Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 144 - Messages and Reminders

Melody slept late again the next morning. Her family took turns standing outside her bedroom door waiting for her to stir. When she finally did, it was because Olivia climbed on her bed and sat beside her talking to her.

"Get up, Med dee," she told her. "No be asleep."

"Father sees me when I sleep," Melody replied.

Olivia frowned. "No see you awake?"

"Yes, He does, Olivia," Susan answered from the doorway.

"You too, Mama?" Melody asked.

"Yes, me too. Are you planning to get up today?" Susan asked her daughter.

"Did I miss breakfast?" Melody asked, sitting up in her bed.

"You did, but I can make you pancakes if you want," Susan said.

"Is it the Sabbath?" Melody asked.

"Yes," Susan said.

Melody's smile turned into a frown. "Is Papa mad at me?"

"No. He knows you need to rest," Susan assured her.

"Go to temple?" Melody asked.

"I think it might be too late to attend temple services today, but he and Jessie and Alan and his family are going to the synagogue if you'd like to go with them," Susan offered.

"Okay," Melody said. She slid from her bed and ran down the hall in her pajamas looking for Greg. "Papa, can I go?" Melody begged when she found him, straightening his tie before putting on the jacket to his suit as he dressed for services.

"Good morning, Melody. Have you had breakfast?" Greg asked.

Melody shook her head. "Can I go anyway? Can we go to Temple? Please?"

Greg looked down at her mussed up hair, pajamas and her tawny yellowing face. She looked tired, even after nearly 12 hours sleep ... but she was begging to go to services today. Greg knew her time was short. How could he tell her no?

"You're not ready. You need to get dressed and you need something to eat, and we need to leave very soon," Greg said.

"I'll hurry," Melody insisted and she ran back to her room.

Greg stepped from the bathroom to find Susan listening to their conversation from the hallway.

"I'll help her," Susan assured her husband. "Somehow I get the feeling it's important for her to go."

"I do too," Greg admitted. "I'd take her without breakfast, but in my heart I know she needs to eat."

"Maybe she can take pop tarts with her in the car? It's not the best, I know, but given what she is asking, I don't want to say no," Susan said.

Greg sighed and nodded. "Do what you can. I'll let the rest of the family know."

"I'll get her ready," Susan promised.

Greg filled his family in on their last minute change of plans, and despite the fact he knew they would be late, they headed across Los Angeles to attend Temple instead of at the local synagogue.

Melody sat between Greg and Jessie for the entire service. Some of the time she held their hands. She sang when she was supposed to and was quiet when the rabbi or others were speaking. Her concentration was so complete, Greg got the distinct impression she didn't want to leave. At the end of the service, she deliberately dropped her sweater behind the row of seats they were sitting in so that Greg had to retrieve it, causing their family to be amongst the last to leave. When they did, they were nearly the only attendees left.