Watching from the Shore

By Dima Dupere

“ Amazing story! I was hooked from the start. What a full circle story with a lot of ups and downs, and a powerful message.” AW

"Beautiful and powerful. Painful but ultimately redeeming." ST

Orphaned and separated from her brother David at the age of five, Melanie grew up feeling abandoned and destined to be alone and unloved. The terror, loneliness, and abuse she experienced in foster care filled her nightmares and fuelled her despair.

After years of struggling with depression and addiction, she finds her brother in prison. David's confession of murder leads her on a tumultuous journey out of darkness to find unexpected connections, love, and healing.

This epistolary novella is written in Script style to encourage the experience of reading actual letters. For the Script experience select Publisher Default or Original in your Font settings, otherwise select a different font.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Feb 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781365356681

Book preview

WATCHING FROM THE SHORE

Copyright Dima Dupéré (c) 2016

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

NOTE:

This epistolary novel is written in Script style to encourage the experience of reading actual letters.  If you see only plain text go into your Font settings and select either PUBLISHER DEFAULT or Original.  If on the other hand the reverse is true and you want plain font, go into font settings and select the font of your choice from the options.

The letters and journal entries are indicated with symbols of a letter ✉️and a journal📓

Format: Electronic book

Publisher: Joythisway Publishing

ISBN 9781365356681

For my Heart Sisters,

Most of whom I have never met in person.

The support of our community has helped me

accept and adjust to my new reality.

Completing this project was a natural

consequence of that acceptance.

PART 1

MELANIE AND DAVID

February 4, 2003

My dear David,

It was a bit of a shock to find out you were in prison. In a way I felt relieved; I found you. You’re still alive! We’re both still alive!

Last time you hugged me I was ripped from your arms.  You held me so tight I could feel your heart pounding.  I’m not sure if you remember that day as vividly as I do.  It was the day I lost you. You were my friend and my protector.

Please know that no matter what you’ve done, you’ll always be the best brother in the world.  All I want is a chance to see you and hug you once again.

Will you let me come and visit you?

Always your little Millie,

Melanie

✉️

February 15, 2003

Dearest Melanie,

I cried for three days after receiving your letter.  You’ve been in my heart all these years and though I hoped I would see you again, the more time passed, the more I feared it wouldn’t happen.

Of course you can come see me.  Your name is on the visitor list.

Love,

David

✉️

March 10, 2003

Dear David,

I was walking around with a goofy grin on my face all day after our visit. Prisons aren’t very welcoming but none of that mattered. I admit it was a bit odd to see you after all these years. Though we’re now both adults I can still see your eight year old self and the mischief in your eyes.  Those eyes haven’t changed.

I’m really sorry our visit was cut short. Does that kind of lock-down happen often? At least I got to hold your hand.  You’re real.

YOU ARE REAL!

I love you. 

Till next time,

Melanie

✉️

April 17, 2003

Hello my sweet Millie,

I am sorry I haven’t written back until now.  Let’s just say that when something bad happens and they can’t figure out who’s to blame, we all pay the price.  Our privileges are taken away and visits are cancelled.  I hope you were informed before driving all the way here.

I too was so happy to see you. I don’t know if you’re aware, but you look just like Mom.  It was kind of shocking.  Mom was so sweet and loving and I can see that gentleness in you.  It was hard to concentrate and talk at first since all I could see was Mom.  I still miss her so much. But I’m so glad you’re in my life now.  I promise never to disappear again.

Love,

David

✉️

April 22, 2003

Dear David,

I don’t blame you for what happened but found it a bit alarming when I got to the prison and was told visits were cancelled. No one would give me information. I hate surprises. Though I was annoyed, I thought of you; you live there! At least I get to go home, sleep in my comfortable bed and go where I please whenever I want.

I’d like to see you again. I feel there is so much for us to talk about. I still can’t believe you’re back in my life.

I don’t know if you were ever told what happened to me.  Aunt Melina offered to take me in.  She and Uncle Edward tried their best I guess, but I had nightmares and cried every night.  Aunt Melina put on music and bought me a night light.  All I wanted was for her to hold me like Mom used to do.  Some people say you don’t remember much before the age of five but I remember the feeling of being held in her arms, the smell of her soap and how she sang to me. I remember that she made me feel safe. 

When Aunt Melina got pregnant, they decided it was best for me to go to a new home where I would get more attention. Do I need to