CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Benji was screaming in the next room, loud ear-shattering screams that made some people's faces twitch. Arthur sat in the crowded room watching the others. DW was doing the same thing on the floor with Kate, a few toys spread between them. Some of the cousins were doing the same near their parents, who were staring into the carpet's pattern trying to find answers.

Grandma Thora's neighbors decided to check on her when she didn't walk her dog past their house. She'd already left her mail in the box, her paper untouched. They had plenty of reason to think something was wrong and they were right. She'd passed peacefully in her sleep, her eyes closed and her arms wrapped around her loyal dog, who growled at people when they tried to get her out.

Now her family was at Arthur's house, crowded in the messy space with their tissues, blank stares, and looks of irritation as Benji's screams grew ever-louder from the next room. Arthur's aunt stood and moved towards the door, but Arthur's father intercepted her.

"He has a rash of sorts. We were on our way to the pediatrician when…," he explained, his voice trailing off and fading into the screams.

The phone rang and several people dove to answer it. Arthur stayed put, watching as his father found his voice and got to the phone first. It was the pediatrician; they understood but Benji probably did need to be checked out.

"Is there any way you can make a house call?" Arthur's father asked. The answer wasn't what he hoped; he sighed heavily. "I'll get him there. Okay, thanks," he said sadly, hanging up the phone. He then disappeared into the bedroom, Benji's cries disguising the argument that followed.

A few minutes later, Arthur's mom was rushing Benji from the house, a very peeved look on her face. She burned rubber as she left the driveway, scaring a few people. Another few watched with blank stares as her car disappeared up the block.

A cell phone rang and Arthur's uncle answered it. He nodded slightly, listening intently to whoever called him. It seemed to be a boss or coworker, and Arthur knew that he'd been pulled from work too. He probably didn't have to ride next to a screaming toddler as his tear-stained parents drove him home, but Arthur wasn't complaining. He was numb.

His mind was on the argument he'd had with his mother. She told him plainly that he wasn't the best grandson because he never called anymore. No one complained about their lack of contact with Grandpa Dave. He'd been gone for years, lost in memories no one could decipher. The home didn't like a bunch of calls anyway, and visits from children were almost forbidden.

But Grandma Thora was fine. She still walked her former stray, Killer, down her street daily. She had bingo on Wednesday nights, the same group that Mrs. MacGrady frequented before her cancer came back and she passed away. Grandma Thora also had elderly aerobics a few times a week and she did her own shopping.

Yet Arthur didn't call like he should. He let the phone ring when she'd called a few weeks ago, not wanting to get dragged into a long conversation with her so soon before school started. Now he wished he had answered it, wished he'd gone back to spending his weekends at her house making sweet treats.

"Arthur, we're ordering some food. What do you want?" Arthur's older cousin asked, a notepad in hand. She'd gotten from his mom's desk. She'd be mad about it later, but Arthur shrugged off the thought.

"Whatever's cheap," Arthur murmured, standing and moving towards the stairs. A few people watched but no one followed. He moved into his room and collapsed on his bed. It would be one hell of a weekend, a weekend that Arthur wished never had to happen.

A/N: RIP Grandma Thora. If you noticed, we owe Mrs. MacGrady a late farewell also. I just felt it had to be done. We'll check back in with Arthur to see how he holds up. Binky is up next with his yard of chores and a heavy heart. Has he gained a few more allies in Molly? Will his parents continue their tirade? See Chapter Twenty-Nine for details.