Chapter 4

During the drive to Middletown, Melissa’s mind couldn’t help but go back to a time when life was simpler and slower than it was now. A time when she and Spencer were madly in love.

They hadn’t talked in almost ten years. She was too ashamed of herself to try to contact him. Besides, what could she have said to justify what she did?

The night Melissa went to bed with Brandon, she felt she had sold a piece of her soul to achieve fame.

The driver slowed down as they made their way through town. The streets were empty. It was still early in the morning.

“We’re home,” Mel announced looking through the car’s window. “The weather is colder than I remember.”

Lindsey opened her eyes and stretched at her side.

Home, Melissa thought. What a strange word. All during her career, she had lived in hotels. They were easy, peaceful with top-notch security. She had someone that did her grocery shopping and laundry. When something broke, someone was there to fix it and her guests were screened.

It had been four years since Melissa and Lindsey had been in town for Thanksgiving. That was the last time they saw their father.

Everything was quiet. No car horns or traffic jams. The car turned left, turned right, and suddenly, they ended up on the street both sisters grew up on. The driver stopped in front of their childhood home, one light was on outside and one inside. Her mother was already awake.

A flood of emotions filled both sisters’ hearts.

Mel looked at her parents’ house and imagined that Spencer and she would be living in a house like this by now. They would have one or two kids. They would be madly in love and happy. Melissa had no doubts about that.

Did she make the right choice? Was her career worth shattering their dreams?

She needed to see Spencer. It was time for a long-delayed talk between them.

Melissa didn’t want to get out of the car. It was like accepting the inevitable. She knew nothing would bring back her father, but maybe she could prolong it just a little bit longer. Lindsey paid the driver and waited patiently at her side.

“Milly, Lindy, you are here,” both girls jumped at her mother’s voice that snuck upon them. Her mother was staring at them, standing by the passenger side of the car.

“Yes, Mom, it’s us,” Mel said, getting out of the car and walking around to where her mother was standing.

“I’m happy you’re home. Thanks for coming girls. I wasn’t sure you would.”