Chapter two. The phone call from Melanie's Uncle couldn't have been more perfectly timed

THE PHONE CALL from Melanie's uncle couldn't have been more perfectly timed. Melanie was just beginning to absorb the fact that she was now out of a job and had been wondering exactly what she would do with herself, when the phone rang.

Phillip Richter was a soft-spoken, kind man, who had always held a special place in Melanie's heart. The two of them had much in common, the most predominant being their work ethic and business savvy. Phillip was the Vice President of Marketing at a very large training firm in Philadelphia. He and Melanie shared long conversations about their work, Melanie attributing much of her success to her Uncle Phil's advice.

Phillip and his wife, Darlene, Melanie's mother's sister, had only one child, their daughter Samantha, who was two years older than Melanie. Despite their distinctly different personalities, the cousins had grown up quite close to one another. Each was an only child and knew the other was the closest to a sibling they were likely to get.

Melanie was pleasantly surprised to hear her uncle's voice.

" Hi there, Red, " he said with a smile in his voice.

Although her hair had gone from the strong red of her childhood to a softer, more mature auburn many years ago, Phillip Richter still used the pet name he had given his niece when she was three.

They breezed through the pleasantries, inquiring about the weather and each other's families. Then Phillip became serious.

" There is a specific reason I called, Red. I need your help, if possible."

" Sure, Uncle Phil. What's up? "

" Well, it's your cousin, Samantha. I'm afraid she's gotten herself into an unfavorable situation that I can't seem to get her out of."

" Really." Melanie knew Samantha all too well. She was probably in a situation she found very favorable, but Phillip wouldn't give her any more money.

Samantha Richter had been a wild, spoiled rotten teenager who blossomed earlier than most girls her age. Boys fell all over themselves to be near her, and she quickly learned to use that to her advantage. In school she drank, smoked, screwed around with everybody and their brother, and barely got her diploma. Melanie used to watch her in awe, sometimes disgusted at Samantha's behavior, sometimes envious of it. She helped her cousin with her studies, often actually doing papers and assignments for her.

Samantha, in turn, took Melanie under her wing socially, allowing her to tag along to parties and gatherings. Melanie was a quiet, shy, late bloomer, and having somebody as popular as Samantha vouch for her kept her from being picked on.

At parties, Melanie would stand near a wall or in a corner, invisible to everybody through the loud music and smoke of various substances.

She would watch in amazement as her beautiful blonde cousin worked the room. It was almost artistry, the way she commanded attention. Everybody, guys and girls alike, wanted to talk to her or bring her drinks or simply stand near her. She absorbed the desire like a sponge, and when she had had her fill, she would float in Melanie's direction, grasp her fifteen-year old hand, and make her grand exit. That was the moment Melanie loved, the looks of jealousy and disbelief on the faces of the party guests, because of all the worthy people in the room, Samantha chose to leave with the scrawny, flat-chested little redhead. Samantha had been invaluable to Melanie's fragile, teenage self-esteem.

" You knew she and Jeff split up, right? " Uncle Phil asked.

" I think Mom mentioned it around Christmas, " Melanie replied. She'd been surprised by the wedding in the first place. Neither Samantha nor Jeff had ever been faithful to anybody. Had they really thought getting married and moving to Rochester would solve the infidelity problems?

" Well, since he's been gone, Samantha's been having trouble with the bookstore. I think he must've run it, and since he's taken off with his little snow bunny, he's kind of left Sammy high and dry."

Melanie loved Phillip dearly, but his naï veté when it came to his daughter, or maybe it was just plain blindness, was a bit frustrating. Samantha had never been " left high and dry, " would never allow herself to be " left high and dry." If Jeff had left with his snow bunny, Melanie was sure that Samantha most likely had a little pet of her own. As for the bookstore, if Samantha was having trouble running it, that was probably because she didn't want to.

Phillip had given them the little shop for their first wedding anniversary, saying he knew Samantha had always loved books.

There was already strain in the marriage, and Melanie deduced the store was probably Phillip's attempt at stabilizing it. Jeff couldn't hold a job; Samantha didn't want a job. Maybe dropping a source of income in their laps would help the situation.

" Red, do you think maybe you could give her a call, talk to her about the business end of things? I've tried to do it myself, but she won't listen to me. I know she listens to you. She always has. I'd hate to see such a nice place go under because she doesn't know how to prevent it."

" And I'm sure you'd prefer she didn't completely throw your money away without at least trying to make the place work, " Melanie said with a smile, voicing the truth her uncle wouldn't.

He laughed heartily. " You got that right."

" Sure, Uncle Phil. I'll give her a call. I can't guarantee it will make a difference, but for you, I'll give it a shot."

" I have never gotten a favor out of Samantha that quickly. Would you be my kid? "

" I'll call her tonight. Love to Aunt Dar."

" You're the best, Red. Take care."