The First Catch

Chapter 5: Another Encounter

It'd been a couple of days since Melanie's trip to the park.  And meeting that random guy. Though she'd been a bit snippy towards him.  There was something about the stranger that intrigued Mel.  Something piqued her interest in a moment of weakness.  Melanie didn't let that thought linger long though.  It was part of the reason she took off so fast.  Her mind got all jumbled between the horoscope reading, then what happened at the park.

Melanie shook her head.  As those strange thoughts crept back in.  She'd been staring out the window the last half hour.  Sitting on the window seat of her room.  Watching the scenery outside.  There wasn't a whole lot of activity going on.  But Melanie needed something to do.  So she could get rid of those thoughts.  She tried doing some reading, but couldn't concentrate.

This distraction didn't work either.  So she got up from her seat.  Then wandered out of the room.  Searching for Victoria and Levi.  Talking to them could help her forget.  Hearing muffled voices coming from the living room, as she walked downstairs.  Melanie rounded the corner, and stepped into the room.  Spotting the two in close quarters, whispering.  Looking to have a serious conversation.  Melanie cleared her throat to catch their attention.  "If you're talking about me.."  She asked, her voice having a slight teasing manner.  Victoria glanced up, a bit surprised since they didn't hear Melanie approach.  Once the shock wore off.  Victoria regained her composure.  "Oh no no..  We were uh...."  Melanie grinned, noticing Victoria looking a little frazzled.  "We were..  Deciding what we wanted for dinner tonight."  Victoria smirked back.  Yeah, that doesn't look guilty at all.  Melanie thought.  What are the two of you planning now?   "But I need to get a few things at the store first."

Melanie raised an eye, Victoria never was a good liar.  "I can go to the store and get the items for you if you'd like."  Melanie offered.  "I need to get out of the house again anyways.  I wouldn't mind at all.  So, give me the list and I can go."  Victoria still looked uncertain.  She didn't really need anything.  It was an excuse, so Melanie didn't know they were talking about her.  Melanie let out a small sigh.  Noticing Victoria's uncertainty.  "I'm not a child.  I can take care of myself."  Victoria nodded.  "Alright."  She wandered to find a pen and paper.  Then wrote down a few things, before passing the list over.  "Would you like some company?"  Melanie rolled her eyes.  The good mood disappeared, like that..  "No.."  Melanie's stern voice made Victoria back off.  Without another word.  She took the list from Victoria.  Then grabbed the keys and headed towards the car.

Melanie began muttering and ranting to herself while walking down the aisle.  Others most likely thought she was crazy.  But Melanie didn't care.  Victoria and Levi were starting to bug her.  They acted like she couldn't take care of herself anymore.  While rambling on.  Melanie failed to pay attention to her surroundings.  Until hearing the sound of two carts clashing, and a "hey!  Watch where you're going!"  Followed afterwards.  Melanie looked up, her eyes widened in surprise. She didn't even realize who was in front of her.  "I'm sorry...  I.."  Her sentence stalled when she saw who she clashed into.  Oh greeeaat!   It was the man from the other day.  "Great..  Just my luck.."  Melanie muttered.  Not meaning for the words to slip out of her mouth.

"Well, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  Hello to you too."  The man smirked.  It looked like he thought he was the funniest thing at the store.  Melanie glared.  "Don't start."  The man rolled his eyes.  "Start what?"  Melanie ignored his question.  And without another word, started stalking off in the opposite direction.  She didn't get far, before feeling him place his hand on her arm to stop her.  "Wait.."  As she felt his hand on her arm.  A nervous feeling washed over her.  Though she didn't know why.  "This got off to a rough start."  He extended a hand towards her.  "My name is Anthony.."  Melanie hesitated before extending a hand.  "Melanie."  As she felt her hand wrap around his, she managed a small smile.

"Well..  Now that's better isn't it?"  Melanie didn't say anything.  She chose to ignore the comment.  Ready to move along.  As she began making her way out of the aisle.  Anthony spoke up.  "So..  Are you here visiting someone?"  Melanie took a moment to decipher how she should respond.  "No..  I um..  I live here."  She began walking down the aisle to resume her shopping. Melanie rounded the corner, down the next aisle.  Realizing Anthony followed her.  As she heard his footsteps coming from behind.

"What about you?"  Melanie asked.  Figuring at this point, it was better to start up small talk. Since he wasn't going away any time soon.  Talking did, after all, take her mind off things. Anthony raised a brow in curiosity.  Not expecting Melanie to continue the conversation.  "How long have you lived here?  I've lived here for quite awhile.  I don't recall running into you before. And I would remember.."  Melanie's face flushed at the compliment.  "I've lived here since my first year of college.  But I don't get out much.  And even if I did, Memphis is a big city..  But you still didn't answer my question."  Anthony chuckled a little.  "Ah, so you're one of those people."  He commented.  "One of those people?"

"I've lived here for a few years or so..  I lived in Nashville as a kid.  Moved away to Washington for college, then got a job here, so I moved back."  There were a few other details he left out, but she didn't need to know that.  Plus, Anthony didn't think they'd see each other again.  It wouldn't matter.  Melanie nodded, picking out a few items while listening.  And got so focused on her list, she didn't realize she'd blocked out some of what Anthony said.  Until something registered in her mind.  "Washington, as in D.C?"  She asked.  Showing Anthony some interest.  Anthony raised an eye at the sudden change of behavior.  Melanie was actually showing interest.  When he didn't think she would.  "Yeah..  Why?"  Melanie gave another small smile at the mention of her hometown.  "I grew up there.."

"You did?"  Melanie could see Anthony's expression change to surprise.  "Well well..  What a small world."  This time, it was Anthony's turn to go quiet.  Melanie was very tempted to make some kind of smart alec remark.  "Hmm.  Now that is interesting."  "How so?"  Anthony shrugged his shoulders.  "I mean..  We both lived in the same place at one point.  And what are the chances we lived in the same cities?  Two different ones.  We could've been living in Washington at the same time.  And didn't know it.  But we never crossed paths till now..  Perplexing don't you think?"   Melanie stole a sideways glance at Anthony.  He seemed to be thinking rather hard on this.  "Well..  Like I said..  Memphis is a big city."  Melanie grinned.  "And so is Washington.."  When the two first approached, all Melanie wanted to do was get rid of Anthony.  So she could do her shopping and be gone.  But now, Melanie found she enjoyed the company.  And almost hated that it was coming to an end.  And she'd have to go.

"I should get going."  Melanie commented, looking at the clock on her phone.  She didn't intend to stay this long.  "You're not sick of me already are you?"  Anthony teased.  Melanie smirked a bit, hiding a laugh.  "No, but if I'm gone for more than five minutes, my friends will start bombarding my phone."  He let out a laugh.  "Bombarding your phone?"  "Well.."  The sound of her phone beeping, alerting of a message.  Distracted Melanie from finishing the sentence.  She rolled her eyes, glancing down to see Victoria's name lighting up the screen.  She lifted her phone, showing Anthony, so he knew she wasn't joking.  "Exhibit A.."  Anthony let out another chuckle.  "They run a tight ship."  "They're just worried is all.  But I do need to get going."  As Melanie headed towards the checkout, she felt him grab her arm once more.  She looked up at him, curious what he had to say next.  She was a little surprised, noticing he almost looked a little nervous.  

"I was..  Wondering.  I don't suppose you're free this Saturday?"  Melanie went quiet. Getting caught off guard by his question.  She wasn't sure what he would ask.  But didn't think it would be that.  Melanie stood there, not sure which direction to go.  Though it's been a year since Paul's death.  She felt it was still wrong to pursue something new.  She was still mourning the loss of her husband. Though something about Anthony intrigued Melanie.  She wasn't ready yet.  And it was too much to hope he'd be available when she was.  

"I understand if you don't.." Anthony said, after it's been quiet several minutes.  Melanie cleared her throat feeling a bit awkward.  "No.  Of course not.  I..  You caught me off guard is all.  And..  I..  Things have been busy lately..."  She stumbled over her answer.  "I understand."  Melanie stood still in her spot. Fidgeting, feeling flustered.  Battling back and forth.  What she should do.  Should she change her mind?  Her answer was no.  But something else told her to say yes. And for some reason, Melanie felt bad turning him down.  She stood there a moment longer, on the verge of changing her response.  But something held her back.  "I..  I have to go."