A Fight to Remember

That's Me, Trying

A/N:  Thanks to my followers who loyally read every update! I appreciate you all! These next two chapters are a year in the life of Meredith, right after the tsunami... I am writing this in a sort of flashbacky way as I think that this will best illustrate Meredith's struggle. I hope that it is not confusing. I will make sure to mark POV and Times accordingly.

This is a year after the tsunami and the Beginning POV is an OC named Sonny...

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Sonny

North Cove BC, June 16 2029

North Cove BC was once a thriving fishing town. A year ago a seventy-foot wave changed all that. When it crashed into the town, it wiped nearly everything off the map. Only three main institutions remained; the church on the hill, the bar beside the church, and the fishery. While the church and the bar remained in relatively good shape, the fishery still sustained damage.

The people who survived the tsunami (most were evacuated before it hit) suffered the loss of their homes and livelihoods in the blink of an eye. Still, the toughest of us returned... there was too much history here, we were born here, married here, had our children and our work here. The fishery was rebuilt, homes were rebuilt, and families moved back. The town was only a quarter the size it used to be. But it didn't matter. We had heart.

Today there would be a memorial at the church, but I chose not to go. It brought up too many memories. I needed to work, I would make my memorial at sea. I trudged in the early morning fog to the dock. The sky was just fading from black to light blue as the light from the sun made it's way down the curves of the earth. I was out early to prepare my nets and lines. I climbed the ladder on my thirty footer-

"Excuse me?"

I ignored it. The sun would be up soon, I needed to get an early start before the big trollers came out and hogged the currents.

"Excuse me!"

I sighed, who would be down here at this hour? I was too old for this. "What?" I growled. I saw the shape of a slight woman on the dock. Arms wrapped around her thin jacket.

"I need a ride."

I lifted my lantern to get a better look at her. She was a city girl for sure, tan leather boots with a heel, fitted jeans, and a dark felt jacket and scarf. I scoffed. "Lady, I'm a fisherman- I don't do rides. Go to Port Sound, ask for Johnny."

"No, you'll give me a ride... please?"

"It's five in the morning, I gotta make a living in half an hour. I don't have time."

"I'll pay you. Five hundred. That's what you make in a day right?"

Five hundred was generous, minus expenses, I would be lucky to pocket three hundred. "Five hundred?" I held the lantern out a little more scrutinizing her further.

She nodded, grey eyes glistening with unshed tears.

That's when I knew... "You lost someone that day."

xxx

Meredith June 18 2028

Port Hardy, BC (North east corner of Vancouver Island.)

I hadn't heard from anyone in thirty-six hours. As I made my way as close to my family as I could, I made several phone calls- had three layovers, three flights, a ferry and a bus, because my main flight had been cancelled due to the tsunami. Sleep would not come to me. I barely ate. I clung to my phone as a lifeline, thankful for the extra battery I brought.