As soon as Becky saw Melody at school on Monday, she suggested a sleepover for the upcoming weekend. Melody was sold on the idea after Becky convinced her how much fun it would be. Melody also thought it would be a great way to learn more about her friend. Though they talked a lot and had shared much, Melody’s intuition told her Becky was a girl with secrets. She told Becky she would ask her mother and give her an answer as soon as possible.
After school, Melody exited her bus and walked home at a quickened pace, anxious to ask her mother about the sleepover. Knowing her parents would never allow two teenage girls to loll about lazily on a Sunday morning, Melody hoped a Friday night sleepover would be acceptable. After opening the front door, Melody intended to go straight for the cookies, but her mother stopped her.
“Melody!” her mother called. “I just mopped! Take your shoes off!”
Melody obeyed and took a step back without stepping on the highly glossed tile. She then entered the kitchen with her sneakers clutched in her left hand.
“Are you still busy, Mama?” Melody asked.
“Yes child. I’ve been at it all day. Do you need something?” Barbara asked with a hint of concern.
“It can wait until dinner,” Melody said. She then took two cookies from the jar before heading towards the stairs. “I got a lot of homework to do.”
“Alright Dear,” her mother answered, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. Barbara had been cleaning all day, for Monday was her day for heavy housework. She heard Melody shut her door and returned to work.
Upstairs, Melody opened her textbook and went back to the time when the world was ruled by Rome. Melody had begun to take an interest in history and found some eras fascinating, but most of the enjoyment was ruined by her teacher’s insistence that she remember so many dates. Confident that she knew the assigned chapter well, she went on to her science book and worked on the periodic table until dinnertime.
***
“A sleepover?” Barbara repeated, looking across the dinner table at her daughter. “What do you two plan on doing?”
“Nothing much. Just have popcorn and watch some movies. Becky said she would bring her sleeping bag,” Melody explained.
As expected, Barbara did what she always did when faced with something unfamiliar to her. She told Melody she would ask her father the next time he called.
“OK, Mama,” Melody answered. “We thought Friday night would be best. Her mom will pick her up Saturday morning.”
“Well, if Becky does spend the night, I want to meet her mother,” Barbara insisted.
“Oh Mother,” Melody sighed.
“Don’t ‘Oh Mother’ me young lady,” Barbara said without any threat in her voice. “I know you consider me to be a character from The Waltons, but it’s just common courtesy. If I was dropping you off for the night at Becky’s house, of course I would want to meet her mother. I am sure Becky’s mother feels the same way. She is not going to drop her daughter off at a stranger’s house without introducing herself.”
Melody agreed and finished her dinner. Though she still had a bit of homework left, Melody insisted she had time to do the dishes. As she filled the sink with soapy water, she hoped Becky would not be disappointed in having to wait for an answer. Melody was sure her father would not mind, even if it meant a house filled with the chatter of two teenage girls. Melody laughed to herself at the thought of her dad escaping to a bar for a couple hours while she and Becky watched a monster movie on Chanel 54's weekly Creature Feature program.
***
Melody came home Wednesday afternoon hoping her mother would finally have an answer for her. She did, but it came along with a bit of bad news.
“Your father will not be home this weekend,” Barbara began. “He’s stuck in Cleveland with a bad transmission. The mechanic had to order the part, so Dad’s company is putting him up in a hotel until the truck is fixed.”
“Is Daddy OK?” Melody asked.
“He’s fine. Whatever happened to the truck, happened while your father was being unloaded. It didn’t happen on the highway, thank goodness. They had to call in a wrecker to tow him out of the distribution center.”
“Oh, poor Daddy,” Melody replied with disappointment. “The Bucs are playing the Lions this Sunday. We were looking forward to it.”
“Well, at least the neighborhood won’t hear you two yelling at the television,” Barbara said, shaking her head. “Honestly, you two.”
Melody wanted to change the subject to Becky but was unsure if she should. With her father breaking down, her mother probably forgot all about the sleepover. However, her mother continued.
“With your father not coming home, I suppose it’s alright for Becky to stay the night. Just don’t stay up all night. I want you two to get some sleep. You’re both getting up for breakfast.”
Melody let out a squeal of delight and ran to her mother, kissing her on the cheek. “Thanks Mommy, I’ll call Becky right now and let her know!”
***
Friday dragged for both Melody and Becky. In English class they kept rolling their eyes at each other as Mrs. Werner read an uninteresting short story with her usual theatrical flair. Finally, at lunchtime, Melody and Becky were free to talk and discussed the upcoming evening. Melody tried to conceal some of her excitement, guessing it was not Becky’s first sleepover. As Melody felt herself growing closer to Becky, she found herself wanting to be less like her mother. Whenever Melody was about to say something she could imagine her mother saying, she’d stop herself. When the Friday afternoon release bell rang, no two students were happier to leave campus.
“See you at six, Becky,” Melody waved as she got on the bus. “And don’t forget, my mom wants to meet yours.”
That evening, Melody assisted her mother prepare a spaghetti dinner. She waited anxiously as she watched the pot of water begin to boil as her mother rolled ground beef into meatballs. The table had already been set. Becky would sit in Melody’s usual spot, and Melody would sit in her father’s. She wished her father had been able to come home to meet Becky. Melody wondered what her father would do to pass the time in the hotel. She was sure he would be watching football on both Saturday and Sunday. Melody hoped he would be able to see the Lions play the Buccaneers but would probably have to settle for the Browns since he was stuck in Cleveland. As she daydreamed, the front doorbell rang.
“She’s here!” Melody announced, running to the door. Barbara wiped her hands on her apron and then adjusted her hair with her fingers.
Melody opened the door and was greeted by a smiling Becky. She had come prepared with her sleeping bag as well as an overnight bag. Melody let her in and took her sleeping bag from her. Becky was followed by a very young woman who immediately looked uncomfortable upon entering the kitchen. The woman had shoulder length black hair, dark eyes, and high cheekbones. Her facial features were soft, like a doll’s. She did not look like the typical mother Melody had ever seen. In addition to her tight blue jeans and high heels, she wore a black T-shirt advertising Caesar’s Palace. This woman was young, beautiful, and could have easily passed for Becky’s older sister. Melody’s mother walked over to her and extended her hand to break the ice, “I’m Barbara Mivshek. Nice to meet you.”
The woman shook Barbara’s hand and replied softly, “Hello. I’m Susan Olsen. I’ve heard so much about Melody. I’m glad Becky has made a friend.”
After introducing herself to Becky’s mother, Melody led Becky upstairs. As Becky walked into her friend’s room, Melody said, “Well this is it. I know it’s not much.” Becky glanced around, silently taking notice of the simple furniture and bare walls.
“Nice,” she smiled.
“We’re having spaghetti and meatballs tonight,” Melody said, heading towards the door. “Is that OK?”
Becky grabbed Melody’s wrist to stop her from leaving. “Wait,” Becky frowned. “Give my mom a minute to hang herself.” Puzzled, Melody paused as Becky relaxed her grip.
“And before you ask,” Becky continued. “Olsen is my stepdad’s name. I kept my father’s name.”
“Oh, OK,” Melody smiled.
After a few moments, Melody said, “We really got to get back to the kitchen. The meatballs are about ready to come out of the oven.” Without further protest, Becky followed her out the door and down the stairs. The two women were still talking when their daughters returned to the kitchen.
“Well, everything should be fine,” Susan stated, clearly wanting to leave as soon as politeness would allow. “I’ll pick you up around nine thirty or so,” she said, heading out the door. Before anyone could acknowledge, Susan Olsen had disappeared, leaving Barbara looking bewildered.
Melody insisted Becky take her seat while she and her mother finished getting dinner ready. Melody was elated their plans had worked out and was eager to show Becky that she could be just as much fun as the girls in Detroit. As the three of them dined together, they kept the conversation light. Becky answered Barbara’s basic questions, then the girls took turns giving their best impression of Mrs. Werner. When the meal was finished, Becky got up to help Melody clear the table and do the dishes.
“If you girls are going to watch that movie tonight, I’ll make the popcorn in a little bit,” Barbara said, getting up.
“What movie?” Becky asked.
“Channel Fifty-Four always has monster movies on Friday night,” Melody answered excitedly. “I can’t wait! Tonight, it’s Godzilla versus Mothra.”
“Oh,” Becky replied as they both waited for the sink to fill with hot water. Realizing now that Melody did not have cable, Becky tried to hide her disappointment. She had anticipated a night of MTV.
As it turned out, Becky had a better time watching the movie than she could have ever imagined. Both she and Melody laughed at the rubber Godzilla costume, the wires holding up Mothra, the bad English over-dubbing, and the outdated special effects. The girls roared with laughter and finished the popcorn as Godzilla was finally defeated by two plastic caterpillars. Fully wrapped in a sticky webbing, Godzilla fell into the sea as the credits rolled.
“That was a hoot,” Melody laughed.
“Yeah it was,” Becky agreed. “Hey, let’s go upstairs. I got some stuff to show you.”
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