"Someone's taking me to dinner," I said softly, not looking up at her.

"Oh? Who?"

"Mel Jensen," I said. When I looked up at her I saw a look of surprise on her face.

"Really? Well, you be careful," she said.

"Watch what you say, what you tell him. Men can get you to trust them too much too fast," she warned.

"I suppose you'd know," I said. Her back straightened and a sharp look came into her eyes.

"Don't be disrespectful, Melody."

"I'm not. I'm just . . . Sis, when can you and I sit down and have a real conversation? When can we be like we used to be, just for a little while?"

"I don't know," she said, a little sadly. "I don't know if we ever can. That's why . . . that's why it might have been better if you never came looking for me, Melody. I'm sorry," she said. "I just don't know."

We stared at each other a moment and then she returned to the living room and left with Richard. My heart felt as if it had sunk like a chunk of coal into my stomach. I sat on the bed and buried my face in my hands, choking on dry sobs. Billy Maxwell was so right when he said people changed because of where they were and what they were doing. He warned me to expect Mammy might be a very different person. But was she different? Perhaps she was the same woman she had always been,- but the woman I had refused to permit myself to see. I took a deep breath and sat straight, wondering what I should do. Should I just leave her, try to forget I had a mother, or should I remain and do battle with her fantasies and her phony knight in shining armor? How would I ever get her to listen to anything I had to say?

I was in such a confused and troubled state of mind I forgot all about Mel until he came knocking on the apartment door.

"Ready?" he asked when I opened the door.

"Oh Mel. I forgot. I'm sorry." I looked down at myself wearing an apron over dungarees. "I'll just be a minute," I said. "Come on in."

I rushed into the bedroom to pick out something to wear and then I hurried into the bathroom to brush my hair and put on some lipstick. Mel sat on the sofa laughing as I paraded back and forth.

"It's all right. Take your time," he called.

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and tried to calm my nerves before appearing before him again.

"Voila, "he said, standing. "Remarkable metamorphosis. You look great."

"I don't feel great," I moaned. He opened the door and stepped back so I could pass.

"So, tell me, how did Marlin take your not going through with the assignment?" he asked as we descended in the elevator.

"He was furious. He said I hurt his reputation."

"I bet. Not to mention his pocketbook. I was offered those kinds of films, too."

"You were?"

"Sure. A lot of would be's think that's the way to get into the business, and unfortunately they get taken advantage of. This is a tough place, a city with sharp teeth that devours the pure of heart," he remarked.

"Then why do you stay?" I asked.

"It's where it's at," he replied with a shrug.

"And, I'm not so pure at heart." He put his arm though mine and led me out of the complex.

The restaurant was small and cozy, just as he had described and the food was delicious. Mel talked about himself, telling me all about his home and his family. Every time he asked me questions, I had to check myself to be sure I wasn't saying anything that would give away all of Mommy and Richard's lies. I tried to say as little as I could. Finally, he sat back and narrowed his eyes.

"Getting you to talk about yourself is like pulling teeth. Why is that?"

"I don't know," I said shifting my eyes down quickly. He continued to stare.

"Are you really just visiting or did you run away from home?" he pursued. I raised my eyes and smiled.

"Run away from home? What makes you think that?"

"I've met a number of runaways and they act a lot like you, evading, giving only the bare minimum when asked a question."

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm just visiting," I said and he laughed.

"Fine."

"I am!"

Why was it every man I met could be so infuriating, thinking they knew me better than I knew myself?

"They've got great spumoni," he said and ordered some for us.

"I hate to see you spend your money on me," I told him, calming down slowly. "I know how hard it is for you."

"That's okay. Actually, I asked you out both to be with you and to have you celebrate with me. I got a part in a theatrical production that will open in two months. I had auditioned for them so long ago, I forgot all about it and wrote it off, but out of the blue, my agent received a call and called me just before I left to pick you up tonight."

"Congratulations. That's wonderful, Mel."

"I expect you to be in the front row opening night," he said. "Now," he continued, turning more serious, "what this means, I realized, was I have to give up my job at the supermarket. I spoke to the manager this afternoon and told him I had someone responsible to take my place. He thought it was fine.

So, congratulations to you. You'll get your job in about three more days, if you really want it."

"Good," I said. "Now Richard won't be able to complain about me. Thank you."

"Of course, I think you should aim higher. You have talent and you look great," he said. "But you've got to want it, be hungry for it."

"But I don't want it," I said and he stared at me with that curious smile on his face.

"Maybe that's what intrigues me the most about you," he said.

"What?"

"Your ability to resist the temptation, your lack of ego. You're just the type who succeeds," he added.

I looked at him, at that impish grin on his face.

It amazed me how other people saw things in me I never saw in myself.

After we walked home, Mel asked me if I wanted to come up to his apartment.

"We could listen to some music. My roommates are out for the night."

"I don't know," I said. "I promised my sister I wouldn't stay out late."

"It's not late," he insisted. "I'd like to dance for you, too."

"Dance?"

"Sure. I'll show you what I did at the audition for this show. Okay?"

It sounded interesting so I agreed and we went up to his apartment.

"You'll have to excuse the mess," he warned me at the door. "Remember, three guys live here."

It didn't look anywhere near as cluttered and dusty as Mommy's apartment had been before I had started to clean it. I told Mel and he laughed.

"Want something to drink? More wine, perhaps?"

"I suppose wine's all right," I said and he poured me a glass. After he did, he went in to his bedroom to put on his dancing clothes. I heard the music first and then suddenly, he leaped into the room, wearing the tightest top and pants I had ever seen, so tight they left nothing about him to the imagination. He spun on his toes and lifted his legs so high, I lost my breath, especially when he did it right in front of me.

The music became faster, the beat harder. He mixed ballet steps with slides and turns that were dazzling. Finally, he stopped and stood before me, breathing hard, his face flushed with excitement. I felt flushed myself from the wine and his performance.

"Well?"

"You're wonderful," I said. "I can't imagine you not succeeding."

He laughed and stepped closer. The music continued, softer, slower. He reached out to take my hand.

I started to shake my head, but he pulled harder until I stood and we were dancing cheek to cheek, his hard, fast breathing on my neck. When I caught sight of us reflected in the window, it looked like I was dancing with a naked man. My own breathing quickened as his slowed and then he smiled at me and kissed me softly. I felt him push against my thighs.

"You're so sweet," he said. "I really like you."

He kissed me again, but I didn't let his lips linger on mine. I stepped back, bowing my head and, when I looked down at him and saw how excited he was, I felt my heart flutter and my breath grow short.

"I've got to get home," I said.

"Melody . ."

He stepped toward me.

"I really do, Mel. Please."

"Okay," he said. "I don't force myself on anyone, but I hope you like me."

"I do, but not that way. I'm sorry," I said. "I'm sure there are a lot of girls who would love to be up here with you," I added.

He smirked."

"Very few like you. Okay, I'll give it time," he said. "Consider this my first audition. Maybe, you'll give me a call back, okay?"

I laughed and tried to shift my eyes from his very revealed body. I found my purse and headed toward the door.

"If you wait for me to change again, I'll walk you home."

"No, that's all right. Thanks for dinner."

"I'll call you about the supermarket job," he said. "Thanks."

I hurried out the door and when I looked back, I saw him standing there, smiling after me. I waved and descended the stairs, feeling as if I were fleeing.

But was I fleeing from him or from myself? For the first time, I thought I was really more afraid of my own weakness and desire. This was a place filled with many different kinds of temptations. The Egyptian Gardens might as well be the Garden of Eden, I concluded and half expected a snake to come up and whisper in my ear as I crossed the courtyard to our building and made my way up to our apartment.

The phone was ringing as I entered. I hurried to it and after my first hello, I heard nothing.

"Hello?" I said again. I heard a deep breath and then . . .

"Where were you?" Cary asked.

"I was out to dinner, Cary. What's wrong?"

"Dad's dead," he said. "He had another heart attack in the CCU and he died." He laughed strangely.

"I couldn't think of anyone else to call but you and you were out to dinner."

"Cary, I'm so sorry."

"Yeah, well, it won't be the wrong person in his grave, will it?"

"Cary-"

"I'm tired. It's very late here. I ran down to the docks when I came home and I just stood there looking out at the ocean and thinking about all the trips he and I made together. Funny," he said huskily, "now you and I are both without fathers."

"I'll be back as soon as I can, Cary. I promise."

"Okay," he said in a small voice.

And then he hung up and left me crying for both of us.

10.

Revelations .