Unforgettable Melody - S01 E13

Story 6 days ago

Unforgettable Melody - S01 E13

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 13

"SON OF A BITCH!!!" He had now died five times in a row. "Who's the little pussy who keeps doin' that?" Hearing his complaining through the headset, it was all Mike could do not to laugh in his face.

Anticipating that he would change his tactics, Melody was ready, planting a land mine in the spot she had been hiding in. Sure enough, he attempted charging the position, only to be blown to smithereens. Melody couldn't help but unleash her trademark laugh as he raged into the microphone, finally revealing that a girl was the one dominating the match.

"No fucking way," he seethed. "The hell is a fucking GIRL doing here?!"

Melody giggled. "Last I checked, she's kickin' ass and takin' names."

"Shut up and suck my dick, bitch. That's where you belong."

Mike had expected this kind of reaction, but that didn't make him any less enraged at this idiot's treatment. Just as he was about to unleash on him, Mike felt Melody's hand gently stroking his knee,

Melody calmly replied into the headset, "Unfortunately for you, the only blowjob you'll be getting is the land mine you just stepped on. Oh, and this frag." She tossed a grenade into his hiding spot, killing him once again.

"FUUUUUCK!!!" As his rage grew, now even the other players were laughing at him. As much as some guys had a stigma against girl gamers, this group was apparently able to recognize true skill when they saw it.

"Damn, girl," one of the others chimed in. "You good. And you sound hot. Looks like you in the ATL with me. Wanna hook up?"

Mike rolled his eyes. Like this douchebag has a shot with you, he thought to Melody

He's so cute. He has no clue just how out of his league he is, she thought back.

As the match ended, she replied in a sultry voice, "Sorry boys, but I have eyes for only one smoldering stud of a man. Say hi baby!"

"That would be me," Mike said with a sense of pride.

"Well that's enough fun for us today," Melody continued. "Now we've got some real work to do..." They signed off as catcalls and whistles echoed through their headsets.

"That was fun!"

"Sure was. I still can't believe that tear you went on," Mike replied. "You just annihilated them out there!"

As they basked in their post game glow, there was a knock at Mike's door. Walking over to check the peephole, Mike could see it was his upstairs neighbor, Sandra.

As he opened the door, Mike heard the now familiar greeting from bubbly single mom of two kids. "Miiiiikel How ya doin' son?" She immediately grabbed him in a hug before he could even think of protesting.

Sandra seemed in a particularly good mood today. Dressed in a white tank top and loose sky blue workout shorts, she had her straight, black hair pulled back into a ponytail. Mike had never been attracted to black women, merely out of personal preference, but he could definitely appreciate that she was quite a good- looking woman. Slim and athletic, her light black skin and warm eyes easily helped her appear younger than the late thirties she actually was.

Mike gently hugged her back. "I'm doin' pretty good, Sandra. What's got you so excited today?"

"It's Tyler's birthday next Wednesday, so I'm throwing him a pool party today. Tyler was her twelve-year-old son, soon to be thirteen. "My brother's cooking burgers and dogs on the grill. You're welcome to stop by for some free food, Mr. Starving Musician," she said with a wink..

"That sounds awesome, though I don't have a birthday gift or anything.."

"Mike, hush," she interrupted. "After you've helped look out for him these last three years, helping with homework, being that positive male role model, just being there is gift enough. That boy really looks up to you, ya know."

Mike knew it was true. Three years ago, he had given Tyler his first trumpet lessons. Even though he only stuck with it for two years, the two had connected very well. Mike had used those lessons to teach him not only about music, but important life lessons as well.

Staying on schedule, avoiding procrastination, refusing to settle for anything less than his best effort. All of these things had helped keep the boy from straying away from a difficult path to follow.

Ultimately, Tyler's greatest respect for Mike had come just over a year ago, during the winter storm of 2014. With the entire city iced in and the interstates clogged with abandoned vehicles, Mike had been walking from his apartment to the Baptist church across the street, checking in to see if there was any assistance they required to help Atlanta's stranded travelers. As he made his way back, he had seen Tyler with a group of three of his friends from the public school he attended at the time. Clearly a rough crowd, Mike overheard them talking about all of the cars stuck on the interstate as easy targets for "free samples," as they called them.

As Mike approached the group, clearing his throat in the process, the group scattered, except for Tyler. Staring silently at Mike, Tyler knew he was likely in big trouble. Realizing that the kid was easily the youngest of the group, being subjected to peer pressure was a constant threat. Mike called Sandra, letting her know that he had met up with Tyler while out walking, and that Mike would make sure he got home safely before dark.

Mike explained to Tyler that there were some things he needed to see. While talking with his friends, Tyler didn't have any reason not to go along with them. Mike planned to give him just that. As they walked along the main road leading to the interstate, Mike stopped at one car with a middle-aged man leaning against it. The man introduced himself as Carl. He worked construction around the city as an independent contractor, and explained he got paid in cash every Friday, with no option for direct deposit. It being Saturday, Mike could safely assume that he had his pay from yesterday in the car with him. Mike asked him what would happen if someone were to come along and steal that money from his car. As Carl eyed Tyler, he could tell what Mike was getting at, and confirmed that losing that money would result in him falling behind on his rent and having to make some tough choices between paying his heating bill or being guaranteed to be able to buy enough food for his family of six for the week. Mike thanked Carl for his time and insight, shaking his hand as they parted.

As the pair walked back towards the apartment complex, they stopped by the convenience store in the Shell station nearby. Approaching the counter, Mike could see that Syed was working that day, a man he had met and conversed with on several previous occasions. Mike noticed that his shelves and fridges were surprisingly well stocked as compared to the other gas stations in the area, which were well picked over. Asking Syed how It has been for him since the weather arrived, the immigrant from Pakistan described the great lengths he had gone to over the last day and half to prevent looting and shoplifting. He had been acting almost in a dual role, both as bouncer and cashier, to ensure his livelihood was not taken from him due to the extreme circumstances. Only one attempted shoplifter had been successful, with Syed showing the bruise on his shoulder from the scuffle that ensued as the thief barreled past him during his escape.