A Melwood Story

/chapter nine/

A Melwood Story
Chapter 9

Melissa

On set hours for me are getting lower and lower by the week. They are using another person for flying scenes and for certain shots of Supergirl in the suit since I no longer fit in it for now.

I'm now spending more time at home. By myself. And with my dog, Farley, but that doesn't count. I talk with my mom on the phone every other day or so.

Today is a work day. And compared to the past few days, it'll be a nice change to be out of the apartment for once.

I leave for set an hour before I have to be there. I don't want to be in this apartment any longer than I absolutely have to.

"Good morning, Melissa," one of the crew members greet me when I arrive.
"Morning," I say with a smile.

The next person I see is Chyler. "Hey, Melissa. Good to see you back."
"For now," I joke.
She smiles. "We all miss you."
"I miss you guys more," I say.

"When are you done today?" Chyler asks.
"Around two," I tell her.
"Ah, okay," she says. "I got to go."
"Okay, see you around."

Chris walks up behind her right before I reach my trailer. "Melissa! Glad to see you here."
"Yeah, well." I smile.

He steps closer. "How many weeks is it now?"
"Twenty six weeks," I say, touching my big stomach.
"Getting closer," he says.
"Just taking in the days of quietness now."
"Good idea."

"How did you do it by yourself?" I ask randomly.
"I went to baby and me classes with Nya after she was born," he tells me. "There were other babies and new parents there, so it was a great environment to be in for me at the time."
"Interesting."

He laughs a little. "We find a lot of things interesting when we discuss stuff."
"Yeah," I say with a smile. "We do."
"Interesting," he repeats with more laughter.

"Well, I'm going to get ready. I'll see you around?"
"Of course," he says with a wave, then walks off.

I open my trailer door and step inside.

Chris

"Hi, sweetheart," I say as I answer a FaceTime from my daughter.
"Hi daddy," she whispers.
"What're you up to?" I ask her.
"I'm playing with Drifty while grandma reads."
"Ah, okay. Are you being good while I'm gone?"
She hesitates a little. "Uh huh."
"Okay, well, I better not hear bad things from grandma when I get home. Alright?"

"Okay," she says. "I miss you dadda."
"I'll be home in a few hours. Be good, Ny."
"I will, you too."
"I'll see you soon. I love you."
"Love you too," she says with a small wave.
"Bye, sweetheart."
"Bye, dadda."
I hang up the phone and set it down on the table next to me.

There's a knock at my door. "Chris! You're up in five!"
"Alright! Thanks!" I say back.

I get my lines and my water bottle, then head out the door to work.

I see Chyler on the way to the set.
"Hey, Chris! How are you?" she asks.
"Good, good. Just on the way to set," I tell her.
"Ah, okay. Well, I just wanted to ask you about Melissa."

I glance around the lot. "Okay?"
"It's nothing bad, I just wanted to know how she's doing."
"Well, I mean, have you asked her?"
"About the pregnancy, Chris. You're the only one she seems to talk to about it."

"It's, it's really not my place to say. Just try asking her about it. I gotta go."
"Alright, okay," she says as I walk towards set.

My walk turns into a run when I see it's definitely been more than five minutes since I got called to set and now I'm late. Wonderful.

Melissa

I finish on set around two in the afternoon.

As I walk towards my trailer, Chyler walks up next to me. "Hey."
"Hi," I say.

She puts her hand on my arm. "Hey. I'm sorry."
I stop. "Sorry for what?"
"For not asking about how you're doing with your...situation."
"You mean the baby?" I ask, not telling her that it's actually twins.
"Yeah."
"It's fine, honestly. I don't want to make a big deal about it, that's why I haven't been talking about it that much."
"Okay, well, if you want to talk to me about it, you can," she reassures me.
"Alright," I say. "Have a good rest of the day."
"Okay. I will," she says with a smile then turns and walks away.

I get dressed and head home.

—later that day—

I'm making dinner when my phone starts ringing. I walk over to see who it is.

Chris. Wonder what's happening.

"Hello?" I say when I pick up the phone.
"Melissa?"
"Yeah, I'm here."
"Oh, okay. I just wanted to ask if..." he trails off.
"If?" I repeat.

There's another smaller voice on the other end. Probably his daughter.

"If you wanted some company sometime this week," he says.
"If you want me to babysit Nya, I can," I tell him,
"No, no, no," he laughs. "I can bring Nya if you really want her company."

I realize what he means.

"Your mom is still in town?" I ask.
"Yes. Only for a few more days, so..."
"Uh, well, my apartment is a disaster right now, but I can clean it up if you want to come over tomorrow."

He seems to be thinking for a second. "Okay. I'll come over tomorrow around eleven in the morning, if that's okay."
"Sounds good. I'll text you my address."
"Okay. See you tomorrow..."
"Alright," I say. "Bye."

Once he hangs up, I realize I've been very tense that whole time. I set my phone down and relax. I've got to clean my whole apartment.