Experimental RM Fic--Part 3
Ch.3: Marissa’s Point of View
“Hey kiddo,” my dad says affectionately. I love it when my he calls me that. He wraps his arm around me as we sit together on the big cot in his small room. I miss having my dad’s arm wrapped around me.
I feel protected. I feel strong. I feel loved. I feel safe, and there's only one other person that can make me feel that way.
“I’m really proud of you. Have I told you that? You have done an incredible job so far, and that pecan pie you learned how to make is delicious.”
“Thanks daddy,” I blush. I feel just like a little girl when my dad compliments me. He likes my pecan pie. I wonder if Ryan would enjoy my pecan pie.
“Kiddo, I love you and I never want to leave you again. It tore my heart to pieces that day I was beaten up and had to leave you to go to Hawaii. The look on your face tore me to pieces.”
“I know, dad. I know you didn’t want to leave. You did what you had to do. I’m proud of you too. You have really done well for yourself out here on this boat. You used to worry me when we still lived in Newport. After you lost everything, you never seemed capable of digging yourself out of that humungous hole, but now you’ve finally done it. I’m really proud of you dad.”
“It means the world to me that you said that. Hearing it from you-you are my whole world, kiddo. You will always be my little girl. The worst thing for me was to know that you were hurting and I wasn’t able to be a good parent to you. I wasn’t able to be a good father because I couldn’t even take care of myself. I promise to never leave you again. You are free to go whenever you are ready to go to college and begin your career, but as long as you need me, I will never leave you again.”
I feel a few tears escape from my eyes, and I bury my head in my dad’s shoulder.
“I love you, daddy,” I whisper.
We remain silent and drawn close to each other for a while. No more words are necessary. We have a mutual understanding. We need each other. He promised me he will never leave me again, and I believe him. I will hold onto that promise forever. I welcome the silence and embrace my dad even tighter until I begin to drift off to sleep with my head firmly pressed against his shoulder.
*****************************************************************************************
The next morning arrives earlier than expected. A few of the sun’s rays beam brightly from a nearby window and warm my face. The smell of brewing coffee saturates my room from the open window, and I can hear people chattering about sports and politics in the adjacent hallway. I heave a sigh of relief as I remember that today is my day off, which means I can sleep in. I helped move boxes of fresh produce for several hours yesterday, and my muscles are sore so sleeping in sounds great. I realize that I am in my own room, which means my dad must have carried me to my bed last night after I fell asleep. I guess my dad must already be outside navigating the boat, which means it must be fairly late in the morning. I hear a shuffle at my door, and Marie’s voice snaps me out of my thought process.
“Marissa? Marissa sweetie, are you awake?” She inquires from behind my door.
“Yes, Marie. You can come in,” I tell her.
“Marissa sweetie, you have mail. I thought I would bring it to you since I know today is your day off and you’d probably want to sleep in.” Marie is very kind. She didn’t have to do that. Ever since I arrived on this boat, she has been like a mother figure to me-always looking after me.
“Thanks Marie. Does the envelope say who it’s from?” As I ask her this, I can feel my hands clenched tightly together from under the sheets. I am nervous. I want it to be Ryan. Could he have written me back so quickly?
“It says it’s from a Ryan Atwood, dear,” she answers. I try very hard to contain my excitement, but she must have figured it out because the next thing she asks me is, “Is he your boyfriend? The moment I mentioned his name, your entire demeanor changed--you blushed and you relaxed.”
“No, he’s just a friend,” I assure her.
“But surely you must feel something for him to react the way you did to the sound of his name…,” she counters.
“It’s complicated,” I explain as I take the envelope from her hands. She walks back towards the door, and I think she understands that I don’t wish to talk about it any further, which I am very grateful for.
“Well I’ll leave you alone so you can read it. See you at lunch.” She smiles at me and begins humming a tune as she heads out the door.
My hands are shaking as I open the envelope and pull out the letter. I realize that he must have bought the same stationary for himself since the letter is written on an identical, floral sheet of paper. That’s cute. I guess he wanted our letters to match. As I study his handwriting, I feel so connected to him. I can’t control the broad smile or the flurry of emotions that overtake me as I carefully read each line of his letter.
June 18, 2006
Marissa,
You have no idea how happy I was to receive your letter today. I was worried for a little bit there that something had happened to you or that you had forgotten about me already.
I miss you a lot-you have no idea. I think about you every day. As long as you keep writing me, we will never lose touch because I refuse to let that happen.
So how do you like my stationary? I hope it doesn’t make you think of me as weak and effeminate. I mean floral designs? According to Seth it’s “minty,” which can’t be good for my tough guy reputation.
Marissa Cooper doing manual labor? I never thought I’d see the day. Maybe I should mail you one of my wife beaters to match your new blue collar status. I mean, you definitely look better in them than I do. And cooking too? I hope this doesn’t mean you are going to ditch the Kraft Mac and Cheese though. I love that stuff, especially the way you make it. Nobody makes it quite as well as you do. I can get fat off of your mac and cheese.
I’m glad to know everything is going well with you and your dad. I really am proud of you for doing this. How is he?
Everyone in Newport is doing well. Seth is Seth and Summer is Summer. You know them-they may unceremoniously fight and bicker, but at the end of the day they are inseparable. And Sandy and Kirsten are doing great. I haven’t seen your mom or Kaitlin around lately, but I’m pretty sure they’re on a cruise ship in the Atlantic with Dr. Roberts.
I don’t know if I’m ready to go to Berkley yet. Orientation is in about three weeks. I guess I’ll know if I’m ready then.
Well I better get going, but please write back soon.
Ryan
Aw, so he thinks about me every day? And he loves my macaroni and cheese? And he thinks I look great in his wife beaters? I blush and dip my head under the covers. Maybe there’s still a chance. Maybe he still loves me. The wide smile never leaves my face as I drift back to sleep with hopes of having sweet dreams of me together with Ryan Atwood. I am still so in love. I’ll write him when I wake up.
“Hey kiddo,” my dad says affectionately. I love it when my he calls me that. He wraps his arm around me as we sit together on the big cot in his small room. I miss having my dad’s arm wrapped around me.
I feel protected. I feel strong. I feel loved. I feel safe, and there's only one other person that can make me feel that way.
“I’m really proud of you. Have I told you that? You have done an incredible job so far, and that pecan pie you learned how to make is delicious.”
“Thanks daddy,” I blush. I feel just like a little girl when my dad compliments me. He likes my pecan pie. I wonder if Ryan would enjoy my pecan pie.
“Kiddo, I love you and I never want to leave you again. It tore my heart to pieces that day I was beaten up and had to leave you to go to Hawaii. The look on your face tore me to pieces.”
“I know, dad. I know you didn’t want to leave. You did what you had to do. I’m proud of you too. You have really done well for yourself out here on this boat. You used to worry me when we still lived in Newport. After you lost everything, you never seemed capable of digging yourself out of that humungous hole, but now you’ve finally done it. I’m really proud of you dad.”
“It means the world to me that you said that. Hearing it from you-you are my whole world, kiddo. You will always be my little girl. The worst thing for me was to know that you were hurting and I wasn’t able to be a good parent to you. I wasn’t able to be a good father because I couldn’t even take care of myself. I promise to never leave you again. You are free to go whenever you are ready to go to college and begin your career, but as long as you need me, I will never leave you again.”
I feel a few tears escape from my eyes, and I bury my head in my dad’s shoulder.
“I love you, daddy,” I whisper.
We remain silent and drawn close to each other for a while. No more words are necessary. We have a mutual understanding. We need each other. He promised me he will never leave me again, and I believe him. I will hold onto that promise forever. I welcome the silence and embrace my dad even tighter until I begin to drift off to sleep with my head firmly pressed against his shoulder.
*****************************************************************************************
The next morning arrives earlier than expected. A few of the sun’s rays beam brightly from a nearby window and warm my face. The smell of brewing coffee saturates my room from the open window, and I can hear people chattering about sports and politics in the adjacent hallway. I heave a sigh of relief as I remember that today is my day off, which means I can sleep in. I helped move boxes of fresh produce for several hours yesterday, and my muscles are sore so sleeping in sounds great. I realize that I am in my own room, which means my dad must have carried me to my bed last night after I fell asleep. I guess my dad must already be outside navigating the boat, which means it must be fairly late in the morning. I hear a shuffle at my door, and Marie’s voice snaps me out of my thought process.
“Marissa? Marissa sweetie, are you awake?” She inquires from behind my door.
“Yes, Marie. You can come in,” I tell her.
“Marissa sweetie, you have mail. I thought I would bring it to you since I know today is your day off and you’d probably want to sleep in.” Marie is very kind. She didn’t have to do that. Ever since I arrived on this boat, she has been like a mother figure to me-always looking after me.
“Thanks Marie. Does the envelope say who it’s from?” As I ask her this, I can feel my hands clenched tightly together from under the sheets. I am nervous. I want it to be Ryan. Could he have written me back so quickly?
“It says it’s from a Ryan Atwood, dear,” she answers. I try very hard to contain my excitement, but she must have figured it out because the next thing she asks me is, “Is he your boyfriend? The moment I mentioned his name, your entire demeanor changed--you blushed and you relaxed.”
“No, he’s just a friend,” I assure her.
“But surely you must feel something for him to react the way you did to the sound of his name…,” she counters.
“It’s complicated,” I explain as I take the envelope from her hands. She walks back towards the door, and I think she understands that I don’t wish to talk about it any further, which I am very grateful for.
“Well I’ll leave you alone so you can read it. See you at lunch.” She smiles at me and begins humming a tune as she heads out the door.
My hands are shaking as I open the envelope and pull out the letter. I realize that he must have bought the same stationary for himself since the letter is written on an identical, floral sheet of paper. That’s cute. I guess he wanted our letters to match. As I study his handwriting, I feel so connected to him. I can’t control the broad smile or the flurry of emotions that overtake me as I carefully read each line of his letter.
June 18, 2006
Marissa,
You have no idea how happy I was to receive your letter today. I was worried for a little bit there that something had happened to you or that you had forgotten about me already.
I miss you a lot-you have no idea. I think about you every day. As long as you keep writing me, we will never lose touch because I refuse to let that happen.
So how do you like my stationary? I hope it doesn’t make you think of me as weak and effeminate. I mean floral designs? According to Seth it’s “minty,” which can’t be good for my tough guy reputation.
Marissa Cooper doing manual labor? I never thought I’d see the day. Maybe I should mail you one of my wife beaters to match your new blue collar status. I mean, you definitely look better in them than I do. And cooking too? I hope this doesn’t mean you are going to ditch the Kraft Mac and Cheese though. I love that stuff, especially the way you make it. Nobody makes it quite as well as you do. I can get fat off of your mac and cheese.
I’m glad to know everything is going well with you and your dad. I really am proud of you for doing this. How is he?
Everyone in Newport is doing well. Seth is Seth and Summer is Summer. You know them-they may unceremoniously fight and bicker, but at the end of the day they are inseparable. And Sandy and Kirsten are doing great. I haven’t seen your mom or Kaitlin around lately, but I’m pretty sure they’re on a cruise ship in the Atlantic with Dr. Roberts.
I don’t know if I’m ready to go to Berkley yet. Orientation is in about three weeks. I guess I’ll know if I’m ready then.
Well I better get going, but please write back soon.
Ryan
Aw, so he thinks about me every day? And he loves my macaroni and cheese? And he thinks I look great in his wife beaters? I blush and dip my head under the covers. Maybe there’s still a chance. Maybe he still loves me. The wide smile never leaves my face as I drift back to sleep with hopes of having sweet dreams of me together with Ryan Atwood. I am still so in love. I’ll write him when I wake up.