Chapter Text
It was on Montauk, I remember, when I saw this movie for the first time.
I was about ten, I think. Mom and I had been inside that whole day, sweeping sand out of the house and playing games and then she plugged in the old VCR that I don't know if anyone knows how to work at this point. I don't even know if any of those are still AROUND, but seeing one or even just thinking about it brings up that trip for me. It had been pouring, and was windy as all hell, and even I couldn't realistically go out on the beach in that, so we had found a few old VHS tapes and chose one. It ended up being a movie called On Golden Pond.
I don't know what makes me think about it before we leave our apartment. It's going to be one of our last nights here, and Annabeth is sighing and rolling her eyes because "seriously, Percy? I told you, I don't get interested in movies."
"Just try watching this one," I say, looking over at her as I pop some popcorn, putting butter and garlic salt and blue M&Ms in it. Because blue food. I hold the bowl up as she tries to snatch a kernel. "C'mon, Wise Girl- if you don't like it, I won't make you watch any movies with me again. Promise."
She narrows her eyes with that calculating Annabeth stare of hers, the one that sees if I mean what I'm saying and whether or not I'm bluffing about any part of it. I stand here with the big popcorn bowl and smile. She sighs, crossing her arms and then dropping them to her sides.
"Fine, but this better not be as ridiculous as all your horror movie recommendations, Seaweed Brain."
"It's not, but how was I supposed to know you wouldn't like Jaws?! It's a classic!"
"Classic overestimation of what an animal would choose - sharks are only trying to eat, they're not going to go for every person in the water who just so happens to be un-saveable by other people."
"No and that's the thing, the book author apparently feels bad for writing that, and for what the movie did to the great white shark population," I tell her. She stares at me, and I figure she's going to tell me that's good, with which I agree, but she has a different reason.
"Hang on, you wanted me to watch that movie when there was a BOOK the whole time?!"
"Oh my gods, Annabeth -"
"Is there a book I can read instead of this movie?"
"Nope, sorry, I've foiled your plans this time." I grin and jog into the TV room, putting down the popcorn bowl and setting up the DVD player. We have streaming stuff too, but only the free trials- that stuff gets expensive especially for an almost-college student and her boyfriend whose current plan is to see what it takes to become one of those people who deals with brush fires in California. I've seen on the news the way those can get out of control so easily, and I figure godly-given water powers used to fight fires is a no-brainer right? Plus I can talk to any wild horses out there, help them get safe. Only thing that would be better is if Grover came with me, he could give his wild blessings to the other animals.
I get the movie started, and Annabeth is nodding along right away when Norman's wife starts calling him an "old poop".
"Hear that? It makes sense."
"What, are you gonna call me something like that?"
"Please. You're already a seaweed brain." She crunches popcorn and I nod.
"True."
Annabeth grabs onto my arm when Norman falls off the front of his boat into the lake at night, and she's squeezing. I look over and she says, swallowing first "they could've really used your powers right then to help him." I nod, and put my hand over hers. She gasps and I catch her exhaling a sigh of relief when his wife arrives.
"But there you are coming to help me," I say.
She rolls her eyes. "On the water like that? Please."
"No, but you would."
Her voice goes quiet as she nods. "I would. I did, I was looking for you for months when Hera-"
I nod and pull her close, wrapping both arms around her as she tucks her head underneath my chin. "...I know. Thanks for- having my back, Annabeth." My lips quirk into a tiny smile as I think about the time she literally DID have my back, taking a wound meant for me.
She's pressed her face against my neck as she says "I always will, Seaweed Brain." And then she sniffles and shakes her head, pulling back a bit and adding "this sO isn't fair, you know."
"What?" I ask nonchalantly. "This just proves it's a good movie."
Again she rolls her eyes at me.
But it's when Norman and Ethel's daughter comes to visit that Annabeth focuses. She sits up and watches, her face intent. Intense. I didn't exactly think about it, but Norman and his daughter don't have the greatest relationship. You can see that he loves her, he's just pretty bad at showing it. Or talking about it. And she just wants the love, but she also wants to be able to say what she thinks. And to have her parents- especially her father- listen.
I didn't think about this, but it's kind of like how we feel about our godly parents. Or how we used to, at least - now we wish their love for us was shown by letting us be safe and leaving us alone. But... I can see Annabeth focusing on Norman and when he's got a bloody head and he's calling out "Chelsea, Chels!" I get this thought that I probably should've gotten before -
More even than her mother, maybe... Annabeth might be thinking about her father.
And that's a whole 'nother thing for me to - if I'm going to - bring up her dad.