A/N – I was kind of disappointed when I looked and I had no reviews for the second chapter for this story. Anyways, it's not going to stop me from writing it. I got a PM with someone asking me why the title of the story is 'Stay' when it has nothing to do with the story. The answer is that I have the whole thing planed in my head, and it will fit with the story… trust me.
Stay: Chapter Three
It had been three weeks since her episode in the rain. Her skin was still painful in some places, but it only seemed like a far distant memory now. It hadn't stopped raining that day for another five hours; still she stayed in the house and cleaned herself up. She now realized it was out of her line to hate the U.S Army, but she still wished they didn't have to take Ryan away.
She had managed to maintain her normal lifestyle, with difficulty though. All she felt like doing was hiding under the covers of Ryan's side of the bed and mourn about how much she missed him. She didn't though, because she knew that that's not the way Ryan would wish for her to live. Even if she felt like she was dying on the inside maintaining her normal lifestyle, she wanted to say to Ryan when he came home, that she had been fine without him… but she never wanted him to leave again. Only in her dreams would that happen though… because truth be told, she was a crying mess.
Everywhere she went, she had the trouble of keeping herself together. Especially when she went to the seniors. The men there always seemed to know everything about the war, and liked to keep the helpers and each other updated. It almost made Marissa swallow her tongue every time she heard of how many gun shots could be heard. Gun shots that could kill someone if they were in the wrong place at the wrong time… she just wished Ryan would never be in those places. Maybe it was selfish to want other people to take the fall, and not him, but she couldn't help it.
On this particular day she was sitting in the lounge room at the seniors, and talking to some elderly woman that Marissa seemed to become attached to. Since Marissa was only young herself, she was grateful to hear the life changing stories the older woman provided for her entertainment. Even if some of those stories scared her. Her name was Grace, and she was about eighty nine. She was frail and in a wheelchair. She had a kind face and heart, and Marissa didn't think she knew anyone kinder then the old woman.
Grace had been the only one Marissa could talk to since Ryan left, and she was more then half of the reason Marissa kept coming to help here. "Marissa honey, can you tell me about the dance one more time?"
Marissa looked up from the dish she was about to take to the sink and smiled at Grace and all the elders that looked up at her with hopeful eyes. They loved when she told them stories, and of all them she had told them, Grace had like the dance her and Ryan had attended three years ago. She didn't mind telling them countless of times though, because it gave her a chance to go back and remember the times with Ryan that she would never forget, rather then imagine him dying on the battle field. "Of course," was her response.
She sat down the dish, and proceeded to the chair beside Grace. She looked up at the beaming wrinkled face of the older woman, and smiled at her, even if she still couldn't get over the fact that Ryan was gone. "I'm sure you've all heard this story many of times," Marissa said, looking around at the individual faces and giving them each a small smile; it was all she could give them right now. "So, where would you like me to start?"
"From the very begging honey," Grace said without hesitation. She pulled on Marissa's arm and brought her hand into hers. She held onto Marissa's hand firmly, and nodded her head silently telling her to proceed with the story. Marissa sighed and closed her eyes, and thought back of to the day.
I was three years before we knew anything about the war, and when Ryan would have to go. We were just the normal couple dancing along to the wonderful band that was playing. There was no alcohol at this dance; it was just something for the local couples to attend for some fun.
We were having fun, lots of fun. It wasn't something that we normally did, but we for some reason decided to go to this. When we got home, we regretted going, but was so glad that we made it out alive, with each other.
Someone with a cigarette was standing near a stack of hay, seeing as the dance was outside in a barn. When they were done with it they threw it over their shoulder, and then went to dance. They never realized that it hadn't gone out when it touched the ground, and the small bits of hay caught on a flame. Nobody smelt it, or seen it until the whole barn was filled with smoke, and the guests and couples were scrambling to get out. But with the hassle to get out, Ryan and I got separated.
I was so lost and scared. I didn't have the slightest clue where to go, or to even find a door, but I guess everyone else did, seeing as I was the only one back in the barn while everyone else was outside waiting for the firemen to come. There weren't a lot of people at the dance, so Ryan soon realized I hadn't made it out. The firemen hadn't show up, and Ryan was melting down, and eventually could take it no longer and ran into the burning barn after me.
When he made it in, after the constant pleas of the people outside to wait till the firemen got there, he made it in the burning barn. The place was filled with dark looming smoke, and it made his eyes water. Still he proceeded on after me. I was somewhere in the back when he reached me. I was wearing a very light pink dress, and it soot black. At least I had the brains to breath through my sweater I had brought. He wasted no time, and scooped me up running to the open door, that I wondered how I missed it.
We got to the open door and heard a huge crack. It was a life shattering crack, and it scared me out of my mind, and I-
"So that's when the handsome young man saved you, right Marissa honey?" Grace interrupted her, and she laughed at it.
"Yes, Grace… I suppose that's what happened. I'm sorry, but look at the time," Marissa said, looking at the clock on the wall. It was over an hour more then she should have been here, "But I need to head home, and cook supper for myself."
"Oh but honey, I want to hear the rest, please will you stay for awhile longer?" Grace pleaded with her. She loved this woman, but sometimes she was a little too upbeat for her likings. But as she looked into the kind aging eyes, she couldn't argue with them.
"Okay Grace, I'll finish the story, but then I have to go, okay? I'll be back tomorrow."
"Thank you honey, go on with the story."
Marissa did what she was told and thought back to the night again where she had left off.
The crack was a life shattering crack, and I knew what was happening; the roof was collapsing. I put my head in the crook of Ryan's neck, waiting to die. But we never did. I felt a huge thud as I hit the ground hard right outside the barn. It was true to the crack and the roof soon came off and fell into the burning barn.
We stayed on the ground for what seemed like forever, until the firemen showed up and told us to get back. It was like a magical moment; like fate was on our side.
"And that's how Ryan saved my life; one time." Marissa finished getting up and bending over to hug the older woman the still clung onto the hand.
"Thank you honey, I always love hearing your stories, it brightens my day. Will you be back tomorrow?" Grace asked Marissa, still hugging her.
She smiled, it felt nice having someone look out for her and care, and that wasn't half way across the state. "Of course Grace, and I'll tell you all another story."
She let go of Marissa, and gave her a toothy grin, "I'll be waiting!"
Marissa laughed at her cheerfulness. She wished she could be like that too, so cheerful. She knew that it would never happen until Ryan came home, but she could always hope.
--
On her way up the drive, she heard her name being said, and she turned around. "Mrs. Atwood?" It wasn't her real name, seeing as her and Ryan weren't actually wedded, but she still loved the sound of it when someone called her that.
She was met with a man in a uniform. He looked stern, yet had a friendly sparkle in his eye. She realized he was from the U.S Army, and she held her breath, "Yes?"
"Your husband, Ryan Atwood had been severely injured in action."
A/N- Sorry, wasn't planning on leaving it as a cliffy, but since I have school tomorrow, and it's late, I got to head to bed. Anyways, I'll post maybe tomorrow. Please review.
