Nicest of the Damned

These characters and settings are not mine. They are property of CBS, Barbara Hall Productions, Sony or whomever else they might belong to. Rated R for adult themes, drug use, and self-violence (is that really a term?). The last part describes a wedding night between two consenting adults. Do not read if you are under age. This starts off during their senior year of high school. I took this title from the song 'Road Movie to Berlin' by They might be Giants. Any product mentioned by name is not an endorsement, just using a name brand, and some television shows, not mine, just used them to make the story better, I hope. I made up a few names, if they were from the show, sorry; if not they're mine. I changed some of the history to make the plot work.

Arcadia Memorial Hospital, Today

Joan sat in the waiting area watching the Hospital staff scurry around. They were outside the Intensive care unit. Her family sat on the other side of the row of chairs; she couldn't face them. Her parents sat holding each other; they were beyond crying. Luke was taping on this laptop, trying to occupy his mind. Kevin would roll up to the window, glance into the ICU bay, and then roll back to the group. He hoped that one time he would see something. Adam looked at her then looked away; his expression said it all. 'This is your fault!' One nurse walked in and checked on her, still she felt alone. She watched as an elderly man walked towards her and motioned to the empty seat.

"Mind if I sit with you?"

"You want to sit with me?"

"If you don't mind being seen with an old man. What's your name young lady?" His voice was caring and soothing.

"Joan, probably not gonna be much company though." She quipped, pointing to the ICU bay; her body could be seen lying in bed, "You waiting to die too?"

He paused for a moment. "No, passed on a month ago. Waiting for my wife. She had a stroke last week and never recovered." The man wiped his eyes. "She was my high school sweetheart. Almost 75 years together. I still love her as much as the day I married her. Have you been here long?"

Shrugging, "I don't know, I overdosed on the 10th, a few days if time is still normal. Are you my great-grandpa?" Joan looked at him hoping she was right. She was only 4 years old when her 'pappy' had died. He grinned and shook his head. Joan lowered her head; "I made the biggest mistake of my life. I shut out my friends, my family, anybody who showed any kindness to me and … I'm sorry. Your wife's dying and I'm unloading all my problems on you. I am such a looser!"

"You're not a looser, just confused." The man said; Joan could have sworn he was her great grandfather. "If you listen, you'll find that your friends didn't abandon you and no matter how much you think you messed up, God will always listen."

"That's another long story, but he and I aren't really talking anymore. I sorta told him piss off."

"He'll listen, it's all he does. If you mean what you say, he'll make time for you." The man glanced at his pocket watch. "I have a few minutes, family's saying good-byes. 6 wonderful kids, wife wanted a big family: 4 girls and 2 boys. They in-turn gave us 20 grandchildren to spoil and 12 great-grand kids and counting. Why don't you start from the beginning?"

"Well, I guess I've nothing better to do until the sleeping pills kick in and I go to Hell." Joan said flatly.

"Suicide is a Hell-worthy offense, but try asking for a second chance before you give up."

"I guess it all started about a few weeks ago…