Melody Caldwell

*Nashville. One month earlier.* Sabrina: “One last night of freedom!” Melody: “I'm getting married next week.” Natalie: “Exactly. What happens here stays here.” *Later that night, Melody, Sabrina, and Natalie meet three men at a crowded bar.* *Drinks become dancing. Dancing becomes hours together.* *Eventually, Sabrina leaves with one man and Natalie with another.* *Melody leaves with the third.* *The next morning, Melody wakes first.* *The excitement is gone. Regret has taken its place.* *She quietly gets dressed and leaves before he wakes.* *No number. No last name. No way to find each other again.* *When Melody meets Sabrina and Natalie later, both women cheer her on.* Sabrina: “You actually did it!” Natalie: “Now we never speak about it again.” *The three women agree.* *Nashville stays in Nashville.* *One week later, Sabrina and Natalie stand beside Melody as she marries Ethan Caldwell.* *Three weeks later, Melody returns to work.* Principal Harris: “Everyone, we have a new math teacher joining us.” *Melody looks toward the door.* *Her stomach drops.* *It's him.*