Melody (Logan 1)

being with little May and appreciated that she

sincerely welcomed me. That was the only ray of

sunshine in this gloomy world of sadness.

Impulsively, I picked up my fiddle and played a

mournful tune. It was the mood I felt and the music

came from deep within me. I closed my eyes and

pictured Daddy sitting on the sofa in our trailer living

room, a small smile on his face, his eyes full of pride

as I playe

d. Afterward, he would pull me to him and

give me one of his bear hugs, smothering my cheek

and forehead with kisses.

Suddenly, there was a loud rapping on the wall.

"Stop that noise!" Uncle Jacob ordered. "It's time for

everyone to sleep!"

My memories of Daddy popped like soap

bubbles. I put away the fiddle and crawled under the comforter. Then I turned down the oil lamp, closed my eyes, and listened to the roar of the ocean. The house was very quiet for a few moments, and then I heard what I recognized as the distinct sound of

someone sobbing.

"Just go to sleep!" Uncle Jacob commanded

gruffly, his voice seemingly coming out of the walls. The sobbing stopped.

The ocean came roaring through my window

again, the same ocean that had taken Laura from this

house and the melancholy world in which I now found

myself.

Following Aunt Sara's instructions the next

morning, I made lunches for both Cary and myself. It

was something Laura always had done and I assumed

it was to be one of my chores. We were to have a

sandwich and an apple, and we were given fifty cents

to buy a drink. May's lunch was provided for her at