I do not own any characters from Summerland but I might make up some of my own.
Chapter Three Recovering"Good morning Ava…do you feel in the mood for breakfast?" Suzanna sweetly asked Ava as she walked downstairs the next morning and saw Ava awake on the couch. This morning Suzanna was wearing a baby blue and light pink mini-dress with frills around the bottom. On her nail-polished feet she wore light pink shoes and carried a blue purse. Her make-up was perfect, as always.
"Hey Suzanna. Thanks for caring so much. I'm really sad but, in a way, mad because they didn't deserve to pass away I…I just wish they hadn't. As for breakfast, I think it would be good for me. I'll just have something little. Thanks again."
"What are friends for?" Suzanna finished happily trying to brighten the mood as she was putting toast into the toaster.
Ava and Suzanna had both agreed that today was too soon to go to Kansas and that they would go the day after tomorrow, Sunday.
Ava was beginning to recover. Not completely but some. She still had her little crying spells when she found or saw something that reminded her of those now gone. But anyone would agree that it's natural to become sad at the memories. Ava's friends all helped her recuperate.
Another day and night went by but, this morning, Ava was dressed because she knew that she would have to pack for the trip. She was casually wearing sweat pants with a green T-shirt. Okay, it wasn't the dressiest outfit but she was just lounging, relaxing and packing. I mean, pretty soon she was going to be leaving to Kansas and she would be too busy to relax and lounge.
Today she was also getting the rooms ready for her niece and nephews. They each had their own taste and she was trying to remember what each of them loved to do. For Bradin she bought a surfing blanket even though he liked snowboarding and doesn't even know how to surf. But that was all there was. After all, who snowboards in L.A.? For Nikki she found a plain, white, fluffy quilt and some books to make her feel at home. Derrick was a bit difficult to buy for and Suzanna bought Derrick a black blanket with stars on it. Even Suzanna knew that Derrick loved the stars and everything to do with the Solar System. Ava hoped the kids would be happy with what she had bought.
"Ava, I got the plane tickets on the internet. Would you like to keep one in your purse for tomorrow? Ava? Ava, where are---"
Suzanna walked into the basement to find Ava crouched and crying over a decorated box. She walked calmly over to Ava and put her hands on Ava's shoulders. Suzanna saw picture albums, crafts, blankets, mittens and other memories from Ava's sister in the box. Suzanna realized that she was going to have to be there for Ava these next couple weeks.
"Oh, I'm so sorry…I'll leave, okay, Ava? You come up when your ready and I'll cook supper." The tears and Ava's crying drowned out Suzanna's voice.
It was like the ocean in summer for Suzanna. She was testing cold waters every minute and her brain was working over drive. She had to think of everything she said before going in and completely drowning herself. If she said something nice and it had a memory connected with it, the waves hit her hard! She was constantly dipping her feet in and testing if she should say what was on her mind. But when she did say something worthwhile she was rewarded with the bright sun and a tan after coming out from the waters. Ava was her friend and Suzanna knew that Ava appreciated every little thing that Suzanna had done.
Suzanna climbed the last step and took a deep breath. She had survived another wave and was proud of herself. She walked into the kitchen and took out a black pot and set it on the stove. She turned it on and let the water boil for soup. She then picked up the phone and dialed Coby.
"Hey, Coby, did you hear about Ava?"
"Yah, Johnny told me. Is there anything you guys need?"
"No, but can you please let Jay know about what has happened?"
"Okay, I will. I better go! Bye."
"Bye…" Suzanna finished. She clicked the glowing red OFF button and hung up the phone with a click of security. Suzanna wished that she could be secure. That she would automatically say or do what was right instead of always having to guess. But, like waves on the Pacific Coast make the ocean exciting, these incidents in Suzanna's life were meant to be and could never be stopped. Suzanna concluded this topic of thought with the feeling of loyalty. She was glad that it was her helping Ava instead of another person because these types of things happen to strengthen a great friendship.
I hope Ava's okay… Suzanna wondered as she took the pot off of the stove and poured the soup into two bowls. She is taking it better than I thought but I can't help being scared for her. Just as Suzanna finished her thoughts Ava stumbled up the stairs.
"Suzanna?" Ava called.
"Yah, Ava?"
"Thank you. Thank you for everything you've done and are continuing to do. I have really been in need of a friend and you fulfilled that need. Thanks so much." Ava was hugging Suzanna as she finished. When Ava started to cry, right there in Suzanna's arms, it wasn't tears of loss but tears of thanks, trust and the happiness of having such a great friend.
"Your welcome Ava. Just name it and I'll try my best to help you with the problem because that is what friends are for."
They sat down at the table to eat and continued talking. Talking about the trip and how it will be when the bungalow has more than one person living in it. Ava was scared that she wouldn't be able to keep track of the kids, couldn't help them with their problems or would start to cry when they cried about the death of their parents.
"The plane leaves at 9:00 AM tomorrow." Suzanna brought up.
"Well, I think I'll be ready…but I'm really tense right now. I usually sleep in late when I'm tense and stressed. We'll definitely be late if I sleep in so I'm going to relax and go surfing for awhile. Is that okay with you?"
"Sure Ava! Whatever you feel like doing then do it! If it relaxes you then go have fun! See yah later!"
"Okay, well, I'll see you in an hour or so." Ava's words dragged away as she ran upstairs to her room. She put on her red and orange bathing suit, then her blue and black surf suit over top. She grabbed her towel and surfboard on her way outside. She opened the sliding glass door and walked underneath the outdoor shower to get used the rush of the water. Then she walked down the flight of stairs and onto the beautiful scene before her.
The beach, the water, the trees, and the sand. All of it relaxed her before she even got to the waves. The beach was calm, quite, clean and soft. The sun was setting and turning the sky orange, red, pink and purple all at once. The water made soft sounds as she approached it. It was like they knew what had happened and could cure all illness and pain. The palm trees were swaying gently. They whispered to each other and it was like they were just as relaxed as she was. The sand was light colored and warm under her feet from the days sun. She loved the beach at sunset when few were awake and walking. It took all hard thoughts away just like the light waves against the shallow shore took bits of sand away with it every time it came and went. She believed the beaches of Los Angeles were the most beautiful around and the beach, water, palm trees and sand always told the truth.
Ava stopped before going into the water. She knelt down and strapped the surf band around her foot. The band was on a long, black string attached to the board. She stood up, grabbed the board and ran into the blue, blanket-like waters her hair blowing with every bounce and tiny wave. She went farther and farther out until the waves made her able to float on the surfboard with her feet off the ground. She laid there for awhile thinking about the beautiful times. Before the memories flooded back to ruin the moment Ava stood up and caught the right wave at just the right time.
Her silhouette was clearly visible in the sunset just as the wave enveloped and took her inside. She traveled through the wave until it opened up and let her out, safe and sound, she slowed to a stop and sat down. She traveled the waves and water for a good hour when she slowly stopped and jumped off the board into the water. It was warm and cozy just like the effects of a blanket. She swam to shore, dropped down her surfboard and sat on her towel looking at the pale blue sky and closing her eyes breathing in the California air.