked.
“Mel, are you alright?”
“Just a little worried.” She knew her could hear it in her voice anyway.
“Why are you worried?”
“Jon and Tyler went out and I’m not sure it was such a good idea.” Melody confessed.
“Why isn’t that a good idea? They’ve gone out before.” Jon pointed out.
“I know but they said this was at a park with some friends but it doesn’t sound right.”
“Parties happen at parks, Mel, they usually get caught though.”
“Caught? What do you mean?” She asked even more worried.
“Public park, noise, night time, usually cops show up.”

Melody’s eyes went wide with surprise. “What?”
“Don’t worry, when were they supposed to be home?”
“15 minutes ago.”
“Oh.”
“I shouldn’t have let them go.” If something happened, she’d blame herself forever.
“15 minutes, isn’t much, they’re probably on their way home now.” Jon tried to calm her down again.
“I don’t know, I think there’s something wrong.”
“They’ll be home in a few minutes.” Jon tried again.

Melody's attention was turned abruptly to the sound of the doorbell.

“The doorbell.” She said to her phone.
“Must be them.”
“No,” she started getting out of bed, “they have keys, why would they ring the bell?”
“Because they’re too drunk to find them.”
“You’re not funny, I’m really worried here.” She told him off.
“I’m sorry but they’ll be fine.”

Melody finally reached the door and unlocked it to open it. She was just going to tell Jon she’d be right back but the phone slipped from her hand.