Signals Crossed

13

"It is 100% my fault, Sir." Ad said into the payphone outside the green room. "Yes, sir."

Melanie was sitting on a chair beside Pat waiting for Adam to finish trying to smooth things over with her father.

"No sir. There is no need for that. I will make sure she gets home."

Melanie felt a warm sensation of comfort hearing him say that.

"Yes, I will do a better job of it this time Mr. Moretti, sir."

Pat chuckled. "Your father cracks me up."

Ad stuck his middle finger up at Pat in that moment.

"Yes, sir." He said one last time before hanging up.

Ad turned to them and forced a smile. "Well, he isn't buying it. I better get you home."

In the cab, Mel rested her cheek on Ad's arm. "I know I slipped it into my back pocket just like I always do."

"Let's just see okay? I will help you look if your father doesn't kill me first."

Mel sat up and turned to him with an apologetic look on her face. "I am so sorry."

Ad shrugged. "It's okay. He has never loved our friendship."

Mel sighed.

"Remember when he hid your walkie and told our 5th grade teacher to keep us apart at school?"

Mel giggled. "Oh my god, I forgot about that. That was when we went frog catching, which probably wouldn't have been a big deal if I wasn't wearing my Sunday dress."

"You fucking hated wearing dresses."

"Still do."

"See, I was helpin' you out."

"It didn't help when you teased me every time I had to wear one and said I looked like a doily."

Ad chuckled. "Your mom thought it was funny. She told me you probably dove into the mud willingly."

Mel's eyes filled with tears, but she was smiling.

Ad immediately regretted bringing up her mother without warning. He always waited for her to bring it up first. He would never want to upset her about her mother. He lived through the loss with her.

Mel noticed the concerned look on his face. She grabbed his hand and squeezed. "It's okay. I like hearing memories like that...especially from someone that knew her so well."

Ad smiled in relief and squeezed her hand back.

They sat in silence for a bit until Mel said,
"Now that I think about it. I believe my Dad's distain for you traces back to when you suggested we play wiffle ball with pegging. I'd go home with red welts on my arms and legs from being hit by that ball over and over."

Ad squinted his eyes at her and pointed his finger at her. "I knew it. He really hates my guts and it goes way back to the wiffle ball days, shit."

"He does not and besides...it doesn't matter what he thinks. You are my best friend...end of story."

When they finally arrived at her house, Melanie stood on the porch frozen; unable to walk through the door.

Adam stood beside her and tapped her hand with his middle finger.

She turned to him and smiled. She used her middle finger and locked it with his.

They both whispered, "Fuck it." in unison.

"This is the shit that makes my Dad think you are a bad influence on me."

"As I recall, you made this up."