Coastal Love

"Dad! Please you have to believe me! It wasn't me. I didn't do it!" I cried to my dad. He wouldn't even believe me now.

"I expect better from you, they're your stepsisters, they're younger than you. Do you actually think that they would be capable of doing this? That's it you're grounded. I'm going to work."

The two siblings were laughing at me, while their mother ushered them away calmly. They were trying to make my father hated me. I cried again, alone in my room.

Everything at home was a disaster. That was when I decided to move out after I finished high school. I was arranging everything, I would walk out of my childhood home, leaving my dearest father behind.

I needed to get away from this toxic environment. I didn't know where to go, I was planning my getaway every day. I had been saving my money, from my allowance. Selling off my branded stuff online and put all the money in my secured account. Not even my dad know I had one.

Since mom died three years ago and dad was remarried a year after. I was living in a fairy tale. A real-life Cinderella story with a stepmother and two ugly siblings that terrorized the hell out of me.

The evil stepmother raised up to her title. She would belittle me in front of my dad. Saying I did all the wrong things at home. Years later I just let her be. I didn't have the spunk anymore to fight her, I was just done.

I love my dad dearly but he had hurt me a lot in the two years, where he kept on siding with his new family. I didn't even know how much tears I cried for him. I used to be his little princess. Now, I'm the bad apple. The bad apple that would leave him and his new family in peace.

I was picking my battle and this one was not worth the fight.

*****

I was walking with my backpack. I had carefully planned my moving out carefully for months. I had done my research, I was doing this the smart way. I needed to survive. I had moved all my clothes, shoes, and important stuff to a storage unit just outside of town, carefully packed.

My room slowly became empty, nobody ever checked on me, so I was good. I was taking my old family photo album that I flipped religiously every night. It reminded me of our happy little family, how we used to be happy just the three of us.

I left my car behind, but I was still keeping the phone. My stepmom would try and find me if I brought the car, but by leaving it behind I was good to go. I already emailed my dad that I was leaving for good. Knowing that my text would be buried with his work.

But he still hadn't get back to me, I guessed that was it then. It twisted my heart, that he didn't even acknowledge my email anymore. All my feelings that I had for him, should slowly be gone by now, but they still came back every now and then making me teary.

I wiped my tears roughly, as the seaside air welcomed me. I was walking from the bus stop, looking for the address that I got from the internet. It was a book shop, I got myself a job at a bookshop. The wage was minimum, but I couldn't care less.

I also got a place to stay. It was within walking distance of the book shop. I was saving my money. Next year I'm planning on taking an online college degree. This year I would focus on my sustainability. I needed to be smart, not drown in tuition debt.

Mom would cry if she was still alive, she was brought up wealthy, so did my dad. But her own daughter was struggling for money, stranded by her own dad with his evil new family.

Finally!

The bookshop was beautiful. It was located on the rows of shops, leading to the coastal shore. I carefully stepped into the shop and greeted by an old man in his sixties.

"Morning, I'm Marissa Henderson. I'm here to meet with Mr. Archibald Michaels?"

"Ah...there you are, come in Ms. Henderson. Call me Archie, welcome to "Novelty", my little bookstore. I didn't know why you answer my opening, but you seem too lovely to tend to this old bookstore. Come sit down and we will have some tea." He ushered me to a window seating, the place was nice.

"Oh, thank you. And call me Marissa please." I followed him.

He came back minutes later with a pot of tea, I offered to help but he wouldn't have it. "As I said on the phone, I'm having personal issues with my family. I'm not going to start lying to you. But I do hope you would still hire me. I will work diligently. I just need a fresh start. I have finished high school. And now I'm taking a year off." I took his tea and sipped it slowly, and carried on with our conversation.

"Next year, I'm going to enroll in an online college and get my degree. It's way cheaper and more foreseeable, as long as I could get into the best college. I have been planing this since two years ago. I can't thank you enough for hiring me." I finally smiled at him.

"Well, for an eight-teen-year-old, you surely do think way ahead of yourself. And thank you for being honest with me. I've seen the grades that you've sent me with your application letter. I'm sure you will get into the top universities. I'm just hoping that you will stick in this shop long enough." He laughed at his own words, making me also laughed with him nervously.

"So, where are you staying then? You still got your backpack on you. Have you find a place to stay yet?" He drank his tea, then pouring me another cup.

"Yes, I have. I'm renting a very small cottage. I think it's a bit rundown. But it's all I could afford at the moment." I gave him the cottage address.

"Oh the Barnaby's, I know them. Their cottages are good, it has good bone structures. Maybe they need a paint job but that's probably all. The Barnaby's take good care of their properties and they always give a fair price. You're good there." He told me in confidence making me feel relieved.

We talked more about the shop. Then he let me go to get settled in and told me to start at the shop by ten the day after tomorrow, but I could come tomorrow to look around the place. He told me to get settled in and walk around town for one day tomorrow. He was like the grandpa that I never had. We talked a lot and we laughed a lot more.

"Ah Marissa, I haven't laughed this much since my wife passed away." With that I started to get teary all of a sudden, I was reminded of my mom, of my own loss of a loved one. I quickly wiped my tears hoping he did not just see that, but unfortunately he did.

"Oh, I'm sorry child. It's okay, we will talk when it's time. You just go and get settled in now okay? I will wait for you tomorrow morning." He patted my shoulder and walked me out the door.

I met Mr. Barnaby right away when I decided to call him after my meeting with Archie. Turned out Archie had already called him first. I was starting to fall for this laid-back coastal living now.

"Ms. Henderson." He greeted me as we met on the front porch of the cottage.

"Please, call me Marissa." I held out my hand to shake, as I greet him back.

"Call me Daniel then." He smiled warmly at me.

"Come, I'll show you the cottage. It's rarely used. So I'm sorry if it's a bit sore in the eye. But the insides are perfect. You got a one-bedroom, one bathroom, washer dryer, a fully functioning kitchen, and a living room with an old television. I don't know if you young kids still watch those. My son is constantly on his laptop." He looked at me wondering.

"I will Daniel, I'm just grateful that I will have a roof over my head for the next few months. You give me a very good deal." I grinned at him.

Archie was right. The cottage was in perfect condition. It just needed a paint job, which I would not worry about for now.

"Nah, you young lady, was the one that keeps on pushing me to lower down my price. You surely know how to make a good bargain there. Looking at you, I'm ashamed to be beaten by a teenager. My wife will surely laugh at me." He laughed and made me feel welcome.

I settled the payment with him for the next three months. He already prepared me for his receipt for the amount that we discussed earlier. I thanked him as he left me to settle in.

Then I checked my phone, still nothing from dad. I decided to call the storage unit and have them deliver my stuff by today. I also had arranged this earlier, making sure that they have a delivery service. The unit was quite close by, so they would be here in a couple of hours. I didn't have a lot of stuff, so I should finish unpacking by tonight.

Putting my backpack down in my bedroom, I got my wallet and laptop out and set it aside. I decided to go to the grocery store and started stocking up on the essentials. I went to the kitchen and check out if there were any kitchen wares, I needed to know what to buy and made a list.

Thankfully I was set with plates, glasses, and all the works even got some pots and pans and a small water heater. I could make coffee or tea.

Fifteen minutes later, I set out to the grocery store. I decided to cook my own lunch and started saving money again. It would be a while before I got my first salary.

I headed back to the cottage with both hands full of groceries. But at least I was done with the household things, and I could start doing laundry tomorrow morning if wanted to.

Moments later I was sitting alone and having my lunch at a small dining table for two. I started opening my Kindle and start reading my favorite romance novel. Time passed by I didn't realize that it was getting dark already until I heard a knocked at the door.

The storage guy dropped off my boxes in the living room. It was not that much, it filled half of my small living room. Minutes later I started unboxing them. I took a dinner break, then continued on unpacking and arranging my stuff around the cottage. I was finally done by nine in the evening.

It finally looked like my own place now, I smiled proudly at myself. I made it, I got out of the house. I was living my own life. But suddenly my tears fall freely, I was crying and sobbing so hard my body was shaking.

I was holding our family photo, I was fourteen in that picture. That was the last family picture of the holiday that we took. We always had a grand adventure holiday every year. That year we went to Nairobi, Kenya. It was beautiful, our hotel Giraffe Manor had giraffes visited us while we were having our breakfast. In the photo my father was smiling wide as the giraffe licked my face, mom was shocked, but laughing, and looking worried at the same time.

I missed my mom, I missed my dad, I missed our old family.

I fell asleep holding the picture.

My alarm woke me up at six the next morning, I woke up and went to the bathroom. Then I made myself a coffee, and I put it in my favorite tumbler.

I went outside putting on my oversized jacket and my pajama bottom. I was taking in the sea air while loving the coastal view. I was checking my messages when I saw an email from dad.

Marissa, This is not what I expected from you. Running away is not the solution. But if your mind is set. know this, I am not supporting your life choice. You have to make it on your own out there. I taught you better than this. I'm truly disappointed in you Marissa.

Just get back when you're done running.

Dad.

I felt so cold. My heart shattered for him, every time. I couldn't even count anymore. I wished I could easily give up and gone away with mom. But I didn't even have the courage to do so. Cause deep down I knew it would break him if he loses me too.

But every time he did this to me I break. My tears fell freely in the morning air, it was still quite dark the air was soothingly cold just like my heart. I sipped my coffee and walked to the shore. The beach was deserted, no one was there. I decided to dipped my feet in the water.

I put my tumbler and phone down, took off my slippers and jacket, and walked into the water. It was cold, but my hot tears still fall freely, I was too sad to feel the coldness. I wiped my tears roughly, kept on walking to the water, and let the coldness soaked my pants.

I embraced myself as I shuddered crying and sobbing. How could my life be like this? I was happy, we were happy. I kept on walking as the wave took me further from the shore. I started feeling the coldness as my body was trembling. Letting the coldness in, I was feeling the emptiness that had been lingering for years now.

Feeling like an empty shell, I stood on the ocean floor as the small wave rocked my body. I was taking a step further to the ocean. Maybe I could do this after all. Maybe it was easier to end my life anyway. I was nothing in this big bad world. I think I saw enough, and I was not impressed. I was good to die and leave this world.

Maybe my dad would be happy with his new family. He seemed happy, he never did take my side. I was good, I could definitely leave now. I walked further until the wave reached my chest. I was crying and sobbing hard, I needed to do this. I needed to end this. This was fucking too much for me. I was still too young for this much pain.

I was good. I was definitely good to go.

"Shit! Miss, what the fuck are you doing? This is freaking cold water. You could get hypothermia." I could hear a man calling out for me.

But I was feeling so at peace as I let myself go, and walked further deeper sinking myself into the ocean. I started gulping on the water. I couldn't care less. My ears were ringing as I got deeper into the water, I opened my eyes only see the darkness. I was smiling into the deep dark seawater, then I could feel my chest burning as I couldn't take a breath. I was relaxing my self and taking in the burn.

But then I felt my body was being tugged onto the surface harshly. I choked and coughed a couple of times. My body became limped as someone pulled me to the shallow water until we finally reached the shore.

"Fucking hell girl! Are you trying to kill yourself? Don't ever do that to me again, it's too fucking cold for a swim."

He was the most handsome man I've ever seen. Maybe I was dead already and this was my reward? My angel?

He put my jacket on as I trembled when the wind made the cold air hit my body.

"Let me get you back to your cottage okay? That's where you're staying right?" He asked as he pointed to Barnaby's cottage. I nodded my head as I couldn't form any sentences.

He took my stuff and then carried me to the cottage.

My teeth were clattering when I asked him. "Who are you?"

"What, no thank you? For saving your suicidal self into the freezing morning sea wave?" He looked angry, his handsome face scrunched as he looked at my bruises.

Oh yeah, he was stripping me naked as he ushered me under the hot shower. I was turning cold purple, my teeth won't stop clattering.

He sounded angry when he asked. "Who the fuck did this to you?" I was crying and sobbing, then he hugged my naked body in his wet clothed warmer body.

"Sshh... Look I'm sorry, let me start from the beginning okay? I'm Nathaniel Davis. I'm staying at the blue beach house next door. I was taking my morning run, when I saw you, in the middle of the ocean." He was stroking my hair.

"So what's your name, are you good now?" He asked.

"Marissa." I nodded my reply. As he kept on holding my body, slowly giving me his warmth.

"You're good Marissa. Now come let's get you dressed and get you more hot coffee."

"Marissa, I'm going to go and change, my place is just next door. I'll be back in ten minutes. Will you be okay?" He asked still looking worried at me.

I nodded, I was that close. I was that close to finding my peace. And he had to ruin it. I sighed as I slipped under my covers.

I needed to sleep. I needed to rest. I'm tired. Too fucking tired. Maybe tomorrow I'll be good.

It felt like minutes later I was shaken awake. "Marissa, would you wake up now? It's lunchtime already. You should eat something." The handsome man said to me.

I slowly sat up on the headboard. "Why are you still here?" My voice was raspy, from all the crying and sobbing.

"That I don't even know. I just don't like people trying to kill themselves. So much death in the world already I guess. Look, I'm not questioning you here. Not yet. Just eat okay? I'm making you soup. It's from a can, so it should be safe to eat, cause I honestly can't cook." What he said made my lips tugged in an upward motion.

"There, I'm glad my cooking ability made you smile. Look, why don't you eat. We can talk later." He told me as he stood up and abruptly left my bedroom.

I suddenly missed him, I felt alone all over again. He was a stranger. I was not his burden to take care of. Even my own family neglected and abused me. My tears start to fall again, I was sipping my canned soup while wiping my tears away.

I can't do this. Damn him! I was almost there. I could almost see my mom.

"Shit! Marissa, you need to stop crying. I thought I made edible soup. Is it really that bad?" He questioned me.

I was smiling and crying at the same time now.

Damn, it have I gone crazy already?

"Okay, I'm going out to get you something from the dinner. You don't have to finish the soup. Just please stop crying? I'm not really good at this bonding stuff." He took the bowl and put it on the bedside table.

I thought he was going to leave me again, but then he took me to his embrace and put my head on his chest. I rested there and take in his warmth and sighed. We stayed like that for another fifteen minutes in silence.

Then I finally opened the conversation and told my story in brief. "I run away from my family, my dad just emailed me this morning and he broke my heart with his words. I never intended to end my life today. I was supposed to go to the book shop...." I instantly sat up and blushed as I realized that I just had my first hug from a man.

"I was supposed to go to the bookshop... Archie was waiting for me... I'm starting work tomorrow..." I was wiping my tears away and started to get out of bed.

I couldn't let Archie down, he had been so nice to me.

He was looking confused now. "Oo..mm..okay, why don't you go get changed, we could get lunch on the way to the book shop? I don't think it's wise for me to leave you alone." He said awkwardly. I just nodded to him, I have never been in this kind of situation before.

Right...okay then...