Chapter Eight
Kate and Julia granted Melissa’s wish, long before they even reached “Tommy’s Pit”, Kate’s workplace. Throughout the drive to New York City, they were in a festive mood: cracking jokes; planning the things they meant to do later that night; and always, carefully avoiding bringing up Joe. Under any other circumstances, Melissa would probably not have noticed it. Still, the fact that Kate and Julia neglected to mention Dean and Ray gave them away. Their mates were their favorite topics. Had either of them spoken about their personal life, Melissa would automatically think about her own, and her recent misfortune. Her friends simply confined their conversations to generalities, or older stories, prior to meeting her brothers, in order to protect her. Moved by their gesture, it crossed her mind to thank them for looking out for her. But Melissa would not do so; at least not yet. They had all night in front of them to discuss their bond. This conversation could wait until they went to her friend’s apartment.
“Tommy’s Pit” held no surprises for them that night. As usual, it was almost full of people, eagerly anticipating Kate’s performance. The single empty table was the one reserved for them, to the left and closest to the piano. Melissa and Julia sat at it, while their friend went to her dressing room.
“I keep wondering what would have happened if she’d chosen her career over Dean.” Melissa confessed as she gazed at the piano cover and a young waitress approached their table.
“There’s no way to tell,” Julia spoke what she thought, as the waitress halted in front of their table. “Hi; I’m thinking Tequila for me.”
“Beer would be nice,” Melissa said, dismissing her with a smile. “I think she’d be on her way to stardom by now.”
“Or in some old fart’s bed,” Julia countered, the seriousness in her tone preventing her friend from bursting into laughter. “I know. It’s pathetic, but it’s true. Most singers have to perform…” she paused; “…sexual favors to music producers, at the start of their career.”
Melissa was about to complain about the world of humans once again, when Kate turned around the corner of the corridor. The crowd welcomed her with a polite round of applause, putting a smile on her face, as she made her way towards the piano, with her sheet music in her hands. Easing the small pack in front of her, she assumed her seat.
“Good evening, everybody,” Kate spoke through her microphone. “Very recently, a good friend of mine was unfortunate in her personal life. The guy she wanted to date turned out to be an idiot. She wouldn’t admit it, but she liked him a lot, maybe more than she thought. I can’t do much to help her forget him, except maybe remind her that I’ll be there for her. So, here is Adele’s ‘Remedy.’”
Kate switched her gaze towards Melissa, putting her fingers over the piano keys at the end of her narrative. The introduction that soon tore through the air was familiar to her. She could not remember it, until her friend parted her lips. It was then that she recalled every single heart-melting lyric. “Remedy” was a flowing, melodic ballad, filled with words of promise and love, declaring the singer’s intention to stand by her friend. Stunned by her friend’s dedication, Melissa covered her mouth with her hand, her heartbeat escalating as the music mesmerized her more and more by the second. Filled with passion and presence, Kate’s smoky voice rocked the hall, her fingers dancing over the keys, tension spreading over her face, as she hit each and every one of them passionately. Even in the dim illumination, Melissa could see every vein on her hands and her neck bulging, as the echoes of her friend’s voice resounded around the piano bar, sending goose bumps all over her body.
I remember all of the things that I thought I wanted to be
So desperate to find a way out of my world and finally breathe
Right before my eyes I saw, my heart it came to life
This ain't easy, it's not meant to be
Every story has its scars
When the pain cuts you deep
When the night keeps you from sleeping
Just look and you will see
That I will be your remedy
When the world seems so cruel
And your heart makes you feel like a fool
I promise you will see
That I will be, I will be your remedy
No river is too wide or too deep for me to swim to you
Come whatever, I'll be the shelter that won't let the rain come through
Your love, it is my truth
And I will always love you
Love you
When the pain cuts you deep
When the night keeps you from sleeping
Just look and you will see
That I will be your remedy
When the world seems so cruel
And your heart makes you feel like a fool
I promise you will see
That I will be, I will be your remedy
When the pain cuts you deep
When the night keeps you from sleeping
Just look and you will see
I will be, I will be
When the world seems so cruel
And your heart makes you feel like a fool
I promise you will see
That I will be, I will be, I will be...
Your Remedy
A tear spilled from Melissa’s eye, as Kate caressed the keys for the outro. Biting her lower lip, she put her hands together, initiating a roaring round of applause, as Julia pulled her in for a side hug. Hundreds of thoughts exploded in her heart and mind. Countless words were on the tip of her tongue, and yet, she was so overwhelmed by emotion that she could not speak. Naturally, she desired to jump up, go over to Kate and hug her tight; the gift she had just been given warranted that reaction. Still, just as she put her hand on the table, she heard Julia’s whispering voice in her ear:
“Later, honey. You’ll embarrass her, and make a fool of yourself.”
“Thank you,” Kate spoke through her microphone once more, the applause subsiding as the waitress hurried back to their table, carrying a large tray.
“Your drinks are compliments of the gentleman in the corner,” she informed them, setting the tray down. Intrigued, Melissa turned her head around. But the sight that greeted her made her blood boil in her veins and pound in her temples. The man who had bought her and Julia’s drinks was Joe Stanton. He even raised his glass to her.
“Son of a bitch,” Melissa groaned, jumping from her seat.
“Please, don’t make a scene,” Julia requested, her voice scarcely more than a whisper.
“Outside,” Melissa silently mouthed to him, holding tight to her temper. Her inner wolf had become uneasy by his presence. She had not forgiven his rude behavior, and now, she had a much better cause to punish him for invading her privacy. However, her unwillingness to shift in public would protect Joe yet again. The melodic piano notes lowered to a background noise, as she swung the glass door open. Car engines and exhaust fumes dominated her senses, as a menacing snarl rattled in her throat.
“First you insult me, and then you apologize,” Melissa spoke in frustrated tones, pacing up and down, as he joined her on the pavement outside. “You ask me out, you shoot me down, and right after that, you kiss me. Wait, there’s more. You won’t tell me why you reject me, and then, you buy me a drink? Have you ever been to a shrink?” She asked, as he stepped before her. “You’re not making any sense, Joe.”
“I saw you in the back seat of a red Focus, on my way out of Shandaken,” Joe began, his voice coming out slowly. “I wanted to follow you, see where you were going, but then, I had an idea. I have a few friends at the police department. I called one of them, gave him the license plate of that car. He said it belonged to Kate Brooks, age 27. Your friend is one of my favorite singers. In fact, I’ve been here quite a few times. I overtook you, and got here first.”
“What for?” Melissa’s voice turned into a high-pitched squeal, as she cocked her head in frustration.
Joe did not dignify her question with an answer. Pursing his lips, he pulled a thick, white envelope out of his pocket, along with a pen. He held the envelope in his left hand, as he freed the letter. He wrote something on the letter, before putting it back in the envelope.
“This,” he whispered, handing it over to her, as his scent filled her nostrils. “Just a heads up: you’ll probably laugh at what you read in that letter, but it’s the truth. I’m sorry about ruining your night. Take care.”
Melissa’s heart skipped a beat, as he turned around. She found herself in a dilemma, as his heavy footsteps slowly put distance between them. Read the letter right there and then, or go back inside? The thought of having to explain things to Julia helped her shape her decision. She was already too upset; she was in no position to narrate how her unexpected meeting with Joe went. So reading the letter was her only option.
“Dear Melissa,
You just left me, and I’m still mad at myself for not giving you a straight answer. I wish I could, but, as you will find out, it is not as easy as you might think.
You see, I lost my whole world when my wife died. Please, don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not trying to say how much I miss her again. I shouldn’t have done it when you were here, either, but it served its purpose well, seeing as you took off very fast after I did. I just need to illustrate how desperate I was. Laura was my whole life. We were struggling to make ends meet, but we had each other, and that’s what gave me hope.
Eighteen days after her death, her brother Frank and I were are at a bar in upstate New York. I went outside to get some fresh air. There was this very tall, skinny guy across the street. At first, I didn’t pay any attention to him; but, when he kept on staring at me, I confronted him. He said he knew what I was going through. I didn’t believe him, of course. How could a total stranger, hundreds of miles away from my home, know about my situation? However, when he started talking about Laura and the accident, I realized he was being honest with me. It was crazy; he was able to tell me every last detail from that night. Anyway, the guy claimed he wasn’t human. He was a demon, named Azazel. Before I could laugh at him, he thrust his arm toward a nearby tree. I couldn’t believe my eyes… He turned it into ash. Azazel then offered me a deal. He promised to make me one of the most successful lawyers in the city, in exchange for my soul. I didn’t like it, but he sweetened the deal, by guaranteeing to me that he would wipe my memory. I wouldn’t remember anything from my previous life with Laura. I wouldn’t be in pain anymore. In return, I would get eight years of fame, money and social status. It doesn’t sound like much, does it? You’re right, it’s not, but put yourself in my shoes. What would you have done if you had just lost everything that mattered to you? The one and only woman I had ever fallen in love with, was gone. I was on the brink of collapse. I had absolutely nothing to live for.
The demon didn’t keep his end of the bargain, at least, not entirely. Ok, I was hired by ‘Cross and Associates’, I got a six-figure contract, but the memory remains. I still remember everything, and that’s what makes things all the more difficult. Tonight, you suggested I stop living backwards. I wish I could. Laura was my one true love. Even if I do want to find that kind of love again, it’s just impossible. From here on in, I’ll have to lie to every woman I meet, because none of them will be able to handle the truth. If I’m honest with them, they’ll run, just like you will, when you finish reading this letter.
I’m sorry, Melissa. I am only reliving the past, because I know I can’t have a future. Not with you. Not with anyone else.
Joe
P.S. Good luck finding what you’re searching for.
More tears rose up in her eyes, blurring her vision, as a deep sigh left her lips. A tidal wave of guilt flooded her heart, as Melissa realized her mistake. She had misjudged him. Joe was not driven by greed, but by pure heartache. In an instant, any feelings of anger she’d had for him turned into a massive urge to see him, hug him, and taste his lips, just one more time, maybe the last time. His letter proved to her once again what kind of man he was, but, at the same time, the truth in it shattered her heart into a million pieces. Melissa didn’t want him to remember her as a furious woman who had accused him of being unstable. Yes, Joe changed his mind very often, but his behavior was justified. Still, as she reread the last few sentences, a crazy thought rushed through her mind: to help him escape this fate, as long as he desired it as well. She had no idea about what be required of them, or if that was even possible, but Melissa was determined to try.
Putting the letter hurriedly back in the envelope, she shoved it in the pocket of her jeans. She started forward, settling her gaze on the underground parking lot exit, to her right. Melissa attempted to pick up his scent, as she jogged down the pavement. Sadly though, she could only smell the nasty odors of exhaust pipes. Vast darkness lay out before her, as she entered the parking lot. Faint chattering in the distance and rumbling engine sounds were filling her ears. All of a sudden, a tire squeal drew her attention, as a tall vehicle turned left and onto the lane that led to the exit. She lifted her arm to cover her eyes, as the high beams blinded her. Melissa watched, feeling her adrenaline storming through her veins, as the noise of the roaring engine echoed back at the walls of the lot. But, she would not move a muscle. And, in a matter of seconds, her persistence paid off, as the SUV rolled to a halt, a few feet away from her. She moved around the vehicle, as Joe rolled down his window.
“Come on, yell at me,” he urged on an exhale. “Just make it quick. I’m tired.”
“I’m not going to yell at you,” she declared, squatting down to his level. “I’m going to ask you a simple question, and I want you to tell me the truth. Do you want to break that deal?”
“You…”
“I believe you,” Melissa interrupted, reaching both of her hands up to his face. “Just answer my question.”
“Does a blind man want to see?” Joe asked, his baritone overflowing with sadness, as his eyes narrowed with despair. His words made her heart flutter with hope, encouraging her to proceed with her plan. Cupping his cheeks, she leaned forward, as a big smile spread across her face. Their lips locked in a sweet, gentle kiss, as he snaked his arm around her neck. Just like the night before, the intoxicating cherry surrounded her first, and then permeated every pore in her skin. Melissa could hear his heart, racing in his chest. Her senses perceived his desire to break free of his bounds. She could actually taste it, on every slide of his full lips. It was growing, precisely like the intensity of his kiss. She could feel it on his fingertips, as his big hand caressed her back; hesitant at first, but eager to explore, as seconds went by. It was as if Joe was afraid to touch what she was offering him, but gladly accepted it within a few moments. Nevertheless, before long, he lifted his lips from her, and whispered above them:
“How can you believe my story?”
Melissa was in a difficult position. At last, Joe had been honest with her; it would only be fair of her to return that honesty. Still, she could not even venture to reply to his question. Why? Because: that would include revealing the truth about her nature. Shifting in a parking lot in New York City would expose her secret.
“Right after Shandaken’s town limits, there’s a left turn,” she began, easing out of his embrace. “The road leads to Paxton, my town. Don’t drive into it. Leave your car before you come cross any properties. It’s important. Head over to the forest on your right, tomorrow night at ten.”
“Alright,” he said with a nod. “I don’t get all the secrecy, but ok.”
“It will make sense,” Melissa assured him, her eyes sparkling with unmasked joy, as she let go of his face. “Trust me, it will all make sense. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” Joe whispered, a small smile forming on his face, as he averted his gaze from her. Looking at the road up ahead, he put his foot hard down on the accelerator. Tires screeched and picked up dust from the ground, as he drove off. Helena’s words were still ringing in Melissa’s ears. She knew very well what she was going to go through, by bringing him to Paxton. Her brothers would most definitely be mad at her, her friends would frown upon her choice, and the witch would be infuriated. All the same, she would not back down. This was her decision, and they all had to respect it.