Over The Rainbow
I had gathered the boys up in the living room after they had all woken up. I tuned the ukulele as they all waited patiently, well, almost all of them. "We ain't got all day!" Ham said in between bites of his sandwich. I scrunched my nose, furrow my brows, and stuck my tongue out at him. Once I got it right, I cleared my throat. "I know some of you haven't heard me sing, so I thought I should do it now all while we're still together here." The only ones that have seen me perform were Benny, Yeah-Yeah, and Kenny. I took a deep breath and started:
- "Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the days were we'd all play ball,
Is where I love you." -
I kind of choked up at the last part and had to look up without crying. I had replaced the last part with a little something for all of them. They would never know how much it meant to me to be a part of this group. Tommy came over and hugged me tightly. I kissed the top of his head and hugged him back. They all started to crowd around me, each waiting their turn for a hug. I couldn't help but giggle. "It's definitely your cycle talking, you don't cry for anything." Squints said with a smile. I nodded my head, "Absolutely!" I was going to miss all of this. I knew that we'd all go our separate ways, but I also knew I was going to keep in touch with all of them no matter what.
Later on, I paid a visit to Mr. Mertle. We sat down in his baseball room and talked. He had told me some stories of his childhood and about The Babe. I stroked Hercules' head and ears through every story. "What's on your mind, young lady?" I sighed. "Growing up is hard," I replied. He chuckled. "Everything from watching the boys shoot up and their voices dropping, to me getting my period. Along with all the drama that has happened in the last few years! I didn't expect it to be like this, I just had assumed things would be a lot more….simpler." He chuckled again. "What would you have preferred?" I smirked. "This. Always this." He nodded his head. "What's it like? To watch us all..?" He adjusted himself and leaned towards me. "I was very young when I had my kids, by the time they left the nest I had just then considered myself an adult. Now, they're grown with their own kids and my wife's long gone. The one thing I didn't pay attention to the first time was really watching my kids grow. When their voices changed, when they didn't need to hold my hand anymore, when they could drive on their own. It had happened so fast and so long ago. When you all came along, I finally saw what I had missed. To answer your question, it's been a real privilege to watch you kids grow up and I can't wait to see what you all accomplish." I reached over and placed my hand on top of his and squeezed him. "Just out of curiosity, how did you take the news?" I cocked my head, "What news?" I asked. "About your mother being pregnant." I leaned back and rubbed the back of my neck. "Oh, I was surprised. Why? Did she call you and tell you today?" He gave me a weird smile. "Yeah...about that. She told me about 3 weeks ago." I nearly fell off the chair. "She what!?"
Songs used in the chapter (I do not own this song):
Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland