Paper Lifelines

Marianna Saw

His heart was racing-who was behind him? He didn't care. They made him feel better and they were comforting and warm. He turned his head slightly and saw Marianna. Her eyes were closed, and she was hugging him, whispering "It's okay" and she made him think it actually was. His tears did not cease, but he turned to her and returned the embrace. She patted his back gently and sighed, with her arms still around him, comforting him. She never asked what was so wrong that he was there, and she never made any movement to leave. She just sat and let him cry on her shoulder. He didn't know why she was there. He didn't know why she was helping him, hugging him.
He didn't know, but he was grateful.
She was there for him. He knew. She was there. His heart fell numb, his tears slowed. He let his arms relax, but she stayed. He was glad she did. He was glad he could feel the warmth of another human being. Someone who didn't pressure him or lie to him. His cheeks felt warm. They had been since he saw her face. She had such sad eyes. He wondered why. She made him wonder. She was a wonder.
Her eyes were full of stardust, and her being was like a sculpture. Perfect, in an imperfect way. She was a porcelain doll, built and broken. Fixed, but still shattered. He hugged her tighter and stroked her chocolate hair.
Why did he do that?
Why did he want to do that?
He wondered how she felt at that moment. Was she uncomfortable? He leaned backwards a bit and whispered "Thank you." She nodded. "I don't know what's wrong, but I promise you'll be okay. It'll be okay." This time, he was the one who nodded. It was a while before they separated. The sky had grown darker. Lance took this as a sign to return home. "Would you like to walk with me?" He asked.
She nodded slowly. They walked side by side, his feet dragging a bit. He wondered if Francie would still be home. He didn't think so, but she might be. Francie was always full of surprises. They reached the end of the block and stopped. He could see his house from where he was standing. There were no lights on in the house. That made him feel relieved. He didn't want to see his sister.
A sigh escaped his lips.
Lance started walking again but after a few paces, noticed Marianna wasn't next to him.
He turned back around to find that she was still standing, staring. Her lights were on. Porch lights. He checked his watch. 11:00 p.m. She didn't look pleased to be going home. Then he wondered "why was she at the field in the first place?" He didn't ask. He just gave a small smile at her. She didn't smile back. She didn't even look a him. He listened to the silence. Suddenly, the silence was broken. A loud crash, then a scream and yelling. All coming from Marianna's house. She flinched. It wasn't entirely noticeable, and he had to really study her to see it, but it was there. He watched her. Her frown became deeper, her eyes watered slightly.

"Want to stay out a while longer? Or come to my place?" He suggested. She nodded and her expression softened. They walked in silence to his house, so they wouldn't be heard. She looked like she didn't want to be heard. He was okay with that. They reached his house, and he got the spare key out from under the flower pot. He inserted the key into the lock and turned, but the door was already open. Francie always forgot to lock the door, so he should have known. He knew she was at work. She couldn't stay home, she had a meeting the next morning and needed travel time, and to get her necessary papers.
He turned the light on and stepped inside, inviting Marianna in behind him.
"Would you like something to eat? I forgot to eat dinner before I left, so i'm going to cook something."
She said "Alright". He made scrambled eggs and bacon, put them on plates, and got out the ketchup. He applied ketchup to his plate and offered some to Marianna, but she shook her head. He shrugged.
"I don't know how you can eat that." She giggled a bit and ate her plain eggs. "Good." She said, motioning to the food. He smiled at her approval. Eventually, their eyelids started to droop and their hands relaxed. Marianna was the first to lose the fight. She fell asleep at about 12:30, sitting upright on the couch leaning on Lance. He didn't want to move her, so he gently slid the plate out of her hands and placed it next to him on the couch. Her head rolled onto his shoulder, and soon he fell asleep as well.
They both jolted awake at 4:00. They heard a loud crash come from the house next door, Marianna's house. Her eyes were wide, like a deer caught in headlights. There was banging on the door. She flinched again. Lance stood up to open it, but she pulled him down. "Don't." she said in barely a whisper. He sat back on the couch, and she stood up. She told him to stay on the couch, no matter what happened, who it was. Her feet moved in slow motion towards the door. He knew something bad was going to happen- he didn't know what. She approached the door slowly, and it opened at the same pace. There was a large man with an unkempt goatee and a 'beer belly'. His eyes looked like fire, his fists raised to pound on the door again. When he saw Marianna opening the door, his rage only seemed to increase. He tore her out of the house and Lance quickly jumped to his feet. Marianna was being pulled down the steps, her whimpers soft but pained. The man was seething- his breath was staggered as he turned towards her. Lance was too far away.
The man raised his hand, and a slap landed hard on her cheek. She didn't move. There was no flinch this time, she was as still as a statue. Her expression hardened and she just stared past him like this happened often. The thought made Lance grimace. In a sudden moment he was in front of her. Just before another blow was given to Marianna, he stepped in. His feet moved on their own. He didn't know what he was doing. He raised his hand and caught the man's arm from plummeting into both of them and stood his gound. The man stared in slight confusion before mumbling "Who the bloody hell are you." Lance stared the man down. He held his hand out but was greeted with open air.
After a while the drunk grunted and shook Lance's hand, but not after giving a distasteful look. Lance introduced himself as a friend of Marianna's. She looked a bit surprised to hear that.
It made him numb.
He wanted to be friends with her. A bruise was already forming on her face where she had been struck. He looked at her and frowned, lightly tracing his finger over the bruise.
"Good night." He said. Leaning in closer he whispered "Don't let him hurt you again. If he does, please tell me." She stared. He walked, his back turned to them. The sun was beginning to rise, and he needed to be prepared.
A long day awaited him.