Signals Crossed

2

After dinner, the pair hung out in his room just like they always did.

"Can you believe school is in a few days?"

"Quit bein' a buzz kill, Mel."

"It's high school though."

Ad shrugged as he starred at the ceiling with Mel beside him. "We have Yauch. He has a year under his belt."

Mel smiled. "Good point."

Just then they heard the crackling of the walkie talkie on Adam's night stand.

"Adam? Is this thing on? Is my Mel Bell there?"

Adam jumped up and jogged over to the walkie talkie and spoke into it. "Hiya Mr. Moretti. She's here, over."

Mel's father waved at him by the window. "Can you share her for a bit?" He then said into the device.

Adam saluted back at him. "I think so, Mr. M."

Mel joined him at the window and waved. "Hi Dad! Mrs. H has leftovers for you. Ad and I were going to watch a movie, okay?"

"You always fall asleep and then I don't see you."

"Please, Dad?"

"I want you home after." He said firmly.

"Okay. Okay. Over and out, Pops."

Mr. H shook his head then decided he would pick up the leftovers in person. It was time he spoke to Janet about all of this.

He nervously paced after ringing the doorbell.

Janet opened the door and smiled at him. "Good evening, Sal. Melanie is here."

He smiled. "I know. I wanted to thank you for inviting her for supper."

Janet waved it off. "Oh, it is our pleasure. Come on in. I have left overs for you."

"That is so kind of you." He said as he stepped into the house. "So I thought Mel would come home, but she is now watching a movie with Adam."

"Oh."

"I have to tell you, I am not sure how you feel, but I think we need to talk about the fact that they are about to enter high school and I mean...I remember what it was like at his age."

Janet nodded. "I completely understand. I will talk to him."

"Thank you. Don't misunderstand. I think the world of your boy. He is a great friend to my Mel, but he is also a teenage boy."

Janet smiled. "We are on the same page, Sal."

"Good."

"Now, about those leftovers." She said then winked at him.

After he left, Janet was drinking tea at the table thinking about how she was going to bring this up to Adam.

A few moments later, Adam came down the stairs and headed into the kitchen.

"How is the movie sweet pea?"

"It's cool. Mel wanted another coke."

Janet smiled. "That is sweet of you to get that for her."

He stopped at looked at her with a puzzled look on his face. "Ma, what are you talking about?"

She stood up and then walked over to him. "How did you get to be so grown up?"

"Ma, seriously?"

She cupped his face and smiled adoringly at him. "What's in that tea, Ma?"

She chuckled. "Can't a mother just gush over her son?"