The New Girl

Chapter 4

Twenty minutes later, Melody was still on edge. As she kept her eye's on the woods she asked Lyric, “So how do you know she won't come back?” “I don't. She come's and go whenever she pleases. She gave her pup to me and she has every right to make sure I'm taking care of her. I am 100% sure that is why she showed up here today. She seen you with Koda, saw that I was nowhere in sight, and thought Koda was in danger. When she saw there was nothing to worry about, she left.”

“Okay.....how does a dog give her pup away. What she do? Just come up to you and say, hey want my pup? Here, you can have her and then walk off. That is totally moronic.” Melody rolled her eye's. “I'm totally glad you think it is moronic, because dog's don't talk. And once again, she is not just a dog, she is a wolf.” “No shit Sherlock.” “Look, you don't have anything to worry about anymore from here on. She now knows who you are and as long as you don't hurt Koda, and keep your thought's pure, Lyric winked and grinned at Melody, you'll be fine.”

“I would never hurt any animal, especially Koda but keeping my thoughts pure......well that might be a little hard, have you seen some of the guy's that live around here?” Melody said, winked and grinned back at Lyric. They both looked at each other and simultaneously laughed. As they laughed, Lyric's mother pulled into the driveway. Andrea turned the car off and climbed out and laughed along with the girls. “Well, it's nice to see you two having some fun.” She looked at Melody, smiled and said. “Hi, I'm Andrea, Lyric's mom. Who might you be?” Melody stood and shook Andrea's extended hand. “I'm Melody, your daughter's new BFF.”

“More like my new BCF.” “BCF? What the heck does that stand for?” Melody asked. “Big Chicken Friend.” Lyric said and laughed again. “Oh, you are just so funny.” Melody replied. Andrea just looked at the girls and started to walk into the house. “I don't know what you two are talking about and I'm not even sure I want to know.” Andrea said and left the girls standing there giggling. “Hey, you want to stay for dinner?” “Sure, let me call my mom and let her know where I'm at.” Melody replied as they headed into the house.

Melody grabbed her backpack, dug her phone out and called her mother while Lyric and Andrea talked in the kitchen. Lyric told her mother what had happened earlier and also asked if Melody could stay for dinner. Andrea was shocked, to say the least, regarding the story about Koda's mother. “She can stay for dinner but you guy's are going to have to decide what you want to eat. I had a really busy day and I'm exhausted.” She told Lyric.

“Okay sure. Hey, we'll even cook supper and clean up the mess after.” Lyric said, flashing her mother a genuine smile. “Well, okay. As long as you two don't burn the house down. I'm going to my room, get undressed and soak in the tub for a while. Come up and let me know when suppers ready.” Andrea kissed Lyric on the forehead and made her way upstairs but not before shouting over her shoulder, “Really, I'm serious, don't burn the house down and don't make to big of a mess.”

Melody returned to the kitchen and found Lyric rummaging through the cabinets and fridge. “Mom said it was okay. What are you doing?” “We're going to cook supper. So.....do you like pepperoni or hamburger pizza.” “Umm, my parent's own a pizza house, remember? Here let me see what you have.” Melody nudged Lyric out of the way. “Here we go, chicken.” Melody took the chicken, “You can put that stuff back.” She told Lyric as she headed for the sink.

By the time Lyric turned back around, Melody was standing at the sink, apron on, washing the chicken. She smiled at Lyric and started telling her the things she was going to need. Lyric set about retrieving all the items Melody asked for. “So what are you making?” Lyric asked. “I am going to make you my famous Chicken Parmesan.” Melody said extravagantly. “What? Are you serious? You really know how to cook?” Lyric asked, somewhat dumbfounded.

“Sure. It started back when I was about eleven. Not only do I love to eat but I also found out that I love to cook what I eat and so does the rest of my family. Sometimes on Sunday's I make Chicken Parmesan with noddles at the pizza house.” “Really? Lyric was still dumbfounded. I know how to heat things up in the microwave and throw a pizza in the oven. That's about it. Mom usually does all the cooking around here.” Lyric watched as Melody mixed and prepared item after item.

“It's really not that hard. I can teach you if you'd like.” “That would be great. Sometimes, like tonight, moms really tired and I would like to help out with more then just pizza's or sandwiches. Hey, while your doing all that I will set the table and make a salad.” Lyric offered and began setting the table. After everything was in the oven or on the stove and the salad was in the fridge they set around the breakfast bar and just talked about this and that. They both were starting to realize that they had quiet a bit in common.

Upstairs, Andrea soaked in the tub. The hot water was starting to relax her tired and taut muscles. I'd like to see someone else be a doctor who has Clarsentience abilities, she thought to herself. Over the years she had learned the secrets of turning it off and on. It took month's, if not a full year to learn how to control it but once she did she found her life to be so much easier. Now, she knew she was going to have to teach her daughter what this ability was and how to control it, just as her mother had taught her.

When she had found out she was pregnant she had hoped beyond hope that her daughter would not develop the ability. Her aunt's daughter had not learned how to control it and it spiraled her into a deep depression that resulted in her suicide. She so did not want that outcome for Lyric. She would have to talk to Lyric soon, whether Lyric wanted to or not.

Just as she was about to slip farther into the hot water, the aroma of baked chicken and sauteed carrots found her sense of smell. She thought it was a microwave dinner Lyric was heating up. I'm really going to have to spend some time teaching Lyric how to cook. If I eat one more TV dinner or frozen pizza I will have to go on a starvation diet. Andrea thought as she drained the tub. She dried off and put a pair of old sweat pants and sweat shirt on. Andrea towel dried her hair and then made her way downstairs.

Just as she hit the last step Lyric came out of the kitchen. “Hey, great timing. I was just coming to get you.” “What on earth is that smell? Upstairs I thought it was a TV dinner but as I got closer I thought it smelled to good to be just a TV dinner.” Lyric laughed. “Well, your right. It's not a TV dinner.” Lyric raised one arm in front of her and placed a dish towel over it. Then she waved her other arm towards the table and said, “May I show you to your table madam?” Andrea laughed and said she could.

Lyric walked her mother to the table and pulled her chair out for her to set. “Madam, I've taken the liberty of ordering for you. You have tonight, baked chicken Parmesan, glazed carrots and a tossed salad with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.” “Oh my goodness. This looks and smell absolutely delicious. Which one of you stole my car and went to get it? Or is it delivery?” “No body stole your car and it's not delivery either. Turns out Melody knows how and loves to cook. I made the salad and tea.” “Well, you girls did a lovely job. I may just not let you leave Melody.”

Everybody enjoyed the meal and conversation. The mood was light and airy. Even Koda had a dish of chicken and carrots, mixed in with his kibble. After everyone was done with supper, Lyric cleaned the table and loaded the dishwasher. Melody's phone rang. “That was my mom. She's at the pizza house and Amber called in sick, again for the hundredth time, and want's me to come in and help her finish the supper hours and then close the store. Umm, Mrs. Peterson, do you mind if Lyric goes with me? This would also be a good time to get in that interview with my mom, Lyric.”

Andrea looked quizzically at her daughter, “What interview?” “I'll explain everything when I get back. Can I please go?” Andrea thought for a second. She didn't know what this interview was about but she was just glad her daughter had made a friend and wanted to get out of the house for once. “Sure, you can go but call me when your done because I don't want you walking home by yourself.” “Oh I'm sure my mom will drop her off on our way home.” Melody told Andrea. Andrea smiled and took a hold of Melody's hand, after a few seconds she released it. She was satisfied with what she saw and felt. “Okay, you girls be safe and have fun.” She smiled as she watched the girls leave the house.

“Well, I guess it's just you and me Koda.” Andrea said and petted Koda on the head. Andrea walked over to the counter and left a note on top of Lyric's backpack, Wake me when you get home., it read. She put Koda's leash on and took her outside to do her business and then returned inside the house after Koda was finished. She locked the doors and her and Koda retreated to her room. All was quiet as she laid down to read with Koda stretched out beside her.