The next day was hard to face, She was dealt with having the plans for the funerals and so on. It started as making plans and things got out of hand she began crying in the office of the funeral home. Marissa apologised time and time again, telling the man behind the desk that she was just a little shocked by the sudden deaths. The man named Barry seemed to understand, saying “Dealing with a death can be a hard thing”
Marissa chose the flowers that her mother loved so much lilies of the valley to be put everywhere in the church. After choosing everything from the music down to the clothing that they would be wearing, Marissa walked out of the funeral home. She drove to her favourite restraunt at the edge of Kelowna called 5th Avenue. She sat down and looked at the menu. Slowly, she decided to have the chicken melt. She ordered and waited for the meal to come. She ate quietly and then after paying the bill, left the tiny restraunt.
Once at home, Marissa picked up the phone and called her friend Lisa. She told Lisa what had happened and got a sympathetic ear. Lisa came over and tried to get Marissa to cheer up but it seemed impossible. Then when the social services people showed up Lisa decided to leave.
“Marissa, I am Ivan Smith. I work for Social Services. I have come to discuss the subject of your future.” The old man said as he took a seat at the dinning room table. Marissa nodded and sat down across from him. “Now, we have few choices since you have no family in or around Canada. Do you have any family at all?” Ivan asked her.
Marissa looked up and shook her head. “Not that I know of” she replied quietly. Ivan looked sorry for the young girl who couldn’t have been older then seventeen. His heart went out to her. Poor thing she lost her whole family last night and now she is so uncertain of what will happen to her. I must find her a good home where ever she wants to live. He thought to himself.
“Okay, I just need to take down some information here. What is your full name? Date of Birth?" Ivan asked as he looked down at the page infront of him.
“Marissa Emilie Austin. September 20th, 1982." She answered him her voice was breaking as she tried to pull herself together. Ivan nodded and took some notes.
“Okay now I want to know where in the whole world you would like to live?” He asked with a smile.
“I get to chose?” She asked looking somewhat confused.
“Yes, you do.” He said kindly as he flipped through some papers finding the one he was looking for. “Okay, I would like to live in Los Angeles, California” Marissa said naming the place she had always wanted to travel to.
“All right that is a very good choice by the way.” Ivan replied as he wrote down the answer on the request sheet. “Is there anything else you would like to have put down on the request sheet?” He asked her.
“Um yes about the people I live with I would like them to be middle class no lower. I would also like them to support my decision to be an actress on Broadway. They must be kind and take care of my needs well. I would like them to homeschool me as well for I don’t feel as if I am quite ready to attend a normal school.” Marissa said.
Ivan nodded and wrote the requests down. He closed his folder and said “I will find who you are looking for and arrange for you and the parents to meet I will contact you in two weeks and let you know how things are going.” He left without another word and Marissa was left in loneliness again.
Days passed and the funeral came around it killed Marissa to go to it. She cried her eyes out, over the top of her mothers casket. The closeness between her and her mother seemed to have disappeared into thin air. Darkness settled in her heart like a heavy stone. She tried to be strong throughout the duration of the funeral but it was almost impossible. She tried to blink away her tears but they returned everytime she looked at the three caskets lined up in a row.
After the funeral, the friends of the family crowded into the house. Marissa received them like the perfect hostess. She smiled sweetly, accepting their good wishes and listening as they told happy memories. The dinner ended quickly and soon came the good-byes.
Once alone in the house again, Marissa looked at the photo albums of the years before her birth. Her parents arm in arm as they attended the senior prom. The wedding day. Her mothers dress was so beautiful. I wonder if she kept it. Marissa thought to herself standing up and walking into her parents room. She had never looked in her mothers closet for it had been disrespectful. Now as she slowly slid the door open she was filled with curiosity. She peered into the walk-in closet and found clothing surrounding her. She gasped at the beauty of the clothing. In the left corner she saw a huge piece of clothing, she couldn’t tell what it was because of the navy cover over top of it. Slowly she walked over to it and took it off the hook. She walked out of the closet and laid the bundle on the bed. Marissa found the zipper on the right side of the cover and unzipped it. She pulled out the flowing wedding dress. She held it up to her body. It was heavy but she held it close to her and imagined herself as her mother getting ready for her wedding day. A warm feeling filled her heart as she did this, a feeling of love. She slipped into the long flowing dress and found it fit her every curve perfectly. Looking in the mirror, she gazed at the image. An image of her mother in beaded-silk, So serene, so tranquil, so lovely. An image she would never see again. Once again tears filled her eyes. She slipped out of the dress and pulled on her clothing again. Marissa curled up on her parents bed and fell into a restless sleep.
The a week passed as Marissa worked at arranging things before she left her home. She priced the furniture some of the belongings that weren’t worth anything to her. She got boxes packed for her move and looked around at the bare walls. The telephone rang. Sighing she picked it up. “Hello?” she answered.
“Marissa Austin? This is Ivan Smith. I found a place for you to live in wonderful Los Angeles, California. A nice couple with no children. They own a home on a private beach. They are quite wealthy. But unfortunately they can not homeschool you. Do you like the sound of it?” Ivans voice showed excitement.
“Yeah sounds fine. Do I get to meet them?” Marissa asked her voice sounding dull. She didn’t feel so sure about this arrangement after all.
“No they can’t leave Los Angeles. Business stuff. So You will leave Kelowna next Sunday at 9 am. Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie have booked a mover who will be at your house on Saturday to move whatever you need to bring with you. They suggest you bring some clothing with you in a suitcase. As well as some personal needs. Does everything sound good?” Ivan said.
“Um what airline am I flying on?” Marissa asked.
“Air Canada and American Airlines, What you do is take the Air Canada flight to Vancouver then go to the international part of the airport and find the American Airlines desk. Then say your name and the person there will give you your ticket. There is approximately 1 hour in between your fights so that should be enough time for you.” Ivan informed her.
“Sounds cool. I will be there. Thanks a lot Ivan. I hope I will be happy with Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie” Marissa thanked him for his kindness.
“Marissa, I wish you all the best luck with your new life and be good all right?” Ivan said warmly.
“I will Ivan. Thank you again. Bye” Marissa said.
“Bye Marissa” Ivan said before he hung up the phone. Marissa put the receiver on the cradle gently before she exited the room. She would have to pack a lot more that night and Friday during the day to make her short deadlines.
