In the face of tragedy
Marissa ran all the way home praying that she would find him. She ran up the steps and threw open the door. "Uncle Pacey? You home?" She said. "Hey Marissa I thought you were gonna be at Ryan's tonight and I didn't… He stopped talking when he saw the look on her face.
"What's wrong?" He said. "Grandma called me she tried to get in touch with you but she got the machine." Marissa said. "What's going on?" He said. "It's grandpa he had a heart attack" She said slowly. "What?" he said not believing it. She shook her head telling him that everything she just said was the truth. "We gotta go I have to be there for them" He said going off towards his room. She grabbed his hand. He knew from the tug of her grip that it was bad. He looked into her eyes and knew what she was going to say.
"He's gone Uncle Pacey" She said with tears streaming down her face. He stood their shocked and pulled Marissa into a hug. "Okay so I'm gonna call Gail see if she could check on her and you go pack some stuff we might be there for a few days" He said trying to function. "Okay" She said walking away. She could tell that he was pulling away.
Pacey dialed the familiar number. "Hello" A young girl answered. "Hey lily it's Pacey is your mom around?" He said. "Hey Pacey she's not but you know you have good timing because Dawson's here. Let me get him" She said. He hadn't spoken to Dawson in a long time and this was not how he wanted to start.
"Pacey" Dawson said. "Dawson" He said. He knew him well enough to know by his tone something was off. "What's wrong?" He said. "It's my dad he had a heart attack and I'm on my way there now I was just wondering if someone could go and check on her since no Witter's are in the area." Pacey said. "Sure thing man but is he gonna be okay?" He said. "My father's dead Dawson" Pacey said letting it sink in. "I'll go right over there. Let me know when you get in alright I have my cell" Dawson said right away. "Alright thanks man" He said. "I'll see ya soon" Dawson said.
Marissa came out with two duffel bags packed. "I should probably… She interrupted. "Don't bother one of these is yours. I did it while you were on the phone" She said. "Thanks so Dawson is going to check in on grandma" He said going to grab his keys. Marissa grabbed her coat. With that they left.
There flight was pretty quick and they had landed in Cape side around eight thirty. Pacey and Marissa went towards the luggage terminal got their bags and spotted a five foot tall blonde heading in their direction. "Over here" She said. "Thanks for coming to get us Lindley" He said trying to smile but not really knowing how to in the moment. "Please we're all family" Jen said hugging him and giving him a kiss hello.
"Well look at you all grown up I hardly even recognize you" She said giving her a hug. "Hi Jen" Marissa said. "It must be all that California sun. Well come on Dawson can't wait to see you guys" She said smiling. They were at the Leery house in less than thirty minutes. Pacey closed the door. "I'm going to say hi to Lily" Marissa said. "Go ahead" Jen said as Marissa went in search of her. She helped Pacey get the bags.
"So this is a stupid question but as your friend I reserve the right to say stupid things but are you okay?" Jen said. "For the first time in my life I don't know" He said honestly not really knowing how he felt. He put the bags in the house. "Look I gotta check on my mother she interrupted. "Marissa's fine here. Here take the car" Jen said handing him the keys. "Thanks Lindley" He said.
Pacey was at his house in a matter of minutes since he lived fairly close to Dawson. He used to think it couldn't be farther but maybe that's because they we're always walking or in Joey's case rowing across to get to Dawson's. He cut the engine closed the door and went inside. "Ma" He said coming in. "Hey she's on the phone with Julie" Dawson said. "Hey man" He said. Dawson hugged him.
"How ya holding up?" He said. "For right now I'm hanging on. Thanks Dawson for being here. I know we haven't spoken in a while but…. Dawson interrupted. "Once upon a time we used to be best friends and that means I'm here for you anytime anyplace anywhere forever you do understand that don't ya? Dawson said. He looked at Dawson. He nodded. "Yeah I do" he said remembering what he had said to Dawson when Mitch had died.
"Pacey is that you?" His mother came out of the kitchen. "Hey ma" He said hugging her. "Gretchen is on her way here, but Doug he's catching a flight from Vermont, And Julie well she'll be awhile" Mrs. Witter said. "That's alright ma" He said. "How's Marissa?" She said. "She's over at the Leery's. I thought it was best if she stayed there for awhile" He said. "Sure" She said.
"Well I'm gonna go check on everyone see that everybody's eaten that sort of thing. Call if you need anything and we'll catch up when your not so busy" Dawson said. "Sure thing. Thanks Dawson" Pacey said. He left. "He's such a nice boy" She said. "Have you eaten?" He said. "I'm too tired to eat" She said. "So why don't you go upstairs take a nap? While I'm here" Pacey said.
"You were always the strong one. Okay" she said going upstairs. Pacey looked around and his childhood flashed before his eyes.
He never thought he'd be back here in this house.
When he left he thought it was for good boy was he mistaken.