Song 28

Warm, soapy water fully engulfed Meloria’s body as she settled into the large tub. “Ah, thank you, Granny,” she sighed happily, sinking further down until the water sat under her chin. Her eyes fluttered closed, the throbbing in her feet from the trek up the mountain.

Meloria raised a leg out of the water, admiring how the bubbles hugged her curves as they fell back into the water. She ran her hand over her leg, humming happily to herself as, for the first time in a long time, there was nothing but silence around her. “A seaside town,” she sighed happily, reaching for the soap to lather her hands. “And a room to myself, I’d say best place yet.”

This little mountain inn was everything she needed right now, and thinking about it deeper, it felt like something Lucan needed as well. Ever since the moment they stepped onto the train to the town, Lucan was like a child on Christmas Day, rushing downstairs to open his presents from Santa. The theme park and even back home, Lucan never seemed to show much interest in anything, always going along with whatever was happening.

After rinsing the sods from her hair, Meloria climbed out of the bath, drying herself off and wrapping her hair before dressing into the complimentary robe and slippers and making her way to the dining area. “I see you have taken advantage of the bath,” the pregnant owner chuckled, placing the dinner on the table where Lucan was already seated.

“It was beautiful,” Meloria smiled widely, sitting opposite Lucan, who was busy with his nose in a book. “What are you reading, little bro?”

Lucan hummed, acting as if he hadn’t heard Meloria speaking to him. The owner chuckled, one hand on her back as she sat down on the nearby chair. “My husband gave him that to read when he came out of his room, and he hasn’t put it down yet,” she chuckled. “I do apologise, I didn’t catch your name, sweetie.”

“Meloria,” she held out her hand to shake the owner’s. “And my little brother, who is oblivious that we are here, is Lucan.”

“Meloria and Lucan,” the owner nodded to each of them respectively as she shook Meloria’s hand. “I’m Kendra, and my husband, who is currently hiding in the kitchen, is Fischer.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kendra,” Meloria smiled, turning and picking up her fork, taking a bite of the fish. The flakiness and the salty taste struck up a melody in her mouth, making her hurry to take another bite. “Lucan,” she spoke with food in her mouth. When Lucan didn’t respond, she kicked his shin, making him jump and whine.

“Hey,” he snapped, his cheeks puffed out. “What was that for?” Using her fork, Meloria gestured to the meal in front of Lucan, trying to encourage him to take a bite. His eyes widened, quickly shovelling another bite into his mouth. “This is amazing!”

“Lucan manners,” Meloria groaned, shaking her head before resuming with her own meal.

Kendra couldn’t help but laugh as she watched her guests continue to eat the hearty meal her husband prepared. She rubbed her stomach, humming a gentle tune. Meloria smiled at the tune, feeling nostalgic as it brought back memories of when Edward would hum for her on their walks into the forest. “That’s a beautiful tune,” Meloria commented, putting her fork on the finished plate.

“Thank you,” Kendra smiled, looking at her stomach with a motherly and protective gaze. “Music used to be such a big part of this little town, but since the songtress…”

“Some people are even scared to have a radio on these days,” the man who came barging out from the kitchen, bald with a scar running under his right eye, was Fischer. “The younger folks love music; they even have a small dance group, but the older ones don’t take too kindly to music.”

“Oh boy,” Meloria gulped nervously.

“Is something wrong, little lady?” Fischer asked, pulling up a chair beside Kendra, a rugged hand placed on Kendra’s stomach.

Meloria felt her head start to hurt as she tried to think of the best way to break the news. Kendra and Fischer seemed like lovely, non-judgmental people, but knowing the older adults of the town didn’t even like the radio made her feel a little wary of the idea. “Meloria is an idol,” Lucan brazenly explained, making Meloria choke on her water.

“Idol?” Kendra and Fischer spoke in unison, tilting their heads in unison.

“She likes to sing,” Lucan continued to speak bluntly.

“Will you be quiet?” Meloria blushed deeply.

“Oh, you like to sing?” Fischer laughed, slapping his knee, before turning to Lucan. “So do you sing as well?” Lucan shook his head. “So what do you like to do then?”

“Lucan is an amazing cook,” Meloria beamed with pride.

“A cook, you say?” Fischer hummed.

“And a brilliant one too!” Meloria beamed, this time making Lucan blush. “He helped design a menu while I was training.”

Kendra directed her motherly smile towards Lucan, who was struggling to hold her gaze. She leaned over to Fischer, whispering something in his ear. Fischer nodded, and Kendra spoke, stroking his chin as he pretended to contemplate her idea. “Lucan,” his voice was broad and demanding, as Lucan looked into his eyes. “Have you ever cooked what you catch?”

“Cook what I catch?” Lucan mused.

“Yes,” Fischer nodded. “You see, I own a small fishing boat and tomorrow is meant to be perfect conditions to catch some lionfish.”

“Lionfish?”

“Hold on a second,” Meloria’s smile faded, replaced with worry as it started to sink in what Fischer was asking. Her heart sank with the idea of Lucan going onto the ocean in a small fishing boat with a man they barely knew, all to catch some fish. Lucan looked over, his face scrunched up as he saw the wheels turning in Meloria’s mind. “Lucan, you can’t go.”

“And why not?” Lucan bit back, making Meloria gasp. “If I’m old enough to leave home, I can go on a boat.”

“It’s not like that,” Meloria insisted. “Lucan, the only body of water you’ve known is the river bed that barely came to your knees.”

“And that’s the reason I can’t go on a boat?” Lucan snapped, his brow furrowed.

Meloria’s face mirrored his own, standing up to assert herself, determined to be listened to. “No, the fact that you cannot swim is the reason,” she explained, trying to keep her composure. “Lucan, what if you fall overboard?”

“Oh, so you can take risks, but should I want to do something I want?” Lucan exclaimed, standing up and looking down at Meloria.

“Whoa there,” Fischer stood up, putting a hand on Meloria’s shoulder, trying to calm the situation. “I promise, little lady, that I will take care of him,” he assured, speaking softly with a hand over his heart. “We have life jackets in the boat, too. I’ll personally make sure he wears on.”

Meloria’s breath was heavy as she stared into Lucan’s eyes, as if wanting to look deep into his soul to understand why he wanted this so much. With a heavy sigh, her face softened as she nodded. Lucan cheered, his hands in fits as he punched the air. This would finally be his moment.