Nostalgia & Freedom

Melody looks around to see if Blaze is anywhere in sight.

She looks at Gage and the children, “Excuse me for a moment.” She steps away from the table and leans against the wooden fence, a few feet away, peering at the ocean. Melody gripping her phone, whilst shaking calls her lawyer to discuss the details of the mystery envelope. Flipping through the stack of papers,

“Yes, he is suing for custody. I filed reports in Dallas for the abusive behavior. I want a restraining order. The children need to stay with me. Also, anything acquired after Monday is separate; my grandmother’s cottage, my new vehicle, it’s all mine.” A pause while she listens. “Ok, great, thank you.” She ends the call, glances at the blue sky resting above the roaring aquamarine waves, listening to them crash and splash, she faces Gage and her children, Melody resumes her place at the table.

She looks at Gage, Jet, and the kids. “I’m sorry, kiddos. Are y’all finished with your ice cream. Do you want to ride some more. We should spend the day by the beach. And I’m going to look up puppies for sale. Perhaps a girl. What do y’all think?” Melody focuses on the children who look bewildered. Gage has been silent and invisible since Melody noticed Mia’s necklace. His energy is calming, sitting beside Melody, after watching her panic and become distraught, all he wants to do, is be a calm steady force.

“Mom, I would be ok with the dog being a girl.” Leo says.

“Yea, me too, she can have bows, and be a princess like me.” Mia says with enthusiasm.

“I’m going back to my shop with Jet, I hope y’all have fun riding your bikes, and shopping for a puppy. Here’s my card in case you need anything, or want to surf and ride a boat.” Gage mentions to Melody.

“Thank you, Gage, sorry about the drama.” Melody embarrassed, replies.

“It’s ok! See y’all soon.” He waves by, as Jet follows along, wagging his white tail, round and round whilst he gazes up at his owner.

Melody and the children, ride along the beach boardwalk, wind in their chestnut locks, under their helmets. The late afternoon sun still high in the sky, basking warmth in the cool late spring air. The ocean to their left, aquamarine waves surge and diminish turning white by the shore, splashing, roaring. Melody marvels, admiring the white sandy beach and water. Breathing in the salty air, and being in the atmosphere of younger times before Blaze. Some buildings remain from her youth, teen years, and college years, her mind drifts back and forth in time, isolating from ten years of abuse, and grounding her mind in the present.

She missed the signs with Blaze, she didn't know how to spot a narcissistic abuser. At first a charming mask, preying on wounds, promising a wealthy life. Even though Melody earned a degree and obtained a job, she still fell victim. Later, his predator mannerisms heightened and increased, becoming more possessive, more angry. He lost control, he began harming her physically. Words, negative moods, disregard, demeaning, was the beginning of emotional and psychological abuse. Melody is astonished at herself for allowing any such behavior her direction. Her salary is sufficient, was the mansion and fancy life really worth the slow decline in her mental health. Focusing on the beach and children, the negative memories dissipate, like an evaporated cloud. It lingered for a moment, then a glance at the beach and kiddos, took it all away. Melody feels empowered now. A therapist. A therapist will help me through the traumatizing memories, help me out of the hyper vigilance.

“Kids, do you want to take a break and play by the water?” Melody questions.

“Yea!” Mia shouts with excitement.

“Alright, I’m in.” Leo exclaims.

The family lock their bikes on the boardwalk, their toes sink in the white sand, a soft gritty sensation comes about. Melody and her two children move towards the shoreline. Mia does cartwheels towards the water as it rushes to her. Leo runs about.

“Mom, flying kites here would be cool too you know!” Leo mentions with a hopeful voice.

“Great idea, Leo. We will get some kites.” Melody says, her eyes full of joy, glimmering in the sun. She grabs her phone and takes pictures of the kids, and the three of them together. The sun lowers in the sky, causing a hot pink and dark orange, maybe a little crimson spread out above the deep blue and teal waters.

Melody, admires the beach scene, her kids playing, their laughter in the air. Her stomach begins to grumble. Dinner. Spaghetti.

“Kids a few more minutes and then we need to go. The sun is setting, and we need to eat dinner!”

“Alright, and we can look at puppies for sale?” Leo says.

“yes, sweetheart, we can look for a puppy.” Melody responds, giggling.

“Ok, mom I’m ready to go!” Mia says, rinsing her sand covered feet, at the shore only to sink them back in the sand.

Melody laughs, openly laughs, at her daughter, her son, the dog Jet, and herself. The new happy thoughts in her mind, propelled immense laughter, the children look at her confused but carry on.

They ride home as the sun sets and the sky begins to darken. Melody feels more at ease, has forgotten about Blaze, any messages or court summons.

The kiddos take turns freshening up, while Melody cooks spaghetti. She rummages through the white cabinetry to find the same old pot her grandmother cooked spaghetti in. Her mind drifts into moments of her grandmother cooking. Boiling noodles, stirring homemade sauce. Melody finds the old recipe, for spaghetti. She mixes the ingredients and waits for the sauce to boil. Melody drains the noodles, and breathes in the spicy aroma from the tomato sauce.

The kids sit in the swivel chairs, twirling and spinning wearing pajamas. Melody glances at them, her hazel eyes full of love. “Kiddos, dinner is ready!”

After tucking the kiddos into bed, she soaks in the tub, lavender Epsom salt, listening to classical music, and meditating. She sips on a glass of pink moscato wine. Forgetting her worries, turning the music off, listening to the ocean waves crash faintly outside. She jumps up and down repeatedly, turning her head side to side, shaking her limbs, hands and feet, loosening everything up, then dances around her bedroom releasing any past stress, savoring her newfound peace, in her new room also her grandmother’s old room. She’s not going to let the trauma store in her body.

She finds her way to her bed, closes her eyes smiling at the days joy. Then Melody jolts awake remembering she was supposed to look for a puppy. She begins skimming online for puppies nearby, then her eyes become heavy with sleep, her mind relaxes into a deep sleep.

          Melody opens her eyes, to the morning light peeking through the windows, the ocean waves outside bring a reviving calm. The children are in the living room watching cartoons.

“Good morning, did you two eat, breakfast yet?”

“We had cereal,” Mia says barely taking her eyes off the TV.

“Great,” she looks at the necklace and remembers they need to take it somewhere to remove the tracking device Blaze put in it.

“Why don’t you two get dressed for the day, we will go to the jewelry store, and maybe rent a boat. Wear swimsuits and bring an extra pair of clothes, and a towel. ok.” Melody says to her children.

“ Cool, are you going to call Gage about renting a boat?” Leo inquires.

“I think so.” A smile sneaks on Melody’s face as she speaks.

The front door creaks a little as she pushes it open. Melody’s chestnut hair flows in the morning sea breeze, the aquamarine Atlantic waves, roll and crash, and salty air bears hints of honeysuckle. Savoring a moment by the beach, peace is all she feels.

Melody and her children pile in the dark blue Rav4, she turns the hybrid on, it sings as she reverses out of the gravel drive. She follows the GPS to a nearby jewelry store, while the children sit quietly in the backseat. Melody adjust her mirrors, and glances at the children.

At the jewelry store, Mia bravely parts from the necklace so the person can inspect it. Then Melody picks out another one, for her. A silver heart pendent with ocean waves and seashells. “I’d like to buy this as well.” Melody smiles at the store clerk.

“Very well.” The clerk responds. “We’ll need to keep this other one for a few days, I’ll give you a receipt to come back and get it.”

“Here’s a new necklace darling, may you cherish the sea as much as I do.” Melody places the necklace around her daughters neck.

“Thanks, mommy,” Mia rubs her fingers over it, feeling the engravings of seashells.

“Ok, sir we’ll come back in a few days.” The door jingles as they depart.

There’s a farm nearby selling white gold retrievers like Jet, we are going to see them!” Melody speaks excitedly.

Melody cruises in her Rav4 hybrid, a rural road, tall pine trees line the road just beyond honeysuckle swaying in the breeze. She lowers her window, breathing in ocean air, pine, honeysuckle, the warmth of spring trickles into the car.

“Ok, here we are.” Turning down a dirt road, a barn appears and a white farmhouse.

The owners step out, holding an English cream golden retriever her eyes are like honey and coffee. Melody and the children rush over to the sweet pup. “Hi, thanks for coming by,” a somewhat elderly big boned woman, her white hair pulled into a bun, wearing a floral apron, and pink rain boots hands her the puppy. “She is just nine weeks old, last girl of the litter.” A southern twang spills out the woman’s weathered mouth. Her husband stands beside her silently nodding. “Hi kids, is this your new pup? What will you name her?”

“I’m not sure, yet, we have to think of one still.” Leo places his hand over his chin, as he speaks sternly.

“She is going to be a princess like me.” Mia chimes in a cheery voice.

The woman’s eyes smile at the children’s replies. She pulls a folder out of her apron pocket, “Her registration, vet clearance, and shot record are in here.”  

Melody hands the woman the cash for the dog, and gently grabs the folder from the woman.

“You can call us, if you have any questions.”

“Great, thank you.” Melody holds the sweet pup close to her, snuggling her. The puppy’s tail wags, as she licks Melody’s face. The children climb in their seats, Melody has put some plastic down to protect the seats. “Ok, kids, puppy has a small bladder and will have accidents. Let’s go to a store to buy her toys, bones, a leash and collar, also some food. You two think of names.”

“Ok, mom.” Leo responds.

“Mommy, she needs a pretty name, like for a princess. Um, what about Pearl, she’s white like snow and a pearl.

“Ok, Pearl Snow it is!” Melody gasps for joy.

“Pearl Snow? Can I just call her Pearl?” Leo responds.

“Sure, sweetheart, You can just call her Pearl.”

An hour later, at the pet store, Mia finds a pink floral collar to put on the puppy. “Mommy, can we get this collar for Pearl.” 

Melody bends down to Mia’s level, Mia opens her arms to hold Pearl. “Gosh, she’s a little heavy.”  Melody holds the collar against Pearl,” It will beautiful darling.” Melody hugs her little girl, strokes her chestnut locks, and kisses her forehead.

Melody pushes a basket full of things for Pearl, a dog bed, toys, bowls, a collar and leash, treats, vitamins, and a crate for her to spend time in.

Leo walks pearl in the pet walk outside while Melody and Mia put everything away in the car. “Are y’all ready for some lunch?”

“Yes, ma’am, I’m hungry.” Mia replies.

“Me, too Mom.” Leo replies.

“Let’s get some lunch, maybe sandwiches with some veggies carrot sticks and celery, we’re almost home.”

“I like carrots!” Mia exclaims.

“A sandwich and celery works for me.” Leo says casually. Are we still going to go on a boat today.”

“We’ll see, it’s only noon, there should be daylight until around eight. If he has any boats available, maybe you can do a surf lesson.” Melody replies.

The family eat lunch, and play with the puppy. Melody makes a call to have camera’s set up around the exterior of the house, and sets up battery operated alarms on windows and doors, in case the regular alarm system is disarmed.

About an hour later, Melody, her children, and the puppy climb in the car. She puts in the address for Gage’s shop in her GPS.

“It'll be a short ride kids, It’s near the boardwalk.” Melody says confidently.

Melody approaches the dark blue cement shop, detached from other buildings. The door chimes as she pushes it open. Mia grips Melody’s leg as if afraid to go in, while Leo carries Pearl in his arms. Melody wraps her arm around Mia, “It’s ok, darling. It’s just a surf shop.”