A/N: *sad sigh* Hey, guys... It's almost October and it'll mean we have had a year without the lovely Marcia Wallace who has lent her voices to be Bart Simpson's fourth grade teacher. I really miss her, even if I didn't know her, she was one of my favorite characters, she made me think of what my old algebra teacher from high school was probably like when the bad students in my class would leave her. That poor woman... Anyway, I know this is typical to put a dedication story for Ms. Wallace and her character Mrs. Krabappel who was featured in the In Memorial on the Emmys the other night. Mom even will miss her, even if she never really watched the Simpsons. Read & Review, part of this story was inspired by a story I read in sophomore year known as Tuesdays by Morrie by Mitch Albom which has really deeply inspired me through my high school career. No flames are allowed. Enjoy!
10-year-old Bart Simpson snickered as he rode the school bus. He was really planning on messing with his teacher really good today. He had his backpack filled with several prank items instead of actual school supplies.
Lisa looked at her brother and rolled her eyes. "Bart, why do you have to be so against your teacher? Teachers can be your friend."
Bart scoffed at her. "Yeah, right... Mrs. Krabappel's only friend is probably cuddly as a cactus and charming as an eel."
Lisa grunted and looked out the window. Even though Mrs. Hoover was exhausted with her, she really looked up to her own teacher. She just wished Bart would drop his devious side and actually put effort into himself to become a good student. She believed there were good students in everyone, including Bart.
Otto stopped the school bus and dropped the children off to Springfield Elementary School. They all rushed out and Bart slowly walked due to how heavy his backpack was with his supplies. Milhouse came to his side. The two shared smiles as they went to their designated class. Bart grinned and quickly set up his pranks to really nail on Mrs. Krabappel. He then rushed to his desk with his hands together and smirked innocently.
The clock ticked as school started. The class did the pledge and sat down. It was really close to 8:00 now. They had all been sitting for an hour and Mrs. Krabappel never came into class.
"Hm, I wonder where Mrs. Krabappel is?" Bart wondered to himself.
"Maybe she ate some bad fish tacos and we'll have a substitute." Milhouse suggested.
Bart shrugged. "Still got pranks going to waste...What if the whoopee cushion deflates before anyone sits in it?"
Milhouse shrugged.
The door jiggled as keys were heard. Principal Skinner came inside, bearing a very grave look on his face.
"What's up, Skinner?" Bart smirked at him deviously. "Your mommy call you again?"
The class laughed at their principal's expense.
Skinner darted his eyes at the children, mainly Bart, but then frowned instantly. He thought back to what he was told from the hospital and resisted the need to cry his eyes out. "Children... I'm very sorry, but Mrs. Krabappel won't be in for a bit... She's in the hospital."
"What happened?" Nelson asked. He sounded actually concerned for their crabby teacher for once.
"She had a bad scare in a check-up she had with her doctor during the weekend," Skinner explained. "The doctor found a lump and... Well... She has cancer."
The students were shocked. They all looked among each other and back at the principal. Even Bart seemed surprised and anxious about the teacher's well-being. He was so worried, he rose his hand.
"Yes, Simpson?" Skinner rolled his eyes, expecting Bart to laugh about Mrs. Krabeppel's misery or make a terrible joke about it.
"Is she gonna die?" Bart asked.
Skinner heaved a sharp sigh. "Hopefully not... We don't know for sure. Now, you all go in the cafeteria and I'll arrange for a substitute for you all." he then walked out the door and led the students out. "Come along now."
The students got up from their seats and left the classroom and followed Principal Skinner to the cafeteria. The students chattered among themselves about Mrs. Krabappel. Several of them wanted her dead a long time because they thought she was just a crabby old woman with no joy, but they then remembered a lot of the stories she would tell them to keep class from starting and really this time took the time to listen. Her ex-husband is gone, she's surrounded by cats, her love life is sinking... Bart was feeling guilty for the way he had treated Mrs. Krabappel over the years and decided to pay her a visit.
"Milhouse, we should visit Mrs. Krabappel." Bart told his blue-haired best friend.
"Ya sure, Bart?" Milhouse was surprised by Bart's encouragement.
"Yeah, come on, let's go visit her after school today."
"I suppose... Why so kind, Bart?"
"I just thought it'd be nice to see Mrs. K after all the trouble I caused her in fourth grade."
The final bell rang and the students of Springfield Elementary happily went to their rides home. Mrs. Krabappel's class seemed to be a little down. They were surprised that they were sad for her and surprised that it was actually happening. The other students weren't as sad as Bart though. He even looked as though he were going to miss his teacher. The insults and smart remarks heard from Mrs. Krabappel rang through the boy's ears as he walked with Milhouse down the street to go to the hospital and not get home.
"Who are you here for?" the nurse asked.
"Edna Krabappel." Bart answered.
"Yes..." the nurse typed the woman's name into the hospital computer. "She's in room 32B."
"Thank you, ma'am." Bart said, then walked with Milhouse.
The blue-haired boy grunted and looked around him as they went down the hallway to find their teacher. "Bart, how much longer are we gonna be here?" he whined, feeling sick to his stomach both figuratively and literarlly. "Hospitals give me the willies."
"Just hang tight, Milhouse, we'll be out before you know it." Bart told him.
The two fourth grade boys kept walking along. It seemed as though they were never going to find Mrs. Krabappel's room. Finally, Milhouse had nearly passed out from so much walking and Bart had to drag him.
"Here we are, room 32B!" Bart beamed and opened the door. "Mrs. Krabappel?" he walked in and gasped in shock at what he found inside the guest room.
