Original Date of Post: 01/18/2009
Narrator: The following events that happen in this chapter are true…Okay, some of the stuff is made up, or exaggerated, and possibly blown out of context...
Medea: Oh shut your mouth, you puppet! These events ARE true!
Narrator: Okay, I guess it has the creator's seal of approval. On with today's chapter!
Doctor: Marisa! Marisa, can you hear me? (She opens her eyes) She’s coming around!
Michelle: Marisa! Thank God you’re okay!
Doctor: You’re in the hospital. Your appendix just ruptured! But we took care of things before they got out of hand.
Marisa: (Voice over) Sure, like having your ticking time-bomb explode in your body isn’t crazy enough! Yeah, that’s right! My friggin’ appendix ruptured! As if I haven’t already been through enough within the last three months! Oh, that’s right. This story doesn’t really feature chapters during the summer season. Okay, time to fill you in on a couple of things. First of all, before the season finale, I got word that my father was dying from cancer. Now you know my dad and I were never really close. Nevertheless, I was still a little sympathetic for his ordeal. So…
Narrator: Hey, what the hell are you doing? I’m the narrator of the story!
Marisa: Uh-huh! Well this chapter is all about me. So guess what baby, you can get the hell out of here today!
Narrator: Oh. Medea, you better be paying me for today!
Marisa: That’s right! This is Marisa’s time! Where was I? Oh yes! Well after May and Drew’s wedding, I mainly spent my time at home. And that SUCKED! I hated being at home with my father by myself because my mom was at work and Laura decided to take summer classes. (Flashback)
Michelle: Now I left some soup in the fridge, so if he gets hungry, just heat it up for him in the microwave.
Marisa: It’s days like this where I really wish I had a summer job.
Michelle: You do have a job! Your job is to stay at home and take care of your father.
Marisa: I meant a real job, away from this house, and that pays money. A job where I’m not taking care of someone who is mean and spiteful.
Michelle: Well the mean and spiteful part is something you might have to deal with when you get a real job. Honey, I know you want to get a real job. But somebody has to stay home and watch after your father. I know you and him have never gotten along, but with any luck that could change. Maybe, you’ll open up and start to love him, before he dies.
Marisa: (Voice over) Why didn’t I just slap the taste out of my mother’s mouth? Sorry, we all have those thoughts in our heads. I know what you’re thinking! Why the hell wasn’t I able to get a job during the summer? I don’t know. I’ve applied for so many jobs and not one of those sorry-ass employers got back to me! Guess they all reached capacity in hiring 18 year olds.
Michelle: Just remember, that if any of those jobs calls you back, feel free to take their offer.
Marisa: In a heartbeat.
Michelle: Marisa, just promise me that you’ll try and get along with him.
Marisa: (Voice over) I didn’t argue with him, if that’s what she means. So for about a good month, I was stuck at the house taking care of my father. I was okay with that to an extent. He was his usual grouchy self and I just didn’t say anything to him. Same as it's always been. Sometimes, we would be in the living room watching some television to avoid eye-contact or conversation. Of course at that time, I was also neglecting my friends. Not to mention my boyfriend, Tracey. (Over the phone)
Marcus: Sounds rough little buddy!
Marisa: You don’t even know the half of it! I mean it’s not in my nature to be nice to him.
Marcus: I truly don’t know how you’re feeling. I mean, I have a pretty healthy relationship with my old man. But that’s because he’s been with me all my life! I’ll tell you what, I’ll stop by on one of my days off and break you out of there.
Marisa: How’s the theatre life?
Marcus: Stressful if you must know. And I’m only on the set crew! Oh yeah, how are things going with Tracey? I haven’t seen much of him since the wedding.
Marisa: I haven’t really spoken to him that much since then either.
Marcus: What the hell? The wedding was at least a month ago.
Marisa: It isn’t like I’m avoiding him. I’ve been trying to call him everyday, but his phone is always shut off. And then when he calls me, I’m busy with the old man. (Beep) Oh, speak of the devil. Marcus, I have to take this.
Marcus: I understand. I’ll talk to you later.
Marisa: Tracey?
Tracey: Finally, I get you!
Marisa: Sorry but you know my life. But apparently I don’t know where you are!
Tracey: Sorry Marisa. It’s just that these summer classes are kicking my butt. The rumors are true, they really do suck.
Marisa: Back it up boy! You’re taking summer classes? Why am I only hearing about this now?
Tracey: Sorry, sorry! I guess it slipped my mind.
Marisa: For the past month?
Tracey: I could have sworn I told you.
Marisa: I don’t know. You might have and knowing me I forgot because I’m preoccupied with other responsibilities.
Tracey: So how’s your father?
Marisa: Getting worse I’m afraid. He just started his chemotherapy and he’s hating every moment of it. But that’s to be expected! So Tracey, tell me. Why are you taking summer school?
Tracey: I failed a class this time around.
Marisa: What the hell? You go to a community college where the classes are small and you can get in contact with your professor at any time! How could you possibly fail?
Tracey: Um, remember that weekend we spent at the hotel room? I was supposed to study for an important test that weekend.
Marisa: Oh. Well don’t feel bad. I’m sort of in the same boat. I failed my Geology course.
Tracey: Really? What did your parents say?
Marisa: They don’t know yet. And I don’t have any intention of telling them!
Tracey: Good luck with that!
Marisa: (Voice over) They found out a couple of days later!
Michelle: An F in Geology?
Marisa: I’m sorry! The teacher was a jerk and only counted five whole tests to determine what the grade is going to be for the semester. Plus, those tests are totally biased…
Father: Oh, like the SAT’s were biased too?
Marisa: Those were biased too!
Michelle: We warned you before you signed up for that class to think twice before taking the course. Do you have any idea what’s going to happen? The school has put you on academic probation! Next semester, you have to pass all of your classes or you’ll be kicked out of school.
Father: I knew this would happen! I just knew it! I knew that she was going to screw up, and fail. Wasting our money! Money that could be used to pay for medication for me! (Marisa runs into her room)
Laura: Huh? (Knocks on the door) Marisa!
Marisa: Go away!
Laura: Come on! It’s just me! (She opens the door)
Marisa: Come in and close the door behind you! I can’t believe he said that to me! What kind of father thinks that their child is going to fail? As usual, that’s just like him. He takes his pain out on his own daughter!
Laura: I agree, what your father said was out of line and no loving father would ever say “I knew she was going to screw up” or anything like that.
Marisa: Well, he hasn’t ever been “Father of the Year” material. And people wonder why I’ve hated him all these years. (Knock on the door) Who is it and what do you want?
Michelle: May I come in? (She opens the door)
Marisa: If you’ve come to give me that tired-ass excuse about him not meaning what he says and that he’s just hurting, SPARE ME. (She slams the door)
Michelle: Come on Marisa!
Marisa: (Voice over) Like I’m the first person in the world to be put on academic probation and God knows he’s probably been on probation when he was in school. It’s not one of my best moments. Eventually, I got some time to be around Tracey and I needed that. Anything to get out of my house! (A couple of weeks later at the diner)
Tracey: How are you? I barely get to see you!
Marisa: I’m okay for the most part.
Tracey: How’s your father doing?
Marisa: Well, where to begin? The stubborn goat is making his new mission in life to be mean and surly to the ones who look after him. Namely me!
Tracey: How so?
Marisa: When I got word that I’m being put on academic probation, he said that he knew I was going to screw up and fail. And then he continued to say that he wished he never sent me to college so that he could buy cancer medication thinking it’s going to change his condition.
Tracey: So I’m assuming your relationship with him isn’t getting any better.
Marisa: It’s never going to get any better! Can you accept that yet?
Tracey: Fine.
Marisa: (Sighs) I’m sorry I’m so angry and that you have to deal with this.
Tracey: It’s okay. It’s okay. Let’s just change the subject.
Marisa: Fine…So…Have you seen anybody lately?
Tracey: Well, I ran into Drew the other day. He and May are doing great! Oh yeah, and Daisy is in my class at the college.
Marisa: Oh...really.
Tracey: She told me that she’s sorry to hear about your father and sends her condolences to the family.
Marisa: Is that all?
Tracey: Yeah. (Phone ringing)
Marisa: (Sighs) That’s mine! (Picks up) Hello. What? Come on, does he really need it now? I ask for one afternoon and this is…Fine, fine, you owe me! Okay, let me write this down. Okay! (Hangs up) I have to go, Tracey.
Tracey: We just got here!
Marisa: I’ll make it up to you, I promise. I have to pick up something at the store for my old man.
Tracey: Do you want me to give you a ride to the store?
Marisa: You don’t have to.
Tracey: It’s fine. (A little later at the house)
Marisa: I’m back with his stupid crap.
Michelle: That was fast.
Marisa: Tracey gave me a ride to the store.
Michelle: Well that was nice of him.
Father: Is he still around?
Marisa: Yes he is and I still love him.
Father: (Scoffs) He’s still a punk. And he's probably the reason why you failed that class! If you spent less time with that boy, maybe you could have actually passed that class. (Marisa growls)
Michelle: Uh-oh. Marisa, you picked up the wrong kind of oatmeal.
Marisa: You’ve got to be kidding me! Oh crap! (Runs outside) Damn it, he’s gone! Fine, I’ll be back in an hour.
Michelle: It’s fine. I can go and you can stay with your father.
Marisa: (Grabs the receipt) I’m going. Just tell me what brand and I’ll get it. I'd rather walk to the store than stay here.
Michelle: (Sighs) Um…okay. (Phone ringing) I’ll get that.
Father: Just remember to get it right this time.
Marisa: (Thinking) Don’t raise your voice…He won’t be in this world for long. It’s only the month of…July! I wish it were August so I could go back to school.
Michelle: That was your sister. She was wondering if you would be willing to travel over there to see some doctors. She thinks some of the doctors over there could help you more so.
Father: Interesting.
Michelle: The only problem is that you would need someone with you for this trip. I have work and Laura has class. It would be too much to ask you Marisa.
Father: Marisa, you’re going. You’re the only one in this house who isn’t doing squat.
Marisa: (Thinking) Being your personal bitch on command isn’t enough apparently! (Later that night in Marisa’s room)
Laura: Maybe it won’t be so bad! (Marisa throws a pillow against a wall) Maybe this will bring you to have some sort of respect for your father. (Marisa growls)
Marisa: I fucking hate his family! I fucking hate the fact that I’m related to them! They don’t like me or my mother and I’m with these people now! I do not sip tea with the fucking enemy! (Repeatedly punches a pillow)
Laura: (Sighs) Well I tried! (Knock on the door) Coming! (Opens the door)
Michelle: Dinner is ready!
Laura: Okay.
Michelle: Is she coming? (Marisa lets out a scream)
Laura: She’ll be done in a second. (Marisa walks up)
Marisa: Okay, what’s for dinner?
Laura: Um, don’t you think you should fix your hair? (She glares at her) I mean, it looks nice! The Cosmo Krammer look is totally in! (Later that night over the phone)
Tracey: Hey Marisa!
Marisa: Oh…hello.
Tracey: You sound like you ran a marathon.
Marisa: Let’s just say I’m pretty pissed off.
Tracey: The new Jim Carrey movie comes out next Friday. Do you want to go see it with me?
Marisa: Normally I would say yes. But I have to decline the offer! Unfortunately I’m flying out of state that day.
Tracey: Say what?
Marisa: To be there for my dad as he goes sees some doctors in Texas…oh and to stay with his family. I just feel completely jinxed at this point.
Tracey: Well how long are you going to be there?
Marisa: Right now it looks like two weeks. Tracey, I hate that place. First of all, I hate the state itself. And more importantly, Dad’s family doesn’t exactly treat my mother or her family with any kind of respect. So you know Mom and Laura would be given the cold shoulder.
Tracey: Do you want me to check in with you every night?
Marisa: I would greatly appreciate it.
Tracey: I’ll do my best. These assignments are really piling up.
Marisa: (Voice over) I do love him so…Luckily before the trip, Marcus came over!
Marcus: My God, he looks terrible!
Marisa: Yeah, you wouldn’t look pretty either if you lost 85 pounds in a four month period.
Marcus: And you look really tired!
Marisa: I’m not really tired. Just stressed if you know what I mean. I really appreciate you coming over.
Marcus: Well, you know I’ve always got to look out for my little buddy. I had to make sure that you were taking proper care of yourself.
Marisa: (Sighs) My God, this summer sucks! I wish school was back in session already.
Marcus: You’ve got another month!
Marisa: Don’t remind me! I’m off to Texas in a couple of days.
Marcus: These the ones from your dad’s side?
Marisa: That’s right! They’re the biggest hypocrites ever!
Marcus: I know. I know. I’ve heard the horror stories.
Marisa: I gotta spend a week with these psychos! I just wish my life was normal again, or close to normal again. I miss hanging around you! And most of all, I miss Tracey. I barely see him anymore now that I’m on damage control around the house.
Marcus: I did tell Tracey that I was heading your way but he said he had other things to do and said he would catch up another time. Is something going on between you two?
Marisa: (Sighs) We’re both busy this summer. He has summer school and I have to be here with my dad. But he did promise me that he would call me while I’m away.
Marcus: (Smiles) You’re a lucky girl to have Tracey.
Marisa: (Voice over) So off to Texas…God damn it! Well my so called loving relatives made me feel right at home.
Aunt: Marisa, you really should think twice about school. I mean after this last semester, why chance pissing away more of your father's money if you’re going to fail every course? College isn’t for everyone, you know!
Father: Finally, someone sees me on this. All she does is hang around that punk boyfriend of hers.
Aunt: He can’t be that bad. (Marisa gets up) Where are you running off to?
Marisa: I’m going to bed.
Aunt: At 5 in the afternoon?
Marisa: I’m really tired. (Goes into another room) I don’t know how much more I can take of this. (Picks up her phone) Please be there! Please be there! Hi, is Tracey there?
June: I’m sorry Marisa, but he’s still at the library. I’ll tell him that you called.
Marisa: (Voice over) So much for Tracey on that promise. (Sighs) I don’t think I could blame him. He’s been busy with school work and whatnot. At least…that’s what I thought. When I came back to town I found out about something...horrible! (Country music comes on)
Right now he's probably slow dancing with a bleach blond tramp,
and she's probably getting frisky...
right now, he's probably buying her some fruity little drink cause she can't shoot whiskey...
Right now, he's probably up behind her with a pool-stick, showing her how to shoot a combo...
And he don't know...
That I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped up 4 wheel drive,
carved my name into his leather seats...
I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights,
slashed a hole in all 4 tires...
Marisa: (Voice over) Okay, maybe I didn’t do the part with the truck! But I found out a few things about Tracey when I got back. (At the house)
Marcus: We’ve got to talk!
Marisa: What’s going on Marcus?
Marcus: Oh man! I saw something and you are not going to like it.
Marisa: What are you talking about?
Marcus: Instead of telling you, I’m going to show you.
Marisa: Show it, tell it, draw me a diagram! Marcus, I think whatever it is you can tell me.
Marcus: Okay…Here is the video!
Marisa: (Voice over) Son of a bitch! Don’t fear! I dealt with this on my own and handled things in a calm and delicate manner. (Banging on door)
Tracey: Coming. (Opens the door) Hi Marisa!
Marisa: YOU FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT! YOU FUCKING CHEATING, LYING BASTARD! YOU FUCKING MOTHER FUCKER! I FUCKING HATE YOU!
Tracey: Whoa!
Marisa: (Voice over) That’s called letting him off easy!
Tracey: What’s going on? Why are you calling me all of that?
Marisa: BECAUSE YOU CHEATED ON ME WITH DAISY!
Tracey: Hey, let’s get one thing straight, I did not and I am not cheating on you with Daisy…or any other girl. I mean, Daisy and I broke up years ago.
Marisa: You’re a liar! Don’t lie to my face! I fucking hate liars! Marcus got video footage of you kissing Daisy.
Tracey: For the record, she kissed me.
Marisa: Yeah, I figured you would say that so I asked Marcus to give me the copy of the video he took of you two. Judging by what I saw, you weren’t too shy of doing this out in the open where people can see you. And it also looks like you were enjoying it! And I have a very strong feeling that this time here in the park wasn’t your first interaction with the little slut!
Tracey: So what? I got a little bored!
Marisa: You’re a pig! In fact, you’re worse than that!
Tracey: Look Marisa….
Marisa: Go to hell!
Tracey: I can’t take it anymore!
Marisa: Take what? You’re not the one who has to deal with so much drama at home and then learn that your boyfriend is cheating on you. What the fuck do you have to be mad about?
Tracey: I want to break up with you.
Marisa: You…want to...break up? (Tears up) You jerk! (Slaps him in the face) I FUCKING HATE YOU TRACEY SKETCHIT! (Runs off)
Tracey: Marisa, wait!
Marisa: (Voice over) Again, not one of my finest moments. So yeah, Tracey and I are now broken up AGAIN! Yeah, things are not going so well for me. And even after a terrible break up, I knew I could always count on my family to be there for me.
Father: (Weakly) Who cares? You know that he never cared about you? Why did you mess with that boy in the first place? Stupid kid!
Marisa: (Voice over) Comforting words from a dying man! You would at least think he’d be nice to his family members on his death bed! Well, within the next few weeks, my father would find himself under the supervision of the hospital. Meanwhile, I’m getting back to some sort of normalcy in my life as I return back to life in the dorm rooms and back to school with the rest of my crazy friends!
Morrison: (Laughs) It’s so good to finally be in college and hanging around you two scumbags again! It’s like old times! You, me, Brock, Ash’s gal, and the nark! I hope you’re up for an ass-kicking!
Ash: Oh my friend, you’re the one who’s going to get the ass-kicking!
Morrison: And whenever you’re ready, I’ll take you to the cleaners!
Brock: Seems like old times!
Jasmine: Are they always like this?
Brock: Yes, yes they are! This is only the beginning! You should see these two when they aren’t on the courts. There’s eating contests, belching contests, staring contests, and once a farting contest.
Jasmine: You don’t compete in those, do you?
Brock: Never.
Ash: Don’t lie Brock! Why in our last fart contest, you blew everyone away with your rendition of Elvira.
Jasmine: What am I going to do with you?
Misty: Don’t worry Jasmine, while the boys are out playing their games, you can always come up to our room and enjoy a nice, quiet study session. I promise you that you will get annoyed with their idiocy! Isn’t that right Marisa?
Marisa: Huh? Yeah. (Later in the dorm room)
Misty: Marisa, mind if we talk? I’m a little concerned here. Are you feeling okay?
Marisa: As okay as I can possibly be!
Misty: I know what happened between you and Tracey and I feel so horrible that Daisy took advantage of the situation.
Marisa: Hey, don’t feel bad for something that your sister did. It was her doing, not yours. I’m just ready to put this whole summer behind me and start this semester anew. Plus, this is as much Tracey’s fault as it was Daisy’s.
Misty: And what about your father? How is he doing?
Marisa: Well…Right now, he’s in the hospital. The doctor’s really don’t know how much longer he’s got to live. I know he hates being in hospitals and the fact that I’m not seeing him as much because of school is making him a little resentful.
Misty: I’m sorry you have to go through all of this. (She hugs her)
Marisa: (Voice over) How could someone that nice be related to that blonde-haired, boyfriend stealing bitch? Eventually, my conscience caught up to me and I felt just a wee bit guilty. So to shut up my conscience, I went to visit my father in the hospital a couple of days later after class.
Michelle: Would you like anything else?
Father: (Weakly) No. Marisa, what are you doing way across the room? (Marisa walks towards him)
Michelle: I’ll leave you two alone. (She leaves the room)
Father: You know I’m not going to be around for much longer. When I’m gone, try not to make too many stupid decisions you’ve been known to make.
Marisa: I beg your pardon!
Father: Just use your common sense for once in your life! (Marisa gets up)
Marisa: Goodbye Dad! (She leaves the room)
Michelle: That was quick!
Marisa: Let’s just say I left because if I stayed in there, I would have ended up suffocating him with a pillow and end his misery once and for all. The man is on his death bed and instead of saying something nice and comforting to his only daughter, he says some mean remark. I’ve asked this before and I’ll ask it again. Why did you take back such a horrible man?
Michelle: You really want to know why? When your father came back, he told me he wanted to start over. He admitted to me that he screwed up and leaving both of us was the biggest mistake of his life. The reason he came back, the ONLY reason he came back was for you. You are his only daughter and he wanted to be there for the rest of your important milestones in life. Unfortunately, you’ve kept him at arms length the whole time. I know you can’t really forgive him for what he’s done in the past…
Marisa: It’s not just what he did in the past. It’s just his personality overall that bugs me. I can’t stand the fact that he says such cruel things to his own daughter. And then he has nerve to lecture me about using common sense!
Michelle: Well, whatever you have to say to him, you better say it as soon as possible because after he dies, there will be no funeral.
Marisa: No funeral?
Michelle: Your father told me not to waste any money on some sermon or anything like that. He just wants to be cremated and his ashes scattered.
Marisa: I’m not going to argue with him there. I don’t think I could live with myself if I said some phony-baloney speech about what a great man he was when he really wasn’t.
Michelle: I see what you mean.
Marisa: (Voice over) And finally, it happened…Just a couple of days later! (Phone ringing)
Misty: Marisa, wake up! Your phone is ringing!
Marisa: Huh? It’s Mom! (Picks up) Hello.
Michelle: Marisa…Your father...he's passed on.
Marisa: (Voice over) That’s all I could remember from that phone conversation. That whole night, all I could really think about was the death of my father. I couldn’t cry or think about anything else. Maybe I should have said, “I love you” at one point. Oh well, can’t change the past. (The next morning in the cafeteria)
Drew: How was everything?
Harley: Drew, you know your way around an omelet! This is delicious! I’m so glad you’re still working here.
Drew: I’m not!
Brock: The important thing is that you’re getting good money with this job and you’re able to support May and Sara. The husband is supposed to be the bread-winner!
Drew: You do have a point. Hey, where’s Marisa? Usually she never misses breakfast!
Misty: She’s in her room. She was still sleeping when I left.
Drew: Really? That doesn't sound like her.
Misty: Well it was kind of a rough night. Her father passed away yesterday and she’s been awake for most of the night. She didn’t cry at all and that’s what scares me the most.
Harley: Maybe that’s Marisa’s way of coping with death. (Marisa walks up)
Marisa: It’s my way of coping with what now?
Brock: Hey, how are you feeling?
Marisa: Just tired.
Drew: I’ll fix you up your favorite omelet!
Marisa: No thanks Drew. My stomach really doesn’t want that today. I’m just going to have a bowl of cereal and some toast.
Harley: You sure you don’t want to go back home and be with your family?
Marisa: It’s fine you guys. We all knew that my father was going to die soon. There’s no reason for me to get upset when I knew this day was coming.
Brock: Come on, someone in your family died last night. If I was in your shoes, I would probably not even go to classes today.
Marisa: I’m glad to see you guys are looking out for me, but I’m okay. Plus I can't afford to miss any of my classes. One more F and I'm out of here! (That night in the dorm room)
Marcus: Well, you were right to be worried. I would have imagined her to show some sort of emotion to this. She didn’t even cry last night?
Misty: No.
Marcus: That’s terrible. I know she called me last night and told me what happened. Even my parents cried when they found out.
Misty: No, all she said this morning was that she knew it was going to happen at sometime and went to class like nothing happened. I’m just afraid all the anger and frustration she's been holding in is going to come out in a giant way.
Marcus: Man, she’s had a rough time the last few months. Her father gets sick, she has to visit annoying relatives, Tracey cheats on her and breaks up with her, she gets put on academic probation, and now this. (The door opens) Little buddy?
Marisa: Idiots!
Marcus: What did I do?
Marisa: Not you! I’m just really pissed off about something else! My mom just called and told me that the jackasses on my father’s side are throwing him a funeral, despite him saying he doesn’t want to have a funeral. That’s just stupid! Going against a dying man’s wish! So now, I’ve got to go out of town next week for this stupid charade.
Marcus: What did your mom say?
Marisa: She says they’re jackasses too! (Sighs) I’ll go, but I hope they don’t expect me to speak some bogus, untrue crap about my father being a sweet and kind man, when I know damn-well he was mean and surly.
Marcus: If you do have to speak, I’ll help you out with what to say.
Marisa: (Voice over) What would I do without my Marcus? I don’t even want to think about it. Well the days after my father’s death, all the bad memories of the past three months just kept eating away at me. I felt sick. All the negative words, all the negative actions, and all the stupidity just crippled me to a point where I felt sick to my stomach.
Misty: Well, you do feel a little warm and your skin is paler than usual. I think it’s a good idea if you skip classes today. No sense in attending if you’re sick.
Marisa: I wish I knew what’s going on. I’ve had this bad stomach-ache for the past few days and today it’s just worse. I feel like throwing up!
Misty: Huh? It might be an anxiety attack in the making, but just rest today.
Marisa: (Voice over) That night, things got a little crazy.
Ash: I’m hungry!
Misty: Fine, I’ll take you to the cafeteria so your selfish gut can chow down! (She opens the door) Marisa, how are you feeling? (Gasp)
Ash: What is she doing on the ground?
Misty: Marisa, wake up! Please wake up! Ash, call 911 now! My God, she’s burning up!
Ash: Operator! Give me the number to 911! (Back to the present)
Marisa: (Voice over) So, here I am! I’m staring at the hospital ceiling wondering what the hell I did to piss off God. Funny how things have worked out for me! Fucking hilarious! It’s been two days or so since they operated on me and I’m wondering, what’s next. I’ve been through a lot these last four months. (The door opens)
Marcus: Little buddy! Oh my God, are you okay?
Marisa: I just had my appendix taken out! How do you think I feel?
Marcus: Not too good, huh? Hey don’t sweat it! Your mom told me that the operation was a success and you’ll be good as new before you know it.
Marisa: I know I must have freaked out Misty. (The door opens) Hi Mom.
Michelle: Are you up for some more visitors?
Marisa: Sure, bring them in! (Laura and Dawn come in)
Dawn: Oh my God! Are you okay?
Marisa: I’ll live.
Laura: You are one hard-core chick to put up with so much!
Marisa: So I’ve been told!
Laura: Does this mean we’re not going to that funeral next week?
Michelle: Seriously doubt it!
Dawn: Zoey and Brianna send their love too! If you need anything, you have my number.
Marisa: Thanks Dawn. (Sighs)
Michelle: Alright you guys, let’s leave Marisa alone so that she can rest. (Laura, Dawn, and Marcus leave the room)
Marisa: I’ve been thinking…I’ve been through quite a bit now…I just need a break from everything.
Michelle: Do you want to go somewhere? Out of town maybe?
Marisa: I just need to distance myself from everything. From school, from people, just everything!
Michelle: I have no objections to that. You could use the time away and you really need some time to relax especially since all of these events sprang up at you all at once.
Marisa: I’m afraid that if I stay at the dorms, I’ll eventually be struck by lightening or some other horrible twist of fate. (Knock on the door) Huh?
Doctor: How’s everything in here? How are you holding up?
Marisa: Oh. Okay I guess. (The next morning)
Brock: Here you go. You should drink plenty of water.
Marisa: Thanks Brock.
Drew: Here you go, I got you some roses.
Marisa: Huh? (Flashback)
Tracey: Oh, I wanted to give a rose to everybody in the play. Here you go! You get the first one. (End of flashback)
Marisa: Oh, thank you Drew.
May: Something the matter?
Marisa: No, I was just thinking about something.
Ash: Oh man, I swear to God, I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw you on the floor the other day. I’m so glad that you’re okay.
Misty: So then. You think you’ll be ready to go back to classes on Monday?
Marisa: Nope. I’m actually going to withdraw from the semester, so I guess you’ll have the room all to yourself unless you get assigned a new roommate.
Misty: That's too bad. I'm gonna miss having you as a roommate, but I’m glad you’re getting the much needed rest you deserve.
Brock: We all know you took care of your father throughout the summer and that’s a tough thing to do even though it was someone you were uncomfortable with.
Marcus: That’s right little buddy! (Marisa sighs)
Marisa: I want to thank you guys for coming here today. It makes me thankful that so many of you care. (The door opens) Huh?
Doctor: You got some more flowers.
Marcus: Who’s it from?
Marisa: Oh, that’s so sweet! It’s from Harley! I’ll have to thank Harley next time I see him.
Drew: I don’t understand why he couldn’t come with the rest of us today.
Brock: I think he said something about a class this morning. I’m pretty sure he and Nando will visit you in the hospital in the afternoon.
Marcus: Hey you guys, how about you all leave the room for a second. There’s something I want to discuss with Marisa alone. (They all leave the room)
Marisa: What is it Marcus?
Marcus: You know, I’ve been by your side throughout the last few days. I even missed my classes yesterday to be by your side in the hospital room. I’ve always looked out for you, like a big brother should. So after all of these years of being around you, I know what really makes you tick. But these last three years or so, you’ve changed. You’ve gone from strong to naïve.
Marisa: Where are you getting that?
Marcus: I know you keep thinking that Tracey is going to come right through that door. I know it! Every time the door opens, you keep thinking Tracey is coming.
Marisa: So what if I do?
Marcus: Well, you might have gone through the summer before wishing and hoping for Tracey to come back to you. Well it might have worked then, but don’t hold your breath on it happening a second time.
Marisa: I don’t like your tone Marcus. You’re starting to sound like my father and it's starting to piss me off!
Marcus: Please don’t say that. (Marisa sobs) Oh come on, don’t start crying! It’s not fair that you’re crying! Why are you crying?
Marisa: I miss him Marcus. I just miss him! That’s all I can think about. Why did he cheat on me? Why doesn't he love me anymore?
Marcus: Little buddy… (Marisa continues sobbing) It’s okay, I’ve got you. (He embraces her) Please, don’t cry anymore.
Song(s) used:
*Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood