Chapter 4: Dad's Funeral

A few days later, the family attended to Ned's dad's funeral. When they got there, they saw all of Ned's family attending there. The older who, mid-40's, blue eyes, wearing a bow-tie, white shirt, a little taller, saw Ned soming through the church.

He came over and said, "Ned-man. You okay?"

He turned around and saw his cousin coming through and gave him a hug. Ned said, "How's it going, Oliver?"

"Not sure, really." said Oliver.

"You remember Sally and the kids."

"Of course. How are you, Sally?" he asked.

"I'm doing better than I deserve."

"Where are your 97 kids?"

"They're all here."

Oliver took a look at the kids and noticed that there are 96 s and one boy. He saw Jojo and said, "How are you, nephew?"

"Doing okay, Oliver." said Jojo.

Then, he saw his 3 brothers, Jason, Brian and Kyle. Jason, mid-40's, blue eyes, a little taller, blue and red stiped fur, saw Ned with Oliver. He came over and said, "Hey, little brother."

"Jason. How are you?" asked Ned.

"Doing fine."

"I heard that Dad died. It's so sudden. Who knew that heart surgery happened 10 years ago."

"I still don't understand it." said Ned.

"How are your kids?" he asked.

"They're fine."

Brian, late-30's, red eyes, wearing a tuxedo, a little taller, came along with Kyle, early-30's, hazel-brown eyes, a little shorter and wearing a jacket with a white shirt, came to see Ned. Brian asked, "How are you, bro?"

"I'm doing fine, Brian. Thank you guys for coming." said Ned.

"Hey, it's the least we could do." said Kyle.

Then, their mother, early-60's, hazel-blue eyes, riding in a wheelchair, wearing a purple dress, brown and burgundy fur, a bit old, saw Ned and embraced him with a hug.

She said, "Oh, Neddy-bear."

Ned hugged his mother and he asked, "How are you?"

"Doing better. Your father was a good man." she said.

Ned sighed heavily and said, "I know."

"So, how's the family?" asked his mother.

"They're doing okay." said Ned.

A couple minutes later, the service started as the preacher said, "We all gathered here today to say goodbye to William John McDodd. We all know William was a good man and has raised 4 amazing boys, including our current mayor of Whoville. We all know that William was the mayor of Whoville before his time. He retired several years ago, due to retirement and health problems and held the mayor chair to his son, Ned McDodd."

30 minutes later, the preacher asked Jojo to sing a song especially for his grandfather. He stood up, got his guitar and sat down in front of everyone and said, "I wrote this song several years ago, and this is an awesome opportunity to dedicate this song to mny grandfather. I hope you all like it."

He started strumming the guitar and started to sing the song that he wrote. Ned could literally feel the tears coming down his face when he heard him sing.

Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick

And think of you

Caught up in circles

Confusion is nothing new

Flashback, warm nights

Almost left behind

Suitcases of memories

Time after...


Sometimes you picture me

I'm walking too far ahead

You're calling to me, I can't hear what you've said

Then you say, go slow, I fall behind

The second hand unwinds

If you're lost, you can look and you'll find me

Time after time

If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting

Time after time

If you're lost, you can look and you'll find me

Time after time

If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting...

Time after time

After my picture fades and darkness turned to gray

Watching through windows, you're wondering if I'm OK

Secrets stolen from deep inside

The second hand unwinds

If you're lost, you can look and you'll find me

Time after time

If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting

Time after time

If you're lost, you can look and you'll find me

Time after time

If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting

Time after time

You said go slow

I fall behind

The second hand unwinds

If you're lost, you can look and you'll find me

Time after time

If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting

Time after time

If you're lost, you can look and you'll find me

Time after time

If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting

Time after time

Time after time

Time after time

Time after time

Time after time

Time after time

Time after time...

The crowd clapped and Jojo said, "Thank you. Tank you so much." He went back to the pew and sat next to his dad.

A couple of minutes later, they all went outside to the graveyard and the preacher asked that if Ned would say a few words to his father. He walked to the coffin as one lone tear went down his cheek. He went up to his coffin and said, "All my life, you've been taking care of me so I could stand on my own. I am just... so lucky to have a father like you and that I could..." His voice tensed up as he let out a little sob. He continued, "...have a father like you in my life. I am just happy to have you as my role . And I'm looking forward to seeing you again, when I... I pass away."

Ned went back to his family and Sally gave him a hug and cried on her shoulders. Then, they put his dad's coffin in his graveyard. His graveyard said, "William John McDodd: A good man in Whoville, may be missed, but never forgotten. November 17, 1944-July 21, 2008."

The service was over and Ned went back to his dad's graveyard and put some flowers in it. Jojo was behind him and decided to give him some comfort. Ned turned around and hugged him tightly and let out one tear out of his eyes.

That song was "Time After Time" from Cyndi Lauper. In case no one's really into oldies stuff. It's really sweet, though!