Saving Liam

Ordinary Day

"Melody, we're going to be late for mass." Mother called from the garage.

"I'm coming mom!" I yelled, slipping on my white flip flops and running out the door, my dress flying in the beautiful wind.

We walked to church, it only being right at the end of our street. Today's mass would most likely be outside with the weather being so brilliant today, sunny skies and high of eighty.  I took a seat beside old Harrison Gates and his wife Carol. They are such a sweet couple, they can make anybody's day better.

"Hello Melody, how are you today?" Mrs. Gates asked me.

"I'm doing great today and how are you and Mr. Gates holding up?" I asked.

"We're doing wonderful! Did you hear that our grandson may come and stay with us for a bit?" She sounded ecstatic and that warmed my heart.

"No I didn't, that's wonderful news! I'm sure he'll keep you guys great company." I smiled and my mother hushed me as mass was about to start.

"Melody!" The activities director for the church, chased me on my way out.

"Claire!" I hugged her tightly before she spoke again.

"Hi dear, I was wondering if you could help us prepare a little more for the trip to Haiti?"

"Oh of course! I would love to! Just let me tell my folks and I'll be right over." I smiled, running up to my parents who were almost home already.

"Mom! Dad!" I caught their attention as I jumped out in front of them.

"Goodness Melody, you gave me a fright! What is wrong dear?" Mother put her hand over her heart. I giggled a little.

"Nothing is wrong mama. Claire asked for my help back at the church to help prepare for their trip to Haiti. I was just letting you guys know." I smiled.

"Have fun dear." My father pat my shoulder and they continued their stroll home.

I walked into the church and went down the hallway and into the rec room. They were boxes labeled with necessities and such. Claire was giving people instructions and then noticed me. She shuffled her way over and we hugged again.

"I'm so glad you could make it, really." She walked me over to the box of un matched shoes that needing matching.

"We are bringing shoes for the kiddos. I need them all matched up and then put away neatly in the box. Could you do that for me, Mel?" She asked. I love Claire, so nice and genuine. She's going to change lives like she has already.

"Yes, of course." I seem to be saying 'of course', a lot today.

I found all the matches and tidied them up in the box. I put the box in the corner of the room and decided to help Mary Lynn with the clothes. We folded them then put the neatly in the box.

"So did you hear about Liam Gates, Mr. Gates' grandson?" Mary Lynn asked.

"Um yes, I did. Mrs. Gates told me earlier in church. Small town, words gets out easy I guess." I laughed.

"Yeah. I heard he could really use some help." She added.

"What do you mean?" I was now very curious about this boy.

"There's a lot of drama, can you keep up?" She asked.

"Eh forget it. I like to be positive, you know?" I folded more clothes and put them away nicely. As curious as I was, I didn't need my brain to go into overdrive and over think anything. God has a plan for everyone and I should just leave it at that.

"I figured you would say that." Mary Lynn shook her head.

"You know, it's okay to hear out what others are saying. You don't have to agree." She added.

"I know Mary Lynn. I'm just not up for another constant argument with my folks. Ever since I told them I wanted to be able to date, it was like world war three in my house. I'll just stick to my respect with God and be done with it. I'll marry when I'm thirty and have kids at thirty five." I realized I was now tossing the clothes harshly into the box.

"Wow, must be rough. I wish your parents had a little more insight on that." She said, only making me more tense now.

"Sorry." She sent an apologetic smile and helped me fix the clothes.

"Tell Claire I had to run. I need to be alone right now." I stood up from my knees, brushing them off and walking out of the rec room and out the church doors.

"Melody?" Called a familiar voice. I looked forward and saw it was my old best friend from middle school, Colin.

"Hey Colin." I smiled and waved.

"You look a little..?" He couldn't finish his sentence.

"Yeah. I need to be alone right now." I nodded my head and continued walking forward.

"Are you okay?" He turned around, squinting because of the sun.

"I'm fine. Really." I smiled and turned my walk into a small jog. I jogged until I reached the beach.

I took off my flip flops and walked against the shore of the beach. I let the water hit my ankles, the waves coming in nice and slow. It felt good, to not have to worry. To just soak in all of mother nature. This is why I love North Carolina so much, the beaches and small town kind of feel. Everyone is so nice, there is always a shoulder to cry on.

I looked up at the beautiful sky and thought about life. God has a plan for me, right? I will fall in love one day and marry and have beautiful kids. I will grow old to see my kids have kids. Life just has to take its course. Right now, I just belong at school and church. That's all my life ever revolves around though. Whether it be youth group or a play at school, that is all my life depends on because my parents want it to be that way.

If I said I didn't care about Liam's story, I would be lying. I can't lie to God. I am more than curious about Liam Gates.