Chicago 1925

Melinda hated days she didn’t have to work. Still living at home, working was the only legitimate excuse for her to get out for any length of time. There was the library, but that wasn’t very exciting.

Today, however, she had something to look forward to, not that her parents knew. It was better that way. They wouldn’t approve anyway. In a thriving city full of energy and change her parents were stuck in their ways.

“Bye, Mama, I’m leaving now.” She drew the door closed behind her not wanting to give her mother the opportunity to respond. Once on the sidewalk she glanced to the upstairs window to be sure her mother wasn’t watching. She headed in the opposite direction she normally went to work.

She smiled when she rounded the corner and saw the car at the curb. He was always on time and never complained if she was late. He seemed to understand it wasn’t as easy for her to get out of the house.

She admired him as he walked in front of the car from the driver’s side to the passenger side, bending a little at the waist to open the door for her. A gentleman. She liked that about him and was glad to know that a year apart hadn’t changed him. He was handsome, too. She’d never thought of his father as handsome but wondered if this was what Rourke had looked like when he was Robert’s age.

She removed her hat once seated. No longer needing it, she dropped it onto the backseat. Her mother would have had one of her fits if she had seen Melinda leaving the house without her head properly covered. It was exasperating at times how closed her parents were to progress.

“I’m glad you could make it.” He kissed her on the cheek, just a tad longer than was polite but she didn’t mind. “I was beginning to think I’d never see you without a table and work shift separating us.”

“I was glad to get out. Mother was in one of her moods today.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks.”

“Ready?”

“I sure am. Today it feels like it’s going to be a perfect day.”

“I think you’re right. I ordered it especially for you.”

She sat back while he started the car and drove toward Cubs Park. “You’re so sweet. Is it strange being home?”

“I’ve never been in the house before with a baby there. I was the last one, so yeah, it’s a little odd. But Dad is happy. I think it’s sort of fitting that I wasn’t named for him.”

“What makes you say that?” He shrugged and gripped the steering wheel. Melinda placed a hand over the one closest to her. “It’s okay, Bobby.”

He loved his father, but it bothered him to talk about his parents, especially his mother. She’d been dead for over twenty years, but sometimes Melinda felt like she was a ghost choking everyone she had known.

Melinda knew more than she should because Rourke’s wife was her friend and they confided in one another. Melinda knew, for instance, that there was a good chance Robert wasn’t Rourke’s son. When Amanda had confided in her she hadn’t met the son in question. And now she was spending time with him when he was home from college. She had assured Amanda it was a secret she’d take with her to the grave. No good could come out of anyone discovering such a possibility existed.

He chuckled and shook his head. “No one but you can get away with calling me that.”

“Why do you think I do it?”

He turned to look at her and winked, making her blush, which in turn made him laugh harder.

“I know my mom and dad didn’t have a great marriage or anything. Dad never speaks ill of her, he wouldn’t do that. But Tabitha and Madeleine are old enough to remember bits and pieces. And he’s so happy with Amanda. It just seems appropriate the kid that gets his name is the one made out of love.”

“Your parents didn’t love one another?”

“I don’t think so. At least that’s what Tabitha and Madeleine tell me. I don’t know much about them. I was still a baby when she died and Dad never spoke of her much. Tabitha and Madeleine didn’t either. I think they were scared to.”

“Of your dad?” She found that hard to believe. When she first met Rourke a year ago she had been intimidated by him. He seemed so sure of himself and everything he touched was successful. She had learned from Amanda the man behind the businessman was not as confident as he seemed. Knowing the things she did about Rourke, she couldn’t imagine anyone being scared of him.

“No, nothing like that. I don’t think they wanted to upset him. I don’t know. And now,” he shrugged. “It was so long ago, it doesn’t seem worth bringing up.”

“I’m sure he’d answer your questions if you wanted to know about her.”

“I’m not sure I want to know. I’ve found some letters she’d written and some other things. I don’t think she was a very nice woman.”

“Oh,” Melinda said simply. Did he suspect what Melinda knew?

He placed his hand over hers and squeezed it. “That’s enough talk of the past. Let’s talk about the rest of the summer.”

“What about it?”

“I want to see you whenever I can. Will you be able to do that?”

“Probably, though you may have to meet my parents eventually.”

“I can do that. I do pretty well around parents.”

“I didn’t think otherwise.”

He brought their joined hands to his mouth and kissed the back of her hand. “It’s okay, we’ll figure it out. I’ll see you when I can. I can always see you at work.”

“I don’t want you spending your money on food.”

“I’ll get a cup of coffee. Amanda would come with me I’m sure. If not, I’ll bring a book.”

“That’d be nice. I haven’t seen her much lately.”

He found a spot to park not too far from the baseball park. She remembered they had parked near here the afternoon of Rourke and Amanda’s wedding. Robert had wanted to spend time with her once the civil service was over. He thought it strange she suggested a baseball game, but she enjoyed them and it was a nice way to spend the afternoon. He slid his hand into hers and walked with her across the street.

“Let’s hope the Cubs can win today.”

“You know, I have a feeling they will.”

© Susan Falk, 2006