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I reach my hand out to shake his, giving it a firm pump.
Sean Winston.
The name sounds slightly familiar, but not enough for me to recall any memory that would explain why. I don’t think Melody worked with him, but all the people at the hospital in Sandalwood still feel new since we’ve only been here for a little over a year, so it’s possible.
The guy looks like a fucking mess, though, like he’s been hitting the whiskey hard. The fact he’s so blitzed worries me, but I don’t have the heart to shame anyone for drinking too much. It is a wake after all, and plenty of people don’t handle death well.
Hell, I’m barely hanging on.
Sean takes my handshake as permission to keep talking, and his words continue to fall from his mouth with that drunken lilt that makes it sound like he’s reminiscing.
“She was a great girl, Melody. One of those people you just can’t help but want to know.”
I feel my chest get tight at the truth in his words.
Melody and I were married for six years, dated for two before that. We met through mutual friends at an oyster roast, and I was just…well, I guess the right word is smitten. She was beautiful and smart and driven. A doctor. And she had the most stunning eyes. I always felt like Melody’s eyes were her superpower, the way she could get away with just about anything.
I nod, agreeing with Sean.
This conversation feels similar to the ones I’ve had with Melody’s various friends and coworkers over the years. She had that special kind of vibrant energy that made you feel like you were the most important person in the room. It was intoxicating, and one of the reasons I fell in love with her.
I shift Teddy in my arms, sticking my hand out again to say goodbye, then Sean speaks again.
“I know she didn’t want to hurt you, man,” he tells me, his large hand slapping against my shoulder again.
The minute the words are out of his mouth, it feels like an arctic blast has doused my body, turning every cell to ice and causing my body to lock up from knees to neck.
My eyes widen and I stare at him almost blankly, willing him to shut up. A little voice inside me knows what he’s about to say, and I don’t want to hear it.
“She wanted to love you. Really.” He shakes his head, tears forming in his eyes. “But you can’t control who you love.”
The room expands and contracts as his words swirl in my head. I clutch Teddy tightly to my chest and lean back against the counter behind me for balance.
“It wasn’t just about the sex, you know? Even though that was so fucking hot. We really were in love, and…shit, she never wanted to hurt you.”
The bottom of my stomach drops out and I spin around, heaving violently into the sink while using what feels like all of my energy to hold Teddy away from it.
After the third heave, I hear my father’s voice and Teddy is plucked from my arms. A strong hand pats me on the back then rubs gently up and down.
This hand I know. I know it like my own.
My father might be a proud old git who irritates the hell out of me on most days, but his gentle caress has helped me through many difficult times in life, and it isn’t surprising to me that he’s managed to come to my side again.
I cough a few times and clear my throat, my hands clutching the edge of the sink like it’s some kind of lifeline.
The first time I heard something like this, I was almost inconsolable. But today, well…it feels like I should have known all along. Like it’s my own fault for allowing myself to be put in this position again.
I bring my hands forward and turn on the tap, scooping up some cool water and sipping from my palms, rinsing out the foul taste.
Surprisingly, Sean is still standing to my left, holding his drink and looking like he hasn’t just completely destroyed my life.
“If you ever speak to me again, I won’t be responsible for what happens,” I tell him, keeping my voice low so as not to cause a scene.
I wish my words held more confidence, more vitriol, more…something to communicate that he better or else. But instead, I just sound sad. Resigned. Completely checked out.
I turn to look at my father.
“I don’t want to deal with this anymore. It’s been three hours. I want everyone to leave.”
