If Death Wasn't a Thing

Chapter four

She listened and she watched the sweet smooth sound of the guitar playing filled her ears. Following the melody she turned to her right, walking further down the corridor the music grew louder and closer.

It contained no single soul, no whispers at all but the soothing melody of the guitar. She didn’t expect anyone to be up, not the patients or the staff.

With all the work and busy nights they got at PurpleValley, they would be worn out, racing patient after patient. The hospital was a chaotic place, too much went on in so little time yet they had to work to the bone to be appreciated, to fulfill tasks. The time of rest they had was a pleasure, a safe haven — that they rarely got it’s full grasp.

Leaning against the grey walls, Rose stared through the glass door moving her head to the beat. Her fingers tapped the mug of hot tea in her right hand as she hummed the song for she knew not of the lyrics, but the beat.

She would simply have entered the music room and listened up close instead of listen in these empty cold corridor at five in the morning, alone. She could have, but she did not, she did not want to interrupt — to intrude.

The girl looked very peaceful as she played — as she poured her heart out. Watching the blue girl she had met not so long ago play, her mind could not ran away from the thoughts on how her name — her whole name — suited the way she played.

She hit each string just right, producing a tune sweet to who heard. Hitting each note. Her fingers playing with the string with care and a gentle touch as though she had been handling a fragile item, that she was grateful of though because her music was one she could listen to on and on — without growing bored of it.

The sun wasn’t yet out but the one light bulb had to do, the dim light bulb. It was so dim it barely lit up anything only her, where she sat playing.

Her presence was enough, her music was enough. Nodding her head to the melody, Melody smiled. She enjoyed playing, it was one of her ways of forgetting how everything was wrong, of everything that troubled her.

It had been her remedy. No, she did not need any sort of medication, no amount of it would ever solve a thing. But music — music did, it was her antidote, the breath of life into her grey world, some colour — some change. Hope.

Rose smile as Melody reached out for loose locks of hair placing it behind her ear, it had given the older woman a clear view of her smile. Her smile pure and joyful, she had seen it only once but yet she had already grown fond.

How could she not when the girl in front of her was everything she was not, free and enjoying herself even when the time wasn’t right, she did not care.

She wished she had not either, she wished for such type of freedom, free spirit — happiness, but instead she got none. Through out college she hid behind a book, working herself to breaking point so she could achieve something to call her own.

To make them proud even when they were not here, they could not be — but she always thought they were, no matter where they were alive in this life or the next — which ever.

Staring down to her mug Rose sighed. Her tea had gotten cold and she had ruined a perfectly good mood with her thoughts.

Coming back from her thoughts Rose furrowed her eyebrows as her ears heard no music anymore. Looking through the glass, the girl wasn’t there anymore, there was no music — no melody.

Turning to leave Rose stopped, staring at the smiling girl, a smile too came over her face. She had been so lost in thought she didn’t hear her at all, she moved almost like a ninja, her footsteps so light she hadn’t heard. “I won’t tell if you won’t.” Melody spoke wiggling her eyebrows.

“I have nothing to hide.” Rose stated, her smile turning into a daring smirk.

She shook her head, resting both her hands on both sides of Rose’s shoulders she took a step closer. She was an inch or more taller than her, she didn’t tower over her so much that Rose had to look her breaking her neck.

But she still managed to stare into her eyes, those familiar brown eyes. “Stalking a patient?” Melody teased.

Rose pressed down on her lips. She shook her head refusing the accusation. “I was not. I was watching and listening.” she defended with a smile.

The girl chuckled, releasing her shoulders — a warmth a touch Rose’s shoulders missed, the girl took a step back. “Why didn’t you come in and listened beside me.” she asked nervously staring at her feet.

Something Rose found cute, she was nervous which she wished she wouldn’t have been, but she was and because of her — that was sweet.

“I would not want to intrude your you time.”

Melody brought her gaze back to Rose with a wide smile the girl spoke. “You wouldn’t, I would have loved your company.” she really would have loved extra company, mostly hers.

“Next time then.” she assured her. Holding herself back from jumping in joy, Melody simply gave her a smile.

Silence, that was all that remained. The hospital was still silent, no one in sight yet. Looking down to her mug, Melody slipped the cup into her own hands.

Taking a sip the girl hardened her facial expression. “This is cold.” returning the cup into Rose’s hand she spoke. On the other hand Rose giggled and shook her head, her reaction was priceless. “How long had you been standing here?”

The question made the girl quiet down. Thinking about it she didn’t know how long she had been standing there, just listening. “What time is it?”

Pulling her sleeve up Melody looked down to her wrist watch. “5:45.”

“Thirty five minutes.” She had been caught up for that long, nothing ever too her attention for so long — something she loved and enjoyed, only sleep did. And now Melody’s playing did.

“I can give you a personal concert if you’d like.” she proposed scratching the back of her neck uncertain if she would say no.

“Actually that would be really lovely.” she agreed with a smile, hearing the girl play just for her alone could really make her day. “How about today at sunset at the benches?”

Melody smirked, “Are you asking me out?” she teased still smirking.

Smirking right back at her Rose answered but with a question. “Would you say no?”

“Never!” the girl squealed shaking her head. She could never, it wasn’t an opportunity she would ever turn down. Rose giggled her gaze on the girl. “Then it’s a date. Just have to steal the guitar then meet you outside.” Melody clapped her hands together joyful.

“Why not ask?”

“I don’t know, I guess I like giving the staff a hard time.”

Rose sighed gaining the girls eyes back on her. “Sad news, I don’t hang around trouble.” she pouted.

Melody chuckled, “Yet you hang with me.” she took a step toward the woman again but this time closer, too close. She brought her lips to her cheek, just like she had done when they met Melody pecked her cheek.

Staring at the surprised woman Melody smiled. “See you at sunset my lesbian!” the girl shouted before taking off — leaving a love struck twenty five year old lady blushing and holding onto her cheek.