Chapter 7

Bentley Comes Home

Disclaimer, I don't own The Raccoons.

Jack and Arlene are my characters.

Bentley dreamed about Bert that night. He woke up and thought about all they'd been through together and everything Bert had taught him, especially about friendship. "I love you Bert, my big brother," he whispered, before going back to sleep.

The next morning everyone came to visit Bentley, on their way to work. Bentley was especially happy to see Theresa.

"Thanks for keeping me company," said Bentley. "I look forward to hanging out with you when I get out of here."

Theresa smiled and blushed. "Me too Bentley," she answered happily.

Later Bentley got 2 surprise visitors. "Mr. Sneer?" he asked surprised.

"Bentley my boy," answered Cyril. "Cedric told me you were here and you had your appendix removed. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," he answered. "I get to go home in a couple of days."

"That's good to hear," said Cyril. "The sooner you get out of here, the better. Trust me." He stood up. "Well I'd like to stay, but there's a lot to do at office. Business is booming and I can't leave Cedric hanging."

"It's okay Mr. Sneer. Thanks for coming."

"See you Bentley. Get well soon."

"Thanks," said Bentley.

As Cyril was leaving he ran into Lisa. "Oh sorry kid," he said. "I didn't see you."

"It's okay Mr. Sneer," Lisa answered politely. "How are you? It's good to see you."

"I'm fine thanks," answered Cyril. "I'm glad you're here, I need to tell you something."

"What's that?" asked Lisa, a bit surprised.

Cyril led her to the waiting room. "I just saw an anti-smoking ad from Thailand," Cyril explained.

"You mean the one where there's 2 kids, a little younger than Bentley, that are asking smokers for cigarettes and the smokers tell them what smoking does?" asked Lisa.

"That's right," answered Cyril. "When the kids asked So why are you smoking and handed them a brochure about getting help to quit, it inspired me to give that hotline a call and they've agreed to see me and told me it's never too late to stop and that they'd be glad to help."

"Congratulations Mr. Sneer," Lisa answered happily. "That's great news."

"Thanks," said Cyril. "And I want you to know how very proud of you I am for not becoming a smoker yourself. I wish I'd smartened up when I was young like you. You're a smart young woman for not giving into your peers. Keep up the good work and best of luck in collage." He smiled.

Lisa also smiled and blushed. "Thanks Mr. Sneer," she answered. "And thank you for the pep talk you gave me. Like I said before, you're okay."

"Thanks," answered Cyril. "Well I have to get back to the office. I'll see you soon."

"Bye," said Lisa. "And good luck."

"Thanks," Cyril answered as he left.

Lisa went in to see Bentley for a few minutes, before going to the museum.

Bentley's other surprise visitor was Arlene. "Hi Bentley, she said.

"Hi um?" he answered holding out his hand.

"Arlene. Arlene Raccoon. Theresa's mother," she answered.

"Oh. Nice to meet you," he said shaking her hand.

"It's good to meet you too," said Arlene. "Theresa was telling me all about you and your appendicitis. I guess we'll be seeing you around, now that you and her are friends."

Bentley blushed. "Yeah I like Theresa, she's nice," he said.

Arlene chuckled. "It's just like when I met my husband Jack. We also met when we were kids and I knew I wanted to be with him. It sounds like Theresa feels the same way about you. She talks about you a lot since you were brought here."

"Yeah," said Bentley. "I look forward to hanging out with her." He changed the subject. "Did my mom have you over for coffee yet? She said she would."

"Oh yes," answered Arlene. "I've become good friends with her, along your sister and Mellissa. I wish I'd gotten to know them sooner. They're all very nice. Lisa tells me she's been dating Bert since before she graduated high school this year."

"Yes they have," answered Bentley. "Bert's been in love with her since he met her."

Arlene smiled. "That's nice," she said. "Well I should get back to work. I have lots of cleaning to do."

"Where do you work?" asked Bentley.

"Here at the hospital," she answered. "I'm the caretaker. That's part of the reason I came to visit you."

"Oh," said Bentley. "Thanks for coming."

Arlene smiled again. "You're welcome," she answered. "See you later."

"Bye," said Bentley.

Bentley was out of the hospital 2 days later. He was glad to be home and eating his parent's food again.

Ralph chuckled. "I can relate," he said thinking about his stay, when he got his concussion earlier that month.

Bentley mostly stayed in his room and rested, as Dr. Canard advised. He was happy when Theresa came over and watched TV and played board games with him. Bentley was especially happy when Bert would come and hang out with him after work.

Finally it was the night before school. Theresa had agreed to escort Bentley to and from school, while he was still recovering. Bert decided to head home when Nicole came in to check on Bentley and reminded him it was bedtime.

"Okay little buddy, I'll see you after school tomorrow," said Bert.

"Bye Bert," said Bentley.

As Bert stepped into the hall, he heard a strange noise coming from behind Lisa's door.

"Zometing wrong?" asked Nicole, as she came out of Bentley's room.

"Yeah," answered Bert. "Listen."

Nicole leaned her head against the door. "Zound'z like she'z crying," she said.

"Yeah I wonder what's up," said Bert.

"Why don't you talk to er?" said Nicole. "You ave a way of getting trough to er."

"You serious?" asked Bert.

"But of courze," answered Nicole. "Good Luck."

"Alright," said Bert. He took a deep breath. "Here goes."

Nicole rubbed his back. "It'll be okay," she said reassuringly. She went downstairs.

Bert sighed nervously. He knocked on the door. "Lisa? Are you okay?" he called.

Lisa sniffed. "Bert honey is that you?"

"Yes sweetie," he answered. "Can I come in?"

Lisa opened the door and hugged and kissed him. "Yes please come in," she answered. "I'm really glad you're still here."

They sat on her bed. "What's wrong?" Bert asked worriedly.

Lisa sighed. "I'm just nervous about tomorrow," she answered. "I'm leaving for collage and even though my friends will be there, it's going to be a hard change. And I thought I was nervous, when I started high school."

"Come here," said Bert, as he put his arm under her thighs and lifted her onto his lap. They embraced and passionately kissed. "I know it's hard," he said. It was exactly the same for Ralph, Mellissa, Cedric and I, when we all left. These changes are hard, but you're studying for your future. Besides, you'll still get to come home on the long weekends and holidays and I'll come and stay with you at the dorm every other weekend, just like I promised. And it's only 2 years and then we'll be together all the time."

Lisa must've kissed him about a dozen times all over his face, before finishing off with a minute long one on the lips.

Bert almost fainted. "Wow," he said panting.

Lisa giggled. "You're really cute Bert." She sighed and nuzzled her cheek against his. "I'm going to miss you especially. I love you so much."

Bert kissed her. "I love you so much too sweetie," he answered. "Oh by the way I was going to give you this tomorrow, but I think it'll make you feel better if I give it to you now." He reached into his pocket and produced a small black box containing a promise ring.

Lisa stared at it and gasped. "Oh honey it's so beautiful," she said excitedly. She kissed him all over his face again. "Thank you. You're so romantic."

Bert smiled and kissed her back. "I'm glad you like it," he said as he slipped it onto her finger. He held his own up next to it. They passionately kissed. "You know," said Bert. "That ring's not as beautiful as you. Nothing is."

Lisa looked away and blushed. "Oh honey," she answered adoringly.

Bert hooked his hand under her chin and turned her head towards him. "Well it's true," he said. "Come here. I want to show you something."

They stepped over to the dresser.

Bert pointed at the photos of Lisa in her basketball outfit, at high school dances and her reflection. "See," he said. "That's a beautiful woman. And anyone who says otherwise doesn't know their nose from a hole in the ground."

Lisa grabbed Bert and embraced him in a long passionate kiss. "You're the sweetest and most wonderful man on earth," she said, as she happily cried. "I can't wait until we get to be together again. It's going to be so hard not being able to hold you and kiss you every day for the next 2 years."

Bert chuckled. "Vice versa," he said, as he embraced and kissed her back.

Lisa smiled lovingly at her beloved boyfriend. "Bert," she said. "Would you mind staying with me tonight? I feel better when you're here."

Bert smiled lovingly at his dream girl. "Hey for you Lisa, anything."

They kissed. "Thank you so much honey."

"My pleasure," said Bert. "I just have to get some stuff. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"I can't wait," said Lisa. She blew him a kiss as he left.

"Ow'd it go?" asked Nicole, when Bert got downstairs.

Bert smiled. "Just fine," he answered. "She feels much better."

"That's good to hear," said George. "How do you do it?"

Nicole giggled. "Oh George," she said.

"She asked me to spend the night with her," said Bert. "You guys don't mind do you?"

George and Nicole smiled at each other. "Of course not," they said. "That's very nice of you."

"I was taking to Ralph about you and Lisa," said George. "I think he's right. She wants to marry you."

"And we tink you'd make a perfect zon in law," said Nicole.

Bert smiled and blushed. "Thanks," he said. "I'll propose to her eventually, but I think it would be best to wait until after she's done collage. You know what I mean?"

"Of course we do," answered George. "That's exactly what I did before I married Nicole." He wrapped his arm around her. "That's very wise. You don't want to rush these things."

Nicole kissed George. "Dat's right," she said. "And dank you Bert. You make both of our kidz zo happy. They're very lucky to ave you." She gave Bert a motherly kiss on the cheek.

Bert blushed and looked away. "Oh gosh," he said digging a toe into the floor.

George and Nicole giggled.

"Well I'd better get my stuff. See you guys in a few minutes."

"Bye," they called.

Lisa slept well with Bert holding her all night.

After breakfast the next morning Theresa came over wearing a heavy backpack. Bentley grabbed his. "Now remember," said Nicole. "Take it eazy and don't forget your medizine. And call me immediately if anyting goez wrong."

"Yes mom," said Bentley.

Nicole kissed him goodbye. "Ave a nize day at zchool and dankz Thereza. We really appreciate it."

"You're welcome," she answered, as she took Bentley's backpack.

"Bye," said Nicole.

Later at the train station, after Lisa hugged and kissed everyone goodbye, she and Bert embraced and cried in each other's arms.

"Good luck sweetie," said Bert. "I'll write to you every day and I'll come see you as soon as I can." He kissed her. "I promise."

"Thank you honey," she answered. "I can't wait to see your letters again." They kissed.

Lisa got on the train and leaned out the window. "Bye," she called, as she blew Bert a kiss. "I love you Bert."

"I love you too Lisa," he called back.

Everyone waved until the train was out of sight.

The End.

I hope everyone enjoyed this story. Toonfan gave me a lot of good ideas and I really enjoyed writing this one. Thank you Toonfan. You have a lot of great ideas. I look forward to more ideas and requests. Thanks for reading and more still to come.