Melody by V.C. Andrews Page A

whole trip.”
    â€œVery funny,” I said with my hands on my hips. “But what about the door?”
    His laugh wound down like a dying lawn mower as he approached to inspect it. “When you close it,” he said after a moment, “just lift up on the handle.”
    â€œThank you.”
    I took hold of the door handle and stepped back intothe bathroom, closing the door as he had instructed. It still didn’t close tightly, but it would have to do. I heard them both giggling again.
    When I stepped out, I saw Archie had a bottle of gin and he was pouring some into two glasses. “This oughta take the chill out,” he said.
    They tapped glasses and swallowed.
    â€œI just noticed there’s no television set in the room,” Mommy said. “Did you bring something to read, Melody?”
    â€œNo. We left home too quickly, remember? I had to leave my books behind anyway because there was no room in the suitcases,” I complained. Archie leapt to his feet.
    â€œThat’s two! Two complaints! You’re the gopher.”
    Mommy laughed. They clinked glasses again.
    â€œWe really need something to mix this with, don’t you think, Haille?” “It would help,” she said.
    Archie dug into his pocket and produced two dollars.
    â€œWhy don’t you run down to the motel office and get us a can of tonic water or some ginger ale.” Archie thrust the money my way. “Stay under the overhang and you won’t get wet.”
    I looked at Mommy. She sat on the bed, a wide grin on her face. “Be a good sport, honey.”
    I plucked the bills from Archie’s hand and grabbed my coat on the way out the door, thinking I needed to get away from them for a while anyway. Their laughter followed as I slammed the door behind me.
    Looking around, I saw how dreary the motel was. The parking lot was torn up in many spots, and the neon sign had some letters burnt out. Closing my coat tightly around myself, I hurried under the overhang, noticing as I went that there apparently
were
other empty rooms.
    The office was small. Inside was a red imitation leather settee with slits and cracks in it, a worn cushioned chair, a coffee table, and the counter, behind which sat a short,bald man. He had long, bushy eyebrows and thick lips that looked as pale as day-old dead worms.
    When he smiled, I saw he was missing a lot of teeth.
    â€œHow can I help you?” he asked.
    â€œI need a can of tonic, please.”
    â€œThe machine’s broke, but I got some in the fridge back here,” he said, indicating a room behind his office. “Just tonic water?”
    â€œYes, please.”
    â€œOne minute.”
    He brought it out and I paid him a dollar. I noticed the pay phone on the wall behind the settee.
    â€œCan I have change for the phone, please?”
    â€œSure thing.”
    He gave it to me and I went to the phone. He sat again and picked up his magazine, but his attention was fixed on me.
    I dialed Alice’s phone number, put in the required change, and waited for her to answer. She did so on the second ring.
    â€œAlice, it’s Melody.”
    â€œWhere are you? I tried to call you four different times after school.”
    â€œOh, Alice, I don’t know where I am. Some place near Richmond, Virginia.”
    â€œRichmond, Virginia?”
    I gazed at the man behind the counter. He wasn’t pretending to be interested in anything but me now.
    I turned so that my back was to him and spoke as softly as I could. “We left, Alice. Mommy had it all planned. When I got home, she was packing. We’re with Archie Marlin,” I moaned.
    â€œWhat? Where are you going?”
    â€œProvincetown, on Cape Cod, at least at first. Then I don’t know. Mommy wants to find a new place to live.”
    â€œYou’re gone for good?” Alice asked incredulously.
    â€œYes.” My tears blinded me. “Could you say good-bye to everyone for me,