Oswaldo's P.O.V

My house has been filled with so much tension, it's hard to breathe. I miss the times when it was just me and my girl. I know that my mother invited my cousins over, hoping that they can somehow break Melody and I up. She's about to find out that it's not that easy.

They have been trying their best to make her feel like she doesn't belong. But I don't care what any of them think because I knew that she belonged with me. Her easy smile has become a thing of the past. She frowned so much more, and I can see that as much as she tries not to let them get to her, their hurtful words were slowly breaking her resolve.

Harmony has been a big help to her. I was happy that she had someone to talk to. She has been trying to make it work between us, but I got the sense that she wanted to run. But I wasn't going to let her do that. I'd soon kick the lot of them out before I let her run from me.

You guys might be thinking that we're too young to know what we really want, but I don't believe that. I know how I feel about Melody and I know she feels the same way about me too. My hearts aches whenever she's not around me, I live and breathe for her. I'd do anything to make her happy. I know exactly what I want, and it's her.

++++++++++++++++++

I had to get out of that house, I couldn't take the tension anymore, and Melody needed some space for all the drama that has been happening lately. There was only one place I knew to bring her. A bar owned by Connor's uncle. That's how I met Connor. His uncle saved me from ruining myself when I was barely a teenager.

I started doing some shady shit when I was thirteen, stuff a thirteen-year-old had no business doing. It if wasn't for Big Ray, I'd probably in jail or dead. I brought Melody to meet Ray partly because she wanted to know how Connor and I knew each other. But mostly because I felt like he's family and I wanted him to meet the girl that I was going to married one day.

When we got to the bar they were playing some old Frank Sinatra tunes. A few old drunks were playing pool at the pool table and some were playing cards, and cursing so bad their mothers must be turning in their graves. I held Melody's hand and we pushed through a few drunken couples dancing on the dance floor.  

Melody was quiet beside me, she was looking around the place, taking everything in. I knew that that kind of bar was new to her. She was the only black girl amongst a room filled with white people. I could tell that she was feeling out of place, but she was trying her best not to show it.

"You ok?"

I asked, squeezing her hand. She smiled and nodded. I chuckled and pulled her closer to me. The fact that she wasn't talking told me that she was way out of her element. We made our way to the bar and I lifted her, placing on her on the only available stool. I stood next to her and called to the bartender.

"Hey, Ginger."

A short, red head women in her mid-thirties came over to us smiling.

"Oswaldo Richards, what are you doing here? You ain't gone and got yourself is some trouble now, have you?"

I laughed and shook my head. Ginger was like a mother to me. When I used to getaway to hang out at the bar, she would always make sure that I was fed and taken care of. She would even have me sit and do my homework.

"Nah, no trouble, just thought I'd bring my girlfriend to meet Big Ray."

I gestured to Melody and Ginger smiled. I could see on her face that was surprised that my girlfriend was a black girl. But she didn't saying anything about it.

"My, ain't you a pretty little thing. My name is Ginger, what's yours pumpkin?"

Ginger offered Melody her hand and she took it. I could see some of the tension leaving her body. She smiled warmly then answered.

"It's nice to meet you, Ginger, I'm Melody."

Ginger smiled back. "Well, it's nice to meet you too sugar. Now, what can I get y'all to drink?"

I didn't want anything to drink, but I wasn't sure if Melody wanted anything, so I asked.

"You want anything, Mel?"

"Just water, please."

Ginger nodded and went to get the water. Now, I don't know about you guys, but seeing my sassy girl so quiet was freaking me out a bit. I expected her to say one or two bad thing about the place. Or even accuse me of trying to get her black ass killed, by bringing her to a white folks bar. I got nothing you guys, and it was worrying me.

I turned to Melody and she was smiling at me. Using my hand, I pushed a few stray curls out of her face. I started at her, marvelling at how beautiful she saw. Her curly hair was swept away from her face into a loose ponytail. She wore black jeans and a white shirt that said, 'All good things are hidden'. She topped that off with a black leather jacket. Her look was badass, sexy.

I hadn't realised that were staring at each other until I heard Ginger clearing her throat. Melody blushed and looked away and I chuckled. She took the bottled water Ginger offered her, saying thank you.

"I like her, she's got manners, not like the other one."

I knew she didn't mean anything by it, but I felt Melody stiffen, and I knew she was going to ask me about it later. I had brought Lisa to the bar a few times, but I stopped when it became clear that no one liked her. It was of her own doing of course. She was always rude, and she never appreciated anything. She acted like she was better than them.

"Where Big Ray, is he in the back?"

"Nah, he's—"

Something crashed behind me, and I turned around to see two long time regulars fighting. Ginger reached under the bar and pulled out her shotgun. She aimed it at the two fighting men and shouted.

"Teddy Sandler and Jeff Patricks, if y'all two don't break it up right this minute, I'm gonna shoot both y'all raggedy asses!"

The men pull apart from each other with their hands raised in surrender. With the tip of her gun, Ginger gestured towards the door.

"Now, get your drunk asses out of my bar, and don't come back until you're sober."

Both men backed out of the bar slowly and everybody went back to their drinking and dancing.

"I see you still threatening people with that gun of yours."

Ginger put the gun back. "Well you know what they say, old habits die hard."

Melody was taking it all in with an amused look. She looked like she was enjoying herself and I was glad. I wanted her to like Ginger and Big Ray and everyone else who helps run the bar, because they were all like family to me. And it was equally important that they liked her too.

I was about to asked about Big Ray again, when the man himself came out from the said door of the bar. He looked different from when I last saw him. His hair had gotten longer and he put a bit of weight on around the mid-section.

"Oswaldo, is that you son?"

Big Ray walked over to me and grabbed me up in a bear hug. I would have been embarrass if he had do it in front of anyone else, but Melody was different.

"Yeah, I know, I've been meaning to come by sooner."

Big Ray brushed it off. He knew what my parents were like. Before I turned eighteen, my mother had her claws dug so deep into to me, I couldn't blink without her knowing about it. Finding out that her son was going to a seedy bar what have horrified her. Whenever I did get to visit the bar or Big Ray, I had to do some James Bond type shit.

I know you guys get me. I'll bet all my money that some of you guys did some mission impossible shit, in order not to get caught or seen by your parents.      

"So what brings you to these parts? I hope you haven't found yourself some trouble?"

First Ginger then him. I guess I deserved that. When I was younger, most times I only ever found myself to bar when I was in trouble. I shook my head.

"Nah, I just thought I'd bring my girlfriend down, and show her around."

I held Melody's hand as she slid off the stool. Her hand was shaking and I got the sense that she was nervous. Big Ray looked at her and grinned a toothy grin. He stop forward and scooped Melody up into one of his bear hugs. She gasped, clearly taken by surprise.

After a few seconds, he let her down back on her feet. His smile still in place.

"What's your name sugar?"

Melody stepped back to my side and I slipped my hand around her waist. Her face was flustered, but she'd stopped shaking.

"Melody, Melody Gibbs." She said, a little winded.

"Good to meet you, Melody. I'm Ray Ledrick, but everybody around these parts call Big Ray."

After the introductions were done, Big Ray found us an empty table and we sat down to talk.  He Melody stories of when I was younger, and of all the bad and embarrassing things I did. I could see that she was taken with him and him with her. We spend most of the night talking about old times.

"So," Big Ray asked, "How did you two meet?"

Melody and I turned to look at each other and smile. She turned back to Big Ray with a cheeky look on her face.

"He was basically stalking me, so I decided to take pity on him."

I pulled her to me and started tickling her. She was laughing so hard a few of the patrons in the bar started looking our way. It made me smile, I hadn't heard her laugh in a long time. I was happy that she was happy.

Big Ray was looking at us like a proud parent. I could tell that he was happy for me.

"You stalking girls now, son?"

I never took my eyes off of Melody as I answered.

"Only one girl."

She blushed slightly and I leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. We talked for a little while more, then Big Ray asked to speak to me alone. I kissed her and told her I won't be far. She nodded, telling me that she grew up in the hood and she knew how to take care of herself.

We walked a little way from the table. It was far enough so that we could talk in private, but close enough so that I could still see her.

"You love her, don't you?" Big Ray asked, seeing the way I was looking at her.

"More than I ever thought possible."

"I'm happy for you son. She seems like a very nice girl. Don't let your mother mess this up for you. I know a good woman when I see one, and that girl of yours is a keeper."

I didn't want to admit it, but his approval meant a lot to me. I hugged his and thanked him.

"Thanks Big Ray, she seems to like you too."

Big Ray laughed a hearty laugh. "Everybody likes me."

I chuckled, "If you say so."

We started to make our way back to the table when I saw that Ryder and a few of his buddies talking to my girl. Ryder and his crew were the local troublemakers. They like to find trouble wherever they can get it.

From the look on Melody's face, whatever Ryder was saying to her it wasn't good. As I got closer I heard Ryder say.

"How about you and me go have a little fun out back?"

Melody rolled her eyes at him and snorted. "How about I punch you in the face and we call it a day?"

Ryder grabbed her arm forcefully, making her cry out. I quickly run over and pushed him away from her. I wanted to kick his ass for laying his hands on her, but Big Ray held me back.

Ryder face flared with anger, but then he started laughing.

"If it ain't the little rich kid, pretending to be one of the poor people."

The bar got quiet as everyone waited to see if a fight was going to happen. I put my arm around Melody, holding her close, and Big Ray got between me and Ryder.

I came to the bar so that my girl could get away from the constant drama that was fast becoming our lives. But it seems that trouble and drama was bound to find us wherever we go. Lifting her arms I checked to make sure her skin wasn't bruised. A faint mark was on her skin and it pissed me off.

Without thinking, I pushed passed Big Ray and punched Ryder in his face. I was about to deliver another blow, but was held back. Ryder tried to come after me, but Big Ray again came between us.

Ryder wiped the blood from his mouth then sneered at me.

"Watch your back, rich boy. What do you think will happen to your pretty little coloured girl when you're not there to protect her?"

I didn't let his threat get to me, I knew that Ryder was mostly talk and I was sure that Melody could kick his ass. But just to be on the safe side, I wanted to get her out of there and away from a drunken Ryder and his gang.

After Ryder left the bar went back to normal. Everybody when back to drinking and worrying about their own problems. I made sure Melody was ok one more time then I told Big Ray that we were leaving.

"Take care son and don't be a stranger now."

Hugging him, I told him I won't and he turned to hug Melody.

"Don't you let this fool run you away, he can be stupid sometimes."

Melody laughed and hugged him back, "I won't, I promise."

After saying all our good byes, I took her hands and we left. On our way out to the car, she turned to me. I stopped and she put her hands around my neck. I slipped my hands around her waist and pulled her close.

"I really enjoyed today, it was nice meeting Big Ray and Ginger. You seemed like an entirely different person around them. More free and open, I like it."

She leaned into me and I pressed my lips to her.

"I'm glad you like it, my only mission in life is to make you happy."

I kissed her one last time, then we continued walking to the car. Just as I was about to open the car door for her, someone jumped out from the shadows and grabbed me. I heard Melody scream and I pushed the person off of me to try and get to her. I turned just in time to see Ryder coming at me with a switch blade. I didn't have time to react, he came at me and I felt the sharp pain. Once then twice.

Melody was screaming. I fell to the ground and raised my hands to see blood. Melody was by my side screaming and crying. I wanted to tell her that I was going to be ok, but the searing pain in my stomach was making it hard for me to form words.

Ryder grabbed her arms, trying to pull her away from me. I started panicking, I knew that Melody wouldn't be able to fight off him and his guys. I tried to get up, but the movement only cause my agony to intensify.

Ryder was dragging her away, with the help of his friends. She was fighting, I almost smile at how my little spit fire was fighting. But even that my body wouldn't allow me to do. I watched helpless as they dragged my girlfriend away, unable to do anything.

It hurt more watching her cry and scream my name. I'd take being stab any day over seeing her look so helpless. My vision started to blurred, and the pain in my body subside. But the pain in my heart intensified. As the blackness slowly closed in, I prayed that someone would come out and stopped them from taking my baby.