This story is dedicated to the memory of my parents. My father taught me the game of the chess at age six, and I still enjoy the game today. As always, a big thank you to my editor, Steve Zink. Steve's help is invaluable.

As always, any comments or criticism are welcome. My email is: JllQU6335@aol.com

 

Altered Fates: Chess Prodigy

by Danielle J

 

It was 9:30 am when Randy and Jonathan Woodhouse arrived at the Raymond home. The security guard was expecting them and let them onto the property.

Both the Woodhouses and Raymonds had read that morning's Post, which included a mention of the previous night's events at the Palm Beach Mall. Since the article did not make or infer any connection to the Chen murder, neither did they.

Ellen Raymond met them in front of the house.

"Hello, Mrs. Raymond," Randy Woodhouse said, as he introduced Jonathan to her.

"Call me Ellen," she said, waving the Woodhouses into the house.

'Oh, him. What are they doing, trying to find me a boyfriend?' Melody thought, peering around the corner of the entrance to the living room. She recalled the Woodhouse boy from the Florida Scholastics. She also couldn't forget Randy Woodhouse. Her brother Hank had said this reporter was asking nosey questions.

"Melody, come out and say hello to Mr. Woodhouse and his son," Ellen said.

Melody peered around the side of the living room, and then reluctantly came out. "Hi," she said both shyly and weakly.

"Melody, why don't you show Jonathan around," Ellen said, and led Randy toward the kitchen, leaving Melody with Jonathan. Melody just stared at him.

"Want to play chess?" Jonathan asked.

Melody just stared, and then relented. "Sure." Then she and Jonathan went to the next door office.

In the kitchen, Ellen poured Randy a cup of coffee. Paul Raymond was seeing to some Raymond Foundation matters, and would be back in the early afternoon.

"Thank you for bringing your son over." Ellen explained how she thought that Melody needed friends her own age.

"My pleasure," Randy replied. "If you will excuse me, I'll leave Jonathan here. What time do you want me to pick him up?"

"No, Randy, no need to leave. Stay with us." Ellen and Randy continued to talk in the small dining area.

In the study, Melody was getting tired of playing chess against Jonathan. The boy needed a lot more practice before he would give the girl a challenge at chess.

After losing the third game, Jonathan spoke up. "Would you like to play some Nintendo?"

Peter Stark had never been into video games, nor had she touched the game unit since coming to live with the Raymonds. "Sure." She and Jonathan went running upstairs together to the girl's bedroom. They were soon totally lost in concentration over the video game they were playing.

Unlike at chess, Jonathan was more than a match for Melody. While they were playing Randy and Ellen checked in on them, but decided to leave them alone. It was good to see the young girl enjoying herself.

Paul Raymond arrived home just before 12 noon. The children sat down with the Raymonds and Randy for a lunch consisting of hot dogs.

After finishing with lunch, the children helped Ellen clean up.

"Dad, can we go for a swim?" asked Jonathan.

"Son, I think you need to ask Mrs. Raymond," Randy explained. Jonathan immediately asked Mrs. Raymond.

"Yes, Mom, can we?" Melody said, thinking she slipped up again. The M word. She could see how Ellen had glowed hearing it.

"Sure, why not," Ellen said happily. Randy said he would have to go to his car. Every weekend he had Jonathan he took several sets of clothes. Among them was a set of bathing trunks.

After Randy retrieved the swim suit, the children went to separate rooms to change. A few minutes later they were both ready. Melody was wearing a green, one piece bathing suit. The children both ran downstairs and, under the careful eye of the Raymonds and Randy, jumped into the pool and began swimming.

While Jonathan and Melody were enjoying themselves, Randy talked with the Raymonds. They, like the children, were already becoming friends. They all agreed that it was good that the young girl was enjoying herself. The phone soon rang, and Paul went inside to answer it while the reporter and Ellen continued to talk.

Paul walked back outside about five minutes later. "That was a detective at the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office. It's not confirmed, but they think they caught the mother's killer."

"Thank God," Ellen said, while making a sign of the cross.

Paul went on, giving more details about the arrest the night before. "They may want Melody to come in and ID the man," he explained.

"Do they have to?" Ellen asked, wondering how it would affect the girl.

"It's routine in police work," Randy offered, explaining how the girl would do it without the alleged killer seeing her.

While Randy and the Raymonds talked, Melody was swimming or at least the best she could in the pool. Like so much else, a learning experience. Peter Stark had been on his high school swim team. Now he, or she, was like a novice learning all over again.

"Race you to the other side," Jonathan said, and Melody nodded. They started. It wasn't even close.

"Shit!" Melody said, coming in second, and seeing Paul and Ellen's reaction. "Sorry."

"Young lady, watch your language," Paul said, thinking how children changed from when he was young. His father would have taken him over his knee at the utterance of a four-letter word.

After spending over an hour in the pool, Jonathan and Melody switched to playing with a soccer ball. The Raymonds and Randy joined in for a time, but tired quickly. They decided to leave it to the kids.

"I'm not pressing, but I'd like to interest you in that story idea on Melody," Randy said, sitting at a patio table with the Raymonds.

"We don't know," Ellen said. Paul agreed. Neither were receptive to the idea.

"It would be about Melody and her chess playing, but also her recovery from what happened to her mother," Randy explained his idea further. "I really think her story could be inspiring to other children."

The idea sounded good to the Raymonds, but they enjoyed their privacy. They were also becoming very protective of Melody.

"If you allowed me to write it, I would give you last review before publication." Randy meant it. This was unusual, but the Raymonds were powerful and influential people. It wouldn't be wise to make them angry.

"We'll think about it." Paul exchanged looks with Ellen. Maybe it was an idea, after all.

Melody was finding out she did have some aptitude for soccer. She and Jonathan were a pretty good match for one another. After a while the two children switched from soccer to throwing a ball around.

'I even throw like a girl,' Melody thought with embarrassment, as she played catch with Jonathan, Randy and Paul. Peter Stark had played high school baseball in addition to being on the school swimming team. Like many activities, the former man was having to learn all over again as a girl.

'At least I still play chess like before.' The more time went by, the more Melody was becoming reconciled to her fate.

That evening Paul Raymond cooked steaks on the outdoor barbecue while Ellen prepared baked potatoes and a salad inside. The Woodhouses had dinner with the Raymonds and Melody that evening.

At just before 8 pm the Woodhouses were saying their good-byes. "Mr. and Mrs. Raymond, thank you for everything. I had a great time," Jonathan said in front of the house.

"You are very welcome," Ellen replied. "Melody, would you like your friend to come back next weekend?"

"Sure," Melody replied, wondering if she was already being matchmaked for like in old days. The Woodhouses said their final good-byes and left. The Raymonds walked back into the house, it was almost the girl's bed time. Ellen would help give her a bath before tucking her in for the night.

* * * * *

"Can I come in?" Paul Raymond said, as he knocked on the other side of the master bedroom door.

"All set?" Ellen Raymond asked Melody, as they made their last preparations for 930 am Mass. It was just past nine o'clock. The Raymonds usually attended the Mass their friend Fr. Pitor said.

"Yes," Melody replied, giving a thumbs up. She had to admit Ellen looked exquisite in her green and black dress. As for herself, the girl had more mixed feelings.

Ellen had insisted Melody wear the pale pink dress she had bought two days earlier. Plus white shoes. When Melody looked at herself in the mirror, she had to admit she was pretty. But was that to be her destiny, to grow up as a female this second time around?

'If I got half of Kim Torrance's looks, I will be a babe also,' Melody thought, recalling that the body she had was Stacey Torrance, the daughter of Kim Torrance, who Peter Stark thought was one hot-looking babe.

Then Melody thought of Hank, and what happened to her as Grace. She began to cry. Instinctively, like a real mother, Ellen knew what was troubling the girl and hugged her. The hug was reassuring to the girl.

That scene passed quickly, and now they were ready. Ellen called for Paul to come in, and he did, dressed in a well-tailored suit.

"I am surrounded by beautiful women," Paul said, giving both Ellen and Melody a kiss. They then left the house for the short drive to St. Edward's.

After Paul parked the car, the Raymonds both took Melody's hands and headed to the church entrance. She was beginning to feel a little scared. Could the man who killed Hank be here?

Ellen could feel Melody squeezing her hand tighter as they entered the church. All three of them made a sign of the cross with holy water as they entered the church. They went about halfway to the front of the church before going into a pew.

Ellen, sensing something was amiss, asked Melody what was wrong.

"I am afraid," Melody explained. "If the man would be here."

"Don't fear, God will protect you. Have faith," Ellen said, and Paul tried to reassure her.

'Have faith, and God will protect me? Is it that simple?' Melody thought.

That theme kept playing in Melody's mind during the Mass. Fr. Pitor said the sermon, which was about forgiveness of sins.

'Yes, I sinned. But will God forgive me?' Melody asked herself.

While Peter Stark had been born Catholic, it had been a long time since he or Melody had attended Mass. She read along in the missalette as the Mass was being celebrated.

All along, Melody thought of her fate. Was this God's punishment for her? To grow up again? Or was it a reward? Essentially, the girl was being given a second chance at life.

The Mass ended, and Melody took the hands of her guardians as they left the church. She overheard the whispers of some parishioners who recognized her as the Chess Prodigy, Melody Chen.

At the front door, the Raymonds said hello to Fr. Pitor. It was traditional for the celebrating priest to greet parishioners as they exited the church. "Hello, Melody, how are you today?" Fr. Pitor asked.

"Okay."

"Father, can you come to dinner this week?" Ellen asked.

"Tuesday and Wednesday nights are free, whichever is more convenient."

"How about Tuesday?" Ellen replied.

"I'll be at your home at 6 pm."

The Raymonds and Melody said good-bye to the priest, and walked back to their car.

The family spent lunch and the afternoon at the home of Peter II and Marie Raymond. After lunch was finished, the men settled in to watch the Dolphins football game on television. Melody joined them.

The game was not going the Dolphins way, and in Melody's mind the reason was self-evident.

"That old geezer Marino should retire!" Melody blurted out after an interception thrown by Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino. The incredulous looks on the faces of the Raymonds were priceless. An eight-year-old who understands, not just enjoys, football.

Ellen, while startled by the girl's appreciation for football, was happy to see the child enjoying her time. She was chatting with Paul and her father-in-law while the game was going on.

During half-time, Marie made a suggestion. "Peter, do you think you can get skybox seats for the next Dolphins home game?"

"I can try." The Raymonds didn't have a skybox, but had friends who did. They sometimes went to the games. "The girl does enjoy the game."

"When is the next home game?" Ellen asked.

"Next week, I think," Peter said. "I'll check on getting seats tomorrow."

"What about taking Melody out on the boat next weekend?" Marie suggested. Peter II and Marie owned a large boat which was docked at their intracoastal home.

"We could invite the Woodhouses. Melody enjoyed playing with the boy," Ellen suggested. She had already explained to her in-laws about the Woodhouses.

"Yes, I think it would be good for the girl," Marie said, and Peter II concurred. They were amazed by the girl's continuing recovery. Peter II had an appointment scheduled the next morning with the pastor and principal at St. Ann's. If all went well, Melody would be enrolled in the third grade by midweek.

Melody continued to watch football that day, and afterwards joined her guardians and their parents for dinner. Shortly after 7 pm, Paul, Ellen and Melody made the short drive back to their home.

Like previous evenings, Ellen helped Melody bathe and get ready for bed. They also said the rosary together along with Paul at the downstairs altar.

Before going to bed, Melody under Ellen's supervision turned on her computer and composed a short email to GM Smyslov, thanking him for his thoughtfulness and generosity for sending the package of books. The girl promised to treasure them.

* * * * *

It was around 10 am Monday morning, and Asst. County DA Lisa Crittenden had just arrived at the Palm Beach County stockade.

On Saturday morning, Lisa had been assigned to the Walter Brewer case. At the moment, Brewer was being held on parole violations and assault charges for the attack on Denise Calder. Because of the parole violations, Brewer would not be leaving the stockade for some time.

Walter Brewer was also being held on suspicion in the Chen murder case. While the report was not complete yet, preliminary findings had matched the tires of Brewer's Ford Minivan to tracks found at the murder scene. Also, the suspect's DNA was being tested to see if it matched the DNA found in the semen on the Chen woman.

"Hello, Bob," Lisa said to Detective Robert Hughes upon entering the office. She and Det. Hughes had worked before on several murder investigations.

"The Raymonds are on the way with the girl," Det. Hughes explained to her. Bob had called the Raymond home early that morning, asking for the Chen girl to come in for the lineup. They were expected any moment now.

With an ID by the Chen girl and the evidence so far discovered, Lisa could go to the grand jury to get a murder indictment of Walter Brewer in the death of Grace Chen.

Bob and Lisa chatted for almost ten minutes on the Brewer case until Melody Chen plus Ellen and Marie Raymond showed up at the office. In the meantime, the attorney representing Mr. Brewer also arrived, a public defender named Angel Ramirez.

Ellen Raymond was still concerned about Melody. The girl was surely in a fragile condition still. After the identification, Melody had a scheduled appointment with Dr. Dubois. Lisa reassured Ellen that the ID would be done as gently as possible.

Lisa introduced Melody to all the people involved, and then explained what they were asking her to do. To put the girl at ease as much as anything else.

Melody, plus the Raymonds, Lisa Crittenden, Det. Hughes and Angel Ramirez went to a room with a large two way mirror. Detective Hughes went to the intercom and pressed the button.

"Send them in."

Melody stood by the mirror with Ellen directly behind her. Ellen had her hands on the girl's shoulders. Soon the door to the other room opened, and men began to walk in. Five of them, all walking to a designated spot in the room with a number from one to five behind them on the wall.

'That's him,' Melody thought, seeing the next to last man enter and go to position number two. It was Walter Brewer. She stared at the man. This was the person who killed her brother.

"Melody, do you see the man who attacked your mother that night?" asked Lisa Crittenden.

"It's him, Number 2!" Melody said, or almost screamed, without one bit of doubt in her voice.

Lisa thanked the Raymonds for bringing Melody. They immediately left, as did Angel Ramirez.

"She's one brave girl," Detective Hughes said, remembering the hospital identification also. Lisa agreed, she now had enough to go to the grand jury.

* * * * *

"Grandpa, your friend wrote back," said Misha to his Grandfather, GM Vassily Smyslov. The boy had just signed on the Internet, and was checking email with his Grandfather just nearby.

Vassily Smyslov pulled his chair up next to his grandson and asked Misha to open the email for him. The GM read the short email from Melody Chen. "Melody, you are most welcome," GM Smyslov said after reading the thank you from the young girl. "Misha, maybe you can help me write the girl back later." Misha nodded to his Grandfather.

Vassily Smyslov would like to remain friends with the young girl. Maybe even play some training games. Misha could even be the girl's penpal, their ages were almost identical.

The Grandmaster decided he wanted to be friends with the girl across the ocean he had never met. It would be good or beneficial for them both.

* * * * *

"Are we all set?" Fr. Daniel Murtaugh asked Melody Chen, who was seated in his office. Ellen Raymond was also present. The priest, in addition to being Pastor of St. Ann's Church, was principal of the parish's parochial school for children in grades kindergarten through eight.

Melody was dressed in a white blouse and gray skirt. This was the school uniform for children attending St. Ann's. In addition to her uniform, she had a small book bag. The girl had just been enrolled in the third grade.

Normally, children did not get accepted into St. Ann's after the school term began, but Peter Raymond, Sr. had used his considerable influence. Four generations of Raymonds had attended the school, the oldest Catholic school in Palm Beach County. St. Ann's was located in the downtown area of West Palm Beach.

Melody just nodded at the Priest's question. She was actually very frightened. How else would a thirty-two-year-old man feel at the prospect of going back to school as an eight-year-old girl, the girl thought to herself.

Nor did Melody, or rather Peter Stark, have very fond memories of school at this age. The former man used to have a speech impediment and had been picked on by other youths.

Melody hugged Ellen very hard. As always, the hug felt reassuring. 'This woman has taken me into her heart. Can I do the same with her,' she thought.

Ellen gave Melody last moment reassurances, then excused herself from the room. She would pick the girl up at the end of the school day, which was 3:30 pm.

Fr. Murtaugh led Melody down the hallway to one of the classrooms. Once at the door, the priest stuck his head inside and a few moments later, a woman stepped out.

"Hello, Melody, I'm Mrs. Clampett. Nice to meet you." Mrs. Clampett was an attractive woman in her mid thirties, and one of St. Ann's two third grade teachers. Since Fr. Murtaugh had pre-warned her, the teacher was expecting Melody. She was also familiar with the girl's extraordinary story. Melody just said a shy hello.

Leaving the priest in the hallway, Mrs. Clampett took Melody to her seat and desk in the room. It was on the left-hand side of the room, fourth from the front. Before leaving the girl, the teacher asked the classmate immediately in front of Melody to help her.

'Third grade, all over again. I almost wish I was dead,' Melody thought. Mrs. Clampett was asking for the students to take out some book from their desk.

"This one," said the blonde haired girl in front of Melody. She was pointing to a black covered book. Looking in the desk's side compartment, she found the same book. The other girl nodded back that it was the right one.

'She's pretty, for an eight or nine-year-old,' Melody thought of the girl in front of her. She may have now been in an eight-year-old girl's body, but there was still a male mind inside it. Or what was left of it, Melody thought. A lesson on multiplication began.

At 11:45 the children began lunch hour or recess. Melody followed the other children down to the cafeteria. Once inside, she got the meal for the day - a small piece of ham, vegetable, and a cookie and a small container of milk.

After getting out of line with her meal, Melody looked for a seat. She didn't really know where to sit, but saw some of her classmates at one table, the far end of which was empty. She placed her tray on the table and took a seat.

So far she had felt almost completely bored. Peter Stark may have been a lazy student, but he knew how to multiply. Then Melody looked up, and immediately felt her day was going to get worse.

"Who said you can sit here, shorty?" said one of Melody's boy classmates. He had to be almost six inches taller than the girl. Melody had noticed quickly she had the misfortune of being the shortest child in the class. She was at least a half foot shorter by Melody's calculations. The girl knew what that meant, too.

Melody just stared at the boy in silence.

"Shannon, leave her alone," said a blonde haired girl. Melody immediately recognized her as the girl seated in front of her in class. An African-American girl stood nearby.

The boy named Shannon immediately backed off, and returned to his seat further down the table. The two girls took seats across from Melody.

"I'm Caroline, but call me Carrie," the blonde haired girl said, introducing herself. The other girl did the same, saying her name was Nicole. "What's your name?"

"Melody."

"Melody, want to be our friend?" Carrie asked. Melody nodded. Soon she was talking with her two new friends.

After finishing with lunch, Melody joined Carrie and Nicole in the yard. Before long she was running around playing with her two new friends. Just like any eight-year-old.

* * * * *

By sheer chance, at that same time another church function was taking place which would greatly affect Melody. Since more than ten days had already passed since Det. Hughes had checked the Starks' apartment and found no sign of them, nor had any other trace of them come to light, he'd made arrangements to have their apartment cleared out. Since nothing was required for evidence purposes, he made arrangements for the new apartment maintenance manager, who'd been hired soon after it was obvious Hank was not going to be back, to get together with a charity organization to put whatever was on hand to good use.

In the process, the last traces of Peter and Henry Stark were being eliminated. A St. Vincent De Paul truck from Holy Spirit Catholic Church was called to the Starks' apartment house in Lantana. Under the supervision of the new maintenance man, Dwayne Dean, the Starks' personal effects were removed from the apartment.

Some were considered unusable and were disposed of. Dwayne decided to keep some things, like the television and the computer. Other items, such as clothing, were boxed and taken away. They would be given to the poor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church's parish. The apartment was within the parish boundaries of Holy Spirit Church.

By mid afternoon, William Robinson and the two other St. Vincent De Paul volunteers had finished loading the truck. They then drove away. Peter Lawrence Stark no longer existed.

* * * * *

At 3:30 pm, Ellen Raymond showed up at the school parking lot. There was quite a traffic jam, with other parents picking up their children. Ellen almost immediately saw Melody, who was standing by two other girls. The young girl waved to her guardian. By the time Ellen's car reached Melody, one of the two girls had been picked up.

"Bye, Nicole," Melody said, while climbing into the Mercedes.

"How was your day?" Ellen asked. She was happy to see Melody making friends already.

"It was cool," Melody said, and actually meant it. Sometimes she began to think being a child again could be fun. Not a problem in the world.

* * * * *

It was past 9 pm Tuesday night at the Raymond home, and Melody was already in bed. Fr. Pitor had come that night for dinner.

"She is a remarkable girl. Very brave, also," Fr. Pitor said. "How is therapy going?"

"Pretty good," Ellen replied. "Dr. Dubois said Melody had opened up much more on Monday than the first session."

"I think the stable home, plus regular routine, has to be helping," Paul Raymond added. Not to mention the love the girl was getting, particularly from his wife. There was no doubt in Paul's mind that Ellen had bonded with the girl. Honestly, he had, also. He thought of Melody of his child.

"What I wanted to ask about was Melody getting baptized or getting first communion?" Ellen asked.

"You still don't know anything about the girl's background?" Fr. Pitor asked. He would think caring for a child without knowing their background would be difficult, but the Raymonds appeared to be succeeding.

"Nothing, really." Ellen had tried to ask, but the girl said she hadn't been in church in a long time. She didn't want to press Melody. The trauma of losing her mother was still fresh.

"I'd have to consult the pastor and probably the diocese, but we may have to assume Melody was never baptized," Fr. Pitor explained. "She would probably have to receive special instructions, similar to RCIA, and then be baptized."

RCIA, or Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults, was generally for adults converting to Catholicism. Each RCIA group usually included a few youngsters who hadn't been baptized at birth, and Melody would fit right in if this became a requirement. Besides seeing to the girl's care and loving the child, Ellen would see to the child's spiritual needs. If Melody needed to be baptized, she would see to it.

* * * * *

It was around 3:45 pm when Melody and Ellen Raymond arrived home on Wednesday. Actually, Melody did not find school all that boring that day. Most of the day's lessons were either in history or spelling. Peter Stark had always been a history buff; as to spelling, he or now she needed to improve. Not to mention, the girl had her friends Carrie and Nicole.

The first thing Ellen and Melody did upon arriving home was to say the rosary. By praying to God, Melody was able to feel more at ease with what happened to Hank. She didn't blame herself as much anymore.

Melody continued to pray that the medallion or necklace would be found, and she could become Peter Stark once again. Maybe God would give her a miracle.

"I got a box from the police," Ellen said. The police had returned items found at the Stark apartment, or were found in the car that belonged to the Chens. Melody eagerly came to the desk in the den where her guardian had set the box.

Ellen had seen what the box contained. There was little of use. She thought the girl's clothes to be rather cheap. Nor were there many personal items in the box. Just some chess related stuff. Maybe Melody would be happy to see them.

With the help of Ellen, Melody took the things out of the box. There were a lot of clothes, both hers and Grace's. Melody could barely avoid crying, seeing the clothes Hank had worn as Grace. Then there were postcards and trophies the girl received for her chess. Also, some score sheets.

'It's not here!' Melody thought. She knew Grace had the necklace in her purse the night of the attack. Where had it gone? She immediately broke down and began to cry. She now knew she was trapped as Melody Chen.

"Let it go," Ellen said, as she tried to comfort the young girl. The belongings of the mother must have been too much for the girl, she thought.

Melody spent most of the night sulking at her predicament. She had little doubt she was now permanently stuck as Melody. Why did this happen to her? Was it a kind of punishment for having cheated in those tournaments?

For the rest of the night Melody remained almost entirely silent. She was contemplating the situation she was in. The girl hardly touched the dinner Ellen had cooked, and even passed on any dessert.

Ellen could see Melody was in pain and troubled. She made repeated attempts to get the girl to talk, without success.

While giving Melody her evening bath, she decided to try again. "Melody, what is wrong? You can tell me."

'You won't believe me. Even if you did, then you'd throw me out of here. Who wants an eight-year-old girl who is really a man,' Melody thought.

"I love you, Melody," Ellen said. She was thankful that Dr. Dubois would be seeing the girl the next day. "We both do. You can talk to us."

"I really needed that necklace, but it wasn't there," Melody finally said.

"We can get you another necklace," Ellen said. The girl must be connecting some jewelry to missing her mother.

"I needed that necklace. It was magical," Melody said. "See, me and Mom were really men, that necklace changed us."

Ellen continued to wash the girl. They were almost finished. "You don't believe me," Melody said. Nobody did, she thought.

"It is a little incredible," Ellen said, trying to take a different tack with the troubled girl. "If you were me, would you believe it?"

Melody was finished with her bath and stood up. Ellen was waiting with a towel to dry her off. "No." 'She's right. I wouldn't believe it. Then I am trapped.' Melody immediately began to cry.

"Let it go, you have me," Ellen said, hugging Melody while wrapping her in the towel. Ellen had tears in her own eyes. "You miss your mother, right?"

'No, no, he was my brother. Oh, Hank, it's my fault. What should I do?' Melody thought. "Yes, I miss her," she said while crying and hugging Ellen. 'She loves me,' the girl thought, 'can I learn to do the same?'

"I'm here for you, Melody. I love you," Ellen said, while continuing to dry the girl. 'God, let me have this child for my own. I want to help her. Let me be the mother she needs.'

"I love you, too," Melody said, but couldn't make herself say the M word. Ellen finished drying the girl, and then helped her put on her pajamas. Before going to bed, the girl kissed her guardians good night. After Ellen tucked her in bed, Melody cried herself to sleep that night.

* * * * *

The final lab report had come in to Lisa Crittenden's office. It confirmed the van owned by Walter Brewer had been at the Chen crime scene.

Next week a Grand Jury would be convened, and Lisa would present the case against Mr. Brewer to it. She was confident about getting an indictment with the evidence she had so far. DNA evidence would be the clincher, but that report would not be finalized for another ten days to two weeks.

It had already been discussed. If convicted for First Degree Murder, the State of Florida would ask for the death penalty for Walter Brewer in the case of the murder of Grace Chen.

* * * * *

Ellen was driving Melody home Friday afternoon after picking the child up at school. She was annoyed at herself over the events of the last few days.

In her over eagerness or joy of caring for and loving Melody, Ellen felt she had gone a little too fast for the girl. Since the events of Wednesday, the girl had pulled back into her shell. This all greatly bothered Ellen Raymond.

Yesterday, Melody had her latest appointment with Joan Dubois. The girl remained mostly incommunicative during the session. Dr. Dubois agreed that the guardian might have gone too fast for the child. Now Ellen was feeling guilty.

'I was just too excited at having a child. From now on, I've got to remember she is a hurt young girl,' Ellen thought to herself; she almost had tears in her eyes.

The Raymonds still had security personnel at the home. They would continue this until they felt for sure the killer was caught. Once Ellen parked her Mercedes, she took Melody by the hand and went inside the house.

Ellen immediately checked the answering machine. There was just one message. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond, it's Randy Woodhouse. Yes, we can make it for the fishing trip tomorrow. See you all at 8:30. Bye."

Good, the boat trip for the next day was going according to Ellen's hopes. Besides she and Paul, Peter II and Randy Woodhouse would be the adults on the boat. So far, her friends Carrie Lowe and Jonathan Woodhouse would join Melody. Nicole Latham's mother had yet to call back saying if the girl could come.

A fishing trip with her guardians and best friends. Ellen hoped it would be therapeutic for the girl. Her father-in-law had also gotten sky box seats for the Sunday Dolphins game at Pro Player Stadium.

Melody was just standing around, thinking of her predicament. She would have to grow up all over again, and this time as a female.

'Why did it happen to me?' Melody asked herself, looking at the altar area. She was looking at the cross on the wall.

The words Ellen had said the other day kept repeating in Melody's mind. Put your faith in God.

Then there was what Fr. Pitor said. Ask God for forgiveness.

"Mom, can we pray now?" For the first time, Melody used that word to the Raymonds without having doubts. If she was to live and go on, Melody must accept who she now was.

"Sure, dear." Ellen smiled at being called Mom. She wouldn't press the girl in that area. It was only days since her mother died. Whatever the girl felt comfortable with was fine. Then, taking Melody's hand, they walked over to the altar area.

* * * * *

"I've got something!" said Ellen Raymond. She, along with Melody, Jonathan Woodhouse, Nicole Latham and Carrie Lowe were fishing on the Raymond family boat, the 'Marie'.

It was a warm Saturday, and the 'Marie' was seven or eight miles off the Florida coast. The seas were calm. Most importantly, the children, and Melody in particular, were having a great time. In addition to the children and Ellen, Randy Woodhouse, plus Peter II and Paul Raymond were on board. This was Ellen's and the children's first attempt at deep-sea fishing.

"Let me see! Let me see!" Melody said, coming over to her guardian. Ellen was reeling it in.

"It must be a big one," Ellen said. Then she finally pulled the fish from the water. All six inches of it.

"That was really a big one, dear," Paul said to his wife jokingly. It was great to see everyone having a good time. Particularly Melody.

"Try, try again," Ellen said, after releasing her 'giant' catch.

Melody was having a great time with her friends and the Raymonds. She was almost forgetting her situation. But would she ever totally forget it?

"Everything all right, dear?" Ellen asked, almost sensing what the girl was thinking.

"I just haven't caught anything," Melody said, only partially lying.

"Be patient, you will get something. Look, I did." Ellen gave the girl a kiss and hug. Melody always felt better after this.

Randy Woodhouse was watching the children from above. The Chen girl seemed to get better with more passing time.

"How is Melody doing?" Randy asked Paul Raymond.

"Fair." Paul explained what happened three days earlier.

'She must still be incredibly fragile at this stage,' Randy thought. The girl would probably have wild mood swings.

"Dr. Dubois is seeing her, and she is probably the best in the country," Peter II added. "I think the girl will heal with time."

"Are you still interested in writing the girl's story?" Paul asked Randy. The reporter was taken aback by the surprise question.

"Certainly. With your permission, of course."

"You may be right about it being helpful to others," Paul stated.

"I'd like to interview the girl, with your permission. You and Ellen present at the time," Randy said, already thinking of how he would write the story.

"We may want you to wait a month before talking to Melody." Randy immediately understood. The girl's mental recovery was going to take time. He would be patient.

The children had a wonderful time that day, but their fishing catch was almost naught. At 6:30 pm, the 'Marie' docked back at the home of Peter Raymond II. Inside, Marie Raymond was busy preparing dinner.

"I'm going to the football game tomorrow with my Daddy," Melody blurted out. Again, that D word.

"Cool! Can I come?" Jonathan Woodhouse asked. Carrie was soon asking, too. Only Nicole did not.

"I've got to go somewhere with my parents," Nicole said, hanging her head. By this time, the three remaining children were all asking Paul Raymond if they could come. First Melody, and then Carrie caught the dejected look on Nicole's face, and immediately left Paul's side to go and try to cheer her up. Melody didn't realize it, but the loving care that Ellen had been showing her seemed to have rubbed off a bit. They couldn't get Nicole to grin no matter what they tried, but at least she started chatting freely with her friends again.

Meanwhile, Paul faced a dilemma. He had exactly four skybox seats. Enough for him, Ellen, his father and Melody. Not the six he would need for all of them to make the trip.

"Paul, why don't you take the children," Peter II generously offered. He had already grown incredibly fond of the Chen girl. Much like if she was his granddaughter.

"Yes, I can stay home, too," Ellen added. Melody liked football so much, and she enjoyed her friends. It would be good for the girl to attend the game with her friends.

"Dad, can I go with my friends?" asked Jonathan.

Randy was planning on having a father-son day, but his son wanted to go with his friends. "Sure, why not."

* * * * *

Melody and her friends had a 'cool' time the next afternoon watching the Dolphins defeat the Buffalo Bills, live and in the raucous noise of the stadium. The skybox did a lot to drown out this joyous racket, but it was still evident and gave all inside a much better feel for the game than watching it from a living room at home. It did Paul Raymond's heart a lot of good. He was happy to see the child, or his daughter, happy. Yes, he was beginning to think of Melody as his daughter. Every time the girl said Dad or Daddy, he felt a joy unknown before to him. Ellen was experiencing the same every time she heard the word Mom or Mommy.

Paul and Melody arrived home a little after 6:30 pm that night. On the way home they had dropped off both Carrie Lowe and Jonathan Woodhouse at their parents' homes. After dinner the Raymonds did their usual rituals, first praying the rosary together, then Ellen helping the girl bathe and get ready for bed. After coming downstairs and watching TV with her guardians for a short time, Melody went to sleep at 9 pm.

An idea had crossed Ellen's mind. She remembered GM Arnold Denker and his friendship with Melody. Mrs. Raymond still had the man's telephone number, and decided to give him a call.

Ten minutes later, Ellen hung up the phone. GM Denker would pay the Raymonds a visit Tuesday, after Melody got home from school.

Later that evening, Melody came into her parent's room. She had experienced the same recurring nightmare again. Like before, she joined the Raymonds in bed, sleeping next to Ellen, who softly cradled the troubled girl. The warm, soothing, comforting hugs helped Melody fall asleep.

* * * * *

Like every day of the past week, Ellen Raymond picked up Melody from in front of St. Ann's Catholic School at 3:30.

For the girl it had been a tedious day. She found most of the class work boring. Today she got a perfect one hundred on a math test. The teacher congratulated her. But Melody felt like saying, "What do you expect from a thirty-two-year-old man doing third grade math?"

The best time of the whole day was playtime with Nicole and Carrie. She enjoyed running around the playground or gymnasium with them. Today they had spent the break time shooting baskets and chatting. The chatting could drive Melody nuts. The talk about clothes and some group called the Back Street Boys. Not things Pete Stark would have kept track of.

Of course, in a few years the conversation would change to another topic. Boys! 'Oh brother, can someone shoot me now?!'

"Hi, sweetheart, how was school today?" Ellen asked, as Melody climbed into the car.

Then there was the couple who loved her. 'They want me to love them and be their little girl. Can I ever do that willingly?'

"I got a perfect one hundred on a math test," Melody said.

"That's wonderful!" Ellen said with pride. "How are Carrie and Nicole?"

"Okay. Tomorrow is Nicole's eighth birthday. I've been invited to her party."

"I'll get you a present for the birthday party." The party would start at five, Wednesday afternoon. Melody and Carrie were both invited. According to Nicole, there would be ten girls, and like four or five boys. The party was in suburban West Palm Beach.

The rest of the drive to Palm Beach was the usual small talk. Ellen told Melody she had a visitor waiting for when they got home.

When Melody got home she walked down the foyer toward the staircase. She was going to put on some casual clothes. She stopped when she saw who the visitor was.

"Hello, Melody, remember me?" said GM Arnold Denker. He came out of the living room.

"Hi," Melody said shyly. She vividly recalled the GM from the Florida State Open. But it was the night before the attack, and Grace or Hank was there. Tears began to form in the girl's eyes.

Ellen Raymond immediately saw this, and spoke up. "Let me take Melody upstairs and get her changed. Be back in a few minutes." Ellen took Melody by the hand and led her to her upstairs bedroom.

Once upstairs, Melody took off her school uniform and put on a t-shirt and pants.

"Melody, what's wrong?" Ellen asked, while the girl changed clothes.

"Mr. Denker reminded me of-" Melody was about to say Hank, "Mom. We had dinner the night before she died."

"Oh, come here." Melody ran up and hugged Mrs. Raymond. It always seemed to lessen her pain. "Do you still want to see him?"

"Yes." Melody and Ellen went back downstairs. GM Denker was patiently waiting for the young girl.

"May I interest you in some speed chess?" Denker asked. Melody nodded, and they headed for the study. There they set up a chess set on the empty table across from the main desk. GM Denker had brought his chess clock.

They would have ten minutes each to play a game. "Good luck," Arnold told Melody, and they were soon engrossed in their first game.

Ellen was happy to see the girl enjoying herself. While the GM and Melody played, she answered the day's mail and paid the household bills. While at the desk, she noticed Melody had an email from her Russian friend. She would tell the girl later and not interrupt.

Melody lost the first game, but was eager to try again. Arnold reset the board, and they began play again.

For Melody, the games were entertaining and a learning experience. She could learn a lot from playing GM Denker. He was a lot stronger than the computer program she played.

The elderly GM was very happy to see the girl playing chess again. She was a rare, even never seen before, talent. In his opinion, it would be a shame if it were destroyed by the tragic death of her mother. Today was the least he could do for the girl.

The GM and Melody continued to play. Melody won a couple of games from the GM, but Denker won four of the six they had played before they were interrupted for dinner. By this time Paul Raymond had come home.

During dinner, Ellen told Melody her Russian GM friend had written again. Arnold inquired who it was, and was pleasantly surprised by the interest of Vassily Smyslov in the girl's recovery.

Melody began to tire from chess after dinner, and only played one more game. Ellen then excused herself and the girl, and took Melody upstairs to get ready for bed. In the meantime, Paul talked to the GM.

"I greatly appreciate your coming tonight."

"Not at all, it was the least I could do. She is a remarkable child."

"Thank you. She has her good and bad moments." Paul explained some of the events of the prior week.

"That's understandable. It's horrible what she must have had to witness."

Paul and Arnold continued to talk. Soon Ellen and Melody were back downstairs. Melody was wearing her pajamas, and was all ready for bed. Melody kissed Paul and Arnold good night, then went back upstairs with Ellen. They were going to say their rosary together before the girl went to bed. Tomorrow was a school day.

Paul finally got down to business. The main reason they'd invited GM Denker to the house, besides to help Melody.

"We heard Melody could use a Chess Coach. Would you be interested?"

"Sorry, Mr. Raymond, the girl needs someone much younger than myself," GM Denker replied, and went on to explain. He was turning eighty-three the following January, and felt the girl needed someone younger, with more energy. Besides, he had never coached any children. Arnold was active in supporting scholastic chess, but that was different.

"Is there anyone you could recommend?"

"Certainly," Arnold said, and began to think. "There is SM Alex Dunne, GM Lev Alburt or GM Andrew Soltis. All three have coached now or in the past. Any of the three would be good."

The GM and Paul went over any advantages and disadvantages of the three. Dunne preferred to work via email, while the other two would be willing to travel. Arnold promised to get the addresses for all three the next day.

"I heard GM Smyslov is writing Melody," Arnold said. Paul then explained the training game they were playing by email. Melody was also corresponding with the grandson of the GM via email.

"That should be good practice for her. If you may, I would like to do the same," Arnold said.

The Raymonds and the GM talked for another half an hour. They promised to stay in touch, and Arnold promised to have the information on potential chess coaches the next day. Shortly after 10 pm, Arnold Denker climbed into a waiting limo paid for by the Raymonds for the trip back to his Hollywood, Florida home.

* * * * *

The next day, Melody attended Nicole Latham's birthday party. Despite her reservations, she found herself having a good time celebrating the day with her new friend. She even started to get an appreciation for the Back Street Boys.

What she wasn't growing an appreciation for was her schoolwork. She did her best always, but Melody was finding herself quickly bored. Mrs. Clampett's attempts at giving the girl special assignments did not change matters, either. To all of them, she was just a very talented or gifted eight-year-old. Not a thirty two-year-old man trapped in an eight-year-old girl's body.

At least there were distractions, Melody thought. She had her friends, the Raymonds, and chess. The Woodhouse boy came over again another weekend, and Grandpa Raymond had taken the girl fishing again. She was playing both GM Denker and GM Smyslov via email, and had just recently signed up for a correspondence chess tournament.

Melody still had the recurring nightmares of the night Grace was attacked. Every time, however, the love and hugs from Ellen Raymond made the girl feel better. The woman loved the girl, and she was often reciprocating that same love.

No matter how much she sometimes enjoyed being Melody, the girl still had the urgent or desperate desire to be Peter Stark again. She had given up telling people she was really Peter Stark. No one believed her. Nor would she, if the girl was in their place.

All she could do was pray. Every day she prayed to God, usually saying the rosary with Ellen. Melody asked for God to take care of her brother, Hank, but also to give her back the necklace.

But would He? The more Melody thought of it, the more she felt God had punished Peter Stark by turning him into a young girl. Or could it be a reward?

All of this was going through Melody's mind as Ellen drove the girl to school that day.

* * * * *

It was the first Tuesday in October, and Lisa Crittenden walked out of the Grand Jury conference room. Outside was Detective Robert Hughes.

"We did it," Lisa said. The Grand Jury had just handed down a murder indictment against Walter Brewer in the murder of Grace Chen.

The clincher had been the DNA report just released the prior Friday. It was conclusive; the sperm found on Grace Chen had to belong to Walter Brewer. The odds against it being Brewer were over a billion to one. Or nonexistent. That, combined with an affidavit from the daughter, and the tire tracks were more than enough for an indictment. Lisa had gotten convictions with less.

"That's great," Bob replied. Not really, he thought; there was a dead mother and a traumatized girl left behind. There was nothing to celebrate.

A judge would be assigned to the case within two weeks. With luck, the trial would begin in the spring.

* * * * *

GM Andrew Soltis just walked off the Continental Airlines Flight from Newark, New Jersey to West Palm Beach, Florida. Being seated in first class, he was one of the first passengers off. It was the Friday before the long Columbus Day weekend.

Once out into the concourse, Andrew began looking for his pickup. He soon saw a woman in a chauffeur or limo driver uniform with his name on a sign.

"That's me," Andrew said to the driver, who introduced herself as Barbara. The driver took Andrew's carry-on bag, and they walked down the concourse toward the baggage claim area.

Twenty minutes later, with Barbara driving, the limo with Andrew Soltis inside was on its way to Palm Beach. For the GM, this was his first trip to West Palm Beach, or rather Palm Beach. Earlier that year he had participated in the US Open at Key Biscayne, further south in Florida. At that US Open, while not playing or talking to Melody Chen, he had also been caught under the spell of amazement that chess players felt seeing a child play chess this strong.

Now, if everything went well this weekend, Andrew would become Melody Chen's chess coach.

The ride to Palm Beach took fifteen minutes. Once at the house, Marie Raymond welcomed GM Soltis. Barbara, the limo driver, brought in Andrew's bags and placed them in the foyer. It was just after 3:30, and Mrs. Raymond said the child and her guardian would be home shortly. He just took a seat in the living room and waited. Marie offered him a drink, and the GM asked for an iced tea, which she produced a couple of minutes later.

Less than ten minutes later, Andrew heard the front door open. He could hear a woman's voice, plus that of a young girl. The GM stood up. A moment later, Ellen Raymond and Melody Chen appeared.

'Where have I seen this guy before? Oh, he writes that chess column,' Melody thought to herself. She remembered the column GM Soltis wrote for Chess Life magazine.

'What is he going to be, my chess coach?'

"Welcome, Mr. Soltis," Ellen said, and shook GM Soltis' hand. He insisted she call him Andrew. "And this is Melody."

"Hi." Melody muttered the shy hello she did when seeing someone for the first time.

"It's nice to meet you, Melody. I have heard so much about you," Andrew said, shaking the young girl's hand.

Ellen excused herself and Melody, saying the girl needed to change her clothing and get refreshed. In the meantime, Marie Raymond showed Andrew to his room upstairs. It was at the end of the large upstairs hallway. He was told he would have the next-door bathroom to himself. Figuring he had a little time, the GM decided to clean himself up a little, also. He was still wearing clothing for New York, and the temperature was in the eighties that day in Florida.

Twenty minutes later, Andrew emerged from his room with his laptop and lesson book. The lesson book he would use to gauge the girl's strength.

Once back downstairs, Andrew found Ellen and Melody waiting for him in the Living room.

"Let me show you the office where you two can have privacy." Andrew followed Ellen and Melody down the hall to the office or study. A chess set was already set up on the table. Mrs. Raymond immediately excused herself.

GM Soltis tried to make small talk with the girl. He quickly found out she was a little shy. Not that this particularly surprised him.

Using the book he brought with him, Andrew began to set up a series of chess problems for Melody. The first were beginner level.

Not surprisingly, Melody swept through all ten in a matter of minutes.

"Got something harder?" Melody said, staring at the GM. Andrew could feel the girl have almost a hypnotizing affect with her stare. He wouldn't want to look her in the face if he was playing the girl.

Andrew set up the intermediate problems. A child this age would be expected to get four right. These problems took Melody slightly longer than the first set, but she got all ten correct. While Melody was doing these problems, Ellen checked in on the two and asked if they wanted anything to drink. The girl asked for a Coke. Minutes later, Paul Raymond arrived home.

The GM decided to break for the time being. Dinner would be served soon. So Andrew talked with the Raymonds in effort to better know them and the girl.

After having dinner, the GM and Melody sat down for some speed chess. This was done because of the time constraints, not as a teaching tool. But it did give Andrew some idea of the girl's strength.

Eventually Melody excused herself; she would get ready for bed and say her evening prayers with her guardian. The GM took a seat in the living room, and either talked with Paul or watched television. Before being tucked into bed, Melody said goodnight to Andrew, plus her guardians.

* * * * *

Saturday morning, Andrew began with Melody by giving her advanced problems to solve on the chessboard. The girl found all ten solutions.

Actually, a heated debate started on problem seven. Melody pointed out what proved to be a better defense resource than GM even had listed.

'This girl is astonishing,' was all Andrew kept thinking all morning long.

Before lunch the two played a game. Thirty minutes for each side for the entire game. Andrew won, but not without difficulty. The girl was definitely a challenge at this age.

The afternoon was taken up with lunch and a change of pace. Both Andrew and Melody spent some time in the pool swimming. She wanted to do things other than chess.

Andrew and Melody resumed around 4 pm, and continued until dinner time. They played another two games, one of which Melody won.

The GM was already getting a gauge on the girl's abilities. Her strategical ability was excellent; her tactical play almost as strong. Melody also had a solid if not strong knowledge of chess opening theory.

Like the previous night, they played speed chess until Melody would go to get ready for bed.

Sunday followed pretty much the same routine after a start with Mass in the early morning. Except the afternoon was consumed with watching the Dolphin football game. Besides playing a fierce game of chess, the GM discovered the girl understood football.

Between getting home from church and the start of the game, the girl solved seven of the ten super advanced problems the GM gave her. By Andrew's calculations, the girl had strength in the 2400's. She may even be stronger; the girl seemed distracted or still affected by recent events. While astonishing for her age, Andrew no longer found it surprising. Again, they played some games in the late afternoon and some speed chess before the girl went to bed.

That evening, Andrew talked to the Raymonds.

"Do you want to be Melody's coach?" Paul asked.

"Absolutely, of course. She is a talent never seen before at this age."

"I have talked to Melody, she seems happy and comfortable with you," Ellen added. That was an important factor in hiring a coach.

"Thank you. I feel the same." Andrew went on to explain what he had done that weekend. The first weekend was basically involved with evaluating the girl's strength and ability, so the GM could draw up a lesson plan for the child.

As Andrew already found out, the girl was stronger than any prior student he'd had. Melody would be a challenge for him. He would have to draw up a plan designed just for her.

The Raymonds and the GM would work out the details for the coaching of Melody. Peter Raymond, Sr. would draw up an appropriate employment contract.

The next day, Andrew played two last games with the girl before leaving for the airport. As on arrival, Barbara was the limo driver who showed up at the Raymond residence.

'This girl is going to be World Champ in ten years,' Andrew Soltis thought on the ride back to the airport.

* * * * *

Judge Charlotte Davis had been a member of the Palm Beach County Bench for four years, while only forty-one-years-old. Prior to her appointment, Judge Davis had been a respected trial lawyer. She was also married and a mother of two children, one the same age as Melody Chen.

The judge was more than familiar with the story of Melody Chen and her mother's murder. It was hard not to, considering the publicity the case received.

She had been the judge assigned to the murder trial of Walter Brewer. Already both the defense and prosecution were filing briefs.

The one concern the judge had was the pretrial publicity. The defendant was due a fair trial, and it may prove to be difficult to get one in Palm Beach County. But the defense would have to ask for a change of venue first.

Judge Davis' work was only beginning.

* * * * *

Little changed for Melody Chen. She continued attending school, played chess and enjoyed other activities with her guardians.

The weekend after Andrew Soltis' appearance, Randy and Jonathan Woodhouse visited again. This time, the reporter interviewed the girl for the newspaper story he was preparing. Under the close eye of Ellen, Randy interviewed Melody for ninety minutes. The girl talked about her chess, her friends and school. She mentioned her mother a few times, but didn't elaborate. The girl was understandably still upset.

With the Raymonds given a preview, the first installment of the Melody Chen story would be published in the Palm Beach Post on November 1 or thereabouts.

As the days passed, Melody more and more concluded she would have to face life all over again. Not as a man, but rather as a girl and later a woman. No matter how much she enjoyed her friends and the love of the Raymonds, it was something she did not want. Would she ever accept it?

Hank was dead, and she was trapped like this. But what was really worse? She was alive, didn't she have that to be thankful for?

She also had the Raymonds, who loved and cherished her. They supplied love and care to her. Wasn't she thankful for that?

Blame was a common theme of the girl's therapy sessions with Dr. Dubois. The girl blamed herself for what happened. The doctor tried to explain that she was not to blame.

'But if I only had been a guy, it wouldn't have happened,' Melody thought. It did happen, and now she had to live with it, but how?

Halloween came. For Halloween, Melody was dressed as a princess in a long gown with a tiara on her head. 'I look just like a princess. The princess they want me to be,' she thought, looking at herself in the mirror before beginning trick or treating. By now the girl's hair was growing out; Ellen thought the girl looked prettier with longer hair.

On November 1, Randy Woodhouse's first feature on Melody Chen was published. It was also Ellen Raymond's birthday. She turned thirty-three. There was a big celebration at Peter Raymond, Sr.'s home. The weekend before the birthday, Melody joined her guardian Paul Raymond in choosing Ellen a gift. The gift was a brand new watch.

At the birthday party, Melody presented the watch to Ellen. With tears in her eyes, the guardian embraced the girl after getting the gift.

"Do you know what the greatest gift I got was?"

Melody shook her head.

"You. I love you." Melody began crying, also.

"I love you, too, Mommy." Could love be the answer?

* * * * *

For the first few days after Randy Woodhouse's story was published, Melody had to endure the teasing of her fellow students at St. Ann's. Of course, her friends Nicole and Carrie didn't join in the teasing, and remained her best friends. She just concluded the other children were jealous of her.

GM Andrew Soltis returned to Palm Beach the first weekend in November. It followed the same routine as before, chess and break times for other activities for the girl.

The GM was finding the girl's strong points and areas in which she needed work. Strategical thinking and tactical play were clearly the girl's strong suits. Melody's endgame play was almost as good, some more practice on Knight or Queen endgames was advisable.

Melody's weak point may be an impulsive attacking nature. Like a cat waiting to pounce, but not knowing there was a big dog right around the corner. Not that the girl played like this all the time, but it was a habit the GM wanted to break.

Also, Andrew wanted to work on the girl's opening selections eventually. Melody knew the openings she played very well. While 1.d4 with white suited the girl's penchant for strategical play, the GM wanted to work on her black Opening choices.

If the girl continued with her remarkable recovery and maintained her love for the game, Melody should be ready to compete again sometime in early 2000, in the GM's opinion.

* * * * *

The Monday before Thanksgiving, Maritza Tavarez got off a county bus at Congress Avenue near Lantana Road. She immediately began the short walk toward the Lantana Pines community. In her left hand was a small bag.

On the way, Maritza walked past the clearing. The same clearing in which Grace Chen had been murdered. The same place Stan Peterson found the medallion a week after the murder.

'Damn, why didn't I just leave the necklace there that night? Damn, Keiko, why did you have to make love to me?' Maritza thought. She had even known the powers of the necklace and she, or rather Stan Peterson, used it. Now she was facing the consequences.

Once Maritza got to the Peterson residence, she discovered Amy Peterson was still not home. So the woman waited. It wasn't long before Amy arrived, though.

"Hello, Amy," Maritza said. Amy looked at the strange woman while she got out of her car. For the past two weeks Amy had been lost in worry over the disappearance of her husband. She had not heard a word from Stan in over two weeks.

"Who are you?"

"Can we go inside to talk? It's about your husband." Amy looked at the Filipina; she was one herself. Then she reluctantly let the strange woman and herself into her house and closed the door.

Within minutes, a great deal of yelling and screaming could be heard. Shortly afterwards, Maritza came out of the house. She began to walk back to the nearest bus stop.

'What did you expect? Hi, sweetheart, I am a pregnant woman now. Can I come home?' No, Amy had every reason to be furious. Now Maritza had few options.

An hour and a half later, Maritza arrived at the West Palm Beach Greyhound station. With little money, this would be the place she'd stay overnight. A bus for Bradenton did not leave until the next morning.

The only place Maritza could go now was the home of Aiyoko and Tonichi Masuda, the parents of Keiko Masuda. The woman Stan Peterson had so foolishly gotten involved with. Now Keiko was facing prison time for running a prostitution/escort ring for wealthy women, and Stan, or now Maritza, faced being pregnant for the next eight months, then giving birth sometime in late July or early August the next year. After discovering her pregnancy, she saw Keiko in jail. She advised going to her parent's home, and they would help.

'Maybe they will help me. But what else is there?' Maritza sat in a chair and gloomily began her long wait.

* * * * *

"Bless us Lord for this wonderful meal you have given us, and all the blessings we have received. Amen." Ellen Raymond finished saying Grace. It was Thanksgiving afternoon at her home, and the entire Raymond clan was present, thirty-three in all.

The most important one there in Ellen's eyes was seated just to her right, Melody Chen. Ellen was thankful to have this child to love.

"So who's going to do the carving?" Ellen offered.

"I will leave it to the expert, Dad!" Paul said. His father was a well-known surgeon. While Peter II carved the turkey, the rest of the food was passed around the table.

Melody took spoonfuls of stuffing and peas. "Do you have enough?" Ellen asked her. Melody nodded.

That morning, the Raymonds had attended Mass at St. Edward's. The afternoon was then spent in preparation for dinner and watching football. Melody split her time between watching the football and helping prepare for dinner. Dinner for thirty-three was a great deal of work, and she wanted to chip in.

Like a daughter would do with her mother.

While Melody waited for the turkey to be carved and passed around the table, she was thinking. Did she have something to be thankful for that day? Yes, she was alive and had a family that loved her. She continued to think of what Fr. Pitor and Ellen said. Ask God for forgiveness. Have faith.

Ask God to forgive what she had done as Peter Stark?

Have faith that God would care and protect her. Accept God into her life. Yes, HER life.

'Accept it, Pete, the necklace is gone. Do your best with what you been given. Be thankful for what you have. Hank is gone, so is Pete Stark.'

Ellen put turkey on the girl's plate.

"Thank you, Mommy." Melody gave Ellen a partial, sideways hug.

It was time to accept and live. Be thankful to God she had this chance.

* * * * *

On December 13, Pamela Dietrich decided to make the half-mile trip from the Raymond law offices to the Palm Beach County courthouse by foot. She needed the exercise.

Today in Family Court, Pamela would argue for the removal of the conditional part of the guardianship agreement in the case of Melody Chen. Having already conferred with HHS authorities, it was a sure thing. The court hearing was just a formality.

Pamela was happy for Paul and Ellen Raymond. She was even happier for the Chen girl. Melody would get a happy home and loving parents. The Raymonds would get the child they always wanted.

She wished she had her own child, but fate hadn't been as kind. While only thirty-four years old, Pamela Dietrich was very single. Nor was she dating anyone. Over three years previously, she'd been engaged to a Raymond family cousin, Roger Carmichael. They were supposed to have married in July, 1996. Instead, Roger was killed when the Valuejet airliner on which he was a passenger crashed into the Florida Everglades in May, 1996.

Ever since then, Pamela had buried herself in her work. Mostly to forget the pain and loss she had felt. She strived to become the best family law attorney in the county. By late 1999, Pamela was well on the way to achieving that goal, but a part of her was still empty. Her nonprofessional life didn't have much meaning.

After entering the courthouse and going through security, Pamela went straight to the courtroom usually used by Judge John Callahan. Inside, Peter Raymond, Sr. was already waiting.

"Hello, Pamela," said the retired lawyer in greeting. Peter, Sr. was just there to represent his grandchildren. He would allow Ms. Dietrich to argue the case.

"Good morning, Mr. Raymond," Pamela replied formally. The Raymonds still doted on the lawyer, even after Roger's death. She just respected the senior Raymond too much to ever call him by his first name.

Within ten minutes, the HHS representatives arrived and took their seats in the courtroom. Judge Callahan then began the proceeding.

In the back of the courtroom was Randy Woodhouse. He was there on an unofficial basis. The reporter was just keeping track of the ongoing Melody Chen story.

The hearing was completed in fifteen minutes. Both sides were agreed, the Chen girl was best taken care of by the Raymonds. If no family was found, Ellen and Paul Raymond could eventually adopt the child.

Pamela Dietrich and Peter Raymond, Sr. began to exit the courtroom, but first stopped to say hello to the reporter Peter, Sr. recognized near the rear door.

"Hello, Randy," said Peter, Sr., as he and Randy exchanged greetings. He also introduced Pamela to the Palm Beach Post reporter.

"Hello, Pamela, it's nice to meet you," said Randy; he couldn't help but find the woman very attractive.

"We liked your story last month on Melody. The next segment we hope will be just as good," Peter, Sr. said.

Pamela agreed. She found the Palm Beach Post story written by the reporter to be very informative, without being sensational. The Palm Beach Post sometimes tended to be sensational or biased in its reporting, the attorney thought.

"I will do my best not to disappoint you," Randy said, and continued to talk with the attorneys until they went their separate ways and left the courthouse.

* * * * *

On Christmas Eve, Paul and Ellen Raymond took Melody to Midnight Mass. Before the Mass, the church choir did a mini-concert for those in attendance.

The church was packed to capacity. The Mass, which with the homily spoken by Fr. Pitor did not end until past 1 am, was gloriously beautiful, even though it was a typically warm Florida Christmas instead of the snowy and cold Christmas thought of by most. Melody and her guardians did not get home until 1:30.

That night, Melody slept rather fitfully. She was gradually coming to the conclusion that her life as Peter Stark was over. Now she was Melody Chen, and maybe Melody Raymond one day. While not quite there, the girl was almost at the point of accepting it.

Then there was the excitement of it being Christmas Day, and what that meant. Presents. As time passed, Melody had started acting more like the eight-year-old she was, and less the thirty-two-year-old man she really was. Maybe because the girl was accepting what happened, but also due to another reason. If one is treated long enough like an eight-year-old, and does the activities of that age, one starts to act the age, also.

Even though she had only gotten to sleep at 2 am, Melody was beginning to wake up at 6:30. She tried to go back to sleep. It proved to be futile. At 7 am she went to the master bedroom to rouse her guardians.

Ellen and Paul were both asleep when Melody entered the room. She immediately went to Mrs. Raymond and pulled on her nightgown. Getting no response, the girl pulled harder.

"Oh, good morning," Ellen said, attempting to act groggy. She full well knew when it was.

"It's time to get up," Melody said. "It's Christmas!"

"It is? Let me get a little more sleep."

Melody wasn't fooled a bit. 'Yeah right, you are going to sleep more.' So she went around the other side of the bed and tried to awaken Paul. He was also pretending to sleep. It wasn't working, either.

As a last resort, the girl climbed onto the bed. Standing up, she began jumping up and down.

"It's Christmas, it's Christmas!" Melody yelled. Deep inside the girl, the remaining parts of Peter Stark were in open revolt. She was acting like a young girl now!

"Well, if you're going to make a big deal of it," Paul said, as he and Ellen hopped out of bed. Paul grabbed the girl, carrying her in the process. With the girl in his arms, the Raymonds went downstairs to the living room.

In the far corner of the living room stood the Christmas tree. In addition to the tree being decorated beautifully, presents were littered underneath it.

'Wow!' Melody thought. Her guardian put her back on her feet, and the girl immediately ran to the tree.

The Raymonds had been up until almost 4 am that morning getting prepared, but the sight of the happy young girl filled them both with joy. To film the event, Ellen had brought the family video camera down to the living room the night before.

There were presents everywhere. It was hard to pick out where to start, Melody thought. Most looked like boxes. A few stood out. One was her height approximately, and round in shape like a bag. Then there was a long package of almost the same height. The girl had a good guess what both were.

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart," Ellen said, with the camera rolling. Melody went right to the bag-like present. She began tearing away the wrapping paper.

While Melody or Peter Stark did not believe in Santa Claus, there are few things more fun than getting presents. Particularly on Christmas Day.

Most of Melody's classmates no longer believed in Santa Claus, or were having their doubts. What a shame, the girl thought, thinking of how it was when she was an adult. After you stopped believing in Santa Claus, life went all downhill it seemed.

It didn't take long for Melody to find out what the present was. It was her own golf bag, with golf clubs inside. The girl had recently discovered she had a talent for golf, and was beginning to learn the game. That was surprising, considering how boring Peter Stark thought golf was. But the girl had different talents, she thought. Golf was one of them.

While Ellen was filming the scene, she pointed to one of the boxes. Paul picked it up and gave it to the girl. Melody instantly tore the wrapping paper off and opened the box.

'A dress!? But what did you expect?' Melody thought, as there was still some of Peter Stark inside her and the idea of wearing pretty dresses was still a repulsive thought. The girl then pictured herself in the dress. Yes, they were right, she would look pretty in it.

'I just wish I wasn't such a babe sometimes,' Melody thought, thinking that she was probably destined to be a very attractive young lady and eventually a woman much like her mother Grace, or rather Kim Torrance. Thinking of Hank made tears begin to form in the girl's eyes. How could she enjoy herself while her brother was dead?

"It's all right, let it go." Ellen put down the camera and then hugged the girl. She must be thinking of her dead mother. "We're here for you." Paul joined in hugging the crying girl.

Like always, the love and hugs Ellen gave Melody made her feel better. This couple loves me, the girl thought. No, Hank would want her to be happy and safe. She was with the Raymonds.

After a short pause, Melody went back to tearing through the presents she had gotten that day. More and more of them were clothes. This was the usual gift for a girl this age. Well, at least it wasn't dolls. That was one thing the former Peter Stark would never grow an affection for.

Among the rest of the presents other than clothes were chess books, a chess clock for tournament play, some chess software, and a poster of Bobby Fischer, the former American Chess Champion. There was another poster of what was turning into the girl's favorite music group - The Back Street Boys. The last present was a brand new girl's bicycle.

'All of this for me. I can't be bribed. No, the necklace is gone, they love me,' Melody thought, and tears began to appear again. She immediately ran to Ellen and embraced her.

"I love you, Mommy," Melody said, as she hugged and kissed Ellen. She did the same with Paul. "I love you, Daddy. Merry Christmas." By this time, all had tears in their eyes.

"Merry Christmas to you," they both said to the young girl.

"I think it's time we get some breakfast." By this time, it was well past 8 am. Melody and her guardians went to the kitchen area to prepare for breakfast.

After having breakfast together, Melody joined Paul and Ellen as they exchanged gifts. Paul had gotten Ellen a new necklace, while Ellen got Paul some books he wanted to read.

Under the watchful eye of Ellen, Melody took her bicycle out to the front driveway and started riding it back and forth inside the gated yard. At the same time, Paul took the new posters and put them up in the girl's bedroom.

As Melody rode her bike, she saw the happiness on Ellen's face. The girl was like a gift to them; when she was happy, they were happy. All they wanted was the child's love in return.

'A gift of love was all they wanted. Like the gift of love they gave me. It is a gift, so is this chance to grow up again, but do it right this time,' Melody thought.

A chance to be someone other than an underachieving nobody named Peter Stark. Accept it, few people had this opportunity. Make the most of it.

That's what Hank would have wanted her to do. 'Now, do your best and make him proud,' Melody told herself.

Paul and Ellen would be taking Melody to Peter II's home, where the Raymond family would gather for dinner. Before going, Melody had to ask something important. "What will happen to me?" she asked Ellen as her guardian was finishing preparations for going to her in-law's home.

Ellen decided to get Paul before answering the girl's question. Once both guardians were inside, they sat the girl on the bed. "Champ, how would you like to be a family with us?" Paul said. While the Raymonds loved being referred to as Mom, Dad, Mommy, etc., they did not like pressing it yet on the child. Her own Mother was only dead a few months.

"You will adopt me?" Melody asked.

"Yes," Ellen replied.

"I'd like that." Yes, Melody would. She had grown to love the couple. "You'd be my Mom and Dad."

"Yes, we would." Melody hugged her guardians.

* * * * *

When Dr. Dubois began seeing Melody after Christmas, there was a marked change in the child. The girl talked more about her life, her activities, and stopped talking about blame or guilt she felt in her mother's death.

On closer questioning by the psychologist, the girl said she wanted to love her new family and said she didn't want to dwell on what had happened in the past. She couldn't change it.

The doctor was stunned by the girl. While she thought Melody was making progress, it was a giant leap for her. Dr. Dubois was considering cutting the sessions the girl had with her down to weekly by February.

Ellen Raymond approached Dr. Dubois with one touchy matter. Melody was asking to go to her mother's grave site. After broaching the subject with the girl, the doctor consented to the idea.

The Saturday after New Year's, the Raymonds took the girl to the cemetery. Melody carried flowers, while Ellen brought the water.

The grave had a simple gravestone. It read 'Grace Chen, mother of Melody. ??-1999'. After filling the flower vase with flowers and water, the Raymonds plus Melody prayed first the Our Father, then one Hail Mary, then Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above.

'Forgive me, Hank. I promise to do the best from now on and make you proud of me,' Melody thought while praying. The girl controlled her tears, which was a surprise to her guardians.

Melody also began taking instructions from Fr. Pitor as to her baptism. That coming April, during the evening Easter Vigil celebration, the girl would be baptized with all those who'd been in the RCIA program for that year.

The girl was almost certain that she, or rather Peter Stark, had been baptized. But there was no way of explaining this to her guardians or the priest. Rather, Melody saw it as a rebirth of her as her new self, while letting go of Peter Stark. The baptism would also wash her of the sins that Peter Stark had committed, and Melody vowed to be the best person possible in her new life.

GM Andrew Soltis made his first visit of the New Year. By the time of his return flight to New York, he thought the child had undergone some miraculous change or recovery over the Christmas holidays. Andrew felt like he met an almost entirely different child. It was almost like Melody was at ease with herself. Maybe the girl had finally grown to accept her mother's death.

It showed in Melody's play and studying. The girl no longer seemed distracted. The scary thing for the GM was the girl was now beating him on a regular basis. She had to be almost equal to his own strength, or a chess rating of 2490.

A child of eight with a chess strength at this level was unheard of. Even scarier was the fact that children kept improving at this age. Under his tutelage, Melody might have an unlimited or unparalleled chance at exceeding in chess.

The Raymonds had asked Andrew if he thought the girl was ready to compete again. There was no doubt in his mind Melody was ready. So in mid-February, the child would play in a local tournament in Pompano Beach, Florida. The GM was sure the girl would win the tournament without a serious challenge. It would, however, be a good first step on the path back to playing for the girl.

Unfortunately, Andrew had a conflict that week; he would be unable to attend. He would come down the week after to study with Melody more, and to check on her progress. He was sure the child would not let him down.

* * * * *

In November, 1999, the Raymond's lawyer Pamela Dietrich had filed an application for a social security number to be issued to Melody Chen. Supporting affidavits and documents were presented with the application, claiming the girl's origin was unknown, but that she was a US Citizen. By January, 2000, the application was still hopping around between government agencies.

Governments around the world are all the same. They thrive on paperwork and have large bureaucracies. The application for Melody Chen made its way through the almost unequaled US bureaucracy.

It immediately started drawing attention. A person needed to be a US Citizen, a legal resident alien, or fit one of several other categories for workers to get a social security number. Without these, a number would not be issued.

The girl had no birth record. One bureaucrat after another did a records check for a Melody Chen, but none was found.

Since the late 1980s, it became a requirement for children to have social security numbers issued if the parents wished to deduct them on their federal income taxes as exemptions. By these days, children as soon as they were born were applied for immediately, and got their S.S. numbers not long after birth.

There was no such record for a Melody Chen. Supposedly, she was born in 1991, but SSA could find no records. So another bureaucrat kicked it upstairs to his superiors. It was not in his job description to make these kind of decisions.

Seeing the long paper trail, the supervisor didn't know what to do, either. However, he gave another government agency a copy of the file. It would be more in their field. Maybe they could find a record of the girl. Maybe the girl had legally come to the United States.

A check of INS records was made. No child by the name of Melody Chen had been admitted to the United States. Without that record or a social security number, there was only one conclusion in this bureaucrat's eyes. The girl was an illegal alien.

The United States has strict laws designed by Congress and rules made by INS pertaining to the handling of illegal aliens. The bureaucrat recognized the girl's name from a newspaper he read months before. He sympathized with the girl, but there were rules and laws that had to be obeyed. It was not within his decision-making abilities to make an exception, no matter what the person's history.

So the bureaucrat drafted a letter. He would pass it along to his superiors, who would make the final decision. The nameless bureaucrat went home that night to his wife and family. He didn't give the actions he took that day a second thought.

* * * * *

The second weekend in February had the Pompano Beach Quad being played at the Pompano Beach Recreation Center. It would mark Melody Chen's first competitive event since the Florida State Chess Open the previous September. It would consist of five rounds over two days, Saturday and Sunday. Three on Saturday, and two on Sunday. A player would have ninety minutes for the entire game.

Accompanied by her guardians, Melody showed up at 8:15 Saturday morning to register to play. One of the tournament directors was George Laicona. He immediately recognized the girl as the "Chinese Terror", and the survivor of the brutal murder of her mother. He was happy to see the girl back and playing. There were other players present who knew the girl's story, including Chris Goldthorpe who helped spread the news on the Internet.

The field was small, only fifty-three players, and Melody was easily the highest rated player in the field. She should be an easy winner. But it wasn't the winning that mattered now as much as the healing for the girl. She needed to return to competitive play.

Melody's first round opponent would be a Susan Lamn. The girl was feeling very frightened in the moments before the game.

"I'm scared," Melody said to Ellen. She was. It was still vivid what happened after the last tournament in which she had competed.

"You will be fine," Ellen said to the scared child, giving her a big hug. As always, the hug was reassuring to Melody. It made her feel safe and loved.

"Good luck, Champ, you will do fine," Paul said. Ellen escorted Melody into the playing room, where she took her position on board one.

Melody won her first two round games against Susan Lamn and Clifford Anderson without much effort. Then came her round three game against Russell Post.

Playing white against the King's Indian Defense, Melody nurtured a small advantage for the first thirty moves. Then she launched into an attack. Later on, when studying it with her coach GM Soltis, it was apparent the attack was not sound. But her opponent did not make the most of the opportunity, and the chess prodigy capped the game off with a queen sacrifice, leading to checkmate on move forty-nine. At the end of Day One, she stood 3-0.

The next day, GM Arnold Denker came from his Hollywood, FL home to see how the girl was doing. He was very happy to see Melody playing again. The talent this girl had at this young an age was astonishing.

Melody's round four opponent was not much of a challenge, either. She crushed Mark Garner on the black side of Leningrad Dutch in thirty-two moves.

The fifth and final game was against Stu Miller. It was almost a replay of the Post game. Melody nurtured a small advantage for twenty-four moves. A draw was good enough for first place. But Melody wanted to win. So she rushed headlong into another doubtful attack. Again, her opponent did not see the proper defense, and on move thirty-nine, Melody won the final game.

She won $400 for first prize. Her guardians were proud to see Melody playing again and winning.

'I played shitty,' thought Melody on the long ride home in Ellen's Mercedes. She knew her play was up to par and good players would have taken advantage of her mistakes. She had taken a vow last Christmas to be the best possible chess player and person. Both for herself, and for Hank. Melody planned to do better, and continue to improve. She would work hard with GM Soltis, her coach, when he visited the next weekend.

But Melody was also looking forward to other things. Carrie's ninth birthday was Tuesday, and of course she was going.

"There is more to life than chess," Melody said out loud, which triggered both Raymonds to look back at the young girl in astonishment.

* * * * *

Ellen Raymond pulled into the front driveway of her Palm Beach home. It was nearly noon time on that March morning. She had just returned from her annual checkup with her gynecologist, Dr. Ida Sebastian.

"Mrs. Raymond?" called the gardener named Abe Vallejo. Ellen turned and saw him come over to her.

"The mailman delivered this, I signed for it," said Abe, handing over the envelope to Ellen. He then went back to his work. Ellen took the letter inside the house and went right to the den. Using a letter opener, she carefully slit open the envelope.

"Holy Mary, Mother of God..." Ellen said in shock, as she read the letter. She immediately picked up the desk telephone and hit the speed dial for her husband Paul. The secretary answered, and said Paul was in a meeting. Ellen insisted it was important. Two minutes later, Paul was on the phone.

"Paul, honey, I need to see you and Grandpa immediately..."

* * * * *

Federal Judge Peter Cavaliere was getting tired of hearing the attorneys in his chambers arguing. He had already long made up his mind on the case before him.

Two days earlier, Ellen Raymond had received a letter from INS stating that she must turn over Melody Chen to Immigration while her status was determined. INS believed the girl was an illegal alien.

In Judge Cavaliere's chambers today were Peter Raymond, Sr. and Pamela Dietrich representing the Chen girl, plus Paul Thompson, the director for the South Florida INS district, and their attorney Michael Rizzo. Also present was a court reporter who kept a record of the hastily called hearing.

The Raymonds were asking for an immediate injunction to be granted prohibiting INS from taking the girl. INS counter argued that the girl must be an illegal alien, because there was no record of her with any government agency.

"Can you tell me with a certainty this girl is not either a US citizen or legal alien?" Judge Cavaliere asked.

"Well, we still..." Paul Thompson began to say, and was cut off by the judge.

"A plain simple yes or no."

"No," said the INS Director, swallowing hard.

"I am granting the Raymond's request for an injunction," Judge Cavaliere said. "Furthermore, I am ordering both Social Security and the passport agency to give this girl the proper documents at once. Unless you can prove to me otherwise, this girl is a United States Citizen, and has the rights of one. I will not take away those rights without proof. This is not the Elian Gonzales case."

"Thank you, your honor," said Pamela Dietrich

"Now, listen to me carefully, Mr. Thompson," the judge said, leaning forward from his desk. "There will be no bureaucratic snafus or agency mix-ups on this girl. If this girl is taken into custody no matter how accidentally, I will sign the contempt arrest warrant for you immediately. For every two hours this girl is held, you will do one day for contempt of court. Have I made myself perfectly clear?"

The judge remembered a so called 'bureaucratic mix-up' in California a year previously, where a child was taken from her family for eleven days. The girl was a US citizen and eventually released, but had to spend time in custody while the agencies sorted it out. Judge Cavaliere was not going to have a repeat with the Chen girl.

"Yes, perfectly clear, your honor," Paul Thompson said. He did not relish doing time in jail.

"Madeline, you can stop recording," Judge Cavaliere told the court reporter. "Off the record, I am very disturbed with INS planned actions in this matter. With no proof, you planned to take this child into custody. What did you plan on doing with her? Where would you have sent her?"

Paul Thompson and Michael Rizzo remained silent, trying to avoid squirming in their chairs.

"Unless you can satisfy the courts that this girl is _not_ a citizen of this country, she therefore has the rights and protections given to one. I am greatly disturbed by the actions INS was planning to take. This girl is still in therapy over her mother's murder. She is also a material witness in the upcoming murder trial of the man accused of killing her mother. You were willfully planning to take away this girl's rights, while also doing her further psychological harm and interfering with our court systems. Just feel lucky I didn't have you charged with obstruction of justice. I'm finished, and I do not want to hear any more about this case. Mr. Rizzo, Ms. Dietrich, my clerk will have the proper orders signed and ready for you by 5 pm today."

The attorneys got up and began to leave the judge's chambers.

"Mr. Raymond, Ms. Dietrich, please stay a moment," the judge said. Michael Rizzo and Paul Thompson left the chambers and closed the door behind them.

"May I ask how the child is doing?" Judge Cavaliere had read the girl's story in the Palm Beach Post. She had to be a very remarkable girl, in the judge's opinion.

"Getting better every day," Peter Raymond, Sr. stated. He had stayed mostly silent during the hearing. Pamela Dietrich had his full confidence, she was an excellent family law attorney.

"I am glad to hear that. Will she be playing chess again soon?"

"Yes, but we're not sure when. The World Juniors are being played in Poland in May," Peter, Sr. explained. "Her guardians haven't decided yet whether the girl will attend."

"My court order is clear. The girl is to be treated as a United States Citizen. If you incur any problems, contact my clerk immediately."

"Thank you, your honor." Peter, Sr. and Pamela were almost ready to leave the chambers.

"One last question - what will happen with the child? I see no family was ever found."

"Her guardians, my grandchildren Paul and Ellen, plan on petitioning for the girl's adoption," Peter, Sr. stated.

"Good to hear. I wish all of you, particularly the child, the best." Pamela and Peter, Sr. left the chambers and stepped out into a courtroom.

Ellen Raymond and Randy Woodhouse were waiting in the courtroom. While the attorneys were in chambers, Ellen and Randy had prayed together, asking God for a satisfactory outcome. As soon as Ellen saw her grandfather's face, she knew what the outcome was.

"Melody isn't going anywhere." Peter, Sr. explained the judge's ruling to his granddaughter while Randy also listened. Ellen made a sign of the cross, and kept thanking the Lord Jesus for the verdict. She then gave her grandfather a hug and kiss.

Randy congratulated the Raymonds. He was there in both an official capacity and as a friend of the Raymonds. He was preparing an article for the Post depending on the Judge's ruling. Happily, he wouldn't need to write it after all.

Ellen and Peter, Sr. left the courtroom, followed by Pamela Dietrich and Randy Woodhouse.

"Pam, one moment please," Randy said. Pamela turned around. "May I interest you in lunch today?"

"Yes, you may," said Pam, and then she and Randy continued to talk on their way out of the courthouse.

* * * * *

"In my opinion, the girl is ready," said GM Andrew Soltis, Melody Chen's chess coach. It was late on an April Saturday night, two weeks before Easter at the Raymond house. Melody was already in bed, and the GM was talking with Ellen and Paul Raymond.

"She wants to go, honey," Ellen said to her husband. "I think we should consult Dr. Dubois and her teachers also, first."

GM Soltis had been slightly disappointed by the girl's comeback the prior February. While Melody won the tournament at 5-0, her play was erratic, and she had just scraped by in two of her wins.

Coaching and practice was only good for so much. A player had to compete to really test their skills. The GM was working with Melody on the parts of her play in which she needed the most improvement. First was her impulsive attacking side. The girl was a strategical genius, but at times would attack impulsively or recklessly. Strong competition would take advantage of the girl's weak point, the GM thought, and he needed to help the child improve this part of her play.

The second part the GM was working on was Melody's opening repertoire. In the opinion of GM Soltis, while the girl was solid in her opening selection, she also tended toward duller openings, involving less sharp play. Other than an occasional Leningrad Dutch, Melody's black opening choices were more positional in nature or less likely to be won with, in Andrew's opinion.

On the other hand, GM Soltis saw that Melody knew extensively all the openings she played, and was comfortable with them. He was almost at the point of dropping the subject, and just working on the openings the girl liked to play.

"We got Melody's passport this week, will you be able to come also?" Paul asked. There had been no further problems with INS, and the girl had just recently received a Social Security Number and Passport per Judge Cavaliere's orders.

"I should. When I get home I will check and get back to you," GM Soltis replied.

"What do you think if we invite Fr. Pitor and maybe visit Czesthowva?" Ellen asked. This would not be their first visit to Poland.

"Anything you want, sweetheart." Paul held Ellen's hand. The trip may do the girl a great deal of good.

* * * * *

"Will the Baptismal candidates and their sponsors please step forward," said St. Edward's pastor, Fr. Kevin O'Reilly. It was Easter Vigil Mass. Melody got up from her seat along with her sponsors, Peter Raymond III and his wife, Marcia. Besides the girl, there were six other baptismal candidates. All were adults.

Melody was sure she had been baptized as a child. The difference was she was then Peter Stark. Now it was like she was beginning her new life, as Melody Chen and eventually as Melody Raymond. Since the previous November, the girl had been receiving instructions from Fr. Pitor. Once she had accepted her fate in life, Melody had begun to take her instructions and baptism very seriously.

Today Melody would be forgiven her sins as Peter Stark, and given a second chance at life as Melody Chen. The girl was taking this very seriously.

'Thank you, Jesus, for this opportunity,' Melody thought. Fr. Pitor was going to do the ceremony. She walked to a position just before the altar. Behind her stood her godparents, Peter III and Marcia Raymond.

Fr. Pitor opened the ceremony with the invitation to prayer. Then came the Litany of Saints. After each saint was named, the candidates and the congregation recited, "Pray for us."

"Give new life to these chosen ones by the grace of baptism. Lord, hear our prayer," read Fr. Pitor.

'Yes, a new life. I will do the most with it,' Melody thought, as Fr. Pitor did the next step, the blessing of the water. During this ceremony, he lowered a candle into the water. When this rite was completed, everyone said, "Amen." Then the choir sang as Fr. Pitor removed the candle for the last time.

"Springs of water bless the Lord, sing the glory due God's name."

Now it was time for the renunciation of sin.

"Do you reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God's children?" read Fr. Pitor.

"I do," replied Melody, the six other candidates and the entire congregation.

"Do you reject the glamor of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin?"

"I do."

"Do you reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness?"

"I do."

Then came the Profession of Faith.

"State your name," Fr. Pitor said to the candidates.

"Melody." Each of her compatriots said their own name.

"Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?"

"I do."

"Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?"

"I do."

"Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting?"

"I do."

Melody kept thanking Jesus for her new chance at life as the other six candidates were baptized first. Then it was her turn, with her sponsors hands touching her.

"Melody, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," said Fr. Pitor, as he baptized the girl with water.

'Good-bye, Peter Stark, hello Melody Chen or Melody Raymond. God, I promise to be the best person possible,' Melody thought, and made a sign of the cross after being baptized.

The choir sang, "Rejoice, you newly baptized, chosen members of the kingdom."

"Will the Godparents please come forward to give the newly baptized the light of Christ," Fr. Pitor said.

Peter III and Marcia Raymond stepped forward with a candle they were holding. Using the Paschal candle, Fr. Pitor lit a candle for all seven candidates' sponsors. Then the sponsors gave them to their candidates.

Fr. Pitor then gave the candidates the final blessing and prayer. When finished, he asked the candidates and sponsors to turn around.

"Everyone, lets congratulate the new members of our congregation." The parishioners immediately applauded the seven newly baptized.

'Good-bye Peter Stark, hello Melody Chen,' Melody thought again, with a shy smile. She saw her guardians in the congregation, proudly smiling at their child.

Yes, she was their child.

* * * * *

On May 1, Lisa Crittenden left the chambers of Judge Charlotte Davis. Judge Davis had been assigned the trial of Walter Brewer in the murder of Grace Chen.

Mr. Brewer's attorney, Angel Ramirez, had requested a change of venue for the trial. He claimed there was too much adverse publicity of the case. Today, Judge Davis made her ruling; the trial would be moved to Polk County, Florida. Polk County was about forty miles east of Tampa.

The decision didn't surprise or bother Lisa. She felt confident in the evidence and case she had against Walter Brewer. The prosecutor was sure she would get a conviction. The judge also set a date in late July when the jury would begin being selected for the trial. The trial would start the week immediately afterwards, and was estimated to last two weeks.

Only one thing bothered Lisa. She wanted as strong a case as possible. So that meant putting the Chen girl on the witness stand. Lisa feared for the psychological impact on the girl if she testified.

Lisa had work to do. It was less than three months until the trial would begin.

* * * * *

The trip for Melody Chen and the Raymonds to Zakopane, Poland took four days, allowing for the sightseeing and relatives to be seen. In another day after getting to Zakopane, the World Juniors twelve and under would begin in the Polish City tucked in the Tatra Mountains of southern Poland. Fr. Pitor was accompanying the family. Melody's coach, GM Soltis, would arrive the next day.

Before going on the trip, the Raymonds consulted with both Dr. Dubois and St. Ann's. Dr. Dubois was only seeing Melody on a bimonthly basis now. The doctor thought the trip would be therapeutic; the girl enjoyed competing at chess, and this was a great opportunity. Mrs. Clampett and Fr. Murtaugh at St. Ann's approved the trip. Melody was making straight A's, plus the trip would be educational.

The actual flights to Poland from Miami took close to a full day, because of a connection to Krakow picked up in Rome. Melody and the Raymonds arrived in Poland at Krakow's International Airport late in the afternoon, local time.

While it wasn't the Raymonds' first trip to Poland, it was for Melody. Their first visit or place to see in Poland was to be the city of Czestochowa, the hometown and birthplace of Fr. Pitor. While staying in Czestochowa, Melody and her guardians stayed at the Orbiz Hotel Patria. The hotel was at the base of Jasna Gora. Jasna Gora, or Bright Mountain, was at the center of the industrial town of 260,000 people.

During two days there, the Raymonds and Melody met Fr. Pitor's mother, plus his sister Mary and her family.

But the highlight or the reason for the visit was to let Melody pay a visit to Jasna Gora. At the top of Jasna Gora stood a monastery. The monastery was home to the famous painting, The Black Madonna. The painting consisted of an image of the Virgin Mary holding the Baby Jesus. While the date of its painting is unknown, the painting was a famous icon or symbol in Poland. Every year hundreds of thousands of pilgrims came every August 15 for the Assumption, and August 26, the feast day for Our Lady of Czestochowa.

It was a cool Wednesday morning when Melody and the Raymonds walked up the hill to the monastery. Once inside the monastery they went to the area where the Black Madonna was kept. It was inside a caged area.

Ellen explained to Melody the significance of The Black Madonna and its history.

Melody looked at the painting. She had learned to accept her fate. She, or rather Peter Stark, had sinned against God. He had cheated other children. So God punished him by making him the young girl he had impersonated. But God also gave the girl a second chance. Melody was going to make the most of this second chance. Not just for herself, but in memory of Hank.

"She's beautiful," Melody said. Ellen smiled at Melody and took out her rosary. Along with her guardians, Melody made a sign of the cross and kneeled down on the floor. She would pray to the Virgin for herself, Hank and her new family.

* * * * *

In Zakopane, Melody, the Raymonds, GM Soltis and Fr. Pitor settled into the lodge they rented just outside town. It was on one of the many lakes in the area. The view the lodge had of the surrounding mountains was breathtaking.

The World Juniors was to be played over the next eight days, with twelve games to be played. Players from forty-seven countries had come to Zakopane to compete. Some of the organizers and competitors had heard of Melody's story. They were impressed not just by her strength at a young age but also her recovery.

Being only Melody's second competition since the previous Fall, she was both a bit rusty and nervous. She still feared strangers easily.

By the end of four rounds, Melody stood at only 1.5-2.5. Two losses, one win and one draw.

While studying the games with GM Soltis, Melody could see the dumb mistakes she had made, the miscalculations. The girl was even lucky to win the one game she did.

'I've got to concentrate,' Melody kept telling herself. She had made a vow to become the best chess player possible. It was her way of honoring Hank.

Paul Raymond saw his future daughter's struggles, and came up with a brilliant idea. The girl was spending too much time on her chess. After Round four, he took Melody fishing. The streams in the area had trout in great abundance. As it turned out, this became a welcome reprieve for the girl. For the rest of the tournament, Melody would spend her non-chess time fishing with her guardian.

Round five was a turnaround, as Melody crushed England's Julia Manchester in twenty-six moves. The Chinese Terror was back.

Melody won seven of her last eight games, drawing the other and winning her last five in a row. All in all, she finished in solo third place at 9-3. Of the two players who tied for first, Eugen Demian of Romania and Krystyna Makowski of Poland, Melody had beaten both. Both were also twelve years old. Melody would be back for the next World Juniors in Las Palmas Spain in 2001.

* * * * *

On June 14, Pamela Dietrich filed a petition in Palm Beach County Florida on behalf of Paul and Ellen Raymond. It was a petition to adopt Melody Chen.

Children Services, HHS and any other government agencies had ninety days to file briefs either in support or in opposition to the adoption.

If the court approved the petition, Melody Chen would become Melody Grace Raymond.

* * * * *

On July 3, Randy Woodhouse's third installment in the incredible story of Melody Chen appeared in the Palm Beach Post. The series on the girl's recovery had drawn nearly a thousand letters from readers. It also got the reporter a nomination for the best Feature Series from the Florida State Journalists Association.

What it didn't get Randy was anywhere near to the bottom of from where the Chens had come and to where the Starks disappeared. No sign of either Stark brother had been seen or heard since the previous Labor Day weekend.

Another weird fact showed up when the reporter checked the US Chess Federation website. Melody Chen's rating was 2409, while Peter Stark had a rating over 2200. Both ratings being Master strength.

At the same time the Starks disappeared was when the Chens popped up. Or did they? More coincidences?

Better question - why did he care? Randy asked himself this over and over. Apparently, no one else did. There had been no missing persons reports filed on either Stark brother.

It was almost like they were the same people. But how could that be? It sounded like something out of Star Trek or the X-Files. If it really bothered him so much, why did he allow his son to be one of the girl's best friends? Jonathan still came to the Raymond's house two or more times a month. He called Melody Chen his 'very best friend'.

Randy stopped speculating. He had a dinner date that evening with Pamela Dietrich. He had better things to think of.

* * * * *

It had been a long trip for Vassily Smyslov. He had left Moscow the previous morning, making connections in London and New York City before arriving in San Francisco. For a seventy-nine-year-old man it was a tiring affair, and Vassily was happy to finally be there.

This was only his third ever trip to America, and his first in over thirty years. Vassily had given up competitive chess, but he was coming out of retirement for a special friend. He wanted to finally meet Melody Chen.

Vassily originally planned to meet the girl in Zakopane, Poland at the World Juniors. However, the elderly GM had a bout of influenza a few weeks before the tournament, and his doctors advised against his traveling. However, he did study the girl's games. Melody's victory over Julia Manchester was a masterpiece, in the Grandmaster's opinion.

The US Open was still three days away. It was to be played in Palo Alto, about forty minutes south of San Francisco. Vassily took the airport shuttle from SFO to the Holiday Inn at which he would be staying. It was almost 8 pm by the time he arrived at the hotel. Once checked in, a bellman helped the former World Champ take his luggage to his room. After refreshing himself, Vassily went downstairs to have some dinner and then returned to his room. By 11:30 he was sound asleep.

It was just a few minutes before 8:30 am the next morning when the former World Champ walked off the elevator in the direction of the hotel lobby and restaurant. Once around the corner he saw them. A young couple in their thirties and a child. The young girl was clutching the woman, looking like she was frightened. The World Champ shook the couple's hands.

"Melody, I am so glad to have finally met you. I am Vassily Smyslov." Melody replied with a shy hello. Then the GM joined girl and her guardians for breakfast.

* * * * *

'Okay, I'm here, everyone. So stop staring,' Melody thought to herself as she waited outside the main meeting room where the US Open would be played. Seated next to her was GM Smyslov and her guardians.

Melody could feel everyone looking at her. She heard the whispers of the players, many of whom took pity on the little girl and were glad she had come to play. To them she was a little girl chess prodigy. Little did they know who Melody Chen really was.

'Accept it, Pete. You won't be your old self again.' Melody had accepted her fate the previous Christmas. She learned to accept what happened to her brother. By becoming successful at chess, Melody thought she would honor Hank. Despite everything, Hank had loved his baby brother.

Now she had a second chance at life. A chance to be something other than an underachieving nobody.

'Yeah, and nobody knows.' Melody smiled for a moment. 'It's kinda fun fooling all of these grownups.'

For the past two days Melody and GM Smyslov had played and studied chess together. The GM was impressed with her ability, and doted on the little girl like Melody was his granddaughter. Melody returned the favor, calling the GM Dadaya Vassily, or Uncle Vassily. It had been a rewarding two days; the GM had taught her much about chess. Melody had to admit it was an opportunity she should be thankful for, like her second chance at life.

"I think it's time we go inside," said GM Smyslov. The Raymonds wished Melody and Vassily good luck. Then the GM and the girl chess prodigy went inside the large playing room.

This year's US Open field had 433 players from twenty-one countries. Nineteen of the players were Grandmasters, thirteen were international Masters. Of the Nineteen Grandmasters, thirteen were American, the other six coming from Poland, Canada, France, Italy, Bulgaria and Russia.

Vassily and Melody walked to board thirty-one, where the girl would play her first round game. She was the thirty-first highest rated player in the field, and was slated to play white against a Calvin Pruitt. Melody and the Grandmaster wished each other good luck. Then the girl took her seat at board thirty-one while GM Smyslov went to Board number two. At board fourteen, GM Andrew Soltis waved to his student. Melody's opponent was already seated across from her. While the usual opening speech was made, Melody made sure the pieces were properly set on the board and the time clock was correct. Then came the announcement to start play.

"Good luck," Melody said to her opponent, accepting his handshake. Calvin Pruitt then started the chess clock. Melody opened 1. d4, and play had begun.

* * * *

The day after the US Open started, two important events took place in Florida.

It was the first day of jury selection in the murder trial for Walter Brewer in the death of Grace Chen. In the Polk County Courthouse, Lisa Crittenden and Angel Ramirez busied themselves with Judge Charlotte Davis in an attempt to get a jury seated for the trial.

Three days later, a jury consisting of eight men and four women, plus another four alternates had been selected. The trial would begin the next week. The last witness the prosecution intended to call for testimony was Melody Chen. Lisa Crittenden was confident she would not only get a conviction, but have Walter Brewer sentenced to death.

The same day that jury selection began, not far away in Manatee County, Florida, a woman was in labor and ready to give birth. Her name was Maritza Tavarez.

Early that morning, Maritza had awoken from her sleep to make one of her all too frequent trips to the bathroom. She was feeling some pain. It went away.

The pain came back less than hour later, waking Maritza up from her sleep again. She ignored it, and tried to get some sleep.

It happened a third time, and it was no longer doing any good for Maritza to ignore it. Despite being born a man, she knew what it meant; she was going into labor. Maritza immediately called a neighbor with whom she'd become a friend. Fifteen minutes later, Maritza was on the way to Columbia Blake Medical Center.

For the next thirteen hours, Maritza was in intense pain. She refused repeated offers of an epidural to lessen the pain. She only wished someone was here with her. Like Keiko Masuda.

Then Maritza remembered it was Keiko who got her into this mess. She decided to make it on her own.

At 4:17 pm, Maritza gave one last big push and out came a baby girl. The girl weighed seven pounds, one ounce. A hospital official asked the new mother what she wanted to name the child. After a minute's thought she answered. "Keiko Tavarez."

One of the nurses soon handed the child to the mother. Sensing the child was hungry, Maritza bared her breast and allowed the child to suck away.

* * * * *

"Melody, it has been my honor to meet you," said GM Smyslov. "I hope we can continue to be friends." The Grandmaster said his final good-bye to the Raymonds, then climbed inside the airport shuttle for the ride back to SFO.

The Grandmaster waved to the young girl and her guardians as the van pulled away.

While Vassily did not look forward to the long return trip, he felt that he had done a good deed. To help Melody Chen heal.

Every day throughout the tournament, he and Melody would review the games they had played the day before. It proved to not only be a learning experience for the young girl, but for the Grandmaster himself.

Through studying the games of Melody Chen, he began to see the tremendous talent and potential the girl had. The clear strategical thinking and strong tactical ability shown in the girl's games was astonishing.

And the girl would only get better. Children this age were still learning and improving. The girl had a chess coach and supportive parents. This girl had the makings of a World Champion, the Grandmaster thought, as the van made the drive to SFO.

Vassily Smyslov finished in a three-way tie with GM Joel Benjamin and Polish GM Alex Wojietwicz for first at 9-3. The former World Champ had shown he had not lost his touch.

Nor had Melody, who finished a strong 8-4, finishing in a tie for Ninth. Overall, Melody won six games, drew four and lost two. Among her wins was a victory over Italian GM Sergio Mariotti and draws vs. GM Maurice Ashley and GM Wojietwicz.

Once her friend was gone, Melody turned to her guardian. "Daddy, are we going to the baseball game tonight?"

Paul and Ellen couldn't help but melt at the word Daddy. In a month, Melody would be their child officially. It didn't matter, they were a family now.

"Absolutely, Champ." Paul and Ellen Raymond shared a hug with Melody. They then walked back to the elevator.

* * * * *

Lisa Crittenden preferred not having to put the Chen girl through this, but it was needed if Grace Chen's killer was to be found guilty. Melody Chen was to testify that day in Polk County in the murder trial of Walter Brewer, the man accused of murdering Grace Chen.

Melody walked up to the witness stand and raised her right hand as the oath was read.

"I do," Melody said, and then took her seat.

Paul and Ellen Raymond sat in the gallery of the court room in the Polk County Courthouse. Neither relished Melody having to testify, but like so many times before, they were amazed by their soon to be daughter. They could see that look of determination on her face, like when she played chess.

Lisa Crittenden had prepped Melody for today's testimony. The testimony would be short, under thirty minutes, but it was important. She began by asking the girl preliminary questions about where they were that day, what they had done and where they were going when the car got its flat tire.

"A man stopped to help your mother?"

"Yes," Melody replied.

"What type of vehicle was he driving?"

"A white van or minivan," Melody said, staring right at her brother's killer.

Lisa asked a couple of more questions before getting to the point. "Is the man who attacked your mother in the courtroom?"

"Yes, him!" Melody said, emphatically pointing at Walter Brewer. The girl couldn't help but think of her brother.

'Hank, I did it,' Melody thought, asking forgiveness from her brother. Helping get her brother's killer convicted was the least she could do.

Lisa finished her questioning quickly and took her seat.

Angel Ramirez was the attorney for Walter Brewer. He had been a public defender for five years, and this was his third capitol murder case. He walked up to the witness stand and cross-examined Melody Chen.

Angel was under no illusions as to his client's guilt. The evidence was overwhelming. But he had a duty to defend his client the best he could. He also knew that a rough cross-examination of the girl would get him nowhere. First, Judge Davis had made it clear in chambers earlier that she would not tolerate certain behavior in getting the girl to testify. Secondly, a rough cross-examination of the girl would probably do more damage than help. Angel had seen the juror's faces, they admired the girl's bravery.

Angel introduced himself to the girl. He didn't plan on a long cross-examination of Melody Chen. He asked a few preliminary questions, mostly to make the girl feel at ease and impress upon the jury that the attorney did feel for the little girl.

"Now, you say my client, Mr. Brewer, is the one who attacked your mother."

"Yes," Melody said, staring straight at Angel Ramirez.

"Are you absolutely positive?" Angel asked. What a stare this girl has, he thought. It was almost mesmerizing.

"He killed my Mommy!" Melody said with emphasis, and pointing her finger straight at Walter Brewer for the second time.

"I have no more questions," Angel said. Judge Davis excused Melody, who got up from her chair and walked to where her guardians, Paul and Ellen, were seated. Both were smiling, and Paul was giving Melody the thumbs up. Lisa Crittenden also smiled at the young girl as she took her parent's hands and walked out of the courtroom together with them.

By the time Melody's testimony was finished, it was nearly 12 noon.

"Mommy, can I get an ice cream?" Melody asked Ellen.

"Absolutely." Ellen gave Melody a hug, and along with her husband took Melody's hand and continued their way out of the courthouse.

* * * * *

 

(continued)

 

 

 

*********************************************
© 2002 by Danielle J. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, compilation design) may printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without express written consent of the copyright holder.