Celebrating River for 5 years

The following is an excerpt taken from the book 'In Search of River Phoenix: The Truth Behind The Myth by Barry .C. Lawrence - it is a wonderful story which shows just how selfless and caring River was.

Thank you to Dewey Melton for sharing his story.

All content included on this page is courtesy of Barry .C. Lawrence

River changed the life of a young boy and helped him find happiness because he really cared for other people. The teen magazine,16, had received a letter from Dewey Melton, a 15 year old from Phyllis, Kentucky, who had many serious physical and emotional problems. Something made Dewey reach out to River Phoenix, and what he got back was something no one else had ever given him before: friendship. He had never had any friends. "All of the other kids around considered me a weirdo," wrote Dewey. "Looking back, I can understand why. Whenever someone would ask me to come out and play, I would always have an excuse; each time I would stay home and read my set of encyclopedias. I just had this burning desire for knowledge, and no one ever understood that. I've always been different, and no one has ever really known me, not even my family. The only friend I've ever had has been myself." "But all that's changed, for now I have a friend who really cares and who's influenced me to have a much brighter outlook on life. This is how it all happened."

According to Dewey, he became very ill and was in the hospital, feeling horrible. "I couldn't eat, talk, or communicate with anyone. I could hear the things and people around me, but honestly I didn't care. I lost a lot of weight. One night the nurse came in with a VCR, I didn't know what she was doing, so I just waited. She put in a cassette of the movie, Stand By Me! I just sat there and watched. Then, I began to focus on one character. I felt silly, but couldn't help myself. I just knew that the actor playing Chris Chambers wasn't acting, he was being himself. It was like, his eyes opened up and I could see the real person inside. Understand that I wasn't confusing the character and the actor; I could see this person as an individual, an individual much like myself, that I would never know." But, this made him feel even worse. "I felt as if here was someone who could be my friend, but it was really impossible." Dewey wrote that he had recently read 16's article, "Does River Care About You?" (July 1987) and knew he had to share his story with all of River's fans:

"I'm writing this letter, not because I want to become famous or anything, but I can prove, in a very personal way, that River does care - very deeply. I decided to write River a letter, knowing that I probably wouldn't get a response. I understood that he was busy and that if somehow it did get answered, it would be a copied letter from a publicity company." He waited and within 2 weeks, "I did receive a response." However, as Dewey expected, it wasn't a letter from River; it was a gigantic newsletter full of Phoenix facts. He thought this was very nice of the people who help River with this mail. Grateful for receiving any kind of response, he made a decision that would change his young life. He decided to call to thank them. But, after making the call and despite being glad that he had received something in the mail, Dewey said, "I still felt rather down. I found myself looking at River's pictures all the time. I know this sounds weird, but I felt stronger than ever that he was the friend I never had. I noticed how different he looked in each of the pictures, but how his eyes always remained the same. Those eyes were overflowing with truth, and they told in detail the story of his life." One afternoon he came home from a doctor's appointment and saw that his mother had left a message for him. "There was a note that River's helpers had called and my mom had told them to call back the next day at 4pm. Well, I was so nervous, my heart was pounding. 4 o'clock came and went, then so did 5pm." By 6pm, he had given up hope. But at a few minutes after seven, the phone rang. "I froze. Then suddenly I realised that though it was 7pm where I lived, it was 4pm in California! I picked up the receiver. The conversation went something like this:

"Hello? Hello, is this Dewey?"

"Yes, this is he."

"Hi, this is River."

"I was totally shocked! I thought it must be the kid next door, trying to make a complete fool out of me."

"Sure it is," Dewey replied.

"Hello, are you there? This is River Phoenix calling from Los Angeles."

Dewey related that he dropped the telephone and for a moment couldn't breathe. "I realised I couldn't just leave him hanging, so I said a short prayer, took a deep breath and responded,"

"You'll have to excuse me. I'm a little overwhelmed. What I mean is, I wasn't expecting a call from you."

"Well," River answered, "I believe that you never can actually believe anything until it happens."

"River made sure I was completely comfortable. He made me see right off that he was a natural and simple guy who liked doing what he was doing." What did the two talk about? "It was quite personal," admitted Dewey. "We talked about everything from his true feelings about life to his true lifestyle. He wasn't at all conceited; he was as interested in me as I was in him. It was weird to find out we were the same height, weight, and shoe size! He talked to me for 1 hour and 15 minutes, which was unreal. Toward the end of the conversation, River's mother picked up the phone and reminded him that he had to pack. But, it was the end of our talk I'll always remember."

"River asked, "Are you religious?"

"I replied, Yes, I am."

"Then he said, "Well, God bless you, and remember, I'm praying for you."

"That quote has given me an entirely new outlook on life. He wasn't just saying it; he really meant it. A call from the President of the United States wouldn't have affected me as much as the knowledge that River really cared. I honestly feel that even if River weren't a star, we would still be friends; I like River for himself. "I don't expect anything from him, for I undersatnd that he is very busy. But I am forever indebted to him, for he has changed my life. I feel that if someone cared enough about me, the least I can do isstart caring and taking care of myself. I see the world in a new way. I feel I can do anything. River cared enough to give me something. I never had a friend, and that has made all the difference."

"Bless you River, I will always be thinking of you."