As always, I am thankful for all of your reviews.
ROBOTECH and its characters are property of Harmony Gold.
April 23, 2010
Dear Roy,
I saw Rick at the south observation deck the other night. It was close to 2am, and I was taking my 15 minute break from my graveyard shift on the bridge. I know you would've wanted me to look after your Little Brother for you now that you're gone. I haven't been doing a very good job of that. It's just been too difficult to be near someone who reminds me so much of you. It looks like Lisa has taken over the duty of watching over and taking care of Rick, and she's doing a great job. She allows him to grieve over you, but also thinks to remind him of how proud you'd be of him if he focused and carried on. You would be terribly proud of him, Roy. Rick's been honored to lead the Skull, and with Lisa's help, he's doing an excellent job.
When I saw Rick, he looked lost and alone. Lisa had been gone for almost a full week and he looked like a boat adrift in a massive sea. So I sat and talked with him some. He reminds me so much of you, Roy. You two resembled such uncannily similar characteristics, it's hard to believe you weren't blood related. Talking with him was a surprising comfort. I had been afraid that being near Rick would make my grief too unbearable. Talking to Rick that night reminded me a bit of that rainy night when you came to me all those years ago. He looked lost and vulnerable and in need of someone to listen. Rick wasn't much in a mood to talk, but it was so obvious he missed Lisa terribly. You'd be surprised at how close Rick and Lisa are these days. I've never seen Lisa so happy to be with someone since losing Riber. Experience tells me she's already more than half in love with Rick. However, she is fighting so hard against that emotion, thanks mostly to Rick's public relationship with Minmei. I just don't see Rick and Minmei lasting. Minmei's young, vain and rather empty-headed. Her growing popularity and skyrocketing career as a multi-hyphenate are pushing Rick away and repeatedly hurting his feelings. Minmei's interviews consistently insist that she and Rick do not have a relationship other than being "just friends", and at the same time doesn't deny her rumored relationship with her cousin Lynn-Kyle. Is it just me, or is there just something wrong with this? As a result, Rick is spending more and more time (on and off duty) with Lisa. Rick just can't seem to see her as anything more than just a good friend, and maintains his blind devotion to Minmei. I feel Lisa's pain that she knows where Rick's heart lies. Still, Lisa doesn't so much as utter a peep to me at the unfairness of it all, though I see she's hurting. In my little attempt to nudge Rick in another direction, I hint around for Rick to think of Lisa as a better match than Minmei. They have already done so much for each other emotionally, but have yet to cross that threshold. I know Lisa's already willing, able and ready; Rick is just blind to what is right in front of him. I'll have to give it to Rick though. He's the most loyal person when it comes to that girl. When I mentioned that Minmei "wasn't that special", he fiercely replied, "Well, she is to me!" When questioned about that statement, he couldn't really defend it other than how she's just "stuck on her". I am hoping that Lisa's (hopefully short) time on Earth and my words will help Rick realize what looks clear to everyone else. I'll need all the help I can get. Unfortunately, Max is wrapped up in his new married life with Miriya, and I would never impose on them right now for help. Roy, I know you are no longer with us, but I'm sure you're out there and willing to help in whatever way you can. Who else would Rick listen to but his Big Brother? We can't let Lisa and Rick miss out and let their opportunity pass by. I am hoping they get to live out what you and I never had a chance to accomplish. In my heart I know they would be a perfect match for each other, and I know you would always want your Little Brother to live out his life with someone who is as completely matched with him as Lisa.