Chapter 42 Josh
JOSH
Melanie and I take our time the next morning.
I think she feels better now that she knows her dad is through the worst of it.
I’m up well before her and I quietly shower, letting her rest. Then I find her phone and text her dad to let him know we’ll be over soon but that I was letting Mel rest. Then I slip out to get us coffees—forgetting of course to leave her a note.
When I return, coffees and bagels in hand, Mel is awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking unnerved.
“I thought you left.” Her voice is barely above a whisper. She looks up at me, eyes shining.
I set down everything in my hands and rush to kneel before her. “Hey, I told you last night I’m not going anywhere. Didn’t I?”
Melanie nods, sniffling.
“And if you would have looked at your phone, you’d have seen that I texted your dad letting him know our plans.”
Melanie pushes off the bed and grabs her phone from the nightstand. I watch as she scrolls through the text, her lips moving as she reads it.
“I’m sorry,” she says, looking back at me. “I am just so terrified to lose you again.”
I stand then, moving to her in one quick motion. “I’m here to stay, baby.” I pull her close to me and cradle the back of her head. “Now, let’s go bust out your dad.”
* * *
An hour later, we’re sitting in Frank’s room, waiting for him to take a shower—for that I’m grateful. The doctors are making their rounds and are due to see Frank shortly to go over everything he’ll need to know.
Frank emerges after just a few minutes and climbs back into the bed. Melanie rushes to help him get settled. Once she’s next to me again, Frank gestures to my guitar leaning against the wall. We didn’t want to leave it in the truck in a rough area of town so I carried it up with us.
Frank quirks his brows, the corner of his mouth turning up. “You guys have a big show this weekend.”
“Yep. Sure do,” Melanie says with a tight smile, but her voice is uneasy.
“I’m not sure I’ll make it,” Frank says, casting his eyes to his lap. “I’d like to, if Joan could help me get there.”
“It’s okay, Daddy. I don’t want you to worry about that. Not one bit,” Melanie reassures him.
“Can you play me something right now?” Frank’s expression shifts from guilt to hope, and I know Melanie can’t resist.
I cock my head at her, lips twitching. “What do you say?”
“‘Every Song’?” she suggests. “But not too loud, people are resting.”
I take my guitar out of its case, and Melanie stands to close the door.
I strum the first chord without thinking, my fingers remembering just where to go.
It’s instinct, muscle memory. And then Melanie starts to sing.
The sound is low at first, just a few soft notes under the guitar.
But then she gains her confidence, and it’s strong and steady like it never left.
I glance at Frank’s face—he doesn’t take his eyes off his daughter and neither do I.
My chest tightens, remembering how amazing it is to sing with her.
This was the first song we’d ever written together, just three chords and half of a chorus we’d thrown together one late spring night on my front porch.
It wasn’t complicated—it was honest. It was us.
Back then we didn’t know anything except what it was like to be reckless teens, counting dreams. We were completely wrapped up in each other.
The first time we sang that song together, I knew I was falling in love with her.
We fit. Now, all these years later, we still do.
Even with the history, even with the heartbreak. It’s always been us.
Her voice catches at the bridge, and she looks away, like if she catches my eye, she’ll fall apart. But I can see it on her face, she feels it too. I let the last chord ring out, filling the silence between us.
It’s broken by Dr. Comfort and Frank’s nurse, Gwen, clapping in the doorway. We hadn’t heard them come in. I peer over their shoulders and see even more staff in the hall. They’d all been listening. Melanie’s cheeks flush and her palms find them. She lets out an embarrassed laugh.
“That was beautiful,” Frank murmurs, keeping his eyes locked on Melanie. He swipes a finger under his eye. “I’m so glad you’re singing again.”
“I knew it!” another nurse interrupts. “Yesterday I saw you two in here and I told Gwen, I think I saw them on TikTok. Holy crap. You guys are like famous.”
Melanie shakes her head, jutting her thumb in my direction. “He is, not me.”
“Yet,” I say, squeezing her knee.
“These two are performing on Saturday in Cape May at Rotary Park. You guys should go.” Frank grins proudly, looking back and forth between us.
Dr. Comfort laughs. “Maybe we will. But you, sir, need to take care of yourself. What do you say we get you out of here?”
“Yes!” Frank throws a fist into the air. “Let’s blow this pop stand.”
And we all laugh.
* * *
We make it back to Cape May by the afternoon and Joan is already there, waiting for us.
I pull slowly into Frank’s driveway and hop out quickly.
Melanie climbs down and then we open Frank’s door, helping him down together.
To my surprise, he doesn’t wave us off. Melanie loops an arm around his waist and leads him to the front door. I follow closely behind.
“A wreath?” Melanie gives her dad a sideways glance. “Just how serious is it with Joan? Because I know you didn’t put a wreath on your door.”
Frank laughs but it turns into a dry cough. “Pretty serious.” His voice cracks.
Melanie nods, smiling softly. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it was pretty hard for you to choke out the word serious.”
“Yeah, yeah. Your old man needs some company, okay?” Frank pulls Melanie closer. “You’re still my number one girl though.”
Melanie tilts her head into Frank's and before she pulls away, I snap a picture of the two of them. Their backs, but they’re standing close, leaning into each other. It’s a Kodak moment.
The front door swings open before we can get to it, and Joan greets us with a bright smile.
“You’re home!” Two little curly-haired dogs yip at Joan’s feet. She holds open her arms and Frank steps into them.
Mel and I exchange a look. It’s definitely serious with them.
“I made soup and chicken salad in case anyone is hungry,” Joan says, leading Frank inside by his elbow. She has his recliner set up with a blanket and pillow. Next to it is a snack tray with a remote.
Silence hangs in the air before I clear my throat.
“These are Frank’s meds,” I say, setting the paper bag down on the snack tray.
Desperate to fill the silence. “There are instructions on each bottle for time of day… Well, you know how prescriptions work.” I scratch the back of my neck and look away.
“Great!” Joan claps her hands together. “Frankie, why don’t you sit, and I’ll fix you some food?”
Frank does as he’s told, and Mel and I exchange another amused look.
Joan fixes her eyes on us, a soft, hopeful smile on her face. “Did you kids want to eat?”
Melanie feigns a yawn, shaking her head. “Oh, no. I’m really tired. You know, hotel beds.”
She glances at me, and I desperately fight the twitch of my lips.
“Thank you, though,” she adds quickly.
I look to Joan, wondering exactly how this is going to work. “Will you be staying here, Joan?”
Frank glances between the two women. “Joan’s going to stay as long as I need her.”
A small noise escapes Melanie, and we all look at her.
“I just don’t want to put you two out any more than I already have,” Frank says gently, looking at Melanie.
“Dad. You’re my dad.” Her voice comes out small.
Joan slowly backs out of the living area, and I hear her bustling around the kitchen. I step closer to Mel, putting an arm around her.
“I know, honey, but you and Josh are doing your thing. I don’t want you to have to worry about me.” Frank looks between us. “You have a concert to play.”
Melanie lets out a relenting sigh. “Okay. That’s fair. But I’ll be back every day to check on you.”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
We say our goodbyes and head right to Ellie’s to get my stuff. I’m coming home.