Unfinished Symphony (Logan 3)

"What's going on in there?" Cary asked. "You could cut the tension with a knife."

"Grandma and I are practicing good table manners," I said and laughed. "It appears she is not as perfect as she thinks she is. I think I'm going to have some fun with all this proper this and proper that."

Cary took my hand and we walked down to the beach. The ocean was calm, the tide lapping softly at the shore. In the distance I saw the tiny lights of a tanker. Stars glittered just above the water, some looking like strings of sparkling diamonds. There was no moonlight, but the evening was clear enough so that the heavens glowed down over us.

"You sure you want to live with her?" Cary asked. "She looked meaner than ever tonight. Where was my Grandpa? After the whole pie thing, I was afraid to ask," he explained.

"She has him shut up in his room. I overheard her talking to the Judge. I think she's getting Grandpa Samuel placed in the same home my grandmother is now in," I said.

"Is he that bad?" Cary asked, unable to keep the tremor from his voice.

"He's babbling, confusing things I don't understand and he's not looking after himself, Cary. Unfortunately, I think she might be right. He needs help."

"It's like everything's falling apart around us," Cary said sadly. "Ma won't break out of her depression. And May is so unhappy."

"I'll come by tomorrow," I promised, "and spend time with them."

"Thanks. I know they both miss you terribly."

We paused, both gazing out at the water. He slipped his arm around my waist and I leaned my head on his shoulder. I felt his lips on my hair, my forehead and then on my temples. I lifted my head toward him and we kissed, a long, soft kiss. Then he embraced me and turned me around toward him so he could kiss me again. I heard his breathing quicken.

"I love you, Melody. I don't think an hour goes by that I don't think of you, even when I'm asleep," he said.

"Cary, We have a problem," I said pulling away and taking a few steps down the beach.

"What?" he asked, following me slowly.

"Grandma Olivia doesn't want us to spend so much time together. She's practically forbidden it."

"What? Why?"

"She's planning out my life, designing it, and in her design, there is no place set aside for you," I told him, uncertain how to soften the blow.

"What? But--"

"So, I think it would be best if we don't let her know how much time we spend together. The less she knows about it, the better. She'll only make trouble for us, for you," I said.

"How can she do that?" he asked worriedly.

"Any way she wants. And every way you don't want." I said. "Why cause problems anyway, if we don't have to? The more I see of the adult world, the more I realize it's built around millions of white lies that get strung into chains of illusion and deception anyway. I'm tired of fighting it, Cary. If we have to steal our happiness, we'll steal it," I said firmly.

He smiled.

"As long as I'm with you, I don't care how we do it," he said.

"For the time being, I'm going to let her believe I'm doing everything she wants. It will make things easier for all of us. Your mother doesn't need any more turmoil in her life at the moment. None of us do," I said. He nodded.

"You're getting to be a pretty strong person, Melody."

"Whether I want to or not," I replied. He laughed and then embraced me again for another long kiss. This time his hands moved over my arms and my waist, climbing t

o my breasts. I moaned and sank against him, my legs weakening.

"Cary."

"I missed you so much," he said. "When can we be together like we were?"

"Soon," I promised. "Soon. We better get back now though."