Melanie

By Meskerem W. Teshome

Melanie Miller never planned to lose her entire life at age seventeen. But when her parents die in a tragic accident, Melanie realizes her life is not hers to control anymore.

Just days after the accident, Melanie is placed in a group home with strangers. While she struggles to accept the turn her life has suddenly taken, Melanie must grieve the loss of her parents while attempting to convince herself that life will go on, especially after her uncle rejects the idea of becoming her guardian. Now as Melanie’s journey leads her to a new family, she faces more emotional turmoil than she ever imagined as anger, sadness, and confusion bubble to the surface. As Melanie is forced to confront some harsh realizations, she must look within for the answers as her future—and her purpose—wait.

Melanie shares the poignant tale of a teenager’s challenges after her parents are killed in a car accident and she is left to find her way in an uncertain world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Sep 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483453798

Book preview

Teshome

Copyright © 2015, 2016 Meskerem W. Teshome.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-5378-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-5379-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016909926

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 08/29/2016

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 1

I couldn’t quite figure out the song by Usher that was blasting on the radio. Maybe I was going deaf. Maybe I was just a little tired. Maybe I was a lot tired.

I was half-asleep in the back of my dad’s SUV as he drove Mom and me home after a day in Savannah, Georgia. It was a long day filled with lots of walking and hot dogs—too many hot dogs. My legs and stomach felt like they were going to crawl away. I wished they would, actually. I groaned and shifted to look out the window. The song seemed to go with the scene outside.

Just as I was about to close my eyes and try to drift away, my mom said something. I slowly opened my eyes.

Well? she said, looking at me.

I didn’t hear you, I said, rubbing my eyes.

Do you mind if we make a quick stop at the store? I want to pick up some eggs and orange juice for breakfast. Or would you rather go home?

Sure, I said, yawning.

Dad winked at me in the rearview mirror, and I lazily smiled back. He signaled the car left and began to turn.

In less than a second, the car jerked.

Dad slammed the brakes. My head flew back. Everything happened so quickly. There was screaming, lights, the smell of blood, and pain shooting up my leg. The last thing I saw was the time on the car dashboard: 10:00.

6:00 a.m.

When I woke up the next morning, the first thing I saw was a bright ceiling. The first thing I smelled was medicine. I looked around and saw a man with his back to me.

Hello? I said, but my voice came out as a whisper. I started to sit up.

The man turned around and faced me. Good morning, Miss Miller! he said, walking toward me. His voice and footsteps echoed through the room; every sound was so loud. I tried to move, but I felt a jab in my right leg and flinched.

Don’t get up! You injured your leg in the accident, he said, slowly adjusting the position of my leg.

I lay back down. Accident?

He gave me a puzzled and worried look. Well, I’m pretty sure you didn’t hit your head. Do you know your name?

I thought about it. Did I? Of course I did. Melanie Miller.

Good! Good! Now what are your parents’ names?

Aaron Miller and Lynda Miller. Is this some kind of a test?

Okay, good. Now do you know what happened last night?

I hope I’m getting an A. My head was pounding. I closed my eyes and tried to recall what had happened the night before. My head continued throbbing.

Well, my parents and I were driving home from a day out, and my mom wanted to stop at a store for some groceries … and then my dad suddenly hit the brakes, and there was screaming and lots of lights. I’m not sure what happened. Is that the accident you’re talking about?

He sighed deeply and sat down on a chair next to the bed. Yes.

So where are they? My parents?

When he didn’t respond, I stared at him. He looked very stressed and hurt. I gave him a hard look till he opened his mouth to speak.

Melanie, I’m sorry, but … your parents passed away after the crash. We tried everything we could, but there was nothing we could do. I’m so sorry.

My eyes widened as my heart plunged, literally shaking my whole body. Then a picture of the time popped into my head: 10:00. My head filled with screaming, lights, and the smell of blood. My leg started throbbing in rhythm with my head. And then I was gone.

12:00 p.m.

When I woke up, everything that had happened immediately popped into my head. Flashes of leaving the house with Mom and Dad, getting in the SUV, and laughing at some joke Dad made. I remembered reaching the city, going on the carriage ride, waving at random strangers as if I were royalty. We ate at a restaurant with a fancy French name I couldn’t pronounce. Dad and I made fun of the weird dishes; Mom told me to stop being rude, but Dad continued for me. We walked in the park and chased birds while Mom snapped away with her camera. I felt like a child when Dad yelled, You know you’re seventeen, right? I laughed and fell on the grass, looking up at the clouds till they joined me.

My brain was fast-forwarding my memories. I started to have flashbacks of my childhood. My life flashed before my eyes. Am I dying? I wondered.

Are you awake?

It sounded like a lady. I opened my eyes and saw a woman in her late twenties. She was pretty and had the brightest green eyes I’d ever seen. She smiled and came closer. I’m Nurse Riley. I need to check a few things to make sure everything is okay. First, how’s your head feeling?

I nodded slightly. It’s fine.

Good. What about your leg? Can you move it without any pain?

I moved my left leg. It was fine. I moved my right leg. There was a slight pain. My right leg kind of hurts above the ankle. What happened to it?

She lifted my sheets, touched the area where it hurt, and started to unwrap the bandages. They were stained with blood.

Upon impact, your leg must have jammed against the driver’s seat. Glass also shattered on your skin. The cut wasn’t too deep, but it will hurt for a few more days. You’ll be fine, she said with a grin.

She wrapped a new bandage around my leg, took my temperature, and checked my pulse.

Now sit up for me, sweetie, so I can fix your pillows.

I leaned forward and sat up while she did her job. I could see the hallway through the windows. Women and men ran around in uniforms, talking fast and shouting orders. I also saw what must have been a few patients’ family members with tissues pacing around. Some held babies.

I felt a pang as I realized that no one was out there for me. My eyes started to water.

Nurse Riley cleared her throat. Melanie, honey, you can lie back down.

I need to use the restroom now. I mean, can I use the restroom, please? I corrected myself after realizing how rude and demanding I sounded.

She simply nodded and pulled back my sheets. She gently took my arm, helped me off the bed, and led me to the restroom.

When I closed the door behind me, I felt so alone that I turned around to get out. Wait, what am I doing? I took a deep breath. It’s fine. I’m okay.

After I finished, I went to the sink, looked in the mirror, and washed my hands. I looked like I always did when I woke up. My hair was tied back, but loose strands surrounded my face. I had a slight bump on my forehead. I hated it. I left that crash with an injured leg and a small bump, and Mom and Dad had lost their lives. I wished I had said no when Mom asked me if we should stop at the grocery store. I wished I had been more alert to warn them before it was too late.

I hate this! It’s not fair! I looked down and cried and cried and cried, hoping the pain in my heart would go away. But it didn’t. My life is officially over.

When I walked out of the restroom, my eyes were red and puffy.

Nurse Riley was sitting a few feet away from the door, probably wondering why I’d taken so long. Sweetie, are you okay? she asked, standing up.

I nodded.

Okay. Can you walk back to the bed by yourself?

Sure, I managed to say. I started to walk. It wasn’t that hard, but I was embarrassed by how long it took me to limp to the bed.

She didn’t seem to mind.

When I got back in bed, I sighed loudly.

Nurse Riley laughed aloud, which made me jump. The sound of laughter didn’t exactly fit in a place like this. How can she be happy? Her face was flushed, and she looked even prettier, which was hard to believe. Her pleasantness made me feel good.

After she’d finished, she looked at me with a serious expression. An officer and a social worker will be here in two hours to speak to you. Don’t be nervous. What happened last night was not a crime scene. Just tell them what happened, and everything will be okay.

I didn’t like the sound of a social worker. I frowned. Will you be here when they come?

Do you want me to be here?

I looked down. Yeah. That would be nice.

Then, yes, I will be here. Just for you, Melanie.

I smiled. Thank you, I whispered.

3:00 p.m.

Two hours went by way too fast. I looked out at the hallway; it was still pretty busy. I wondered what kind of patient Riley was with or if she was on a break. I was getting bored with nothing to do.

The door opened, and a plump, middle-aged woman walked in with a cart of food. Hello, Miss Miller, she said.

Hi.

I brought you some food.

Thanks.

I really wasn’t in the mood to eat since my head was starting to hurt again, but my stomach growled. Great timing. She set up tenders, salad, and a cup of water next to me. I was kind of hoping for a lot more, but I wasn’t trying to be ungrateful. I smiled and thanked her again.

She checked my bandages and left.

I ate as quickly as I could before the social worker and officer arrived.

As I finished my water, they walked in. The officer was in uniform and looked awfully mean.

The social worker was dressed casually and looked more pleasant. He had laugh lines around his eyes.

Melanie Miller? the officer asked.

Yes? I responded, wiping my mouth.

I’m Officer Cordell, and this is your social worker, Chris Walker.

Chris nodded and smiled at me. Nice to meet you, Melanie, he said.

They pulled up two chairs from the corner and placed them near my bed. Nobody said anything.

Officer Cordell checked his phone and placed it near my plate.

Chris looked around the room. It looked as if he expected something more than a hospital room.

The officer finally looked at me. Now tell me what actually happened during the night of the accident, he said in an annoyed tone.

You mean what you already know, I shot back. How dare he be annoyed with me? I’m the one who lost my two favorite people in the world, and he acted as if he had better things to do.

Please don’t get smart, miss. I need answers to finish the case. Don’t be a hassle.

I just lost my parents. You act as if I did all this on purpose and I’m happy here. I never wanted any of this to happen. You’re an officer. I’m sure they told you what happened if you weren’t there yourself!

I was pissed off. I thought I was going to explode. I started to breathe hard, and my eyes started to water up. Take a deep breath. Calm down. Chris Walker looked sorry for me, which angered me more. I didn’t want anyone’s sympathy. I felt alone, and Nurse Riley hadn’t even shown up. I feel stupid for even thinking she cared.

Cordell, leave her alone. We both know what happened to her. Why don’t you ask her something we don’t know, Chris said calmly.

Officer Cordell rolled his eyes. Okay, Melanie, what caused the crash?

He still sounded irritated, but I let it go. What is the point of arguing with an officer?

I don’t know what caused the accident. I was sort of half-asleep. I just remember it was—

Riley burst into the room, panting.

My face brightened.

Oh, Melanie! I’m so sorry I’m late. I had to change some sheets on the fifth floor. She nearly flew to the other side of my bed and sat next to me. She brushed a strand of hair out of my face and smiled at me.

Officer Cordell and Chris looked surprised and confused.

Riley reached out and shook both of their hands. I’m Nurse Riley. I am here upon Melanie’s request.

Uh-huh. Great. Anyways, go on with your story, Melanie, Officer Cordell said.

All I remember was it being ten o’clock. I heard screaming, and I’m guessing it was my mom’s voice. I smelled blood, and I could feel pain shooting up my leg. That’s all I know.

That’s it?

Yes.

Really?

What do you mean?

Is he serious? I clearly just told him what I know, and he thinks I’m kidding! This man really wants to get hit.

Riley patted my hand, and I calmed down again.

The officer got up. I think it’s time for me to leave. This isn’t helping the case much.

Chris gave him a stern look. For the last time, Cordell, this isn’t a crime case. It was just an accident. What do you want her to tell you? That her parents were drunk or there was a shooting? I’m sure you have enough info to wrap up this case. Aaron and Lynda’s deaths were an accident.

I flinched, held back my tears, and bit my lip.

Officer Cordell shook his head and walked out.

I’m sorry for his behavior, Melanie. He just wants a big case to bust. The officers that were there at the scene already reported that this was not your parents’ fault. The other driver was drunk and turned into your dad’s lane. Your dad suffered severe cuts to his chest, and his head hit the dashboard. Sadly the air bag didn’t do much for him. He died instantly from the pressure against his skull. Your mom was crushed when the car hit her side. She also died instantly. I’m really sorry for your loss. This really pains me, especially knowing that your grandparents are also gone. Your mom and dad were the only children in their families. I’m sorry, Melanie.

It was horrible to hear how my parents died. I couldn’t even imagine how much pain they must have gone through. I felt sick. I survived, but they didn’t. I began to cry.

Riley pulled me into her arms, and I cried my eyes out.

It’s not fair, I said over and over.

Riley rubbed my back and shushed me. Her comfort made me cry even more. I no longer had a