Just to make it clear, these one shots don't include Emma.
Erin was applying peach-colored lipstick when Ben walked in after knocking. They were heading to the funeral for Grandpa, and it sure wouldn't be easy for her. "Hey Erin, I was wondering if you wanted to ride with Jim Bob and I. Everyone else is going with either Daddy or John Boy. John Boy only has three seats. And the back of the truck is full." Ben said softly.
"Sure Ben, I'd like that." Erin smiled sadly, capping her lipstick tube. Ben nodded, and there was a moment of silence.
"Erin, are you doing all right?" He asked, choosing his words carefully. "You seem distant."
Erin looked at the ground, and Ben noticed her lips quivering. She looked up, tears covering both her cheeks. "Ben, I've lost two men…" she got choked up again. "Who mean so much to me. Less than a year apart!"
Ben gently brushed his sister's tears away. "Grandpa's in Heaven with GW now." He remarked. "I don't know why they had to go. I don't think anyone does. But you have the trust that they're in a better place. You have two amazing angels watching over you, Er."
His younger sister smiled weakly, and she almost burst into tears again. But before she could, Ben started to tease her about being late like always, and soon they were bickering and annoying each other like normal as they walked down the stairs
A couple of weeks later the family went to visit Grandpa's grave up on the Mountain. Once they arrived, Jason, Ben, and Jim Bob helped their father unload the plants they were going to put in the ground. It was a perfectly quiet evening, no wind, no birds calling, nothing. Finally, Elizabeth broke the silence.
"Grandpa," she said softly. Everyone was startled. They stopped what they were doing and listened, wondering what she would have to say. "You know Jabez?" she asked. "He was the pig for my 4-H project, the one Clarence gave me?" Elizabeth paused and continued. "Well, I'm keeping him at home now. And he's getting nice and fat, for the fair we're going to have this Summer." Elizabeth was near tears.
Jim Bob came and sat down between Elizabeth and Erin. "You got a real nice spot up here, Grandpa. Had a little bit of rain this season, so everything's growing real nice. But I guess you already know that."
Erin bit her lip. "I've been thinking about you a lot lately Grandpa, G.W too. If you see him, tell him I love him." She looked down sadly. "I miss you both very much."
Mary Ellen spoke up next. "Grandpa, there's a lot of you in John Curtis. He loves to hold his hands out to all kinds of people, just like you did. He loves playing in the dirt. I think he's gonna be close to nature, the way you were."
John Boy spoke up next. "Grandpa, I miss you so much. I miss your smile, our talks, and most of all, your love. I sure wish I could talk to you once more. Thank you for loving us. We miss you."
Ben smiled. "Daddy's let me use your tools now, Grandpa. He was gone for a few days and while he was gone, I didn't get in too much trouble." He then got serious. "I'm sure gonna take good care of them."
Jason smiled. "I heard this song the other day, Grandpa. It reminded me of you. It's one of your favorites." Jason took out his harmonica and played the song. While he did this, John helped his mother over to the grave, followed by Olivia. There was a long pause after Jason finished the song. Everyone had tears in their eyes.
"Old Man," Esther quietly said. "You live in all of us."
Olivia put an arm around her mother-in-law. "Grandpa, don't you spend too much time sitting on the porch with Martha Corinne and Uncle Ben and Flossie Brimmer. We miss you Grandpa, but we're all richer for having had you with us."
John spoke. "Pa, I've been thinking a lot lately about moving away from the mountain. But being up here with you gave me some fresh thoughts on the matter. I'm never going to take hold of life the way you did, Pa, but you taught me how to take hold in my own way. So I guess, us dealers around here are going to have to stand together and stop competing with each other. We'll take care of the woods around here like you taught us to, Pa."