Chapter 25

Things can get quite quiet when you're dead. There isn't really anyone to talk to, well, except other dead people. And that's only at night, when you can float out of your grave and wander around. But during the day all I see is darkness, emptiness. I don't know why they decided to bury me on my parents' lot in Sunset Valley, I at least would've had a lot more people to talk to if they'd buried me in the cemetery. But on the other hand, being buried on my parents' lot has its upsides. On one hand, at night, sometimes I lift myself out of my grave and wander the house. Its just like it was when I was a kid, for the most part. Although, Mom upgraded the kitchen a little bit, and although the new counters didn't blend well with the rest of the house, it was good that the new stove was fireproof. I'd hate if anything were to happen to her.

"You holding up well Cindy?" it was Dad as he floated towards me his white apparition glimmered in the moonlight.

"I'm fine Dad." I replied, "Where have Boinky and Tommy been?"

"They went to Bridgeport, not sure why though."

I sighed, "You know, I miss them sometimes."

He smiled, "I do too dear, but, this is how things are now."

We drifted through the front walls into the living room. All the lights had been turned off for the night, but that didn't mean we couldn't turn them on when we entered. Dad made a beeline for his favorite spot on the couch by the TV. He didn't turn on the television, but I don't think he needed to. He just sat down, and then adjusted himself slightly for comfort. He looked down at the coffee table,

"Darn, Brittany already threw away the paper."

"You know you could just use the computer." I told him, as I sat down at one of the dining room chairs.

"I know. Its just, well, I guess old habits die hard. And I liked reading all those peculiar stories they'd post in the papers." he defended himself, "I saw a couple of days ago in the paper, your old friend, Percy, became a Journalist. Who would've thought?"

I felt a pang in my heart, "...Percy?"

"Yeah, strange, you'd think with his parents he'd go into some kind of Athletic career. Well, then again, look how you turned out."

I chuckled, "Yeah…" I suddenly remembered something, "Hey Dad, have you ever looked at your Memory Book?"

"I did once, but, its nothing exciting, trust me." he assured her.

"But, its said, that once you die, that you can look back in your Memory Book and, relive those moments. You think I can do that?"

He got up from his chair, "I don't think you can, I know you can. But Cindy, you don't want to. Believe me, I tried, its not something you want to experience. We were all very different back then, and you know what's gonna happen, in the future."

"But if I can go back, why not? Why not at least try?"

He squeezed his lips shut, lifted his chest in a heavy breath, "...are you sure, dear?"

"Yes Dad, I'll choose an unimportant memory, like...like when I wrote my first book. Other than that, it was an average day, just like any other."

"Alright…"

Week 1, Day 6 Friday

It was sunny, weather hadn't been invented yet, so it was always sunny back then. I shared a bunk bed with Boinky. The house still had its original paint and flooring. Boy was it cheap-looking back then, but it had a certain charm to it. My first computer, the Easy Machine from Fred's PC Hut, sat on a rickety wooden desk by the bed. I reached out to touch the little bed when a small little body zipped past me. That little person was me. I had long hair back then, as opposed to the shorter cut I started wearing in my teenaged years.

"Cindy, are you getting ready for school?" it was my mother, I remember she'd always make sure I was ready for school everyday.

"Yes Mommy!" Mommy...I didn't even remember ever calling her that…

Mom looked so young, neither Tommy nor I ever inherited her blond hair, but I always thought it looked nice on her. Her hair was short, kind of like how mine was now, except she always wore this funny-looking blue hat she'd seen in a Generations magazine.

As my Child self ran out of the bedroom, I followed her out. The narrow hallway that connected the bedrooms and the central living/dining room looked so much brighter, with the combination of the morning sunlight and those old-fashioned wall lights that came with the house that gave a golden glow to the otherwise unimpressive house.

I peered into the other bedroom and I saw Dad cradling a Toddler Tommy. He looked so small, almost kind of sweet. Who'd knew he'd one day grow up to want to become a Astronaut? But...he was never very Athletic, so a Military career wasn't plausible for him, until I played with his Traits with the Controller. I always wondered if that was a good decision, it was my dying act after all. I just...I was just thinking that if there was anything I could do for my family before I died, and that's what I did.

I continued to the living room where Boinky was already up, drinking juice in front of the TV. Mom was getting ready for work herself, she had changed into her work outfit of a messy apron and baggy work clothes.

"Uhm...Mom, where's Cindy?" Boinky asked, as he threw his juice into the small garbage can.

"I think she's working on her book in your room." she replied, as she sat down and turned on the TV.

"Again?" he asked.

I cringed, I did neglect Boinky in those days, that's why he left for boarding school. And it didn't help that Tommy was afraid of him those days. Why was I so careless? Boinky never deserved that, he's always been a great guy, why didn't I see that?

Tears began brimming in my eyes. I leaned on the dining table for support. I watched as my Child self entered the dining room and got a bowl of cereal from the refrigerator.

"Morning Boinky." she greeted autonomously to him.

She began eating her cereal next to him, completely devoid of his presence. He however, seemed completely engrossed in what she was doing, even if she wasn't really paying attention to him.

The young Dad entered the room as well, his full head of hair and youthful appearance having been a faint memory for so many years, until now, here he was right in front of me. I wanted to hug him, but I knew it was wrong at the same time. I wanted to talk to all of them, but I could only watch.

"How's the family this morning?" he asked, as he got himself a quick cup of coffee.

"We're good." we all replied, not bothering to look up from our activities.

Someone tapped my shoulder, I turned around and see that its my Dad, old and ghostly, his weary smile still ever-present. I looked back and saw young Dad, as he kissed Mom on the cheek before swinging into his work clothes and headed out the door. I sniffled, and I wiped a tear from my cheek as more started to pour down my face,

"Oh Dad, I can't take it. You're all so young and beautiful. Why did we ever have to get old?" I approached Mom, "Mom, I'm right here. I grew up, I...I love you, everything...oh Mom, just look at me for one minute as if you really saw me. Mom...I'm dead, and, and you're a grandmother." I next walked over to Boinky, and got down on one knee, "Boinky...ha, we got married. I kept my promise Boinky, we became a Mom and Dad, just like you wanted."

I got up, and faced my aged father, "I'm ready to leave, just, just let me say goodbye." I leaned against the front door, as I took in the room one last time, "Goodbye Mom, goodbye Boinky, goodbye Tommy, goodbye to breakfast, and TV, and writing books and sleeping and waking up…we, we never really realized life while we were living it, did we?"

Dad shook

his

head, "C'mon Cindy, its time to go."

I watched as the bright, sunny house faded away into darkness, darkness again.

"Its daytime isn't it?" I asked, noting the complete emptiness of my vision.

"Yep, morning must have come while we were away." Dad noted, his voice rapidly fading, "You get some rest Cindy, goodnight."

Quick Question: What famous play's third act is this chapter heavily based on?