Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Rocky could still hear the shower. She’d been in there forever. He couldn’t imagine how she’d survived in that nightmare of an apartment.

Turning on the TV, he flipped through the channels before finding one that featured lighthearted cartoons. He fixed himself an evening glass of milk and concocted a chocolate one for Melissa when he heard the shower stop.

A few minutes later, he saw her peek around the corner. She looked enchanting with her wet, tousled hair and oversized nightshirt.

“Hi, sweetheart. Come on in. You can join me in my nightly tradition of a glass of milk.”

“You drink milk?” she asked, gliding into the room slowly.

“Every day. Healthy bones are important. I snuck some chocolate into yours,” he told her, holding out an icy glass.

“Yum. I haven’t had that for years.” She sat down on the chair next to his place on the couch to take a drink. “Mmm. That’s good.”

“I’m glad you like it.” Rocky held his glass out to toast her and smiled as she clinked her glass to his with a giggle. “I thought I might watch some TV to relax before bedtime. What do you like?”

She shrugged. “I don’t watch a lot of TV. I like to read in bed at night.”

Rocky pictured the inside of her apartment and realized she hadn’t had a TV. The living space had been completely empty except for the two rickety chairs. “I turned on cartoons, but we can change this to something else.”

“No, this is fine,” she answered, sliding back fully in her chair and taking another big drink of milk as she focused on the TV. Melissa jumped when the illustrated dog on the screen turned the corner to find a hairy monster waiting for him.

“Too scary?” Rocky asked, reaching for the remote.

“No. Don’t change it. I have to see the end or I’ll worry. I don’t sleep very well, but I’ll try to be quiet.” She dropped her eyes to her knees before adding, “I probably should have told you before you brought me home.”

“I think everyone has nightmares sometimes, Melissa.”

“Even you?”

“Of course. Watch. I think their plan to trap the monster is working.” He pointed at the screen.

A few minutes later, one of the good guys pulled the head of the monster costume off to reveal the angry, next-door neighbor. Rocky watched Melissa sag against the back cushion in relief. He made a mental note to make sure to time movies or programs so that she saw the bad guys get caught. And to choose wisely what she should watch.

As the cartoon ended, a wide yawn stretched Melissa’s jaw, and she slapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry.”

Rocky turned off the TV and announced, “Bedtime.”

“Oh, you can keep watching,” she assured him before raising her glass to drain the last sip.

“How about if I come read you a story?”

“You know how to read stories?” she asked, and then blushed adorably. “I mean, I know you know how to read.”

“I’ve been practicing. Go brush your teeth and I’ll put these glasses in the dishwasher. I left a new toothbrush and toothpaste out for you in the bathroom.”

“I’ve got one.”

“It’s always a good idea to have a new toothbrush. I keep an assortment in the first drawer. Browse through the colors and choose your favorite,” Rocky told her.

She darted out of the room. Rocky stowed the glasses and turned off all the lights. When he got to the guest room across the hall from the large main bedroom, he opened the closed door and stepped inside to select a book from the large shelving unit. With the perfect bedtime story in hand, he exited and carefully closed the bedroom door. He’d show that area to Melissa soon.

Stopping at the next door, Rocky knocked on the door frame as he peeked inside. Melissa was snug under the covers with all the lights on. “Comfy?” he asked, noticing a lump under the covers at her side. How long would it take her to share her stuffie with him?

He towed a chair next to the bed and turned on the bedside lamp. “How about if we turn off the big light?”

She hesitated before admitting, “I don’t like the dark.”

“I won’t turn off all the lights. I promise. Let’s try it and you can tell me if you need more light.”

Rocky flipped off the overhead light and heard her gasp. Immediately, he switched on the lamp on the other side of the bed as well. “How’s that?”

“That’s okay,” she whispered. “Sorry, I’m a scaredy-cat.”

“You just don’t want me to strain my eyes as I read. You are so thoughtful,” he complimented her.

Her face transformed from frightened and embarrassed to happy as she nodded. “You’re really going to tell me a story?”

“I am.”

Rocky settled on the chair and showed her the colorful cover. “This is one of my favorites. I’m so glad you’re here so I can share it with you.”

“It’s about Christmas?” she said in awe. “I keep forgetting that it’s December.”

“It’s all about how Santa makes his good and naughty list.”

“I’m always good,” she bragged.

“I bet you have a naughty side,” he teased.

She shook her head dramatically. “No way. I’m a good girl.”

“Then Santa should put you on his good list. Let’s see…”

Rocky began reading the light-hearted holiday story. It was fun to share with colorful illustrations and a lilting pattern of words. With each page he shared, Melissa relaxed back on the pillows and snuggled a bit more into the soft bedding. Her eyes drooped and the stuffie hidden under the covers crept up to peek at him as she drew the plush animal fully into her arms.

He didn’t pause, but continued to read until he reached the last period. Rocky sat for a couple of minutes, watching her breathe. He’d never seen a more enchanting picture in his life. Thank you, PLAYTIME.

Finally, forcing himself to stand and quietly shift the chair away from the bedside, Rocky tiptoed out of the room. He didn’t touch the lamps, instead leaving them glowing to interrupt the darkness. Cracking the door open, he crossed the hall and got ready for bed.

After his shower, it was still too early for him to call it a night. He pulled on a pair of sleep pants he wore on the rare occasion he had family or guests spending the night. Stretching out on the comforter, Rocky propped himself against his pillows and did some shopping. Thanks to a high-school job at a clothing retailer, he could judge sizes well. He ordered a few things for Melissa, including a fuzzy robe, slippers, and some basics like underwear and sports bras that would fit a range of sizes. A bathing suit completed his purchases. She hadn’t noticed the pool—much less that a glass enclosure protected it in the winter.

A slight sound caught his attention. Rocky looked toward the hallway and heard it again. He swung his legs out of bed and headed for the door, bursting into a run as “Help! Someone help!” sounded from the guest room.

“Melissa, what’s wrong?” Rocky asked, flipping on the ceiling light.

“Help me!”

He threw himself to his knees by the side of the bed and hesitated. Still trapped in the dream, his Little girl hadn’t woken up yet. He didn’t want to scare her.

“Melissa, you need to wake up. You’re safe. You’re in my house with me. I won’t let anything hurt you,” he promised.

Her eyes flew open, and her gaze fused with his. He watched the panic ebb away.

“You’re okay, little girl. I’ve got you,” he promised.

She bolted forward to wrap her arms around his neck and press herself against his chest. Automatically, Rocky hugged her tightly. He rocked slightly from side to side to comfort her. “I’ve got you, Melissa. You’re okay, sweetheart.”

“I dreamt I was back in my apartment and a rat made it onto my bed. He was nibbling at my toes. Rwahr Rwahr couldn’t catch him,” she whispered.

“Come here, baby. Let me make sure you’re okay.”

Rocky stood and scooped her off the mattress. He took a seat on the bed, holding her in his lap. Stroking a hand down her leg, he touched each toe on both feet. When he finished her second pinky toe, he felt her relax against him.

“There wasn’t a rat?” she asked.

“Rats are not allowed in my house, little girl. I’ll call the exterminator tomorrow to come double-check and set traps for any rodents. Will that help you feel safer?”

“Yes, please.” She nodded eagerly.

“Then that’s what we’ll do. Do you think you can go back to sleep with Rwahr Rwahr?” He picked up the lion, who was peeking out from under the covers, and tucked him back into her arms.

“It’s silly to sleep with a stuffie,” she mumbled.

“Not when it’s Rwahr Rwahr. He’s the perfect guard lion,” Rocky assured her.

Her nod and quick smile went to his heart. Rocky leaned forward to press his lips against hers softly. She tilted her head up to request more. He allowed himself to deepen the kiss slightly before leaning back.

“Can we sleep with you? I won’t bother you,” she promised earnestly. “You could box all the rats away.”

“Of course you can sleep in Daddy’s bed.”

“Daddy?” she repeated.

“When you’re ready to call me Daddy, I’m ready, little girl. I don’t have any doubts that Santa sent you to me as a holiday gift.”

“That’s silly. PLAYTIME sent me to you.”

“Maybe Santa loaned the creator some holiday magic,” Rocky suggested.

“Ooo, maybe. That’s a fun thought.”

“Come on, sweetheart. It’s time you went back to sleep.”

He stopped at the bathroom first and sent her in to potty. Rocky didn’t accompany her inside… yet. After she was finished and came out, he guided her into the main bedroom and into bed. After turning on the lamp next to her side of the bed, he tucked the covers around her neck before kissing her goodnight.

By the time he rounded the footboard, she’d already snuggled into the pillows and closed her eyes. Melissa was asleep in minutes. Who knew how long it had been since she’d had a good night’s sleep? Rocky couldn’t imagine being trapped in that awful apartment every night.

He wanted to be pissed at whoever this Archer was but suspected the only way he’d gotten Melissa out of there was because of her injury. In pain, she hadn’t been able to keep her guard up. Whatever the reason, whether it be her resistance was worn down or the matching on PLAYTIME that reassured her he was the right person to trust, Rocky wasn’t going to play the blame game on anyone other than that apartment owner.