CHAPTER 16

Mike drove a few miles up the road, arriving at the local Home Depot. As they entered the hardware store, he mentioned to Melody, "I've got a couple things to pick up. Why don't you wait for me in the garden section? They've got lots of plants and flowers I bet you'd like."

"Sounds good to me!"

As Melody strolled through the greenhouse, inspecting the various brightly colored flowers and plants, she was completely entranced by the variety of pleasant scents entering her nose. Stopping to read the description of every plant she passed, she hadn't even realized that it had been a full thirty minutes before Mike returned.

"Hey baby!" She saw he was empty handed. "Didn't find what you needed?"

"Nope, they were out. Ready to head to lunch?"

"Sure. You said the place is called Lenny's Subs?"

"Yep," he replied. "It's a sandwich shop. They're mainly based in Philadelphia, but are working to expand into other states now."

During the short drive to lunch, Melody described the various flowers and plants she had seen in the greenhouse. Her favorite smelling ones were the daisies, though she loved the look and feel of lamb's ear plants too. As the pair pulled into the parking lot, they saw Ashley already inside the sub shop, sitting with her husband, Trey.

As the pair entered, Mike introduced Melody to Trey. He was a large man, well over six feet tall and 270 pounds, but his imposing figure was quickly overtaken by his sharp wit and jovial personality.

I like him, Melody thought to Mike. He seems very much like you.

I figured as much, Mike responded, chuckling in her head. Like I said, he and Ashley are some of the few people I actually choose to keep around as friends.

As they stepped up to the counter, Mike let Trey and Ashley go first to give Melody time to decide from the enormous menu. After a couple of suggestions from Mike and Trey, she settled on a 6" Philly cheesesteak with provolone cheese, being that the shop originated in Philadelphia. Mike ordered his favorite 8" meatball mozzarella sub.

As the quartet ate their lunches, Mike and Melody repeated their now familiar origin story. Ashley smiled wide hearing of Melody's interest in Mike's spiritual life, nodding in approval.

"While I don't believe in predestination," Ashley mentioned, "I do believe that God puts us in situations where, if we make the right choices, we can find exactly what we need, sometimes in the most unexpected ways."

Melody grinned. "That basically sums up my experiences with Mike to the letter," glancing at him in admiration as she said so.

With the plates on the table now empty, Ashley stood for a moment. "I'm gonna freshen up a bit. Melody, care to join me?"

"Sure." Melody bounced up, following her to the restroom.

Now alone for some guy talk, Trey turned to Mike. "Ok, dude, give it to me straight. Is she for real?"

Mike laughed. "You know, I had that same thought the first time we played Call of Duty. She absolutely destroyed the competition."

Trey sat there, openmouthed. "She likes video games?!"

Nodding, Mike replied, "She might even be able to whip your ass!"

Trey sat back with a smug look on his face. "Well… we'll see about that. Seriously, man, where is this going? I just have to ask after that whole Amanda thing-"

"I know, and I really appreciate you looking out for me," Mike interjected. "In all honesty, this is it. She's the one."

The look on Trey's face turned skeptical. "She's great, but how well do you really know her? That's a bold statement."

Beginning to grow frustrated, Mike reminded himself that he would be doing the same thing if Trey were in this situation.

"She loves kids, Trey. You should have seen her playing with my neighbor's little girl. It all came so naturally to her; she wasn't even trying."

Trey, knowing full well how big a deal that was for Mike, began to understand what he was saying. "Very well, then. If she means that much to you… I give you permission to date my daughter." A smartass grin formed on his face.

"Dude, you're full of shit!" Mike said, cracking up.

"Couldn't help myself!"

By this time, the girls returned to the table. "Whatcha boys laughing' about?" Ashley inquired.

"Oh, nothing," Mike smirked. "Just warn your husband not to play Melody in Call of Duty unless he wants his ass well and thoroughly kicked."

"It's true," Melody replied with her trademark giggle.

With her workday over, Ashley and Trey departed, saying their goodbyes and promising to meet up again soon. Mike and Melody strolled back out to his CR-V to head for home.

Along the drive, Melody couldn't rave enough about Ashley. "From what you've described, she seems to have a lot of your Granddaddy in her, doesn't she?"

"You mean the combination of cut-up and wizened sage? You know, I've never thought about it that way, but they do seem to be kindred spirits in a lot of ways," Mike responded thoughtfully. "You should see the way she talks to her dog. She babies him; sees him as her child. It might be cute, if it weren't so scary."

Laughing at the mental image, Melody replied, "Now THAT is something I'll need to see!"

After a few quiet minutes, Melody had a thought. "To be perfectly honest, if anyone could be trusted to understand and keep the secret of my true nature, I feel it would be her. Obviously, that decision rests entirely with you, but…"

"I actually had that thought myself," Mike said. "Now is probably too soon, but we should definitely file that thought away, in case we need help with anything in the future."

"Definitely," she said with a smile.

Arriving back inside Mike's apartment, Melody was practically bouncing with giddiness. "Now then, I believe you said something could happen when we got back from lunch, right?"

Mike chuckled. "I did, but first thing's first. There's a little matter we must discuss."

"What's that?" Melody asked, slightly confused.

Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, he couldn't help but grin. "Well, you were just born yesterday, correct?"

"Yes," she said, unsure of where this was going.

"That makes yesterday your birthday. And, that being the case, I got a little present for you during our trip to Home Depot." He reached into his pocket and withdrew a key from it, handing it to Melody.

"A key?" Melody questioned.

"Yep. To the apartment."

"I don't understand? You know I can instantly be with you no matter where you are, so why would I need a key to your apartment?"

Mike grinned. "I realize that. The key is more symbolic than anything. This is not just my apartment anymore. This is now our apartment. It's your home."

Stunned, Melody could only reply, "You're serious?"

Nodding, he said, "I'm going by the apartment office Monday to have you added as an authorized signer for packages and mail. That's about as official as being my live-in girlfriend can get."

Walking slowly up to Mike, she wrapped her arms around his neck, drew him close, and kissed him lovingly. "You never cease to amaze me, Mike. Just when I think you've shown me all the kindness you have to give, you floor me all over again. I've got a home, all-powerful genie magic, and the most incredible guy imaginable to share it all with. What more could a girl want?"

Cocking his eyebrow, he replied, "How 'bout a nice hot shower?"

"Done!" Melody's face lit up in excitement.