Can you love the dead?
Amber and Ruby
Disclaimer: The usual. We're poor as a church mouse.
'You can't love the dead, can you? They don't exist, do they?'
Chapter One:
Dear Manuel,
I am sorry. I am really sorry for behaving so immature on your special day. I was stupid, very stupid. I am ashamed. If we'll ever meet again…
.
You know what. I hate this. All of this. This paper. This pen. You're supposed to be here. You're supposed to be angry at me, yet, you don't care, do you?
.
Goodbye Manuel. Don't feel guilty.
.
The detective inspected the last diary entry carefully. The entry had three parts; parts which were written at different time.
'Jason, Mrs. Francesca is on the phone.'
The voice of Kelly startled him. He looked up and saw Kelly's face peering from behind the doorway.
777
Marisa was laying on the hospital bead. She didn't move. The only sign of life was the monitor nearby. Manuel sat next to her, his hands gripping his thighs. Helen was on the opposite side of the bed. She knew he was blaming himself and she knew that it was his fault. It was Manuel who had scarred Marisa's spirit.
'You can just spit it out,' Manuel said.
'I have nothing to say.' Helen's voice was calm.
Manuel glared at the tranquil woman and then at Marisa's white face.
'She's so stupid. Why didn't…'
'Stupid? Stupid?! She loves you!'
'The police are asking lots of questions.' As he finished the sentence, his eyes darted to the door. A policeperson was standing there. They thought he had forged the letter… but how could he? He was in Portugal when she did what she did.
'Of course they are. They're doing their job.'
777
Dear Manuel,
You will never read these letters because I won't send them to you. I don't want to show you how much I miss you.
.
This day was too long. You know, I still wish you chose us instead of her.
.
Manuel,
Today it's my birthday. No card. No call.
.
Mum remembered. You didn't. Too busy with your new girlfriend Manuel?
777
Marisa could hear the voices of her parents. They were hushed and quiet. Where was she? Why couldn't she move? She tried to open her eyes but she couldn't. She wanted to scream, but she couldn't do that either. It was as if she was mummified. Her brain ached.
Mum
Mum, where am I?
I'm scared.
777
This was worse than insomnia, she thought. She tried to count the number of breaths her mother took, the number of steps she could hear, the number of times Manuel left her room to smoke a cigarette…
Her brain was dying. She was trapped between death and life.
777
Manuel,
I hate you.
Peter Parker watched helplessly as Marisa fell off the ladder. He was too far. He couldn't help.