Life Of Melanie (Completed)

The next morning I awoke to the chatter of campers, packing their things and getting ready to go home. Lazily I rubbed my eyes trying to get adjusted to the bright room. Then my mind went to the night before and the events that took place. Still laying on my cot I could feel my mouth involuntarily smile. I wondered of people thought I was crazy, smiling for no reason. Well, I had a reason, they just didn't know what it was. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes with the tips of my fingers, I wondered what time it was. Leaning up on my elbows I asked the first girl that passed, "Excuse me, do you know what time it is?"

The girl lifted her wrist and looked at her watch, "It's ten till nine."
"Oh my God!" I said as I sprung up off of the cot. I had to leave in an hour for the airport. I couldn't believe they had actually let me sleep this late. They were usually in here with an air horn at the butt crack of dawn. I ran to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. I wanted to see Brice before I left, and I still had final weigh-in. Throwing on some clothes that practically fell off of my body, I headed for the door. I was stopped by the same freckle faced girl who had been waiting for the pay phone.
"You're Melanie right?" She asked.
"Yes," I replied.
"Some guy was here earlier looking for you, I told him you were still asleep," she said.
I knew she could see the disappointment that hit me like a ton of bricks.
Quickly she added, "I would have woke you up, but he said not to, but," she said reaching into her back pocket, " He gave me this to give to you."
When she handed me the folded sheet of paper, I almost lost it. I just wanted to cry. About everything. After thanking her I went back over to my cot and sat down.

Unfolding the note, I leaned back into my pillow to read it.



Melanie,

Hey beautiful! It's nearly six a.m., and I have been thinking about you from the moment I opened my eyes. My dad and I are leaving soon. I hope I will get to see you before we go, but I am writing this just in case I don't. Last night was amazing, it really sucks that our timing was so shitty. I just wanted you to know that I will always remember out moment in time. I feel like an idiot because I don't know my new address, but if you want to write me, just send it here. My dad will make sure that I get it. I hope that you do write. Oh yea, thanks again for saving me from that God forsaken dance.


Sincerely,
Brice Palmer



I know it didn't say much, but it was enough to let me know I hadn't dreamed the whole thing. Putting the note to my chest I let one single tear escape my eye. It's funny how I could feel so connected to someone I only knew for one day. It's the classic bitter sweet ending of summer love.........or like whatever. Dragging myself off of the bed, I folded the note and put it in the back pocket of my baggy shorts.

"Okay girls last weight-in is in ten minutes, for those of you that leave on the first shuttle to the airport, please have you luggage out front before you leave this cabin. Anything still in here at 10am will be left. Now get a move on." announced the counselor.

I looked around my ‘area' making sure I had left nothing behind, I picked up my suit case and carry on and headed for the door. Leaving my things at the luggage pick up, I walked the short distance to the gym.

Once inside I took my spot in line. This would be the first time in my six weeks (minus a day) of hell that I would be able to see the scale when I was weighed. All around me were cheers of joy, and tears of sadness. People happy they had accomplished a goal, and people sad because they have to say goodbye. I was sad as well, because the only person I had to say goodbye too was already gone. Standing there feeling sorry for myself, I didn't hear when it was my turn.
"Melanie.....Akins," the councilor called.
The girl behind me gave me a little tap, "Hey it's your turn."
Snapping out of my daze I looked at the girl and said I was sorry.
Stepping up to that scale, almost felt like walking a plank. All of the sudden I was very nervous as I stepped out of my shoes. ‘This was it, this is why I am here,' I thought to myself. Looking at the counselor's smiling face brought me no comfort. I almost wanted to run away, but I stopped myself.
"Melanie," the counselor got my attention, " when you arrived at the camp you weighed 151 pounds." Looking at her I nodded nervously as I stepped on the scale and closed my eyes. Wanting to know, but not wanting to see what the scale read, I just stood there a minute.
Then I heard a gasp.
"Congratulations Melanie, you have lost 31 pounds in six weeks. That is fantastic!" With her statement my eyes flew open. I looked down at the glowing red digital numbers that read 120 pounds. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The counselor that weighed me came up beside me and gave me a pat on the back. "All of those extra hours in the gym really paid off," she said with her hand still on my back. "Now all you have to do is maintain. Excellent work."

Still staring at the numbers in disbelief I started to cry. I don't know if it was shock or relief or maybe both, but all I could think was I lost 31 pounds. Sliding back into my shoes I left the gym in a daze. I had a half hour to kill before the shuttle pick up for the airport, so I decided to take a stroll by the lake.

I could feel where my tears had fallen when I felt a cool breeze hit my face. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. My mind was racing. Everything seemed so jumbled. I had only expected half that........31 pounds. ‘Well I did it', I said to myself as I sat down and leaned against a tree. A million things were all coming to me at once. ‘What is mom going to say, will the kids at school notice, Clarissa is going to freak, I have to get all new clothes.' Then it hit me like a bolt of lightening, my mother was right. My life is going to change, it already has changed. And she was responsible. Sure, I did all the work, but I would never have come here if it wasn't for her. I would never have met Brice. I would have never thought any of this was possible. As much as I hated, I mean HATED, to admit it, my mother deserved an apology, and a thank you. I couldn't wait to see her so I could give her both.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


I thought the flight would never end. It was just my luck, I was sat right next to a screaming baby and its mother. The three hour trip felt like eons. By the time we landed, I had a splitting headache. Following the passengers single file down the isle, I felt my stomach tie in knots. I got nauseous and light headed. My heart was pounding when I reached the gate entrance. I just stood there for a moment, letting the other passengers pass me by. I tried to think of the right words to say when I saw my parents, my mind had gone blank.

When the last person from the plane passed me, I knew I had to go soon. I had to face her. I was scared, and excited all at the same time. I took a few deep breaths, and made my way step by step to the front of the entrance.

There with a huge poster board that read ‘WELCOME HOME MELANIE' was my mother. She was scanning the crowd of people that had just emerged from the gate. My father was standing beside her with his hand on her shoulder. I took a few more steps toward them, and stopped. For a second I just watched them trying to find me. They looked so eager, and maybe a little worried. They looked like parents that loved their daughter. Taking another deep breath, I began slowly making my way towards them.

My father spotted me first. He looked speechless. He gently tapped my mother's shoulder and pointed in my direction. When our eyes met, my tears began to fall. My mother dropped the sign she was holding, and covered her mouth with her hands. I could see she was also crying. My dad put his arm around her and held her close. I dropped my carry on bag right where I stood and ran to them. Throwing my arms around them both, I just sobbed. I let out all of the frustrations and anger. My mother cried just as hard as I did. The three of us clung together. I could feel my dad break away first. He walked over and picked up my carry on, while my mother and I continued our embrace. It felt good......it felt better than I could have ever imagined. I pulled back and looked at my mother in her eyes. I hadn't noticed before but they were exactly the same as mine, for a moment it felt like looking in a mirror.

"I love you mom." was all I could say at the moment.
She hugged me tight against her, and pressed my face to her chest, "Oh honey.......I love you too.....so much."

Once we regained control of our emotions, she took my hand and twirled me around to get a better look.
"Melanie, you look amazing, you must have lost at least 20 pounds," my mother said beaming ear to ear.
Feeling happier than I have ever been, I started strutting my stuff, " 31 pounds to be exact."
My dad cleared his throat, " Melanie, we are so proud of you honey, we always knew you could do it."
Smiling I reached up on my tip toes and pecked him on the cheek. "Thanks dad."

My mother just stared at me. She had a look of pure joy on her face. It made me feel great knowing I was the one to put that smile on her face. It was even better because I knew that she wasn't faking it this time.

Taking both my parents by the hand I said, " I am so ready to go home, but we need to go to the mall first, " I smiled and looked at my mother, " cause all of my clothes are too big."