Angie Merriam
I was born and raised in the small town of Klamath Falls. It is there that I met my husband and had my first two children. In 1999 we left Klamath Falls, headed towards Portland. I have since had one more child and have settled in Newberg. I worked as a waitress in a French Bistro for nearly five years before quitting to help care for my ill grandmother. It was during my care of her that I decided to go to school for Medical Assisting. I had planned on continuing onto nursing, but landed a job with a Dr. I highly admire in a practice that I love, that has trained me beyond my schooling. In the nearly five years that I have been employed there, I have spent a large amount of time commuting. During those times I would spin many stories in my mind with the intention of writing them down. I have always loved to write, but have ventured away from it due to lack of time and life. The story of Neveah and Lilly stuck with me and I decided to write it down. I never intended for it to go this far, or become a full fledged story that I would be so proud of. I look forward to seeing where this journey leads me!
“I have seen many woman in my time. I have seen what love looks like. I have waited my entire life for you. I know you well enough to know I love you and you love me. You may not know it yet but you do. It’s as though my soul is married to yours. I knew the first time I looked at you. I was trying to take things slowly, after all we are at war, but seeing you with her. Knowing what could have happened. Knowing I could have lost you. We don’t have time to take it slowly. I can’t guarantee we will be here tomorrow. I love you. It’s that simple.”
“No Shep, I am serious. I need you to make me laugh again. I need us to be us. Shep and Lilly. Chocolate Muffin and Strawberry Shortcake. Us. Happy, silly, and free. Promise me you will make me laugh when all this is done,” I said and could hear the pleading in my voice. “I promise Lilly. I will make you laugh again. We will be us. We will be happy. Our son will be happy. He will laugh and be silly and free. I promise you,” he said before kissing the top of my head and I finally believed him. I believed in him”
“Every pain, every sorrow, every worry, and the betrayal. Hearing him say Fionna and sex in the same sentence and demeaning my insecurities pushed me over the edge. If someone had told me I was crying I wouldn't have believed them because in that moment all I felt was contempt. Before I knew what I was doing my hand reached out and skid across his cheek. I instantly felt the sting of the slap. I dismissed the pain. I planted both hand on his chest and pushed with all my strength. I was ready to attack him again when he grabbed my arms and held them tight. The harder I fought the harder he held me”