Remember you are fabulous

 "Yes, but is he truly going to make you happy?" That was the question Melvin had for Tori. He'd reached her by phone late in the day. Finally, he got through. He was worried she might be coming down with something and the fact remained if he needed to get tested for COVID. Only he didn't mention that last part.

She said Frankie's apartment was new and very nice in the Old Market. She didn't know about the condos there until now. Very minimalist and airy.

"But, can you live like that?" He knew her place was as cluttered as her mind. He looked around his old apartment. It was nostalgic but definitely not updated. The windows rattled when big trucks forged through and it was dank as little creatures made their way in from spiderwebs to other little feet. But not that he would trade this place for anything. He lived here by his uncle's request and if the pizzeria was operating what else mattered.

"Maybe," she sounded quite cheerful now and that put a downer on Melvin's day. What could he say? He loved cheering people up, but if they were already in a good mood what was the point?

"Remember, what I said," Melvin started.

"What?" She sounded as if maybe she wasn't as brainy as he imagined.

"You know, coming to the shop to sing." He told her he wanted her to keep him in mind once things got better. Maybe once spring set in she could have a regular Friday night gig on the little stage in the corner. "Just you. It doesn't have to be original. Do your favorite covers."

Again, she said she would think about it like she did when he mentioned it during their Christmas shopping trip. Somehow, he felt she knew him so much better. Even better than Caitlin.

He'd hate to say he was smitten. He hoped that so-called boyfriend of her's wasn't annoying. But he could see it now, Frankie keeping her from being the musician she could be. It wasn't like opera. It would be more of a Coffee House kind of sound, except in a pizzaria.