Sure.
He looked at the house with the Christmas lights blazing and then looked back at her, that odd and endearing smile teasing his lips once again. You need to learn to believe in magic, he told her. But, I do understand. We met at Boston College. I studied English literature. Now, Im working for Boston Tours.
Youre a costumed interpreter, she said, nodding.
The lights are beautiful, he said.
She shivered suddenly. Reality. It was getting cold in the car.
Come on. Lets go in, she said.
She leaned over and opened his car door. He grimaced, thanked her and stepped out into the glittering snow. Then he waited.
She got out of the car, questioning her own sanity once again as she walked around and crooked a hand around his arm. They hurried up the walk and onto the porch together. As they neared it, the door burst open.
Her mother had been waiting for her.
Mona wasnt exactly a hippie. She was a strange combination of old-fashioned lady of the house with a bit of the wild child thrown in. She had tons of thick, curling blond hair that had only a few strands of gray. She loved yoga and Enya and anything that smacked of mans peaceful coexistence with his fellow man. She had grown her own food years before the word organic had begun to appear in supermarkets.
Shed been at the original Woodstock.
She always wore long, flowing shirts and dresses, like the flower growers version of Stevie Nicks.
Her one great drawback was that even though she had passed that mark of having lived on the earth for over half a century, she saw no evil in anyone, and believed that all could always be made right with the world. She had no enemies. Strangers were always friends waiting to happen.
Melody! Mark. Oh, Melody, I thought you said that Mark couldnt come with youoh, goodness, Im sorry, youre not Mark! Mona said, a hand fluttering to her breast.
No, maam, Im Jake Mallory. How do you do? Im sorry to be a strange and uninvited guest, but Melody assured me that you would not mind the intrusion. He spoke naturally, even if his accent was more than strange. More England than New England, Melody thought.
But he was doing well enough. He was natural and courteous. Her mom greatly appreciated common courtesy in anyone. Manners were a main grievance with herMona believed they cost nothing and made the world a better place.
Mona smiled, accepting his hand. Well, of course, youre welcome here. Everyone is welcome here, young man. There was warmth in her tone, but confusion in her eyes. She looked at Melody, questioning.
Melody gave her mother a big hug. Mom, I found out Jake was going to be at odds for Christmas and picked him up last minute in Boston. He was working, and didnt have time to change, and when we realized wed forgotten his things, I was already on the road.
Oh, and the weather is horrendous! Mona agreed, hardly listening as she ushered them inside. And here I am, chatting away on the porch. You young people come in and sit by the fire and Ill make some hot chocolate. She turned, heading into the house. Melody and Jake followed. She paused, telling Melody, Take Jake to Keiths room, get him something comfortable to wear. Poor dear, working all day, and then that long drive.
Poor dear! Oh, yeah. Poor lunatic!
The house was old, very old, some parts of it were built sometime in the early 1600s. A small entryway led directly to a massive parlor. A curving staircase led to the second floor where there were five bedrooms. Behind the massive parlor were the kitchen and dining room on one side, and a family room on the other.
Behind the house itselfnow covered in snowwas her mothers summer garden.
And her fathers office. Laboratory, as she and her brother called it. Her father had a fascination with waves. Radio waves, microwavessound waves. Any kind of wave.
A happy baying that seemed to fill every inch of sound space came to their ears; Brutus, the basset with wheels for hind legs, came clip-clapping happily into the room, his tail wagging a mile a minute. He was followed by Jimmy, the sheepdog, who was now fat and healthy. Melody knelt down to pat both dogs and they wove around Jake.
Ingenious, he said, hunkering down to meet Brutus.
Yes, and he does quite well, Mona said happily. Hes a darling. Thats Brutus. And the pile of fluff there is Jimmy. Theres a cat running around, and thats Cleo. Shes blind, but she has an excellent sense of smell and hearing. Just dont panic if she walks into somethingshe still does that upon occasion.
Charming, Jake said.
We do love our strays, Mona assured him happily.
Melody stood. Okay, weve done the petting thing for the moment. Come on up, Jake, and Ill find some of Keiths things for you to wear.
Poor young fellow! Mona said, Youre soaked, you must be freezing. Hurry along now, get into something warmer.
Yes, maam, Jake said.
Melody headed for the stairs. She stopped and looked back.
Jake Mallory was in the parlor, looking around. She started to snap at him again, but her words froze in her throat.
There was something about his expression that seemed so pained and nostalgic that it was almost real. She wondered if he wasnt suffering some kind of tormented dementia. Maybe he really believed that he had been a Revolutionary War soldier. He had fallen out of a time warp in the sky and landed on an ice-covered road more than two and a half centuries later.
She let out a sigh. She honestly didnt think he was homicidal, and she had been the one to strike him down on the road. She needed to practice patience.
Jake, she said softly.
He looked at her, startled, then nodded and followed her. They walked up the stairs together, and turned. This is your brothers room? he asked, stopping at the door where Melody pointed.
Yes.
They went in. She left him standing by Keiths bed, staring at the posters of her brothers favorites, Axl Rose and the Killers. There was also a large poster of Keira Knightley dressed up for her role in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
Beautiful, Jake said.
Keira Knightley? My brother thinks shes the most beautiful woman alive, Melody said.
I meanthe art. Amazing.
Its a poster from a photograph.
He started to repeat the word, but didnt. Melody smiled broadly. Okay, photograph. Its from an invention that captures the image ofwell, just about anything. Cameras capture the stars now, through telescopes. Oh, a telescope
Ive seen telescopes, he said. Just nota photograph. Or a camera. But it sounds like an exceedingly wonderful creation. To capture images without charcoal or paints.
Right. There are movie cameras, too. They capturemovement. Anyway
Does your brother still live here? he asked.
My brother is still in college. But he comes home often, she said.
She dug into Keiths wardrobe, grateful that her brother was a lot like her motherhe never minded in the least if anyone else made use of his things.
She found a pair of jeans and an Armani Exchange sweater and handed them to Jake, then hesitated, found a pair of Keiths briefs, socks and sneakers. She had no idea how to judge foot size, but Jake and Keith were about the same height. Maybe Keiths feet would be a little bit bigger, but rather too big than too small.
As she produced the sneakers, she found him playing with the zipper. Ingenious! he told her.
Yeah, yeah, its a zipper. Figure it all out. You know the house. Well be in the family room, she said dryly.
The family room?
Now its a family room, I dont know what it might have been before. You know, when you owned it. Whatever. Its just below us, she said. She paused. Hed been drenched. Covered in snow and mud. The shower is just next door.
The shower?
Oh, my God, did I pick up a parrot? she demanded. Okay, play the game. She shook her head and sighed. The bathroom.
An indoor washroom? he asked, seriously trying to understand.
She crooked a finger at him. He followed her.
Leave it to her mom. It wasnt all traditional New England decorating that shed usedit was more New England meets Goth. Her folks loved pirates. The upstairs bathroom was done in early Blackbeard; the shower curtain boasted pirate flags, the decoration had shipsand the standing toilet paper holder was a silver-colored spyglass replica.
She pointed to the toilet. Indoornecessary, I believe. Sink. Water comes on and off when you twist the faucets. The shower works just the same. Be carefulthey have a mega water heater and when you turn on the hot, it gets hot.
He still stared.
She pulled a towel from the rack.
Shower. You turn on the water to your temperature liking. Stand beneath the spray. Use soap. Rinse off. Dry with towelput on clothing. Okay?
Amazing, he said.
Oh, God! Its a hot shower. Get in and get out. And come downstairs when youre done. No gaping. We have a stove and a television and
Television?
Television. You see moving images on it. Fiction, and nonfiction. The news, the weather. She made a face. Reality shows for entertainment.
Reality as entertainment? he inquired.
Precisely.
But a television
She let out an oath of absolute impatience and hurried on out, closing the door.
In the family room, she found her father. He had been seated in one of the wing-back chairs by the fire, but he stood when he saw her, a tall lean man with a cap of snow-white hair. Cleo had been happily curled just behind his neck and she mewed a protest at his movement. Her father absently patted the cat, then came to Melody. He folded her into his arms. Melody! I was getting worried about you coming today, the news about all the accidents on the roads has been terrible.
She gave him a fierce hug in return, and they parted. So, whats up, Dad? Hows it all going?
Beautifully, he assured her. I like being retired.
Her mother breezed into the room, carrying a tray laden with cups of cocoa and fresh-baked cookies. He nearly blew up his study last week, Mona said.
Her father shrugged, a tolerant smile for his wife on his face. I did nothing of the kind. I had a little spark and a tiny fire going, and that was it. I keep a fire extinguisher on hand at all times, and I was never in any danger of losing the study.
Humph, Mona said, rolling her eyes. She sat. So, my dear, I dont remember you mentioning this Jake fellow. Is he related to Mark? He resembles him quite a bit.
No, no, theyre not related at all.
Youre kidding, Mona said. I thought hed be a cousin or somethingeven a brother. Wait till you see him, George, she marveled to her husband.
And when is the man of the hour coming up? her father asked, a sparkle in his eyes. Im referring to Mark, of course.
Mom, Dad, Mark isnt the man of the hour, she said seriously.
Butyou were dating him, and you seemed to like him so much! Mona protested. Hes such a gentleman, always opening doors for you, trying to get you to sit and relaxhes a lovely man, really. What happened?
Hes still a lovely man, Mom, she said. Nothing happened.
Oh, my Lord, he hasnt been mean or rude to you, has he? Mona asked indignantly. Ive asked him here for the holidays!
He hasnt been mean or rude, and I hope he enjoys the holidays, and I hope we can remain friends, Melody said.
Mark is such a nice young man, her mother said sorrowfully.
Mom
I see. Youre not as fond of the fellow as he is of you, her father said, nodding as he sat back more deeply into his chair.
Melody, her mother said sternly, you havent brought your other friendthis JaketoI dont know, to upset Mark, have you?
Mom, I brought him becausehe really had nothing else to do, she said.
Is there a romance there? her father asked, laughter in his eyes again.
Good God, no, Melody said. Please, no matchmaking with Mark, Mom, Dad. And none with Jake. Got it?
I wouldnt dream of it, her mother said. Youve got to live your own life.
Never, her father promised.
So, Im confused. Arent you and Mark working together? Mona asked.
Yes.
Well, youre not going to stop doing the book, are you? her father asked.
I hope not.
Jake came into the room then. Keiths clothes fit him well, and Melody had to blink, he suddenly looked so right. With his hazel eyes, sandy-brown hair and good bone structure.
Well, there now, you look more relaxed and comfy, Mona said. Jake Mallory, my husband, George. George, this is Melodys friend from college, Jake Mallory.
Pleased to meet you, and welcome. So, youre staying the week? he asked politely.
Jake glanced at Melody. If youll have me, sir.
With pleasure, with pleasure, George Tarleton said, indicating the sofa and returning to his rocking chair.
Cocoa, dear, Mona said, handing him a cup.
Thank you most kindly, Jake said.
Melody looked downward, wincing.
You sound almost as if youre from ye old mother country, George said lightly, taking a sip of his own cocoa.
No, sir. I was born and bred right here, in these parts.
Its a charming accent, Mona said.
Thank you, Jake said. My folks were born on British soil.
There you go, George said, knowingly looking at his wife. He wagged a finger in the air. I am good at discerning the little things in accents, huh, dear?
Yes, dear, if you say so, Mona agreed.
How strange, though. Im sure I dont know your folks, George said. We dont have any English friendsdo we?
My parents have been gone many years, Jake said.
Im so sorry! Mona said.
Thank you, Jake told her.
But where is your home now? George asked, concerned.
Hes living in Boston, Dad! Melody said, jumping in quickly with the information. She grabbed a cookie and munched it quickly. Mom, these are delicious. Jake, have a cookie. My moms a wonderful baker.
Thank you, he said politely. Wonderful, he agreed.
Where in Boston are you? George asked.
Melody couldnt reply quickly enoughnot without spewing sugar cookie over them all.
Im right off the Common, Jake said.
Lovely area, lovely! George applauded.