I do not own Ratched.
I do not own my angel boy Huck. But I love him
Huck Finnigan Lives Again: A Ratched Fairytale
Green Beans and Dancing Dates
He's a regular at the Miller's Sunday dinnertable now.
Around a massive dining room table.
That seats the Mr. and Mrs. Gracious Hosts.
". . . nourishment of our bodies. Amen."
And their offspring.
"Amen."
Their offspring's chosen partners.
"Ralph, tell us about being a company man."
"Oh, well, you know not really alot to tell. Promotion may be around the corner in a few months."
"Well, that's good, that's good."
And their offspring's offspring.
"Eat your beans, Sally."
All in a relatively calm . . .
"I don't want to, Mama. They taste like grass."
. . . and agreeable . . .
"How do you know what grass tastes like?"
. . . companionship.
"The dog told me."
For the most part.
"Would you like more mashed potatoes, Huck?"
"Yes, Mrs. Miller. Thank you."
"Soooo, Huck, how are things going at the hospital? Grace tells me you're practically running the place these days."
"Oh, well, I don't know about that. But, uh, I'm trying to do what I can for the good of our patients. And staff."
Quiet for a moment, the contented sounds of people enjoying good food.
Grace is to his right, blue-green-green-blue eyes sparkling at him, adoring smile curling her closed lips.
To his left, Mr. Miller, all slightly disheveled graying hair and easy smile.
Who seems to not worry much about the ruined monster mask he's faced with.
"You know, I sure was sorry to hear about your Mr. Harrison. I know you all worked so hard to help him."
But instead focusing on the man himself.
Which Huck Finnigan . . .
"Yes, sir. We did."
. . . greatly appreciates.
"Sometimes, uh, sometimes what's going to happen happens, you know? There's no stopping it. It's, uh, it's the time in between that matters."
Huck swallows a lump in his throat that's not food or drink.
"Yes, sir. I know."
His hands are on the table, fork and knife stilled for the moment.
He feels a warmth, a pressure, a human contact that wasn't there before.
And knows . . .
Grace-
. . . that it's her.
"Sooo, think it'll rain this week?"
"Oh, uh, I don't know. Maybe."
"Whether it does not, I believe that grass out there is gonna grow and grow."
"Yes, sir. I believe it will."
Speaking of work, they're trying again.
The staff and patients of St. Lucia's Rehabilitation Center. They're trying again because that's why they do.
They've done shuffleboard.
They've done morning walks.
They've done movie night.
"No Sign of the Cross."
"Goodness, no. Who ever would?"
And now they're going back to the one genuine . . .
"You think so?"
"Yes. Everyone seemed to be really enjoying it until Mr. Tolleson pulled the gun."
. . . disaster . . .
"Where did he ever get that gun in the first place?"
"I just don't know."
. . . Huck Finnigan still can't figure out.
"Well, hopefully things won't go so south as they did before."
"Lightening can't strike twice in the same place, can it?"
"Goodness, I hope not."
And it doesn't.
No manic Dr Hanover, no hysterical Betsy Bucket.
No desperate con escape attempt.
No deafening bang followed by terrified, confused screams.
No nearly dead governor's assistant.
And not even any awkward dancing . . .
"You spin that girl, William Holden. You spin her or I'll cut in and have you spin me."
. . . with a nurse who couldn't love him . . .
"It's Huck, Mrs. Kee. Remember?"
. . . in the way that he had thought he wanted . . .
"You spin that girl, William Holden!"
. . . her to.
Huck Finnigan glances to Grace, light as air in his arms.
Oh, I love you.
And grins lopsidedly.
I love you so much.
Grace, the picture of beauty, who grins back.
"I guess you better spin me."
He chuckles.
"She wins one shuffleboard competition-"
And then he spins her.
Slow and easy, smooth and graceful.
Is his Grace.
Dark blue and white dotted number she wore when they first danced and he first kissed her twirling out prettily as she glides.
Her beautiful, smiling, delighted face . . .
Hello again.
. . . coming back 'round to his again.
And she's really the most beautiful creature . . .
"Atta boy, William Holden."
. . . he's ever . . .
"Thank you, Mrs. Kee."
. . . seen in his entire . . .
"You gonna dip her now?"
"Mrs. Kee-"
. . . life.
"Are you enjoying the evening, Miss Dannon?"
"Oh yes. When I was alive, used to go to parties all the time."
"You're still alive, Miss Dannon."
"You're very nice, Mr. Finnigan. You go enjoy your lady friend. She's lovely. I hope she stays alive a long, long time."
She is twenty-four, intelligent and kind and absolutely beautiful.
He is thirty, closing in on thirty-one in a handful of months.
A divorcee, a war vet, and he has half a human face.
And for some inexplicable reason, . . .
"I love you, Huck."
"I love you, Grace."
. . . she loves him just as he is.
"Good night."
"Good night."
Sign of the Cross, AHS Asylum fans? ;)
And honestly, pick what you like but my fav part of the part of this chapter is Mrs. Kee.
You let me know yours, please?
Thanks to Little Baby Fox for a most enthusiastic review, that honestly made my day.
Thanks also to Conbird and DinahRay for reviewing as well.
You're all just a delight. :)
See you again soon!
