Melissa Collins - Let Love Heal

The I-beam swings haphazardly in the clouds. Teetering and tottering in the crystal-blue sky, its the perfect juxtaposition of artificial and natural steel illuminated by the sun. Over a ton of metal effortlessly cascades through the air on the whim of a crane. It almost looks like a graceful ballet dancer as it swirls and twists, dips and dives. Its mesmerizing, actually.

And then disaster strikes.

A deafening crack of a snapped chain sounds through the once peaceful air. The lively chatter of construction workers and architects instantly morphs into chaotic screams. Everyone runs, seeking cover from the impending doom.

As the massive beam plummets to the ground, people scramble, frantically grabbing others along the way to pull them to safety. It all happens so quickly. In the blink of an eye, it seems as if everyone will escape unscathed.

Until they dont.

The beam changes direction, up-ending itself. Head architect, James Crane, exits the shell of the building. Hardhat on and earplugs in, hes always one to follow procedure to make sure that his work site is safe. His eyes are pulled away from the clipboard of todays itinerary as the shadow of a passing figure flashes before him.

His eyes are drawn skyward. The sun blinds him; his sunglasses are tucked into his front pocket rather than perched across his nose. He doesnt have a second to process anything.

Crushed beneath the massive weight of the steel beam, the last thought that passes through the mind of Jimmy Crane, is of his wife, Lucy and his unborn daughter.

Lucy Crane is consumed with decorating the freshly painted nursery. If ever there was a woman more excited to meet her first child, well, Lucys jubilance would put her to shame. Purple frills and pink lace don every surface of the room. Its a princess heaven and a mom-to-bes dream come true.

Lucy sits on the floor, sorting through baby gifts from her shower last weekend. Holding a glittery onesie with an attached pink tutu up against her eight-and-a-half-month pregnant belly, she whispers quietly to her unborn daughter, Maybe one day youll be a ballerina Melody. She tucks a piece of hair behind her ear and taps a finger against her lip as she contemplates one of her husbands, James top name choices. Hmm, no that just doesnt sound right. Still going through baby names, Lucy and Jimmy havent been able to find one upon which they both agree.

Last night, as they laid in bed, they settled on a short list of names that they each liked. Lucy was leaning toward more trendy names Jessica, Ashley or Emily. James, on the other hand, wanted his daughter to have a less popular name; she was one of a kind, after all. Well, how could Lucy argue with that? From the moment shed told her husband of less than a year that she was pregnant, he had absolutely radiated with love and joy. Conceding on his name preference was a small way that she could repay him for how hes taken care of her through the entire pregnancy.

Theyd been high school sweethearts and in the seven years that theyd been together, theyd shared a lifetimes worth of love. When James would place his lips up against Lucys swollen belly, and talk to their child, she could swear that her heart would burst at the overly full feeling of love.

On a mission to finish her sorting all of the baby clothes, Lucy snaps out of her happy musings of her husband and their baby. But when she comes across a purple sequined outfit, she cant help put place it across her belly and talk to her daughter once more. This is going to look absolutely perfect on you Melanie.

The name rolls off her tongue and sings to her heart. It was one of Jimmys first suggestions, liking M names more than any other. Lucy had originally dismissed it, but now, sitting quietly in her soon-to-be-born daughters room, the name seems to fit perfectly. Smiling broadly, she says the name once more, Melanie. Rubbing her belly, Lucy talks to the kicking baby who is rolling around inside of her. Do you like that name, little Miss Melanie. Another kick and roll. Well then, well just have to ask Daddy what he thinks when he gets home. Another kick widens Lucys bright smile. Okay now, Melly Belly. Lucy chuckles softly at the ridiculous nickname shes just given her daughter. A smile spreads across her face because she knows that James will be pleased with her sudden turn around on his top name choice.

With numb and wobbly legs, Lucy stands to put the piles of clothes away when she hears a knock at the door. Checking her watch, she realizes that its past four in the afternoon. Shes been so lost in her baby daydreams that she didnt realize that she hadnt heard from James all day. Knowing that he is extremely busy trying to manage this massive project, she immediately dismisses her concerns. No phone calls during the day means that he is guaranteed to chew her ear off at dinner. The man loves his building, thats for sure.

Brushing her hands over her trendy and modern dark-blue maternity shirt, Lucy flattens out the wrinkles that set in as she was draping onesie after onesie across her belly.

As she peeks through the curtain that hangs across the top window of the door, she smiles cheerfully at her husbands best friend and co-owner of Crane Building Associates, Ray Richards.

Hey, Ray. Whats going on? Lucy steps to the side allowing Ray to enter into the small foyer. Closing the door behind him, she continues talking. Jimmy isnt home from work yet, but come on in. Can I get you a beer? Lucys bright voice does nothing to lighten the darkness that is cast over Rays face.

Ray shakes his head, declining the beer. He looks into Lucys bright blue eyes, and says, We need to talk, Lucy. His voice is even and curt. Ignoring her stunned reaction to his cold demeanor, Ray walks past Lucy into the sunken den of his best friends new home - a home to which hell never return.

Ray sinks into the old, beat-up couch and memories flood his head and heart. This is the couch that they had in their first apartment. It was a rat-hole of a place, but somehow Ray and Jimmy managed to make it work. The couch is a hand-me-down from Jimmys parents and has survived remarkably well through their college years.

Burying his head into his hands, Ray can no longer contain the sobs that have been threatening to swallow him whole since he pulled in the freshly-paved driveway.

Lucy waddles over to the couch and, not-so-gracefully, lowers herself onto the cushions. Tenderly wrapping her arm around his broad shoulders, she says, Whats wrong, Ray? Im getting a little worried here.

Its not unusual for Ray to stop over, but usually Jimmy is there getting ready for a golf outing or a ball game. Theres something about this particular visit that just feels wrong.

Her concern only makes him cry more. Hes crying for the loss of his best friend. Hes crying for Lucy, who hes come to love as his own best friend through the years. Hes crying for the baby that Jimmy will never get to meet for the baby that Lucy will now have to raise on her own.

Twisting in his seat, he faces Lucy and wipes the tears from his eyes. Lucys face pales as all of the blood rushes from it. She can tell that this is not a routine visit on Rays part.

Lucy Rays words catch in his throat, stuck behind the ball of emotion thats been lodged there since he witnessed his best friend being crushed by tons of steel.

Lucy covers her mouth with her hands, but her gasp is still audible. No, no, no, no Its the only syllable her brain can manage. Shes shaking her head wildly as if it will keep away the horrific news that is so clearly etched across Rays tanned and youthful face.