Let Her Cry

-Seth-

Each family left the funeral separately. So I figured I should go see how Summer was doing. I mean, I grew up with Marissa and we were neighbors for most of our childhood, but she was Summer's best friend since any of us can remember.

I ate dinner with the parents then drove over around 7. It was probably a better idea to give her a few extra hours of grieving time. Not everyone likes to do that around other people.

When I got there, it was just starting to get dark out. I walked up to the door and Dr. Roberts opened it.

"Hello Seth, Summer's in her room." He looked angry.

"I'm sorry, am I interrupting anything because I can always come back lat-"

"No, I'm on my way out to meet Julie," he interrupted me.

He walked past me leaving the door open. I stepped through into the dark hall.

"Summer it's me," I said, hearing my voice jump off the walls and staircase.

There was no answer so I quietly walked up the stairs, the rubber of my sneakers squeaking against the marble. The upstairs hallway was pretty dark too and I felt a cold breeze coming from the open window at the end of the hall. I walked over to it and held the blowing sheers aside to pull the doors shut.

I turned around to face Summer's bedroom and the door was cracked open only about an inch. I peeked in and she was lying down so I tip-toed quietly in case she was asleep.

She never lets me in

Only tells me where she's been

When I walked over to her bed she looked half asleep and half crying because her cheek was wet. I pulled the blanket back and as I climbed in, I saw some purple spots on her arm and shoulder blade. I was curious. But I had to wait and ask her when she wasn't so upset.

When she's had too much to drink

I say that I don't care

I just run my hand through her dark hair

I spooned against her back and pulled the blanket up to our shoulders. As I moved closer, I ran my hand slowly along her leg and she flinched. I heard her crying and I could feel it in her breathing. I fought off the rush of my own tears.

Then I pray to God, you've gotta help me fly away

And just let her cry

If the tears fall down like rain

Let her sing if it eases all her pain

We stayed like that for a while and I couldn't fall asleep. I felt uneasy seeing angry Dr. Roberts and bruises on Summer within the same ten minutes.

About a half an hour later, I started to doze off and got woken up by Summer moving her legs. I opened my eyes just as she sat up and walked across the hall. I saw the light in the bathroom flick on as she pressed the door shut.

Let her go, let her walk right out on me

And if the sun comes up tomorrow

Let her be

I heard the sound of pills shaking against plastic. Painkillers. The sound I've been hearing for over a week now.

I wanted to look for you

You walked in, I didn't know just what I should do

So I sat down and had a beer

And felt sorry for myself

I want to help her. I really do. I just don't know how. And I don't want to push her away. Mom's intervention was difficult enough. And I don't think this is the same.

Last night I tried to leave

Cried so much I could not believe

She was the same girl I fell in love with long ago

She went in the back to get high

So I just let her cry

I sat up and stared at the doorway until she staggered into the room and lay back down, not acknowledging me. It's like I don't notice. It's like I don't exist anymore.

Three Weeks Later

-Ryan-

At about 9:00 in the morning I was woken up by a soft knock on the glass door. I rubbed my eyes and blinked the blurriness away.

"Coming," I said in a groggy voice.

My body was still a little bit asleep so I limped over to the door. I separated two pieces of the blinds to peek through.

Teresa?

I quickly let go of the blinds and blinked a few times.

No, it can't be…she's married…she had a baby…I haven't seen her in over a year…

"Ryan? It's Theresa, open up."

Are you kidding me?

I opened up the door feeling rude for not letting her in sooner. It was pouring out.

"Ryan! How are you?!" She ran up to me and hugged me so hard I almost fell over.

Whoa take it easy, just woke up.

"Ryan it's so good to see you!" She had such an excited look on her face.

I escorted her in to sit down on one of the barstools near the counter but she sat down on the corner of my mattress instead.

"So how have you been? We haven't talked in such a long time!" She said eagerly as I smiled, trying to hide my thoughts of how random this conversation was.

"Well…"

"I heard what happened. You don't have to talk about that if you don't want…have you moved on yet?"

For some reason I was immediately offended. "Look, if you're back just because she's gone—"

"Of course I'm not! I would never do that. Ryan, I'm here to talk if you ever need it. I never meant to interfere with what you two had. I've learned that people who are meant for each other can't stay apart forever. That's why I couldn't stand it when you left the Cohen's home and school…you were so unhappy."

I didn't have much to say, so I just nodded with a serious look on my face.

Teresa sighed and looked around at the rest of my room. She held her hands together on her lap.

"How's your kid?"

"Daniel is good, he's such a smart kid and he's doing great in school."

"What grade is he in?"

"Well it's pre-pre-school"

"Oh I see…"

"Yeah, he's only about two years old, but he's such a bright little boy. He learns quickly."

I nodded and forced a smile.

I didn't know why I wasn't happy about that. Did I wish he were mine?

"How's Eddie?"

She sighed and closed her eyes. "Eddie and I…things didn't work out. He's moved out. He was gone about a year ago. We're in the process of the divorce right now. It's a slow process but it's worth it. And we've already gotten into the habit of him having partial custody. He can only see Daniel every other weekend."

"Oh I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I shouldn't have married him in the first place. And I should have listened to you. You knew he wasn't good for me but I didn't want to listen. I guess that's the way abusive relationships turn out. You don't realize you're in one until you're finally out of it. I just know I'm lucky for finding my way out. After all he's done to me."

"Yeah…you're lucky to even be alive," I said unintentionally.

"I know. It's just so hard because I'm working two jobs and the daycare only keep Daniel for about 5 hours each day. From the time I go to work in the morning until mid afternoon. It's impossible to find a babysitter I can trust, that won't charge me an arm and a leg—"

"I'LL DO IT," I blurted out, making a face at myself. I didn't know what I was saying or what I was getting myself into. I started into space, my eyes wide.

"No Ryan," she kind of chuckled, "You really don't have to do that but thank you. I wouldn't be able to pay you enough. I'm looking for maybe a teenager that's not looking for much…"

"I'll do it for free."

"But won't it interfere with your work schedule?"

"No, I don't work around the time that you need someone to watch him."

"Are you sure? Because if you can't, I'm fine with looking for someone else—"

"I'm sure. It's fine, what time do you need me tomorrow?"

"Really? Thank you so much! He needs to be picked up at around 2 tomorrow. Thank you thank you thank you, I'll call you tomorrow from work to give you the address and some things you'll want to know about Daniel!" She talked so fast I could barely understand her. I followed her to the door and she kissed me on the cheek and left.

As soon as she was out of sight, I picked up the phone and called my boss to tell him I couldn't make it to work tomorrow. I've got chronic diarrhea, right?

Disclaimer: I do not own The OC or any of its characters. The song is "Let her Cry" by Hootie and the Blowfish.