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Love, Robert

Tears filled my eyes. Would I ever have anyone love me as much as Robert Royce loved Laura? If they had something so beautiful, why did they have to die so tragically and so young? I sighed and thought about reading another letter, but there was a sharp knock on my door. I guiltily stuffed the letter back into the envelope.

"Yes?"

Cary entered. His gaze moved from me to the pile of letters and then back to me.

"My mother says you have a phone call. A girl friend from Sewell."

"Alice!" I jumped up. "Thanks."

I went downstairs quickly, forgetting that I still hadn't put on my sneakers and socks. This time, Uncle Jacob wasn't sitting near the phone, ready to listen. Aunt Sara held the receiver away from her as if it were a forbidden object that might contaminate her.

"Jacob doesn't approve of young people gossiping on the telephone," she whispered. "Don't be long."

"Thank you," I said and took the receiver. "Alice?"

"Hi. Was it all right for me to call now? Your aunt sounded upset."

"It's all right. I'm happy to hear from you so soon."

Aunt Sara gave me a look of warning and stepped gingerly out of the room.

"I miss you and I miss Sewell," I added as soon as she was gone. "More than I ever expected."

"Oh? Well, I don't have good news. Papa George is in the hospital and when I asked Mama Arlene about your mother and your things, she told me she hasn't heard a word from your mother since you all left."

"Mommy never called her?"

"Not yet. I thought I had better tell you."

"How is Papa George doing?"

"He's in intensive care. He's very sick, Melody. I'm sorry."

"I should be there," I moaned. "I don't know what to do."

"What can you do?" Alice asked in her habitual blunt manner.

"Nothing until Mommy calls me."

"You really hate it there?"

"There's a lot happening, Alice."

"Tell me," she pleaded.

"I can't. Not on the phone. I'll write you a letter."

"Don't wait. Write it tonight."

"Melody, dear, not too long," I heard Aunt Sara say through the wall. She was probably just on the other side of the door all the while, I thought.

"I've got to hang up, Alice. Thanks for calling."

"Write me and I'll call you the moment I hear that your mother called Mama Arlene," she said quickly. "Thanks. Bye."

I cradled the receiver just as Uncle Jacob came through the front door. He saw Aunt Sara standing in the hallway and me by the phone.