I stood on the snow covered lawn, staring up at Jamie's bedroom window. Oh, well, I guess it's Marilyn's bedroom now. The light was on, meaning that she was probably waiting for me now. But for some reason, I couldn't get myself to fly up and sneak in. My mind kept expecting to see Jamie's face appear in the window but I keep remembering that he won't. He's gone, Jack. Gone, and don't you go trying to use Marilyn as a substitute for him.

Shaking my head, I let out a big sigh and whistled for the window. With a graceful breeze, I was crouched around the window, fidgeting with the lock. Darn, did they get new windows or something, I thought as I struggled.

Marilyn was lying on her bed, reading a book, but noticed me having difficulty. She laughed a little; staring at me wide eyed, and came over to open the window.

"Not as easy as it used to be," I muttered awkwardly after she let me in. Marilyn didn't say anything back, just slowly returned to her bed and sat down, staring at me. I could tell she was stilling trying to figure me out, unsure of what to believe.

"You want to talk?" I offered as encouragement, sitting in a lounge chair that she had stationed in the corner, right next to her bookshelf. This room sure has changed, I thought. From the boyish theme from Jamie's time, with random drawings taped to the walls and articles about Big Foot everywhere, to when it was a nursery for little baby Marilyn. Now it was very artsy and seemed like the perfect hide out for a typical introvert. A small wooden desk sat across from her bed, covered with art supplies and crumpled drawings. She had what looks like a custom paint job on the walls, which I assumed she did herself. Her closest was open and looked incredibly messy, filled to the brim with colorful and patterned clothes.

"Yeah," Marilyn said at last, "I guess. I just don't know where to start," Sighing; she looked at me as if she was waiting for me to start.

I shrugged, "Well, there is a lot to say…if you want to talk about your dad…" I began cautiously, not sure if she really wanted me to continue.

No matter how many good memories I share with her, it won't make this story any happier. It's tragic, for the world to have someone like Jamie taken from it. Some days, I blame myself. Just that stupid thing I said, "You are a guardian too," that's all it took. Jamie promised me he would be the best guardian ever, and at the time I just laughed. But then he applied for a military academy and got accepted, eventually becoming a fully trained Marine. With a war going on, of course he was stationed out on the front lines. It was his dream to become a guardian and that is definitely what he did. Unfortunately, he lost his life to it.

What could I say to her that would give her any closure? Of course, it has been 5 years but it must have still hurt, "I can tell you about the time he first saw me…" I said before launching off into the story. It was surprising that she hadn't heard it before from Jamie but maybe she just wanted to hear it again.

Marilyn just sat there, listening contently, smiling slightly every time I mentioned Jamie's name. When I was finished, it was clear that I successfully broke the ice (no pun intended). Marilyn started to ask me all kind of questions about everything she could think of.

"My dad really was your first believer?"

"Where's Pitch now?"

"How did you become a Guardian?"

"Can you fly?"

And then finally, a harsher question:

"Why did you stop visiting?"

At this, I paused and drew in a sharp breath, "Well," I breathed out, "It was hard to convince myself to come back."

"But don't you think I could have used someone? I had so many questions that nobody could answer."

"I know you were hurting but I'm not invincible. I spend a lot of time helping others and I just needed to help myself for a little while. Jamie was my first friend."

"He was my father, Jack!" She cried with a sudden burst of anger, "I was ten!

I stood up quickly, trying to think of something to say. How could I tell her that I was sorry? I guess, I just reassured myself that her mom would be all she needed to get through. I didn't even think about staying.

"I just don't understand why he always needed to protect everyone. What about us? Here? We need him too!" She sobbed, unleashing emotions that haven't been released in quite some time.

I sat down slowly next to her, unsure of what to say. To my surprise, however, Marilyn leaned into me, unresponsive to my cold body. I awkwardly lifted my arm and put it around her, letting her cry on me for a while.

After a bit, I attempted to explain more about her father but she cut me off, "I don't want to talk about it anymore."

"But, Marilyn..."

"No, Jack. Don't you dare think that just because you saw my cry this time that I'm going to make a habit of it. Crying doesn't make anything better and contrary to what I though, neither does talking about it," Tears were still fresh in her eyes, I could tell she was lying to herself but I didn't argue.

I just silently agreed and bid her a good night. Everything that just happened whirled through my head. It started off so nice and comforting but it ended so badly.

Once I returned to my sanctuary in the woods, I spent the rest of the night contemplating whether I should leave town. That would probably be the best; I've caused too much trouble already.

I already have a lot of this story written, so updates will becoming regularly. Reviews are welcome!