Count On Me - Sequel (Laughing into Love)

Chapter 8: More Input Needed

The next day Brian gets up early to get everyone some bagels and spread before they arrive to help clear out Jane's house. When he gets back, Murray has already showed up and is helping Melanie bring things down out of the attic "you sure you want Murray up there going through all your stuff?" Brian jokes towards Melanie once he see's him pop out to hand her a box.

Murray comes back down to hand her another box and snorts back to his friend "hey, being the smallest friend comes in handy sometimes other then just making jokes about it."

Brian chuckles but shrugs one shoulder up to his head, thinking he's kind of right. He takes the box from Melanie and puts it next to the other 4 they've already gotten down. Caroline comes over next, bringing over some extra coffee and then Sal and Joe show up last, right on time. Joe comments "sorry, we would've been earlier but Sal had to get his full nights rest."

Sal defends himself "the bed at that hotel is so comfortable! I'm sleeping as much as I can on it! And I usually hate hotels!"

Caroline comments back "well, we'll make sure we tire you out real good then today." She thrusts a box into his hands, and he gives her a sarcastic smile.

Everyone but Melanie laughs and Brian gives the directions "Alright, I guess Murray and Melanie will finish up emptying the attic. Melanie, would it be okay if Caroline and I take the living room and Joe and Sal can start with the kitchen?"

"Kitchen? You know Joe's going to go straight for the fridge!" Sal half jokes out loud.

Joe already starts moving there "shut up and help me bring in some boxes!" Joe grabs a few empty boxes off the floor so they can pack things up.

The first few hours go quickly as everyone moves from room to room just putting things in piles or boxes. Brian told everyone that if it's something they are not sure if they should keep or throw away to just put in a pile for Melanie to go through later. Murray leaves to pick up some pizza for lunch and when he arrives everyone but Melanie stops working to eat. They gather around the living room, scattered across the floor as all the chairs are covered in items. All the guys and Caroline chuckle at some of the stories they are sharing and Melanie gets annoyed being in the kitchen hearing them laugh. She's miserable and everyone around her is rubbing it in her face. She goes to her room and slams the door to start putting her own things into boxes. When the door slams, everyone gets quiet and let's the sound fill the room. Caroline eventually breaks the silence "she's taking this really hard."

Brian adds on "yeah, she's really pulling away."

"Isn't that what Melanie's mom told you to not let happen?" Sal asks out. Brian told the other guys about the letter and the conversation, needing all their advice about what to do.

Caroline slows them all down "wow, wow, what are you talking about?"

Sal bites his lower lip, looking to Brian with an apologetic grin. Brian tries to explain it in a simple way "she gave me something to give to Melanie and told me to not let her push me away."

"Like she pushed her father away." Murray adds on, not catching on to the fact that Brian purposefully left out that detail.

Caroline quickly sits up taller "wow, wow. What?"

Brian elaborates "she gave me a letter Melanie's father had written to her. Jane said not to let Melanie push me away like she pushed her father away. So that got me wondering if Melanie's dad didn't leave her on purpose."

"No, no no, there's no way. Frank left her, left them both!" Her voice gets loud and Brian tries to calm her down using his hands to gesture in a quiet down kind of motion. She heads his gesture but goes on "what letter? What does it say?"

Brian shakes his head "I didn't read it, it's not mine to read."

"Well, give it to me. I'll read it!" She throws her hand out trying to get him to pass it over.

Brian is deplored by that idea "what? No. If I didn't read it then why would I let you read it? This is a personal letter from her father, we don't have a right to read it."

Caroline continues to argue "I can read it and then decide if it's something she should read or not. If it's something bad, then that'll just be so much worse for her. You see how she is now! Imagine what's going to happen to her after she reads the letter."

"Whatever happens, I'll be here for her. It's not our decision to make for her whether or not she wants to read it." He continues to defend himself.

"Yeah? Well, how come you haven't given it to her yet?" Caroline poses the question.

Brian slugs back down "it's not easy telling your fiance that everything she's ever known about her father is a lie. I just want to give it to her at the right time."

Sal comes up with an idea "hey, why don't you just slip it into one of those boxes she took down from the attic? Then she doesn't have to know that her mom gave it to her and you held on to it."

Murray likes the idea and backs it up "yeah, then you're clear. I like it."

Joe argues "absolutely not! Her mother trusted Brian to give that letter to Melanie in person. She didn't have it stuffed away in a box in the attic."

"This is crazy!" Caroline speaks "Brian, please? Let me see the letter. I'll know if it's something she can handle or not."

"Alright, alright" Brian tries to get everyone to calm down "let's just put a stop to this conversation right now. I am not going to put the letter in a box and pretend I don't know what it is. I'm not going to lie to her about it. And I'm not going to let you read it Caroline. This is for her alone and if she wants to share it with you, or me or anyone then that's up to her."

"I think you're making the right choice." Joe encourages his friend, slapping him slightly on the shoulder to encourage his words.

Brian gives him a thankful smile and Sal comments "whatever you wanna do, we're here for you and Melanie."

"Hey guys" Melanie comes into the room "think we can keep working? I'd really like to be done with all this shit before the weekend is over." She's monotone, clearly still annoyed.

Everyone stares at her, not sure if she heard anything any of them said. After a few seconds of silence, they all figure she heard nothing as she would've asked to see the letter. Caroline stands up, looks directly to Brian and says "yeah, Brian why don't you finish helping Melanie in her old bedroom?" Melanie gives Caroline an eye roll but leaves to go back to work. Brian stands up and exhales as he walks past Caroline and over to follow Melanie into the room.

Murray comments out loud "you think he should give that to her now?" He stands, grabbing his plate to throw it away.

Caroline says "the sooner the better."

Joe adds "it's going to be really hard on her but whatever happens, she's got all of us. Right?" He looks around at the three other people in the room.

"Of course!" Caroline responds.

Murray nods and Sal comments "yeah, without a doubt." He stands then says "let's keep cleaning, come on." The four of them then disperse and continue packing and piling things in the house.