Psrhea Magazine : I Remember...Marlene

I Remember...Marlene
by Stephanie Nolasco

There she stands within the corner of an abandoned building. Her tight jeans, ripped in noticeable places, sway along to the flows of the wind. Her hair, dyed in maroon with shades of blonde, stay still and straight, falling below her shoulders. Her wide collections of tattoos glimmer with their bright shades of ink in her arm. All her piercings heavily glowed upon the rays of the sun. Her glossed lips, twirled in a pout, stand pointed, while her wild green eyes stare at me with disgust. I cannot help, but wonder why I am a revulsion in her shadows. Maybe it's because I come from a middle class family, while her parents survive on drug money. Maybe it's because I am able to handle all the frustrations school throws at me, while she gave up and applied for GED instead. Maybe it's because I am fully clothed or not. Maybe I am just simply the person she yearns to be. My heart calls out to her, but she whispers swear words in my direction. I tried walking in her direction and questioning her silent remarks, but instead, she makes a warning figure of slitting my throat. To avoid problems, I horribly walked away, without looking back. The only final remembrance I have is her combat boots tapping the floor violently.

As I walk along my path home from school, I cannot help, but feel sorry for the girl. Somehow, I had a strange fascination I cannot explain, and I feel as if I known her all my life. Although we are different in characteristics, she somehow seems to be someone I can talk to with ease. Her jealously for me makes me admire her more, for a strange reason I cannot explain. Her yearning to slit my throat terrified me, but I knew she wouldn't do it. For some reason I knew her, yet I never met her. I try to forget about the runaway and focus on getting home on time. My tutor will be arriving soon and my parents will get angry if I miss my appointment. Since the roads were heavily crowded, due to a special sale occurring at the mall, I decide to take a shortcut within a nearby park. Lourdes Park circles around the block, so it will lead me to my house in no time. As I began to hike the rocky hills, my chest tightened up and my breathing grew louder. My legs ache with pain, but I did my best to ignore it. Somehow, a pebble wanted to deceive me, and I rolled down to the hill. I had nothing to grab on, and blood was gushing from my knees. My elbows felt burn and my voice became silent as I tried screaming for help. Thanks to a maple tree, my rolling stop and my head banged sadistically against the trunks. My head ached while I felt warm ooze dripped to my cheeks. I tried wailing in pain, but instead, my eyes slowly closed and I was no longer here. I lost all conscience of my surroundings, and I had no way of turning back. My body was no longer here.

My eyes suddenly opened wide and the sensation of warm ooze falling to my face vanished. The park suddenly became heavily more with trees and the playground was a garden. I saw young couples walking along and talking about the next Buddy Holly concert. Their outfits seemed strange, as if I saw them in "I Love Lucy." I tried walking, and people bopped against me. I tried asking for help, but no one seems to listen. Growing frustrated, I decide to walk back and ask someone for help. It seems as if I accidentally walked into a filming of an upcoming movie. I grabbed my book bag and dusted off the dirt in my jeans. To my surprise, the scrapes on my elbows and the open wounds of my knees weren't there. I assured myself that I was hallucinating.

Walking back, I realize the director had plenty of money for a new project, because the entire town looked strange! All electronic stores were gone, while people sipped on cokes. Radios were rumbling with the sounds of the Supremes. Someone gossiped about a possible divorce that Marilyn Monroe was going to have with Joe DiMaggio. All girls wore a silky scarf tied around their necks and ponytails, while they wore the "Lana Turner Sweater" with a flowing skirt. Each skirt had a strange design of a poodle tied with a leash. It was then I realized that I must have been going insane. Across the corner from the newly furnish elegant building, stood a very familiar figure. Her own flowing skirt danced along to the wind. Her light brown hair was kept in perfect place with a white scarf, which also covered her throat. Her tight sweater covered her arms and her lashes waved with the fresh coat of mascara. Her teeth, all perfect pearls, appeared to me and she waved in my direction. Not being able to move with shocked, she ran up to me instead.

"Marlene, did you forget our meeting today? What are those strange clothes you're wearing?" She questioned while giggling.

"Er, my mother took them to the laundry."

"Ah, don't worry. Those clothes will come out clean. Mr. Davidson, the town tailor is having a special. Have all your clothes iron for $0.75. Isn't that amazing!" She said while stilled smiling.

She immediately stopped and looked inside her pockets. A golden necklace with a heart-shaped symbol was handed into my palms.

"Marlene, this is for you. It's a gift of remembrance. I know you're moving soon, and I don't want to start crying again, but I just want to say thank you for being there. You've been the greatest friend I've ever had, and you always brought a smile on my face. Even if we never see each other again, I hope you will always remember how much I care about you."

She held my hands tightly.

"Our friendship will rein on in destiny."

The word "destiny" became faded. I felt my body become liquid and slowly falling to the ground. I can see the motions in her mouth, screaming out of terror, as a slender tree fell in my direction. I yelled with all my might, yet no sound appeared. I squirmed around and I felt the bones crackled in agony. My chest, now ripped open, gushed everything placed within me. I breathed heavily and my eyes slowly closed...

I had awakened against the tree trunk that broke my fall on the hill. My head hurt and I was now back in the dimension I call home. Perhaps it was a dream or an act of hallucination. It was tragic and I want no tragedy lingering in my mind. It was then I felt the coolness of a gold chain in my palm and the strange inscription stamping my backed. I turned around and read the inscription.

"This tree is of remembrance for Marlene Thompson, who tragically died, due to an accident. Her friend, Evelyn Lords, requested a singling of peace for a young female. May she rest in peace."

Before I can say anything out of shock, I felt a tap hit my shoulder. I turn around. It was the freak that wanted to slight my throat. She smiled at me.

"I remember...Marlene."

She stared deep within my eyes and we both felt the intense sensation of something fresh discovered. Before I opened my mouth to say something, she scowled and walked away. She will always be known as the dropout who has no chance of succeeding. Within my heart, she will always be the one that will grasp a part of my soul.