Second Chance - zzmbrashear (recommended ebook reader .txt) 📗

I use to call you Mels all the time. You remember, don’t you?” He asked me and I shook my head.
“Your no important enough to be remembered. Leave!” He said and pointed for the door.
“How can you forget someone who you were almost married to?” He asked me. I saw tears in his eyes. He left but before he shut the front door he said, “You will remember. I know you will.” Then he shut the door and got in his truck and drove away.
“What a creep.” I said to Roger, he giggled and agreed. “So who was he?”
“He was your ex fiance.” Roger said with disgust.
“What? He must have been important then.” I said.
“Didn’t you hear me? I said ex.” He said and I chuckled. “On the day before your wedding you came home early and found him in bed with some girl. Then he tried to say sorry but you knew he would do it again.” I was amazed. I know I didn’t know Melinda but from what I heard I knew Melinda didn’t deserve that.
“Now I know why you don’t like him.” I said and he nodded. Roger was so nice. Its like he knows I’m under stress but he has no idea. My ‘mother’ walked through the door and she threw her briefcase on the couch and turned on the television. That was unusual. She usually went to her room changed and then had some coffee. Its amazing what I learn in a few days.
I didn’t sleep well that night. I didn’t feel safe. With Matthew I always felt safe. It was the warmth he gave off or the smile that immediately goes on your face when he walks in the room. I didn’t know how to be me without him. Its going to be all right. I called him. At this point I didn’t care if it was a good idea. The seconds leading up to him picking up was pure torture.
He answered the same as always, “Hello.” He said but their was something different in his voice. It was softer, quieter, less happy and it broke my heart. Knowing I’m causing him so much pain and their is something I can do about it make me sick. I just sat there, listening to him breath. I felt a tear so I turned off the phone. I caught my breath then I heard a knock at the door.
“Who is it?” I asked.
“Roger.” He answered and then walked in. “We are going to a baseball game, do you want to come?” He asked. I paused for a second. “Mia will be there.” He gave me a smug look. I was confused and he knew it. “Mia, your best friend. Well, besides me of course.” I still didn’t know so I lied and acted like I knew.
“Oh, of course. Just give me a second to get ready.” He nodded his head and shut the door behind him. It took sometime having a guy live in the house thats not related to me. When I went down stairs everyone was waiting for me. We all drove there in one car. Roger drove and I was in the passenger seat. My ‘Mother’ was in the back. As he drove I looked out my window. Their was so many trees and hills. The scene was just so calming. I was amazed that I was living in a place where everything looked the same when there was a place like this. Flowers in every meadow, deer drinking in calm streams, Father and Son fishing by the docks. It looked as if it would be in a magazine. Roger looked at me a smiled. I had one hand on the arm rest. He kept smiling at me, then he put his hand on mine. His touch was so warm, so intense. I looked at him and he looked at me. My ‘Mother’ was in the back seat. She smiled like she knew this moment would happen. We held hands till we got to the baseball game. When we got out of the car and he sat next to me and put his arm around me. It was chilly out and he knew I was cold. We snuggled as he rooted for his nephew, Josh.
“Hey! Melinda, how are you?” A woman ran up to me and hugged me. I assumed it was Mia.
“Mia! I’m great. How are you?” I asked her.
“I’m fantastic.” She said then a man came up and put one arm around her. “Mel, meet Jason.” She said.
“Nice to meet you.” I shook his hand.
“Jason is my husband. You haven’t been around lately so I couldn’t tell you. I’m sorry about your accident. I visited you in the hospital.” She said.
“Thats sweet. Do you want to get a drink with me?” I asked.
“Yes, I will meet up with you two later.” Mia said to Jason and Roger. “So, you and Roger.” Mia stated once we got out of hearing range.
“No.” I said quickly. I had no idea how Melinda and Roger were before so I’m not sure wether they were more than friends or not. I ordered two Colas from the stand.
“I see how he looks at you. You can’t pull anything over on me.” She said and then laughed. I shook my head and we headed back with our drinks. We all sat together. Josh’s team won by ten. I never really got the game of baseball but it was exciting to be with Roger and do what he loves. When we got back to the house I went to bed. It had been a long day and I had work in the morning. I had read a little before going to bed. As I put my book down my ‘mother’ walked in the room.
“Hey, honey.” She said in a warm voice. That reminded me so much of my Mom. I missed my Mother, my real Mother. The one who had raised me, who called me bumble bee. Thats who my Mother was.
“Hi.” I replied trying to act tired.
“Honey, I just wanted to talk a little before you got too busy. You and Roger have been friends since Kindergarten. We decided it was best for him to move in when he was 15 because he was tossed around in Foster families. I know he is a sweet boy but Melinda, darling, please be careful. Love is a dangerous road. I love you, Mel.” Then she hugged me. “I’m so glad to have you back.”
After the next few weeks Roger and I grew more close. We took long walks and went to every one of Josh’s baseball games. Today we decided to watch a movie. He had the DVD player in his room so it was easier to watch it there. He rented the movie Law-Abiding Citizen. It was really interesting. It was about how two men came in and kill this one man’s family and the following ten years he plots revenge because the guy who killed them didn’t get punished. He even had popcorn. About half way through the movie Roger put his arm around me. I looked over and saw Mats face. I jumped and then he stood up.
“Whats wrong?” He asked. He looked so confused. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t even know what happened. I couldn’t get that picture out of my face. Mats arm around me, one more time. Then it hit me. The only reason I was enjoying Rogers company so much was because he reminded me of Matthew. I wanted my life back. I can’t live a life that someone else worked so hard to get.
“Nothing. Nothing is wrong.” I said. “I need to use the bathroom.” When I got to the bathroom Rachel was waiting for me.
“I can hear your thoughts.” She said. She scared me silly. I had no idea she was standing there, let alone could hear my thoughts.
“Stay out of my head!” I screamed.
“Are you okay? Who are you talking to?” Roger asked while standing outside the door. I felt like an idiot. He must think I’m losing it.
“I’m fine.” I screamed to Roger.
“Claire you have to leave things be. This is your life. Get use to it.” She told me. I could tell she was getting annoyed.
“Their must be a loop hole?” I asked her then I started pleading. “Please, Rachel. You have to help me.” She saw the lose of hope in my eyes. She looked away and then looked into my eyes again.
“You have to understand I’m not the bad one here. I shouldn’t but I’m going to tell you something. I have never seen it work but I guess its worth a shot. If you find Melinda Jane Mur and,” Then she paused. “and she gives up her second chance you can have your old life back but its a long process and I’m not sure if it will even work.” Joy flooded my body but even I knew that I couldn’t do this alone. I needed some help. I went back into Rogers room. When I got there he stood up.
“Everything okay?” He asked.
“Yes, everything is fine.” I replied smiling. He looked worried. When we sat back down to finish the movie he acted agitated.
“Roger, is there-,” I started to say but then he leaned in and kissed me. I tried to pull away but he hand one hand on my head to make sure I didn’t. “Roger,” I said.
“Listen Melinda,” He started to say but then it hit me. This amazing guy likes Melinda.I might be ruining the most amazing thing for her. She must have known him for years and these emotions have been bottled up and he now worked up the courage to do something, and it isn’t even her. I stood up and went to my room. I blared music so in case he tried knocking I could say I didn’t hear him.
It took days of thinking. I’ve been avoiding Roger. I didn’t want to discus what happened in his room. I didn’t know anything about our relationship before the kiss, so I had no idea what to do now. I went to work today. They keep telling me to take more time off but I need to see Matt. So I at least know he still thinks about me. When I got there I sat down at my desk. I saw Matt. He was walking my way. I instantly smiled.
“Print 30 copies of these and give them to Marshal.” He said and plopped down an envelope on my desk. My smile disappeared. He was so serious at work. I have never seen him like this. He didn’t even give me a chance to say okay. I did have any clue where the copying room was let alone who Marshal was.
“Excuse me?” I asked the woman who was sitting at the desk next to me.
“Yes.” She replied. Her name plate said Debra Cunnings.
“I’m trying to get the hang of this. Can you show me where the copy room is?” I asked.
“Yes, hold on one minute.” She looked at her boss and tapped on her watch. He nodded his head. “I just had to tell my boss I’m taking my lunch early.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” I told her as we headed down a long hallway.
“I know. Melinda?” She asked and I didn’t reply. When I noticed she was referring to me I felt silly.
“Yes.” I replied.
“Are you okay?” She asked. I wasn’t okay. I was the exact opposite. I was dying inside. I just wanted to fall