Chapter SEVENTEEN
At the end of four weeks, Melissa drove Ross to the doctor’s office.
She was as anxious for this appointment as Ross because it would determine when they could take their road trip.
“It’ll be an escape for both of us. But I’m worried about your father’s condition,” she said.
“Last night, my dad told me on the phone that he’s doing fine, that I’m not to worry. But that’s why I’m concerned. He’s tough as nails. He had to be raising four boys. But even though he’ll fight his cancer as hard as he can, there’s only one winner in a battle like this.”
Melissa squeezed his hand. “I dread the day I have to go through anything like this with my parents. I’ll be there for you.”
She could feel his eyes on her as she sat behind the wheel. Finally, he said quietly, I know you will.”
The appointment for Ross’s doctor had been made for his suburban office in Dedham. It was much more convenient for them than having to go into Boston.
Later, as Melissa was sitting, waiting for Ross, she thought of all the culinary opportunities for her downtown. In the end, she knew she wouldn’t even inquire about them because the one thing she did know about her future was her desire to stay in Lilac Lake.
Movement at the exit window caught Melissa’s attention. She looked up to see Ross giving her a thumbs-up sign. The smile on his face lit his blue eyes, and her lips curved.
She waited anxiously for him to give her the details.
After he completed the paperwork and paid, he walked over to her, and they headed out the door.
“Okay, what did he say?”
she asked.
“First of all, I’m a star patient. He’s very pleased with my progress and said I was an excellent patient and could do well independently. But he’s very glad you’re going on the trip with me. He warned me about sitting too long in one position. So, we’ll have to stop more often than we ordinarily would so we both can stretch our legs.”
“That’s easy enough. When do you want to leave?”
she asked.
“Is tomorrow too early for you?”
Melissa shook her head. “It sounds perfect to me.”
###
The next morning, she stood at the end of her driveway, her suitcase and duffle at her feet. Ross was to pick her up at ten o’clock. Because his father had late mornings and then took an early afternoon nap, they hoped to arrive in New Jersey by the time he awoke.
Ross drove his silver BMW to her, got out, and they stowed her luggage in the trunk.
“I’ve got water and snacks for us,”
Melissa said.
“Thanks. I’ll start driving but will stop and have you take over. We’ll see how the leg does.”
“Deal,”
she said, sliding into the passenger seat. She was pleased his car was so comfortable. She’d never driven or ridden in a car for so many days at a time. This trip would be one to remember, with interesting stops along the way. She’d revised the list of the places they might want to see, even though she knew it would be impossible to visit all of them.
Ross glanced up at the sky. “It looks like a great day to drive. The storm has chased away some of the heat, and the roads are clear.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting your father,”
she said. “I wish it were under happier circumstances.”
“Me, too,”
said Ross, his solemn expression revealing the depth of his love for his father.
The sounds of country music filled the car as they headed into town on their way to the highway. Ross surprised her by taking a small detour to drive past the remnants of the restaurant. Now that the fire department had completed its investigation, a bulldozer was removing the debris from the site. Her parents were standing by, watching.
Melissa gave them a wave, and Ross drove on. She was relieved to leave town to avoid dealing with the demise of the restaurant she and her parents had loved. In time, she’d have to make some decisions about her life going forward, but having this reprieve was a blessing.
They drove to Interstate 95, and Melissa asked for a stop. “I can take over the driving if you wish.”
“Maybe you’d better,”
said Ross, getting out of the car and rubbing his leg. “Then, when we get closer to my parents’ house, I’ll take over.”
“Okay,”
said Melissa. “I’ll be right back. I need to use the facilities.”
When she returned to the car, she slid behind the wheel and checked the dashboard to see how it was set up. Though there were differences in layout, the details were pretty much the same as her Lexus. Her parents had always insisted she have what they considered a safe car to drive, and she’d come to like the conveniences of the luxury cars they’d handed down to her.
“Thanks for taking over,”
said Ross as they pulled out of the gas station.
“Good neighbors, remember?”
she said, and they both smiled.
Melissa played light classical music as she drove. It had taken years to find music for the kitchen that pleased all the staff. Though it wasn’t the favorite of many, it was pleasant enough for everyone to work with.
Ross leaned back against the passenger seat and closed his eyes.
###
When they saw signs for the New Jersey Turnpike, Ross said, “Please pull into the next stop. I’ll take over driving from there.”
She did as he asked and pulled into a gas station. While he filled the car with gas, she freshened up inside.
When she returned to the car, a surprising tension filled the air.
“Are you nervous about seeing your dad?”
she asked him gently.
Looking glum, Ross said, “Each time I see or talk to him, I realize he’s getting worse. Truthfully, I dread seeing him. My brothers tell me each day is different and that some days are better than others. I hope this is one of his good ones.”
“I’m sure, no matter what, he’ll be thrilled to see you,”
she said, giving his forearm a little pat.
“Even though he tells me to go on about my business, he’s always glad to see me.”
“Tell me about your neighborhood,”
she said, trying to keep his mind occupied.
“It’s a typical middle-class one, with modest houses, many kids, and happy memories. We kids played together since we were young. Our parents were all friends, and though many of them moved away to nicer neighborhoods, they all kept in touch. They were fantastic when my mom died.”
“What a wonderful way to grow up,”
said Melissa. “Though our town was friendly and we kids all knew one another, we lived in different neighborhoods, making it a little harder to get together. And then, my parents were always working, so I couldn’t have kids over very often. Still, Lilac Lake is very special.”
“Yes,”
said Ross. “I like it.”
Moments later, Ross pulled in front of a tan clapboard split-level home with neatly trimmed landscaping. As Ross had described, the neighborhood was family-friendly, with kids playing outside and bicycles, carriages, and strollers in front of some of the houses.
Ross pulled into the driveway behind a white SUV and parked the car.
“Here we go,”
he said. “I think my brother, Dewey, must be here. I’m pretty sure that’s his car. He works in IT, and he and his wife have four kids.”
He got out of the car, and they went up the sidewalk leading to the front porch.
A pleasant-faced, heavy-set woman wearing black slacks and a white blouse greeted them at the door. “Welcome. Happy to see you, Ross.”
“Mrs. Barnard, how are you?”
Ross said and turned to Melissa. “This is a friend of mine, Melissa Hendrickson. Melissa, Mrs. Barnard is Dad’s nurse.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Melissa. Please come in. Your father has been waiting for you, Ross.”
Melissa followed them inside to the living room, where an older man sat in a brown leather reclining chair. Beside him, holding his hand, was a man who looked a lot like Ross. His eyes were as bright a blue as Ross’s, and his boyish grin the same.
He stood and, smiling at her, he embraced Ross. “Hey, Bro! Great to see you. How long are you here for?”
Ross glanced at his father. “I’m not sure. Hey, Dad, Dewey, meet Melissa Hendrickson. She’s my next-door neighbor and is doing me a favor by helping me drive here following my knee surgery.”
“Glad to meet you,”
Dewey said, holding his hand. “So nice of you to drive down with Ross.”
“I’m happy to do it. It keeps me busy while trying to cope after a family tragedy. Our restaurant burned down,”
said Melissa. She shook Dewey’s hand and knelt by his father’s chair to say hello to him.
She returned his father’s smile and studied him. His cheeks were sunken, and though his body looked frail, his blue eyes were full of life as he gazed at her. “How lucky to have a neighbor like you,”
he said, giving her a wink.
Melissa’s heart went out to him. There was no doubt as to where Ross got his charm.
“Sit, sit,”
said Mrs. Barnard. “Can I get anything to drink or eat?”
She gazed at Melissa.
“I’d like a glass of water,”
Melissa said. “Thank you.”
“I’ll have the same,”
said Ross, leaning down to hug his father. He and Dewey brought two more chairs over, and they all sat beside him. “How’s it going, Dad?”
“It’s going,”
said his father. “It’s wonderful to see you. Everyone is being so kind.”
“Including Lanie Southerland next door. She’s living with her parents since her divorce,”
said Dewey, giving Ross an impish grin. “She’s been asking about you.”
Ross looked disgusted. “She tried to call me a couple of times, but I didn’t return them.”
Dewey turned to Melissa. “You’re the woman he ran into on the ball field?”
Melissa nodded. “I still feel bad about it.”
“Don’t worry. Ross is strong, and things like that happen all the time,”
said Dewey.
“To you more than me,”
teased Ross, and both men laughed.
“I’ll leave you guys alone,”
said Dewey. He gave his father a loving pat on the shoulder. “Call me anytime. It won’t take me long to get here.”
“I appreciate that, son,”
said Ross’s father.
Melissa was touched by the tenderness between Ross’s father and his children. All three of them were easy with affection—no pretending to be so strong you couldn’t handle a hug.
Melissa moved to a nearby couch and talked with Mrs. Barnard to give Ross some time alone with his father.
“How long have you been working here?”
Melissa asked her.
“For about four months now,”
Mrs. Barnard said. “But I’ve known the family for a long time. I was a nurse for Mrs. Roberts when she became ill. Such a lovely woman.”
Melissa gazed around the room. The fireplace mantel held several family photos. To the right of it, a bookcase was filled with trophies and more pictures of Ross and his brothers. In the center was a photograph of a beautiful woman with Ross’s features. Recalling her lonely childhood, Melissa hoped she’d have many children of her own and form a family as strong as this.
“Tell me more about your family restaurant,”
said Mrs. Barnard, and Melissa described it and their situation.
“Then this is a very good time to be away,”
said Mrs. Barnard. At the sound of a doorbell, she got up and went to answer it.
She returned, followed by a pretty woman with dark hair and brown eyes who looked about Melissa’s age. Seeing her broad smile and the bounce in her steps, Melissa sensed this woman must have been a cheerleader in earlier days. A very cute one.
“There you are! Hi, Ross!”
said the woman, moving toward him with open arms.
Ross stood and allowed her to embrace him. “Hi, Lanie.”
“When you didn’t return my phone calls, I checked with your dad and learned about the knee surgery.”
“Yeah, it’s the same knee I injured in college. Remember?”
“Oh, yes. And then, you had that awful accident ending your career,”
Lanie said, drawing closer and gazing up at him.
Ross stepped back and turned to Melissa. “This is the ‘girl’ next door, Lanie Southerland. Lanie, meet Melissa Hendrickson, my neighbor and friend from Lilac Lake.”
Lanie’s dark eyes surveyed Melissa before she held out her hand. “Hi. Just a friend and neighbor, huh?”
Melissa glanced at Ross. “That’s right.”
Ross came over to her and put a hand on Melissa’s shoulder. “And an excellent chef.”
“Chef? Really? But you’re so thin,”
said Lanie.
Melissa laughed. “After working with food day in and day out, you learn not to taste everything.”
“My kids are two and four. I’m still working off the baby fat,”
said Lanie, chuckling.
“How are you doing on your own?”
Ross asked Lanie.
“It’s hard. I never should’ve married Rick. Lesson learned. Now I’m hoping to find a reliable man who likes children. My kids are the best.”
“A boy and girl, right?”
“Yes, in fact, the boy is named after you. Samuel Ross. I insisted on it. We used to be so special together.”
Lanie turned to Melissa. “Growing up, we were best friends. I should’ve never let someone else come between us.”
Ross’s pained expression was notable. He shuffled his feet from side to side but didn’t say anything.
Lanie walked over and kissed Ross’s father on the cheek. “How are you doing today? Mom said she’s sending over some of your favorite cookies.”
“Thanks,”
said Ross’s father.
“Well, I’d better go. My mother is watching the kids, and I don’t like to leave her too long.”
Lanie turned to Ross, rose up on her toes, and kissed him. “Maybe we can talk later.”
“Maybe. Right now, I’m here to visit Dad,”
Ross said quietly.
Lanie studied Melissa. “Pleasure to meet you.”
###
After Lanie left, Melissa excused herself to use the bathroom. Ross and Lanie had some history, and she needed to gather her thoughts. Seeing Lanie, how cute she was, how comfortable she was with Ross and his family, she wondered if they’d get back together like Lanie obviously hoped.
When she returned to the living room, Ross’s father had fallen asleep. Ross sat next to him, holding his hand.
Her eyes smarted with tears. It was such a tender scene.
Ross looked up as she came closer. “Let’s get you settled in the hotel. I talked to Mrs. Barnard and think I should stay there. It’ll be much easier for them both and give Dad some privacy.”
“Okay. I’m willing to do whatever it takes,”
she said. “What about dinner? Do you want to share a meal with him? I’m happy to be alone if that’s what you want.”
“No,”
said Ross. “Mrs. Barnard has prepared a chicken casserole, something my father likes. I want you to be there with us so Dad can get to know you. It isn’t everyone who has such a good friend.”
“Like you and Lanie used to be?”
she asked.
He chuckled. “No, nothing like that.”