Disclaimer: I don't own anything recognizably Sons of Anarchy. I do own anything not recognizably Sons of Anarchy.
Two months had gone by and the morning of graduation dawned beautiful and cloudless. Day was so supposed to be a day of celebration for the club. Opie set to serve his time in Chino and had protection. Donna was moping around. She'd discovered she was pregnant the day of Opie's sentencing. Piney was becoming more of a drunk by the day. My graduation was supposed to be the one day we could all pretend live for some of us wasn't crumbling.
I was standing around in my cap and gown diploma in hand taking pictures when Lainie barreled into me excitedly.
"We graduated!" Lainie shouted.
"I know I was there too."
"I'm going to have a graduation dinner with the parents and then I'll meet you at the clubhouse for our graduation party."
"Yeah alright. Make sure you get cute for the Prospect." Lainie blushed a beautiful shade of scarlet as I laughed at her retreating form.
My mother and the club congratulated me and said their goodbyes with a promise to be at the party. I was headed to the cemetary. I liked to visit my father's grave and talk to him. Since today was a milestone day for me I figured a visit was in order. I don't know how long I was visiting my dad but when I finally left the cemetary but the sun was setting.
I stopped of at home to get out of my graduation dress and put on party clothes. I pulled up to the clubhouse at the same time as Lainie. We linked arms and walked in the clubhouse. Everyone was there to celebrate our accomplishment. Even Lainie's parents who rarely made clubhouse appearances. Some members from other charters were in attendance as well. The night was fun and for the moment made us forget. Which was the point.
More months passed and I had a new normal as my post high school life started. I started working in the local nail salon after going to cosmetology school. Lainie was taking book keeping classes at a near by community college. She wanted to help keep books at her parents' diner. Lainie was also, to everyone's surprise but mine, dating Juice. Donna, understandable, withdrew from the club. Gemma was happy about that and was being her pushy self which seemed to only push Donna furthur away. Piney only functioned enough to keep his place at the table as a voting club member.
I had just finished an early day at the salon and decided to head to the clubhouse. When I got there Gemma and my mother were working in the office. "Hey Ma. Gemma." I said as a plopped on the worn couch.
"Heu babygirl. How's work?" Ma asked.
"Good. Early day. Decided to stop by." Gemma hadn't answered be cause was on the phone looking more pissed by the second. Minutes passed by with me and Ma exchanging small talk when Gemma finally slammed the phone down. "What's wrong, Gem?" Ma asked.
"Donna left. Jax went to the house to check on her. All her clothes are gone and anything she had for the baby is gone too. Jax said a neighbor saw her car leave last night."
"Well fuck." was Ma's reply.
"Opie know?" I asked.
"Jax is trying to set it up to let him know."
"Fuck."
"Yep."
Opie was eventually informed of his wife's departure and as expected he spiraled. Landing in solitary. The guys were scrambling to figure out how to keep him from doing something that would get him more time or worse. Gemma and Ma were cursing Donna to hell and back. I finally took upon myself to do something. I decided to write Opie a letter not really expecting a reply back. Just figured maybe knowing that outlet was out there might help him cope. To my shock and shock and slight delight Opie did reply back. I didn't tell anyone about our new penpal relationship but everyone was happy to see that Opie was spiralling anymore. That secret lasted for months until the day Jax approached me with a question.
"You got any idea why Opie added you to his visitor list and wants you to see next visit instead of me?" My brother in every way but blood asked.
"Not clue." I responded innocently. I was partially telling the truth. I knew that I was on Opie's visitors list but I didn't know about an upcoming visit.
"Cut the shit, Marissa. He asked me to act like it's my visit and to personally escort you."
"Fine. I knew about being on the list but not a visit. We hadn't set a date yet. We've been penpal."
"You the reason for his 180?"
"Opie's claiming I am." In a move that I wasn't expecting Jax hugged me.
"I don't know why you're keeping it secret but I won't say anything. Thank you too. I was worried."
"Me too. Thus the letters." We parted was ways as if nothing happened.
The next week my day to visit Opie was upon. I was nervous the entire ride to the prison. Jax and I decide to meet outside of town and I'd ride bitch to the prison. Once all the checks and balances were done I sat waiting for Opie to come. As Opie walked in I almost forgot how to breathe. He was clearly channeling his aggression in workouts.
We sat and talked about anything that came to mind. Opie had wanted to see me to hear my voice. His words not mine. The letters did him good but he claimed hearing the words were better. We made plans for my visits to be weekly. When I got back to Jax he was full of questions.
"So...what did he want.?" Jax asked.
"Just to talk. Apparently hearing my voice is better than just reading my words. Made plans to make my visits weekly."
"Weekly? Sounds serious."
"It's nothing Teller." Jax looked like he didn't believe me as I hopped on the back of his back.
And he was right. For the next few years my visits continue and somehow a relationship developed. I ended waiting for Opie's release date like I was his Old Lady. Which I wasn't...was I?
