DISCLAIMER: none.duh.

CHAPTER 7: RYAN'S SIDE OF THE BED

She has pretty handwriting. Marissa's mundane thought seemed to drift from her lips

as she stared at the manila folder thrown on the coffee table in front of her. Samara

Went to bed hours ago, lain down on Ryan's side of the bed. Drifting off to dream

land in-between Egyptian cotton. I wonder what's in it. She thought to herself, edging

closer to the clasped-closed envelope. I probably shouldn't look. It says Ryan on the

front. Not Marissa. Not even the letter M, just Ryan." Ryan won't mind." the blond

said as she pressed the clamps together releasing the flap of the folder. She slid her

hand inside, and pulled out a half-inch thick stack of papers and a white envelope.

Marissa set the envelope to the side. The first sheet of paper, a birth certificate. She

scanned the contents. Samara Elise Atwood.7 pounds 15 ounces. Born October 5th,

2004. The basics. Her little feet printed on the back of the paper made it all seem a

little more real to Mrs. Atwood. The next few sheets were immunization records,

Well-baby check-ups, the works. After that the contents were a little more troubling.

MRI scans, blood work, x-rays, sprawled doctor handwriting saying all the same

things, sinus and ear infections, pneumonia ,high fevers. Then a report on a hot pink

sheet of paper grabbed Marissa attention. The heading," Primary Immune

Deficiency: What You Need to Know". She wracked her brain. Immune Deficiency

Immune Deficiency. Why hadn't she paid attention in Health? She quickly read the

report."Well," Marissa thought," It isn't good but this is treatable. I just need to get

her to a doctor to get her some antibiotics and possibly gammaglobulin

infusions….so why was Teresa in such a hurry to leave Sammy? Marissa put the

sheets back into the folder and clamped it shut. She sat back and clicked on the t.v.It

didn't look like she was going to bed anytime soon.

California Highway 10:45 P.M

Teresa bawled up her latest tissue and threw it into the passenger side

floorboard. Snifling slightly, she pressed on brakes at a paticualirly nasty

intersection. Rolling up her windows she looked around the left side corner at the

less than wholesome looking group of teenagers,settling her vision on a blond haired

boy, about fifteen, clad in a wifebeater and a scowl. Teresa smiled slightly, seeing the

"Come on Ryan ,we could use the money,and hey,it could be fun."Antonio pleaded with

Ryan.Ryan faltered looking like he could be considering the innuendo ,he could use the

Money .Mom had already spent all his lunch money on booze this week. Looking over at

fifteen-year-old Teresa and her big soulful eyes Ryan couldn't deny her either." Please

don't Ryan. You could get caught ,and I really don't my Mom on my case about you

again .Please "Seeing her distress ,Ryan looked at the boys and put on his resolute

expression ,"Sorry guys ,I'm out.Besides,I have plenty of money right now."And with that

the boy threw his arm around the smitten looking girl,and staggered down the block.

Pulling herself out of the reverie, Teresa was being honked out by an elderly woman

directly behind her.She pulled onto the next street, even her tires seemed to stick,not

wanting to be farther and farther away from the small girl with dimples that it was

leaving behind.Teresa blew out a long breathe,trying to stop the flow of tears

coming from her eyes.She was tired of crying."This is what she needs.This is what is

best for her."Teresa pulled into a dingy motel for the night,all too used to the

routine.She showered,pulled on an old high school jersey,and slipped in between the

scratchy covers.Picking up the tiny pink hat with the initials S.E.A she clamped her

eyes shut,said a prayer,and fell into a light sleep.

Marissa woke up to the harsh ring of the telephone on her bedside table.She looked

over at her husband,but only saw a small lump of covers in the place of his strong

back.All the memories of the previous afternoon flashed back to the

throbbing from behind her eyes,she picked up the reciver and gave the caller a

shaky hello."Marissa?Are you okay baby?I got your message just a couple of

minutes ago.We were late getting in.What's the matter?"Marissa took a steadying

breath,even after almost a two years of marriage she still got butterflies from

hearing his voice and being able to take comfort in it."Ryan,I don't really think it's

my place to tell you over the phone.Just get home. now. "She knew Ryan was giving

his classic what the hell-are-you-talking-about-i-am-confused-by-your-weirdness

look. "What are you not telling me 'Ris?You sounded pretty shoken up by the front

desk boy's description."Marissa looked over at the covers breathing from the other

side of the bed." Just get here"

A/N longer and angstier than usual, but hey it's summer. All the time in the world on my hands.