Melia-Irrevocable Journey (Sequel to Irrevocable Quest)

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064:

He tried to catch her eye as she stepped past him. Her shoulders were back, the weight of grief and pain assimilated. He admired her for that, for not losing it. And there was more, Jenny had told him, but he didn't dare broach that subject right here or right now. This wasn't the time or the place. Damn Ryan anyway. What stupid game had he played with her? How dare he do that to someone?

He followed her outside, helped her into the truck, adjusted both car seats, and waited to see if Ryan was coming. He had disappeared again. He got it. 

"Is Ryan coming?"

"No." She said woodenly, staring straight ahead.

"Okay." He started the engine, gave her one last peek and then gunned it. In moments they had cleared the dirt roads and were on the highway heading toward the city lights. He had the CD player on and it was playing some oldies. He asked her if she wanted to listen to anything else, and she shook her head, not speaking. He drove in silence for awhile, kept peering at her, but she never took her eyes off the road ahead.

Finally, he couldn't stand it anymore. "Are you guys done?"

"I have no idea." Melia answered promptly, not sure why she didn't just say the correct words. Yes, yes, we are done!

"Why isn't he coming with you to the funeral?"

"He doesn't want to." She replied still facing forward, never batting her eye in his direction.

"Doesn't want to?"

She sighed. "Oh, that's flimsy. He has other obligations. He's busy. He doesn't know her. There's more to it." She blustered through and then turned to look at him. "Thanks for being my friend."

"I am your friend, Melia, you can talk to me if you need to. There's nothing weird about us. We've been through a lot together in a short time. I care about you, and I know how hard this must be for you."

"Well it is fairly hard, but I have to deal with it. I can't seem to make myself forget it is happening." She laughed and then faced forward again.

Robert clenched his fists on the steering wheel, wanting to add something, something more personal, something to connect them. He was afraid she would just fly off into the sunrise and he'd never see her again. For some reason, he really didn't want that to happen. There was no real explanation for what he felt, except that the thought of her leaving without any reason to call him made him depressed.

"If you.... If you need me to come with you, I will."

Melia glanced over at him. "Again. Awkward."

He nodded, disappointed. "Okay. Is that all? You're just worried about what your family will think, or the... press?"

She nodded. "I know what my family will think, and they'll think it soon enough anyway, but I'm not... ready... to... to live it all down.....oh!" She ground her teeth in annoyance and stared moodily out the window, her face turned away from him, and he wanted to take her hand, to reassure her, but he couldn't. Those fists stayed glued to the steering wheel even though it was one of the hardest things he had to do. He didn't for sure understand what the dynamic was between her and her... husband.... He thought he knew, but she wasn't giving him a clear picture... and it was obvious she wasn't.... on purpose.

He wanted to press her, to have an answer to his thoughts. She didn't give it and she stayed turned away till they pulled into the small airport.

He maneuvered to the front and parked, getting out and opening her door for her. Melia immediately got Abby out of her car seat and grabbed her diaper bag,