dedicated to guest named 'A' whom without this chapter wouldn't be up :)

thank-you for reminding me and i hope you enjoy it!

Chapter Twelve: Pulling The Plug

Cammie

When Zach got a phone call off my mum asking him to drop me home I didn't really take any notice. I mean I'd just seen my dad, my aunt and possible uncles and it's been like a day trip with my boyfriend. So as I wave Zach goodbye and stroll to the front steps I hardly notice the fact that A) There are two cars on the drive, B) My mom doesn't even look at me and C) Grant is here.

My brother greets me, smiling widely and asking me how my date was. I'm about to reveal that we didn't really go on a date but my mom beats me to it.

"She was with your dad, not on some fancy date" it's almost like she spits it. What's so wrong about being with my dad? I mean this is the same guy, who used to tuck me in at night, tell me crazy spy stories he'd heard from Abby, Joe and Townsend. The same man who gave me the mini satin ballet slipper and told me that I could do it before I walked into the dance studio and auditioned for my place in Gallagher in front of my mom.

"I personally don't see what's so wrong about it" I defend myself, crossing my arms over my chest facing my back towards my family.

Grant joins me standing, revealing to me that he had in fact seen dad too. I'm shocked and a little bit sad. Why didn't Grant tell me? Or is this me being selfish because there are a lot of things I haven't told Grant either.

"Sit down" mom says quietly and we do. I sit on the right and my brother on the left. She takes both out hands and kisses them. Okay, this really is starting to scare me. I make it sound like my mom's not nice but she is. Seriously, one of the best mom's ever but I just have this strange feeling that we're about to be told something bad. I think Grant feels it too. Let's call it sibling intuition.

"Mom what's wrong?" he asks and I ready myself for what she has to say.

"This is a big announcement and I need you two to be mature adults, okay? You can ask questions after but for now I just need you to hear me out. As you know, ever since your dad was diagnosed I decided that private care would be better. He would be looked after and cared for better. I went along with the chemotherapy because I thought it was the right decision. I was wrong"

As soon as she says that I gasp. What was she trying to say, that she didn't want dad to live longer? That she would prefer him die. I feel the tears form in the corners of my eyes and I fight to keep them in there while she continues.

"Keeping your dad alive was foolish. It gave you false hope. I tried to remind you that he still has cancer and will still die but you were just so happy. Six months have slowly quickly turned into two and I don't think I can do this anymore. I'm sorry. I can't keep paying for the private care and everyday your dad is alive it's painful. I have to talk to the hospital first but… I'm thinking of pulling the plug…"

The rest of the words fade away and the only thing I think about is the fact that my mom wants to kill my dad.

She wants to pull the plug.

She wants to end his life.

I never knew someone could be so heartless.

"What do you mean?" says Grant in a small voice which he used to use when I was little. I haven't heard it in a while… "The definition of 'pull the plug'"

Mom nods. "The hospitals have offered me this many times and I have declined. There is an injection that will…" she doesn't need to continue. We all know what she was going to say. An injection that will kill him.

The only noise that comes next is the cars on the road, honking loudly and blasting their rap music. They happen to stop near our house. Their noise punctures this family moment and I can't help but envy how carefree they look. It doesn't really matter because they've soon picked up five girls and are driving away.

Mom claps her hands. She takes her hair out of the ponytail and re-ties it. "Right, now I've got that out why don't we go out to dinner? Sound good? We need something to liven up this foul mood" mom stands up and opens the front door saying something about freshening up and making reservations.

I go to say something to Grant but instead I check my phone. Three text messages from Zach, two from Macey and one from Bex. I almost send them a joint text but I go against it remembering that they're all in the same house and it looks like something is up.

I respond to Zach first. [3:28pm] hey, yeah I'm fine, well not fine but I'll be okay! Fam dinner, I'll call you later. Please don't worry, btw turning fone off! Speak l8r xxxxxxxxxx

I feel as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulder when I text him back. It's almost like Zach can take all my problems away and when he responds back with a simple 'okay, I love you xxxxxxxxxx' I know that this is real.

Macey is next. [3:30pm] believe Zach, nothing happened between us. We're perfect! I'll probs c u 2mo, fam dinner. Oh and don't bother ask Zach, he doesn't know either xoxo

And finally Bex. [3:32pm] me and Zach are perfect! Trust me and Mace! I'll speak soon I promise, c u 2mo, fam dinner x

Just like answering Zach I feel better answering my friends too. I mean they all deserve an explanation but just not right now.

I follow Grant in the house and upstairs but turn off into my bedroom and get ready for out evening out.


~r.e.m.e.m.b.e.r.t.h.a.t.s.u.m.m.e.r~


I must admit, the fancy Italian restaurant our mom chose sort of sweetened my sour mood. We ordered a large pizza with each of our favourite toppings.

Jalapeños which burned our mouths off thanks to mom!

Thick strips of beef which were obviously Grant's choice.

Anchovies which I first discovered when I was eight and have loved on pizza ever since.

And lastly pineapples…dads favourite.

The conversation soon came along once we were given food. We spent the first half on our phones texting. I was texting my bestfriend's and boyfriend. Grant was probably texting Zach too and maybe some of their other friends like Preston and Nick. And mom? Well I once thought that there was something going on between her and Joe but then Townsend came in the picture and Joe retreated to Abby's side. Not that my mum minded.

"Remember" splutters Grant, choking on his Pepsi Max. "When we were little and you came home crying because someone said that your name was for boys?"

I think a little and then laugh at the memory. "Oh yeah!" I punch Grant's shoulder. "That was not funny. I was seriously hurt but luckily he came up with a great nickname"

We all smile and I hold up my glass of JO2. "To Matthew Morgan who will be forever loved. Cheers!"

Everyone clinks their glasses against mine and we drink. We celebrate Matthew Morgan. Perfect husband, loving father and great friend.


~r.e.m.e.m.b.e.r.t.h.a.t.s.u.m.m.e.r~


"Yes I know. I know I love-okay, okay I get it. See you tomorrow" I finish off my phone conversation to Zach with a sigh. Grant takes his fingers out his ears and watches the end of the movie we were watching. I would feel bad except Grant chose to block out our conversation.

"Jeez, what could you two possibly talk about for two damn hours?" he says slightly annoyed at me.

"Oh nothing" I say dreamily before getting up. "Re-fill?" Grant nods and hands me the popcorn bucket and our cups. I smile sweetly before skipping out the room and down the stairs (once again, quite hard).

"Yes I know Marilyn" I stop and flatten myself against the wall. I shouldn't be listening to my mom's conversation but given the recent circumstances (about my dad and the money issues) I can't help it. "I know I owe you money but the café just isn't making the profit it used to. Yes its Matt's business…no I don't think he wants to sell it….I am aware that it could be our only hope. Matt said he'd hidden some café plans in his computer but I can't find them anywhere! Can I call you back tomorrow Marilyn…okay, thank-you"

Mom and I sigh simultaneously.

I try and work out what their conversation was about. Were we in debt? Was this all due to the private care mom had spent the last year on? Suddenly this became a much bigger thing.

I need to find those plans.


~r.e.m.e.m.b.e.r.t.h.a.t.s.u.m.m.e.r~

review maybe? i've missed you all loads *hugs*

and bonfires lit up the shores