" I WORSHIPPED THE MYTH I MADE OF YOU/ BUT IM OFF MY KNEES/ NOW".
- traci brimhall
in which despite everything, both art donaldson and patrick zweig can never escape the sound of the woman who once truly loved them, the one they once called their...
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one, the boy with thorns on his side
July 3rd, 1997 [ Malibu, California, ]
Patrick stood nervously at the doorstep alongside his mother, clutching a bouquet of wildflowers tightly in his hands. His usual boyish charm that usually got him his way didn't seem to cut it this time. The cliché apology was entirely his mother's idea; before their arrival, she had made sure Patrick rehearsed their speech multiple times.
When the door creaked open, Melanie appeared, her face breaking into a warm smile as she enveloped Patrick's mother, Donna, in a tight hug. She then leaned in to place a small peck on Patrick's left cheek. "What brings you two here this late? Donna, you're usually in bed by now." She stepped aside, raising her eyebrows and glancing at the flowers Patrick was holding with mild curiosity.
"I know, I know," Donna said with a touch of embarrassment. "But Patrick here decided to ruin my beauty rest. I overheard him talking to his friend about almost running over some pretty girl with his bike. And then this morning, when you mentioned Ramona had scraped her knee... I put two and two together." Donna looked at Patrick with a mixture of disappointment and encouragement. "So, he's here to apologize. Isn't that right, Patrick?"
Patrick nodded, trying to mask his guilt with a toothy grin. Melanie's eyes narrowed slightly, her skepticism evident, but she couldn't help but smile at his effort.
"Perfect! Well, Donna, you can settle in while I take this one up to see Ramona." Melanie gestured for Patrick to follow her.
Patrick, still clutching the bouquet, followed Melanie upstairs. His nerves grew with each step. When they reached Ramona's room, Melanie knocked gently before opening the door.
"Mona, you have a visitor."
Ramona looked up from her desk, where she had been sketching. Her gaze fell on the young boy, and she raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. She had seen the scene unfold earlier from her window, noting Patrick's nervous demeanor as his mother scolded him.
"I'll leave you two alone. I have some catching up to do with Donna," Melanie said, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she left the room.
Patrick stepped inside, feeling the weight of Ramona's scrutiny. The awkwardness made Ramona's eyes squint slightly, betraying a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
"I, um, apologize for knocking you down earlier. It was my mistake. I didn't see you until it was too late." Patrick, with his usual cocky grin, extended the flowers towards her. Ramona hesitated before taking them. "Thanks, I guess..." she said softly, offering him a small smile. "I'm okay, really. Just a few scratches.
