Chapter Four: Something New Begins
Homer didn't want a big song and dance made about his and Marge's final days.
Springfield had different ideas.
As news of Homer and Marge's struggles reached far across the town, it had sparked mass debates over how significant the family had been to the community.
Some wanted to wash their hands of the family, having been taken to the wood chipper many a time through associating with them, others who had always given them the benefit of the doubt looked into giving them time, money, and their ear, letting all members of the family speak of their anxieties of the days and months ahead.
They gathered at the house tonight with purpose, they were here to say goodbye.
All the tests were done, all the doctors were gone, now was the time for friends and family.
Bart sat at the front door, letting people in, Lisa guided them up the stairs to the bedroom where Homer and Marge, now very weak and looking considerably thinner, lay
They barely had the strength to sit upright and greet their neighbours with warm smiles, but they commanded respect from everyone for making the effort.
As soon as Ned Flanders entered the room, Homer slumped back down, and tried to avert his gaze as he waved at him.
"Hidley-ho" he said, waving.
"Hidley-D'oh" Homer muttered
"Can't you show Ned some gratitude? He's taking in our kids when we pass over" Marge muttered to him.
"I can understand where Homer's coming from Marge, but he needn't be afraid, I'll keep a keen eye on your little angels, especially the one that could turn into a demon"
"You did so well looking out for Bart before that whole dome business, you have to forgive Homer for feeling a little envious about that, it's his job as a parent to step into those shoes, but he always has difficulty slipping into them"
"They're big shoes; I hope I can fill them" Ned said, hopeful for the task ahead.
"Homer, do you want to say something to Ned?" asked Marge.
Homer spotted Snowball II lying beside the bed; he picked her up, stuck his tongue out and allowed the cat to bite it.
Then he tried to say something.
"Cat's got his tongue, but I think what he's trying to say he thanks you" Marge said.
"Care for me to read you a few stories from the golden oldie testament?" asked Ned.
Marge took another gander at Homer.
"You don't want to know what he'd rather have the cat do to him than listen to that" she said.
Outside, Bart had finished letting everyone in and sat down to gaze at the stars, wondering if his parents would join them, and predicting that Homer would shoot back down to Earth.
He was joined by Laura Powers, his neighbour and big time crush.
"How are you keeping up champ?" she said.
"Mom and dad are the real champs"
"And together they made a big brave bundle of joy like you"
Laura threw her arm around Bart and held him close to her.
"How long do you want to stay out here counting how many are up there?" she suggested.
"The rest of my life" Bart said, giving her a fetching smile as their eyes locked.
"I can go for that too...keep waiting 'till then won't you?"
"Got a short while to go yet" said Bart.
"Whoever said life being short was altogether a bad thing?" Laura replied, and kissed him on the forehead.
In the living room, Lisa was looking through the family scrapbook, showing Maggie and Ralph Wiggum all of her parents better, healthier days.
"Your mommy's fat in a lot of those" said Ralph.
"No silly, she's just pregnant. With me" said Lisa.
"They hadn't let you out yet, you were still a prisoner"
"Inside of her, I was never more free, when I came out, it took me a while to process what it was like to be out in the world, I often felt like a prisoner as I grew up, everyone telling me what to do and how I should be"
"Then you were a man. James Dean" said Ralph.
Lisa giggled.
"Only with a cause" she said.
"Lisa...are your parents going to heaven"
"I'm a Buddhist, ask me that again"
"Will they come back?" Ralph asked
"Much better" Lisa said, preferring not to answer the question.
"I hope they do" Ralph said, prompting Lisa to give him a soft kiss on the lips.
Reverend Lovejoy entered the living room, beckoning Lisa and Ralph to the staircase. Bart was with her.
"They don't have much time, you'd best join them" he said.
Bart and Lisa entered the bedroom to find Homer and Marge lying as still as they'd ever been barely any strength or energy left within them anymore.
"Lisa, did you read the mail?" Marge wearily said.
"I checked it this morning, your script was approved mom, and they're going to film the episode in a couple of days"
"I don't trust them to pull it off, the actors are so dry" Marge said.
"Get me some water, I'd rather drown than die dry" Homer said.
"There's no time Homer, we're about to go somewhere we'll never want or need anything again, kids come here"
The kids clambered on top of the bed, Lovejoy handed Maggie over to Marge she cradled her sweet child one final time and handed her to Lisa and Bart.
"If you want to think we're over in Neverland, if you want to think we're somebody else, if you want to think we earned our place in line at the gates, then think, above all of that, that we'll always be looking out for you, until such time you join us. Know that wherever we are, your song will be always be sung by us"
"How much longer?" Homer said.
Marge smiled at him.
"That's up to the dawn" she said.
And as night turned to day, something ends, and something new begins, for everyone.
