It Could Happen To You - Part 4
Everyone was completely shocked by the news of Ellie's death. They each mourned in a different way. Chandler would burst into tears whenever he saw a picture of her or anyone talked about her. Paddy sat in his room, gazing at the window, the tears rolling silently down his face. Denny would walk aimlessly about the house - looking for his sister. And then there was Monica. She didn't do anything, literally. She didn't cry, she didn't talk, she didn't eat, she didn't even sleep. She just sat there, on the sofa, staring straight in front of her. The family could handle it for the first few days but when it had gone on for over 3 weeks they started to get worried. Everyone had done their grieving, even though they did mourn sometimes. Chandler decided to take her to the pyschiatrist, which they had been to see a few times before.
The pyschiatrist's office was painted a pale yellow. The carpet was cream and in a line to the desk you could see where the clumsy receptionist had spilt coffee and not bothered to clear it up. In the corner was a large, wooden bookcase with big, hardback books - most about pyschiatry. Opposite the bookcase was a sofa with some toys for children to play with. Underneath the window, which was opposite the wall where the door was, was a large, comfy swivel chair. The chair was at a desk and on the other side of the desk were two other chairs. The desk was a msess with papers, books, a phone and computer. A name block faced towards the two chairs. It read Dr Pat Faithwate.
"Ah, it's the Bing family." Dr Pat said. She was a medium height woman with copper hair and green eyes.
"That's right." Chandler said and went foward to shake her hand. The boys nodded politely but Monica didn't do anything, she just stared in front of her. "Kids, why don't you go and play?" They walked over to the toys and started to play with them.
"Please, take a seat." Pati said, indicating to the two chairs. She sat in her own chair and leaned back. Chandler pulled out a chair and Monica sat down in it, still silent. Chandler sat down in the other chair.
"Tell me, Chandler, how are you?"
"I'm fine. Well, not fine but better than I was. I can just about survive when I see a picture of her." Chandler smiled. Pat nodded, pleased with his progress.
"And, Monica, how are you?" Pat asked. Monica remained silent, her face was expressionless. This was hopeless. They had been to see Pat 4 times now and everytime she came to Monica it was the same response. Pat decided to try a different tactic.
"Monica, what did you like best about Ellie?"
Monica's expressionless face softened. Her eyes became warm and she smiled, remembering Ellie.
"Her smile. Whenever Ellie smiled it made you smile too. Even if you were in a bad mood. I remember, once, I had just come home from work. It had been a horrible day and it was raining. I opened the door and found Ellie standing there, a smile from ear to ear. She was just happy to see me."
"That's good. Well done, Monica." Pat smiled at her and Monica smiled back. Chandler smiled as well and reached for Monica's hand. Giving it a tiny squeeze, Monica turned to look at him. They talked silently with their eyes. Then they smiled at each other. They knew that their relationship was building back up again.
"Have you decided on funeral arrangements yet?"
"Well, we've decided that the funeral will be 2 weeks today - and you are welcome." Monica told her.
"I'll be honoured to be there." Pat said, smiling at them. Chandler and Monica stood up and put their coats on.
"Come on, kids!" Monica called over her shoulder to the two boys. Chandler mouthed thank you to Pat before closing the door behind him.
It was a long and tiring 2 weeks. Everyday there were news bulletins about how they were trying to find the killer. About every other day Monica or Chandler went down to the lake. The mass of flowers were growing day by day. By now there were over a 1000 bunches, along with cards and toys. It bought a sad smile to their faces when they realised how much everyone cared.
It was early Saturday afternoon, just 1 month after Ellie had run away. Monica was clearing the table and Chandler was loading the dishwasher. Paddy and Denny were sitting at the table, waiting to be excused. It was a rule in their household. No one was allowed to leave the table until everything had been cleared up. Just as Chandler closed the door to the dishwasher, the doorbell rang. Monica wiped her hands and walked through the living room to get to the hall. She opened the door and found Spud and Terri behind it. Terri was a tall girl with blonde hair and green eyes.
"Hi Mrs Bing!" They said together.
"Hello, you two. Please come in." She held the door open and ushered them into the living room. Sitting down on the sofa they glanced at each other. Monica came in with Chandler, Denny and Paddy. "How can we help you?"
"Well," stared Terri, "We was wonderin' if me and 'im could sing a song for Ellie."
"What sort of song?" Chandler asked.
"Well we thought 2 of her favourite songs." Spud said. Chandler and Monica looked at each other and talked with their eyes. Finally Monica turned to look at them.
"That'll be fine." She said, smiling at them.
They stood up, said goodbye to the Bings and left.
The Bings looked at each other and gave each other sad smiles. In a weeks time Ellie would be gone for good.