Hey, everyone! First of all, thanks for the support and reviews. I'm so sorry about Riley Anne : ( I'm glad the tissue helped, though. Just a warning: Here's a whole box. (Sorry!)
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's been busy, so I've been writing here and there. I hope it sounds good.
I did add quite a few extra things here. Enjoy!
Chapter 9 Life Goes On
Randall: Past
The next few days went by in a blur. Randall literally felt like the world was moving without him. It was like he had lost control. Control of mind, speed, thought, feeling. It was like he just found himself in random places. He and Callie had dreams that seemed so real they had trouble distinguishing them from reality. One night, he dreamt that he heard Riley crying. Without thinking, on reflex, he went to get her. When he got to the nursery, he found Callie standing over an empty crib, her face crumpled, but unable to release the sobs she was suppressing.
"Callie..." he whispered in disbelief, instantly throwing his arms around her. She tried pushing him away at first, but broke down into furious sobs when he just held her tight. In all honestly, Randall was scared to death. He'd never felt someone cry so hard before. In a way, she was like her brother. She hardly cried, but when she did, it was a kind of cry one never wanted to see again.
Randall eventually got her to come back to bed, and whispered in her ear as she cried into his chest. Things like, "Sh sh sh ssshhh..." and "It's okay, it's okay."
He bitterly wiped away the few hot tears that streamed down his own face. Brian and Mary eventually heard and peeked in to make sure they were alright. Randall made eye contact with Brian. Neither of her parents approached. Brian nodded to say he was doing the right thing. And eventually, Callie drifted into a deep sleep. Randall stayed awake, staring at nothing.
Somehow, he and Callie found themselves in the hospital waiting room the day Riley died. The only thing the doctor could say was that Riley had passed away due to something he called "crib death." The cause of death was unknown.
Callie knew the most about the topic, so Randall kept his mouth shut while she managed the questions.
It was highly doubtful that the cause of death was anything else. They could send her for an autopsy, but there were no signs that she had suffered a seizure or a drastic change in temperature. And no, they did "absolutely nothing wrong." Riley had not gotten herself in an odd sleeping position and suffocated. She probably just went to sleep and didn't wake up.
Randall couldn't remember the rest of that day. He thought he and Callie went straight to bed. He was later told that they did not wake up the next day, but the more accurate answer was that they just didn't get up. He and Callie remained unaware of the time because neither of them had the energy to look at the clock. He remembered waking up and holding Callie tight, once again muttering meaningless words as she sobbed violently. He felt angry. Angry that he couldn't comfort her.
"We'll get through this…. We'll get through this…"
"H-Hooowww?"
He didn't know.
Callie's sobbing just got worse, so he kept his mouth shut until she cried herself to sleep. Later on, he woke up feeling sick to his stomach. He thought he remembered hearing Callie sniffle a few more times. Maybe Callie's parents, Fungus, or Feebie looked in on them from time to time, but they either didn't respond or slept through it.
The next day, Brian knocked on the door and gradually told them that Riley's autopsy came back negative. So basically, their baby was gone and they didn't even know why. He and Mary worked them out of bed. It was time to arrange Riley's funeral.
Randall wasn't sure who exactly took over at the funeral home, but he couldn't see how it was him helping Callie and her parents make decisions. The songs, the casket, the times, what Riley should wear….none of it seemed right to him. Riley was supposed to be doing this for them years from now. She wasn't supposed to have life snatched away from her for no reason. She didn't even get the chance to understand the concept of a favorite song.
Sometime later, Fungus and Feebie visited them. Callie eventually broke down and cried with Feebie. He and Fungus sat in silence a moment before either of them could find words.
Fungus clasped his hands together. "I'm so sorry….sir…. It….doesn't seem fair."
Randall sniffed and turned his face away. "Yeah."
Seeing Fungus made something click in his head. Work. He hadn't even called. "My work, Fungus. I didn't call… What day is it?"
"Tuesday, sir. But…we talked to Mr. Waternoose already. They are aware of…the funeral dates and all. You and Callie don't have to worry."
Randall nodded slowly. "Thanks."
There was absolutely no way he could work right now.
Later that night, he stayed up late with Brian. Eventually, Brian asked if he and Callie had been communicating.
Randall shook his head. "Not much. I tried to comfort her, but I…don't feel like I'm helping."
Brian nodded gravely. "You have to get better before you and Callie can help each other. Just being there for her is enough."
Randall's eyes dropped to the floor. He had been hoping Brian could tell him how. "Doesn't feel like it."
Brian clasped his hands sincerely. "It just takes time. But you'll be strong enough to help Callie when she needs it. Trust me on that."
Randall tapped the ends of his fingers together. "How are you so sure?"
The older monster sighed. "We lost a child, too. Before Brett and Callie. His heart failed on him shortly after birth. We only held him once."
Randall lifted his head to meet Brian's eyes. "I'm sorry."
There was a pause before Randall popped the question. "How did you get through it? You and Mary?"
"We started where you and Callie are now. But as life goes on, you just…adjust and move with it. I know you and Callie will take good care of each other."
Randall stood. "I hope. Guess I'm going to go to bed."
Brian leaned back. "Sure. Goodnight, Randall."
Randall started to walk away, then stopped and turned back around. "Brian?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for staying."
Brian managed a small smile. "You're welcome."
…
Randall could only remember bits and pieces of the visitation and funeral. The first thing he remembered was Callie stopping when they were about to walk out the door to leave. Mary gradually went over and tried to coax her to the car. Randall watched as she gently held Callie's hands and rubbed the ends of her fingers. Something only a mother could do.
"Callie, it's time, sweetheart. Are you ready to…say goodbye to Riley?"
Callie's face crumpled. "Noooo," she wailed.
Randall couldn't move either when he saw her once again burst into tears. Being aware full time was impossible. Maybe he closed himself off until he could make it to the visitation, he didn't know. Before he knew it, he found himself peering into Riley's casket.
Riley Anne looked….beautiful. Beautiful, and peaceful. Still. A baby might be beautiful, but they should always be full of life and everywhere. Not lying stiff in a casket.
He gently touched her little face and ran his hand down to hers. Then he held it in his. Her little hand was like ice compared to the warm temperature of the room. Only a few days ago, Riley would have grasped his hand when he reached for hers. The sob that racked his body came from nowhere. He sniffed and quickly wiped his tears away. His eyes popped open when a hand the same temperature as his covered his own hand.
When he looked up, Callie's tear filled eyes melted into his. He took her in his arms and held her tight as they tried to dry their tears. He and Callie moved over to the side so everyone else could have their time with Riley.
He remembered tears streaming down Mary's face when she kissed her granddaughter's forehead, and Brian wiping away a tear as he covered Riley's folded hands with one of his.
Brett and Beth walked up after Mary and Brian. They had rushed into town as soon as they could. Brett solemnly lowered Ace so he could peer into his cousin's little face. Ace leapt for joy and reached down like he wanted to wake her up. Beth caught his little hands.
"No, Ace."
Ace drew back and tilted his head. For the first time in his short life, he ran into something he didn't quite understand yet. But he did understand that something was wrong.
Beth wiped away a tear and held Callie while Brett talked to Randall.
"I'm so sorry, Randall…. Really, I am."
There wasn't much left to say. Randall nodded and tried to keep his voice from shaking. "Thanks. Me too…"
He felt a little hand tapping him and once again turned his attention to Ace. Randall rubbed his head, trying to avoid eye contact with Ace. His wide, innocent eyes reminded him of Riley's.
"Hey, kid."
Ace pointed to the casket and whimpered, asking Randall to explain why Riley couldn't play. Brian walked up and took Ace when Randall was forced to turn his head.
Brett quickly took Callie in his arms when he and Beth switched places.
"I'm sorry, Callie. I…" He gave up and just held her as she sobbed.
Beth looked to Randall apologetically. "I'm sorry. Ace doesn't understand…."
"I know," Randall assured her.
Eventually, they let extended family and friends in. The visitation was more of a turnout than Randall had anticipated. More of Callie's family showed up, some of their friends, almost everyone from Monster's Inc., and a few other people. Randall couldn't remember but a few faces. Eventually, he just mindlessly shook hands and moved on to the next person. It seemed like it took an eternity. Even Callie ran out of tears and only said what she thought was necessary.
Really, the only ones he remembered past family were Waternoose and his wife, Fungus and Feebie, Sullivan, Callie thanking the Monster's Inc. daycare teacher for keeping Riley, and Wazowski.
Mrs. Waternoose's eyes were moist when she pulled Callie into a tight hug. Randall didn't hear what they said because Waternoose was standing in front of him.
"I'm sorry I didn't call…" Randall managed. He felt exhausted.
Waternoose seemed taken aback. "Well, that should be the least of your concerns, Randall. Just take your time returning… Uhrm…. We're so sorry for your loss. It just…doesn't seem fair. The company was devastated when we heard the news."
"Yeah…us too." Randall crossed his arms when he realized his voice was shaking again. Eventually, Sullivan and Wazowski approached the casket. Mike folded his hands respectfully. Sullivan stood still, but his beady blue eyes seemed to water.
Sullivan was the first to stop in front of Randall.
"Randall, I… I'm sorry."
Randall glanced at Callie, trying her best to hold back tears as she said goodbye to Waternoose. Randall didn't know her eyes could be so red. Within seconds, desperation outweighed his dislike for Sullivan.
He turned back to Sullivan before he could change his mind.
"C-can you help Callie?"
The big blue monster looked shocked. "I-I don't-"
"Just talk to her. It will mean a lot."
Sullivan nodded slowly and moved on. Callie gasped and slowly walked into his hug. Randall nodded vigorously when her eyes darted to him. She gradually buried her face in his fur and cried.
Randall could barely hear her muffled murmurs. "How is this fair…?"
Sullivan just held her tight and let her cry. "It's not, Cal. It's not."
Randall startled when he found Mike standing awkwardly in front of him. For the first time in his life, Wazowski seemed to be at a loss of words. He and Randall hadn't really talked since their few weeks of being roommates at Monster's University.
Wazowski shrugged. "Geez, I'm sorry for your loss, Randall. Seeing someone young like Riley… Well… It just doesn't seem right, you know?"
Randall lowered his head and sniffed back the tears that wouldn't stop threatening to come.
"Yeah…I…can't wrap my head around it either, Wazowski… Thanks."
Wazowski nodded, hugged Callie, and moved on with Sullivan. They were the last Randall could stand to pay much attention to. Finally, he and Callie sat down and listened as Brian and Waternoose said a few words for Riley. Waternoose said a few words about Riley's short life, while Brian told everyone a few funny stories about their time with Riley. For the first time since Riley passed away, Randall saw Callie manage a tiny smile.
She leaned her head on his shoulder when Brian told everyone about the time he'd given Riley her first taste of trash pudding. Everyone chuckled when they heard how little Riley had flinched, wrinkled her nose, squinted her eyes, and spat it back out. When Brian tried offering it again, she'd turned her head away.
He remembered little to nothing about the actual funeral. Just the feeling of sinking into the ground along with his daughter. If he hadn't been holding Callie to his chest, he was sure he would have fallen to the ground. Her tombstone was small, and made of engraved marble. Marked with the same year as her birth. Eventually, Brian and Mary took them home.
That night, Callie surprised him when she gently hugged him from behind.
When he turned to face her, her eyes were welling with fresh tears.
"What is it, babe?" he asked quietly.
Her eyes sparkled. "Thank you."
He took her hands. "For what?"
"Being there. Randall, you've done so much for me the last few days, and I… I've done nothing for you."
Randall pulled her into his lap. "Babe, I don't know what I would do without you and your family. I..I thought that I wasn't helping you."
Callie rested her head on his shoulder. "We'll get through this. Right?"
Randall rubbed her upper arms and sighed. "Yeah. I think so."
The worst time they had was when Brian and Mary had to leave. Randall and Callie just felt…alone. Callie was too quiet, and Randall had nothing to say. They fought a lot. Over whether or not to go through Riley's things, over saying their words the wrong way….over just about anything. The thing was it was impossible interact, because they felt nothing. They were just numb. The fighting gradually ended when they decided to go back to work.
Randall blocked out most of his coworkers condolences. Everyone indicated how sorry they were. The ones who'd interacted with Riley seemed sad as well. And it caused Randall and Callie to see their lost daughter's face every day. Eventually, Randall blocked his coworkers out. His movements were mechanic. He went through paperwork like some robot. He didn't talk much. His scores were low. All he ever wanted in that time was to go home.
Whenever Callie laughed, she cried. Randall just felt drained. Scaring was exhausting. At the end of each workday, Callie practically fell into his arms. She was as worn out as he was.
But over time, things just started to get a little easier. One day he decided to go to the nursing department and take Callie out to lunch. When he got there, she was just finishing up with a patient. A little girl with a newly bandaged knee.
The daycare teacher thanked Callie and waited for the girl to grab a sucker. The girl glanced at Callie, then offered her the sucker.
Callie smiled at the little girl. "That's okay, sweetheart. I have one. Feel better."
Randall held the door open for the daycare teacher as he watched Callie gently place the candy back on the shelf. Finally, he saw that she was trying. She was just having just as hard of a time as he was. If not more.
She startled when he took her hand. "Randall! I didn't see you come in…"
He kissed her on the cheek and put an arm around her. "Let's go out to lunch today, babe. My treat."
Callie grinned and squeezed his hand. "I'd love to."
….
One Saturday, Callie's scream shook the whole apartment.
Randall used an old towel to scoop up the dead rat.
"Aw, come on, Cal! This is probably what's been stinking up the apartment for days. Get down and come look for a sec."
Callie recoiled from the edge of the kitchen table to the middle. When Randall stood, she ditched the table and latched onto the walls. "No! Randall Boggs, you get that out of here right this minute!"
Randall snorted to keep from laughing. "Babe…it's dead. Been dead for a while. You gotta overcome your fear sometime. Scary monsters like you, afraid of a one eyed rat? Don't worry. I won't let it get you."
Callie whimpered and gradually put her feet back on the floor. Randall chuckled. "A little closer, babe."
Callie inched over two baby steps and leaned over so she could see the rat. Randall tiled the towel and pointed out his features.
"Look, babe. It's nothing to be scared of. It's got a little tail, feet…."
Callie gradually dared to get a little closer. Randall felt the corner of his mouth turn up. Perfect.
"AAHHH!" Randall lifted the towel like he was going to toss her the rat and laughed it out when Callie screamed bloody murder and retreated to the hallway.
Callie starting throwing whatever was in the laundry basket. "RANDALL BOGGS! How could you…. You knew I was afraid of rats, I'll never forgive you!"
Randall caught a short nightshirt he rarely saw on Callie. "Whoo!"
He cackled as more clothes rained down over his head.
Later on, Callie sat sulled up on the couch while Randall repeated the story to Fungus and Feebie.
Fungus covered his mouth in quiet laughter. Feebie cracked up.
"That's mean, Randall."
Randall chuckled and carefully leaned over to plant a kiss on Callie's cheek. "Sorry, babe."
Callie's eyes cut into his. "Oh, that's okay, Randall. They haven't even seen your fear of spiders."
"I'll have you know this place is spider free," Randall said with a confident smirk. He tilted his head when Callie's eyes slowly focused on something behind him.
"What?"
When Fungus just pointed, Randall turned to see a giant purple spider sitting motionless on the couch arm beside him.
"AUGH!" A few cups and books toppled off the coffee table when Randall latched onto it. He snatched the nearest plate on reflex and smashed it on the spider. Remarkably, it remained motionless…and intact.
He whipped around to stand behind Callie.
"Cal?"
Callie stood up. "It's okay, babe, I got it."
To his surprise, she lifted the motionless spider and sat it on the table. "He's my new pet."
After a few seconds of glowering at the spider, it dawned on him. The purple spider was a fake. Feebie and Fungus were practically dying. He gritted his teeth and shook a finger at Callie with narrowed eyes.
"Nice, babe."
When Callie just winked, he grabbed her arms and pinned her to the couch.
"Say you're sorry."
Callie tried to throw him off. "Not a chance."
Fungus smiled. "Looks like she got you back, Randall."
Randall turned a stern glare on the two smaller monsters. "Not one word."
Feebie took something from Fungus and smirked. "Oh, don't worry, Randall. Fungus won't say a word."
Callie grabbed Randall's wrists. "Did you get it?!"
Randall looked at her. "What?"
Feebie and Fungus were already halfway out the side door. Randall flinched when he noticed Fungus' phone still in his hand. He had recorded the whole thing!
Randall leapt up. "FUNGUS, NO!"
Fungus' phone flipped out of his hand when he startled. Feebie caught it and shoved him through the door.
"GO! GO!"
Randall struggled out of Callie's hold and bolted through the garage. He jiggled the door to Feebie and Fungus' apartment violently. Locked.
"Feebie, Fungus! Gimme that phone!"
He leaned heavily against the door when he realized they weren't going to answer.
A sweet, all-too-familiar chuckle sounded from behind him.
"The next time you decide to use my fears against me, you'd better think about it, Randall Boggs."
Randall grinned mischievously and turned around. "Okay… I think I figured out how to make this all go away."
Callie remained in place on the steps and crossed her arms. "Really?"
"Yeah. I apologize, say I'm sorry, and you talk Feebie into deleting the video before she tells anybody."
She considered this a moment, then shook her head. "You're going to have to do better than that."
Randall scoffed as he walked up the steps and tiled her chin up. She read his mind and disappeared.
He dropped his arms. "Babe…." he whined.
He crossed his arms confidently and stood still, listening to his surroundings. When he felt a small peck on his cheek, he turned and caught Callie's hand.
She reappeared with a squeal and pulled away. For the first time in a while, the two laughed as they chased each other through the house.
Later on that night, Randall turned over and quietly snatched his phone off the nightstand. He logged onto his MonsterGram and checked his wall. His eyes widened when he noticed that Fungus and Feebie had tagged him in a video with Callie. He watched his overreaction from a different view and was dismayed to find that it already had over 50 likes and just as many comments.
Sadly, if anyone joined a work community of MonsterGram, they were automatically friended by all their coworkers, meaning the whole company was viewing the video. Randall growled in disbelief as he scanned some of the comments.
GEORGE SANDERSON: "Haha! What'd Callie do that for?"
FEEBIE: "Randall scared her with a rat. We helped her get even ;)"
MIKE WAZOWSKI: "HAHAHA! :D Arachnophobia. A-R-A-C-H-N-O-P-H-O-B-I-A. Fear of spiders. Example? Randall Boggs. Arachnophobia."
JAMES P. SULLIVAN: "Hehehe… Poor Randall. Sounds about like Callie. Better luck next time :D"
ROZ: "Ha. Ha. Ha…."
BRETT: "Randall. Seriously, man? Get her back! (This is now Ace's favorite home video.)"
The list went on and on. Randall growled and decided to just summarize his feelings by posting one word.
RANDALL BOGGS: "Women…."
Randall's phone lit up before he could even toss it down. Already one comment on his post.
CALLIE BOGGS: ;)
Randall tossed his phone on the nightstand and threw himself across the bed to look over Callie's shoulder. He found her lying still on her side, typing away on her phone. She giggled softly when she finally looked over and saw the death glare he'd been shooting her for five minutes.
Callie turned the phone on him and snapped a picture of his face. Randall didn't even flinch when she reached over, fiddled with his phone, and flashed him a tag post of the picture. She scrolled down to the "like" option and offered him his phone back.
"You might as well."
Randall snatched the phone away, commented with a wink sign, and tackled Callie back against the pillows.
Callie drew back after a few kisses with a smirk. "So babe….how do you feel about me now?"
Randall managed a mischievous grin and kissed her under the chin. "Terrified."
…
Grief for their daughter still hung over their heads from time to time. But, as Brian said, life moved on. He and Callie went out more. And he started work on potential ideas on how to extract screams mechanically. He and Callie gradually packed a few of Riley's things in the nursery, and things seemed to be getting easier all the time. If he and Callie fought, one of them usually found a cup of their favorite coffee sitting on their work station the next morning.
But his real focus was his performance on the Scare Floor. With everything that had happened, Sullivan had pulled ahead by a tremendous amount. Randall worked without stopping, trying desperately to make up for lost time. His hatred for Sullivan grew. Whenever he made up the numbers, Sullivan gained more at a steady rate.
Frustration burst in Randall when he realized Sullivan had been top scarer for the longest amount of time yet. It made it worse when Callie walked up to him during lunch and told him Waternoose had asked her and Feebie to get cupcakes for a surprise birthday party for Sullivan.
Randall turned on her bitterly. "No one else gets a party for their birthday unless their friends ask. Why does he get a party?"
Callie looked appalled. "Randall Boggs! He gets a party because Mike asked. Waternoose always asks the nurses to go get the cupcakes because we are free at times. I got the cupcakes for your last surprise party, remember?"
Randall wasn't in the mood to be lectured. "Are you sure he's not getting an employee of the month party?"
Callie shrugged. "I heard birthday."
He bristled in frustration. "I'm sure you're just thrilled about it."
"Randall!" She looked around. "At least come outside with me."
Fungus walked Feebie outside like a good guy while Randall and Callie trailed behind, arguing in strained whispers.
Callie stopped in the middle of the parking lot. "Randall, why are you doing this?"
Randall turned on her, his face inches from hers. "Because I'm behind. Thanks to everything that's happened and Sullivan. He just keeps taking everything I work for away, and all you're worried about is his party."
Callie's eyes burned into his. "Well, I'm sorry 'everything that's happened' is such an inconvenience for you."
"That's not what I'm saying!" he shouted. When he noticed Fungus and Feebie staring, he took a deep breath to cool down.
"Know what? Nevermind. Just go get the stupid cupcakes. But you're not driving my car."
Callie took his hands with moist, sincere eyes. "Randall… You're a wonderful scarer… You'll catch up soon. Like always. Sweetheart, I don't understand. Sullivan doesn't take anything from you…"
She sighed when Randall pulled away and stepped back.
Waternoose opened the lobby door. "Callie?"
Callie startled and turned to him. "Sir?"
When he motioned for her to get a move on, she turned to Fungus and Feebie, who were holding hands and talking.
"Feebie, do you mind if we take your car?"
Feebie's voice shook. "Uh, sure."
As Fungus rummaged in their bag for their keys, Callie turned back to Randall.
"We can talk about it later, okay? I love you."
Randall just waved his hand dismissively and walked away.
He and Fungus returned to the Scare Floor and worked like crazy until Waternoose walked up to their station.
"Randall, Fungus? Have you heard from Callie or Feebie?"
Fungus adjusted his glasses. "No…."
Randall checked the clock. After 2:00 pm. He glanced up at his boss with concern, still panting from the work rush. "They're not back?"
Waternoose's eyes widened in realization. "Not according to the other nurses."
Randall dove into his bag and flipped his phone open. Nothing. Fungus' expression when he glanced at his said it all. Callie and Feebie were missing.
"I…don't…." He tried dialing Callie's phone. No answer. The same for Fungus.
Just as Randall pulled out his keys, Celia ran across the Scare Floor. "Randall, Fungus! Thank goodness you're here. There's been an accident…"
Randall froze. "Wh-what?"
Celia pulled on his arm. "You have to go now. The hospital called and…Callie and Feebie….they….were in a bad car accident on the way to town…."
All three men gasped. Randall's breathing grew rapid as he tried to gather his things with trembling hands. Eventually, Celia found his keys and handed them over. When Fungus whimpered, Randall packed his bag for him and pushed it in his hands. The sound of Sullivan's voice made him want to explode.
"Callie and Feebie were in a wreck? Wh- where- where did they go?" The other's monster's breathing was rapid, like his.
Wazowski's eye widened in realization. "To get cupcakes…for…your…party…" he answered without looking at anyone.
Sullivan turned to Mike. "Wha….?"
Randall shook his head. They didn't have time to wait for Sullivan to understand. He tugged on Fungus to get him moving.
"We're going," he said to Waternoose.
Waternoose still wasn't over the shock. His response sounded like he was in a trance. "Yes…p-please….go…."
Fungus was too much of a wreck himself, so Randall sped to the hospital. On the way there, they spotted the remains Feebie and Fungus' ruined car.
Randall pulled over and hopped out of his car. Fungus spun in his seat.
"R-Randall?"
He was already talking to the nearest fireman.
"My wife was in this accident. What happened?" he asked rapidly.
The fireman dropped what he was doing and looked up. He wiped beats of sweat from his forehead as he spoke.
"Looks like they were pulling out from a green light before another car rammed them in the side at full speed. The collision caused both cars to slide. This one smashed into the streetlight at a high speed on the passenger side, while the blow from the other car was dealt to the driver's side. I think you'd better get to the hospital, sir. Both patients were barely breathing."
The news felt like a breathtaking blow to the stomach. Randall ran back to his car and had them at the ER within minutes. When he and Fungus rushed inside, there was no sign of Callie or Feebie.
He glanced at Fungus and rushed to the front desk.
"We're looking for Callie Boggs and Feebie McCafee. They were in a car accident.'
The nurse glanced up from her clipboard. "I'll call the doctor. He'll come to the waiting room as soon as he can."
Randall and Fungus sat in silence as they waited, unable to speak. Within minutes that seemed like hours, the doctor called their names.
Randall waved him over, speaking rapidly. "What happened? When can we see them?"
The doctor lowered his eyes to the ground.
"Which one of you is Fungus?" he asked quietly.
Fungus barely managed to raise his fingers. "That's…me."
The doctor put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We did everything we could, but the blow from the impact caused rapid interior bleeding. I'm afraid Feebie McCafee passed away upon arrival."
Randall just managed to catch Fungus before he fell to the floor. He held him upright as he sobbed from the waiting room chair.
He searched the doctor for answers. "And Callie Boggs? Sh-she's my wife."
The doctor's eyes were solemn as he answered. "Mrs. Boggs is still alive at the moment. We're doing what we can to make her comfortable, but she suffered a fatal blow to the chest. I'm sad to say she is in rapid congestive heart failure, and there's nothing we can do to stop it because we can't find the cause. I'm sorry, Mr. Boggs. Your wife may have anywhere from one hour to a week."
Here is yet another tissue, guys. I'm so sorry! This broke my heart. I don't want to make you guys cry so much, but…now you know and can understand Randall's present. The next chapter will start with the end of this, then end with Randall making a decision on where to go from where he is. Suspense, suspense.
Oh, I hope you like the rat/spider gag. My try at being funny. See you next time! Thanks for all the reviews and support. I love to hear about interactions with the story. Please R&R! :)