Unfinished Symphony (Logan 3)

We stared at each other a moment and then she returned to the living room and left with Richard. My heart felt as if it had sunk like a chunk of coal into my stomach. I sat on the bed and buried my face in my hands, choking on dry sobs. Billy Maxwell was so right when he said people changed because of where they were and what they were doing. He warned me to expect Mammy might be a very different person. But was she different? Perhaps she was the same woman she had always been,- but the woman I had refused to permit myself to see. I took a deep breath and sat straight, wondering what I should do. Should I just leave her, try to forget I had a mother, or should I remain and do battle with her fantasies and her phony knight in shining armor? How would I ever get her to listen to anything I had to say?

I was in such a confused and troubled state of mind I forgot all about Mel until he came knocking on the apartment door.

"Ready?" he asked when I opened the door.

"Oh Mel. I forgot. I'm sorry." I looked down at myself wearing an apron over dungarees. "I'll just be a minute," I said. "Come on in."

I rushed into the bedroom to pick out something to wear and then I hurried into the bathroom to brush my hair and put on some lipstick. Mel sat on the sofa laughing as I paraded back and forth.

"It's all right. Take your time," he called.

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and tried to calm my nerves before appearing before him again.

"Voila, "he said, standing. "Remarkable metamorphosis. You look great."

"I don't feel great," I moaned. He opened the door and stepped back so I could pass.

"So, tell me, how did Marlin take your not going through with the assignment?" he asked as we descended in the elevator.

"He was furious. He said I hurt his reputation."

"I bet. Not to mention his pocketbook. I was offered those kinds of films, too."

"You were?"

"Sure. A lot of would be's think that's the way to get into the business, and unfortunately they get taken advantage of. This is a tough place, a city with sharp teeth that devours the pure of heart," he remarked.

"Then why do you stay?" I asked.

"It's where it's at," he replied with a shrug. "And, I'm not so pure at heart." He put his arm though mine and led me out of the complex.

The restaurant was small and cozy, just as he had described and the food was delicious. Mel talked about himself, telling me all about his home and his family. Every time he asked me questions, I had to check myself to be sure I wasn't saying anything that would give away all of Mommy and Richard's lies. I tried to say as little as I could. Finally, he sat back and narrowed his eyes.

"Getting you to talk about yourself is like pulling teeth. Why is that?"

"I don't know," I said shifting my eyes down quickly. He continued to stare.

"Are you really just visiting or did you run away from home?" he pursued. I raised my eyes and smiled.

"Run away from home? What makes you think that?"

"I've met a number of runaways and they act a lot like you, evading, giving only the bare minimum when asked a question."

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm just visiting," I said and he laughed.

"Fine."

"I am!"

Why was it every man I met could be so infuriating, thinking they knew me better than I knew myself?

"They've got great spumoni," he said and ordered some for us.

"I hate to see you spend your money on me," I told him, calming down slowly. "I know how hard it is for you."

"That's okay. Actually, I asked you out both to be with you and to have you celebrate with me. I got a part in a theatrical production that will open in two months. I had auditioned for them so long ago, I forgot all about it and wrote it off, but out of the blue, my agent received a call and called me just before I left to pick you up tonight."

"Congratulations. That's wonderful, Mel."