As soon as Alyssa left the house, Melissa turned on Martin and demanded an explanation as to why that woman had showed up in their backyard asking for him. Julie was still sitting on the staircase, and having overheard the entire conversation the three adults had, got the feeling this wasn’t going to end well for any of them.
“I can’t wait to hear how he’s going to explain this one.” Melissa thought. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and she had a hard glare directed at Martin’s pale form.
“I don’t have all day Martin. Why did that woman show up here?” Melissa repeated herself.
“It was before I met you, I promise I haven’t seen her since she was in college.” Martin was almost pleading with his wife not to be so angry.
“You’ve said that about lots of women, MARTY, why should I believe you?”
“I… I don’t know. I don’t want anything to do with her, outside of business of course. I’m not even sure how she found out where I live.” Martin hung his head and went to sit in the kitchen. Melissa followed him, knowing that if she let up she wasn’t going to get any answers.
“When were you going to tell me she was coming to town?”
“Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn’t have to. I figured I could just give her the brush off, but then Alyssa was always persistent and determined. I should have known just saying no wouldn’t be enough.” Martin sighed.
“So, what are we going to do about her? She clearly expects more out of this trip than just catching up with old friends.” Melissa wasn’t sure what Alyssa had in mind. What she’d proposed before, that was admittedly a first for Melissa.
Aside from the fact that none of Martin’s “girlfriends” had ever contacted her directly, none of then showed the slightest interest in her. It was a bit flattering, more so extremely aggravating. This perfect stranger, to Melissa that is, came into her house and basically asked if the Stovalls would want to “engage” her sometime.
“I don’t want to see her. If I could find a way to just send her away I would. But, at the risk of sounding like an idiot…”
“Which you are.” Melissa thought.
“…I think she’ll stay until she gets what she wants. Truthfully, I’m surprised she didn’t try to contact me sooner. She, uh, liked me a lot more than I liked her.” Martin said. That was close enough to the truth. Martin didn’t see Alyssa as anything more than a good time. Alyssa looked at him and saw someone she wanted to see more of.
“I’ve tried to get through to her, repeatedly telling her I’m happily married now. She still wants something from me,” Martin went on to say, “It’s not like I can have her arrested, she hasn’t committed any crimes.”
“No yet anyway,” Melissa muttered to herself, before addressing her husband.
“If you intend to keep that promise to me, you’d better hope to GOD that she gets the message. Because I am NOT about to let you “engage” her. Either you find a way to get rid of her, or I will. And it won’t be done with any TLC.”
Martin nodded, feeling very small and inferior (which, in a way he was). He tried to handle the situation on his own, but failed miserably.
Melissa left Martin sitting at the table, deep in thought, and headed for their bedroom. She saw Julie scampering away from the stairs as she neared them.
“Julie, there’s no need for you to break a leg doing that.” Melissa said. Julie stopped halfway up the staircase and looked down at her obviously stressed mother.
“I know you heard everything. And besides, there’s no point in keeping secrets. What’s done is done, and your father is still the same man he was ten years ago.”
“But he’s trying to change. I know he is. He won’t do anything with Alyssa. He loves you Mom.” Julie descended the stairs to hug her mom. Melissa embraced her daughter, batting away a lone tear. If there was ever a reason for her to keep it together, it was for Julie.