Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 143 - The Zoo

Melody slept in on Friday morning, far later than anyone else. She in fact slept so late, Susan became concerned. Two hours after Greg left for his singing lesson and not long before he was expected to return, Susan went into Melody's room to check on her. The little girl stirred when her mother sat down on the side of the bed, but didn't immediately open her eyes.

"Melody, it's Momma. Are you okay?" Susan asked.

Melody's eyes fluttered open, but they seemed unfocused at first, and they didn't lock onto Susan's face right away, the way she normally did. That was something Susan had known her to do from the time she was a baby. This time she seemed to see nothing. Nor did she respond to any movement or change in light.

"Melody" Susan said again, stroking her back lightly.

"Good morning, Momma," Melody answered. She blinked once then shut her eyes. When she opened them again, they were focused on Susan, same as always. Susan did her best not to frown, wondering if what she was observing was perhaps a new symptom.

"Hi. Are you ready to get up? You've been sleeping a long time," Susan told her daughter.

"Are we going to the zoo today?" Melody asked

"Yes, after Papa gets home from his singing lesson. But you have to get up and get dressed and have your breakfast first. Almost everyone else is almost ready for lunch," Susan replied.

"Did I sleep late?" Melody asked.

"You really did," Susan told her.

"Oh. I dreamed I did. But when I woke up, you and Papa were singing with me. Father really liked it," Melody said.

"Then you woke up again?" Susan asked.

Melody nodded. "Did I wake up? Or was I still asleep?"

"I think you were still asleep when you thought we were singing. But now you're awake," Susan said.

"Okay."

"What would you like to wear today?" Susan asked.

"My pink shirt," Melody said.

"The one with the blue hippopotamus on it?" Susan asked.

Melody nodded. "And the green frog."

"Alright. Which pants?"

She helped Melody get out of bed and together they picked out the outfit she wanted to wear for their day at the zoo. Susan left her to dress before returning to the family room.

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"Grandma," Noah said when Susan came into the room.

"Hi Noah. Are you waiting for Melody?" Susan asked.

Noah grinned. Pointing towards the hallway Susan just came from he said, "Cave."

Susan arched her brow. "Do you want to talk to Melody about your memories?"

"Cave," Noah repeated.

Susan studied the 21-month-old boy. "What are you trying to tell me?" she wondered.

"I sometimes think he is talking about Melody when he talks about caves," Alan said. "He says that word most often when we are here."

"True, but we do actually have a cave here, Alan. There is context here aside from Melody, for whatever it is he is saying," Susan said.

"That could be. Noah, do you want to go into Grandpa's cave?" Alan asked.

"Grandfather," Noah corrected.