The Sound Of My Voice

Should've Known Better

  I was walking and walking, I didn't even know where I was going. Moments like this, not having my dad around is what really makes me alone. I was walking when I came across the cemetery. I was walking when I stopped at a gravestone. 'Robert Gary Anders, loving father and husband. It's never too late'. My father always said it's never too late to do what you love. If you want to be a lawyer but you're 40 years old, you can still do it. Because it's never too late.

"Hey, Dad. It's been a long time, but I've been busy. And I have been having fun. Miles is back. I'm scared. Mom is dating a guy she met not too long ago. Andrew is starting to be the older brother. I met someone named Kyle. He's kind, he's caring, and he's just so happy. I like that about him."

"There she is." Dennis said.

Dennis and Kyle were walking towards me.

"We were looking everywhere for you. Why are you here?" Dennis asked.

"After what happened back there, it's times like this where I wish my dad was here."

"Melody, what happened with Miles?" Kyle asked.

"I was 15, turning 16 in a few months, he was also 15. He was 3 months older than me. He was my school's bad boy, he saw me and he wanted me. We started off as friends, that was all I could give him. He wanted more, I didn't. He told me he liked me, I told him we could only be friends. He asked why I couldn't be his girlfriend. I told him I was only 15, I'm not ready for a relationship and I'm too young. He got really mad. He hit me so hard, I heard ringing in my ears. He said he wouldn't do it again, and he did."

"When was the first time he sent you to the ER?"

"He wanted me to stop being friends with Dennis. He said Dennis wanted to be more than friends with me. He then said only he could have me, no one else. He slapped me so hard that I fell. He then kicked me and broke my ribs. He left me there until Dennis showed up and took me to the doctors. I couldn't tell him what Miles did so I just said I was mugged. I didn't have my phone or wallet so that made it believable."

"And the second time?"

"I went to his place and came in late. I was working at Frozen World and I had to work late that night. He accused me of seeing another guy. I told him no and even if I was, it's none of his business. That's when I told him we're not together. We're not in a relationship. He grabbed me and threw me into a nearby glass table. The table broke and there was glass everywhere."

"I got a text from her that night saying she's sleeping over at Miles. I knew something was wrong, so I tracked her phone. I went into Miles' house where I saw Melody on the floor, in a pile of broken glass, with scratches and bleeding."

"I had glass in my face, legs, arms, and hands. Dennis took me to the ER again and I told him about Miles. The last time Miles hit me was because he wanted me to drive him somewhere, but I was 15. I didn't have my drivers license and wasn't the age of driving. When he hit me someone saw and called the police. Miles had to change schools and stay far away from me. And I've never seen him since."

"Until now." Dennis said.

"I should've known better." Melody said.

"What do you mean?" Dennis asked.

"I should've never gotten involved with a guy like Miles."

"You didn't know he was going to turn out like that." Kyle said.

"Maybe, but maybe if I stayed away from him then maybe I wouldn't have been in the ER. And maybe I will be able to feel safe again."

We sat there in silence for a while. Looking at the sky, looking at my dad's gravestone. My dad always told me when I feel sad, I should count the stars.

"Well, it's late. I should get home." Dennis said.

"I'm going to stay here for a little longer." Melody said.

"I'll stay with you." Kyle said.

Kyle and I laid on the ground, looking at the sky.

"1 2 3 4 5 6..."

"What are you doing?" Kyle asked.

"My dad always said count the stars when you're sad. You count the stars until you're no longer sad. Sometimes I'll listen to music or sing my childhood songs."

I looked at Melody and her face changed. She was no longer sad, she was smiling. Her love towards her father keeps her happy. I know what makes me happy, my love towards Melody.

I continued counting the stars. I felt my lips forming into a smile, thinking of my dad and us counting stars together. But my dad wasn't the only thing that was making me smile. I looked over to Kyle, he was also making me smile.

"What?" Kyle asked.

"I want to show you something."

I took Kyle's hand and took him to the roof of my house. I laid down on the roof, leaving an empty space for him. He finally got the picture and laid next to me.

"Ok, this is nice."

As we stayed there on my roof, I thought about the deal. After this deal is done, Kyle will be working for his father and I'll be off for college. Will we ever see each other again? I decided to let it go until I know for sure this is what I want.