This afternoon rolled around in the blink of an eye. No uniform disasters to interrupt my morning or cause anyone to miss school. The bottle of Downy is not being put to good use today. I have plenty. Jungkook hasn’t caused it to be sold out in this universe.
I didn’t hear about today’s lunchroom drama until I picked the kids up from school. After Janna recalls Lyric’s heroism, she heads for her room. A while later Kookie wanders out to the living room to practice his guitar while Janna and her friend study in her bedroom. I’m in the kitchen preparing dinner when I hear the beautiful strains of Kookie’s song he wrote for Melody. I sigh in relief when I realize that Emmie couldn’t come over this afternoon. No broken heart today.
I wander into the archway between the kitchen and the living room and lean against the doorpost as I watch my beloved son’s head bent over his guitar as he coaxes beautiful music from its strings. Suddenly, his voice blends with the melody as he sings of his adoration for a girl of the same name.
I glance up as, out of the corner of my eye, I notice a movement in the hallway behind Kookie. I stop breathing. Melody is standing there, staring at Kookie as, unbeknownst to him, he sings straight to her heart. She is not unaffected. Her face is, in fact, a mask of shock as she gazes intently at the back of Kookie’s raven head.
“Melody, Melody, you’re my love song. Melody, Melody, you keep me awake all night long. Please don’t tell me my feelings are wrong.”
I watch, breathless, as Kookie unknowingly sings his heart out to the girl of his dreams. Her face is a canvas across which so many emotions are chasing each other. Elation. Surprise. Tenderness. Vulnerability. I see them all written clearly on her countenance as Kookie continues to sing each verse about Melody and all she means to him. As the song comes to an end, he glances up at me and smiles before noticing my eyes intent on the face of one standing behind him. He turns towards the hallway, and he freezes as he stares in shock at the object of his affection. Kookie didn’t realize she was in the house until this very moment.
Then his head whips around, and his eyes find my own. Panic is written in his gaze. I try to communicate telepathically with him with my eyes. It’s OK, Kookie. Everything is going to be all right. He simply stares at me, angst emblazoned upon his own eyes. He is painfully embarrassed. Afraid she’s going to reject him.
I spare a thought for the millions of his fans in yesterday’s universe. Most would give a kidney to be standing in Melody’s shoes right now. Judging by the look on her face, she would make that same sacrifice too. Kookie closes his eyes and concentrates on breathing as Melody walks into the living room. She doesn’t seem to notice me. She sits down on the couch across from Kookie. His eyes are still closed, but I have the feeling he senses her presence, so he is slow to open his eyes, afraid of the coming confrontation. Neither of them says anything for a moment.
This situation is doubly awkward for me, but curiosity keeps me rooted to the spot. As far as I’m concerned, dinner can burn while I watch this drama unfold before me. How many people get to be a front row observer to Kookie’s love life? I’m not missing this for the world! Let alone for meatloaf!
I hear Janna’s voice in my head, “RIP meatloaf.” I know she’ll be greatly disappointed if it burns. But I can’t seem to turn around. My eyes are riveted to Kookie’s precious face. He’s still hiding behind his eyelids.
Melody clears her throat. Kookie’s eyes finally pop open. He stares blankly at her, afraid to make the first move. Melody suffers from no such qualms.
“Kookie, did you write that song for me?”
I can see his internal battle. I can just hear the lame excuse forming in his brain right now. “No, I wrote that song about a song. You know, melody? This melody keeps running through my brain all night long keeping me up. It’s always playing in my head. But I love this song.”
OK. Maybe he isn’t thinking that. But he’s also not saying anything. He’s just staring at her. The poker face is back. I can tell he’s mortified. But then something shifts in his gaze as her face falls.
“It’s OK, Kookie. I can see I put you on the spot. I’ll let you get back to practicing your guitar. Sorry I bothered you.” Even I can hear the tears in her voice.
Kookie unconsciously reaches for her, his right hand stretching towards her. “Wait, Melody. I—.” He’s still trying to spit the words out. “Yes, I wrote this song for you.” He rattles it off quickly, staring down at his guitar as he speaks, almost as though he really is talking to the song and not to the girl.
She spins around to face him, joy lighting up her countenance. “You did?” She sounds breathless, excitement weaving its way through her vocal cords.
He nods at her, unsure what to say now.
“Kookie, would you go to the homecoming dance with me?”
Now it’s his turn to look elated. His stunning grin suddenly transforms his face once more as he shows off his chubby teeth and hides his lovely eyes from view.
“OK,” he responds.
I can almost hear them both audibly sigh with relief. She smiles at him. “Great. Thanks.” Now she’s unsure what to say. “I, uh, Janna is probably wondering where I went. I’ll see you later, Kookie.”
He’s still smiling at her as she leaves the room. And I got to witness all this awkwardness. He watches her walk all the way to Janna’s room before he turns back towards me. Surprised, he looks up at me.
“Have you been here the whole time?” he asks me sheepishly.
I simply nod my head. Then he gives me a blinding grin. “You were right, Mom!”
Ah, yes! Music to my ears. I just grin at him before disappearing back into the kitchen. Time to check the meatloaf. I think it’s safe. I don’t smell anything burning. Janna will have to make a grave marker for a different meal.
