Free A Rose for Melinda by Lurlene McDaniel

B. knows deep down she's better off without him. According to B. he was makingtoo many demands on her anyway. I can guess what “demands” she means too.
    It's hard for her, though, because she's the kind of girl who always thinks she needs a guy. I've never been able to figure out why. She's a great person, fun to be with, always ready to do anything for a friend. I wish she could see herself through my eyes.
    I realize she's a little bit of a drama queen too. She tends to blow everything way out of proportion until it takes on gigantic importance. Good thing she wasn't the one who got leukemia. How would she have coped with that?
    “Merry Christmas, Melinda.”
    “Jesse? Is this really you?”
    “No … it's my evil twin. Just kidding.… How are you?”
    “I—I'm fine. And you?”
    “Fine. Listen, I called to thank you for the tape. And the Braves shirt. They're both perfect.”
    “You're welcome.… Thanks for the rose pendant. I'm wearing it now.”
    “I'm glad you like it. The tape is my favorite thing. You look so … so real. I've replayed the Chinese dance part so many times I can hum the music in my sleep.”
    “Tchaikovsky would be pleased to know that.”
    “You, um … looked beautiful. Even prettier than that famous ballerina you like so much.”
    “I don't think so, but thanks for saying it. So … what did you get for Christmas?”
    “My father sent a video camera. Said that if I won't come to him, then the least I can do is send tapes of my day-to-day life. It's a pretty good idea, actually. I can send you tapes too.”
    “Would you?”
    “I've taped our apartment and me and Mom opening presents this morning.”
    “How's your mom? We didn't get a Christmas letter from her this year.”
    “She's all right. Wrung out because she's taking an extra course this term. So tell me, is everything still okay with you?”
    “I guess so. My latest blood counts were normal. I'm going back to school in January. You know—back into the classroom. I'm excited, but sort of scared about it too.”
    “Why?”
    “I've been out ever since last May. Everybody's so far ahead of me. Not with studies and class work, but with friends and cliques and all the social stuff. Know what I mean?”
    “Bailey's there. She'll make sure you fit right in, won't she?”
    “She'll help, but I may be a total social retard. I'll have to see how the kids treat me.”
    “You didn't plan on getting cancer. They should be nice to you.”
    “We'll see, won't we?”
     When Jesse and I
talked, I really wanted to ask
him about Beth.
     You didn't, did you!?!
     No. I bailed. Lost my
nerve.
     Whew! So glad you
didn't, because I wasn't
supposed to tell you about her.
If he finds out I did, he'll never
tell me anything again!
     Then I'm doubly glad
I didn't. He tells you things he
doesn't tell me. It hurts my
feelings.
     Back up, girlfriend.
Why would he tell you about
another girl? Poor strategy.
     Do you think he
really likes Beth but is only
being nice to me for old time's
sake?
     NO WAY!!! He's not a
jerk like Kerry who's telling
everybody that he and I did IT
(which is a total lie, if anyone
says anything to you. Sure he
pressured me, but I held him off
and now am I ever glad I did!). I
can't wait until high school.
Maybe the guys will be more
mature.
     News flash,
Bailey … you've already dated
high school guys and didn't like
the way they treated you.
     So maybe I won't date
anybody. Most guys are jerks
anyway.
     Bailey without a
boyfriend? I won't believe it until
I see it. Not to change the
subject (OK, changing the
subject), want to come over
New Year's Eve and stay up with
me and watch the ball drop in
Times Square on TV? I'm going
to call Jesse and say happy
New Year at midnight. You can
wish him the same thing.
     New Year's Eve sounds
fine. Patti's having a party, but I
don't want to go because Kerry's
going to be there