Part 2
[I'm baaaaaack! Did you miss me? Hopefully you did! Anyway, I had mucho things going on the last four-five weeks. My two final projects, my Sweet 16 party, studying for the one final I have left. But now, here I am, ready to write again, and probably all through summer! Let's get this party started right! J/K. So, here is part 2. Please e-mail me if you would like to help me with the problem I'm having w/ my series. Thank you and good night!]
Rachel thought that the last week had been the longest of her life. Of anyone's life, actually. The authorities had official declared all the passengers of the airplane dead, being that no survivors were found, and a few bodies had been.
Chandler hadn't been doing too well, she knew. He spent the first week once in a while, when he was alone, crying. Other than that, he was pretty much just in some other world, and obviously upset. She had been taking care of Sam and Audrey the past two nights, and before that, they had been in Ross' care. Chandler had insisted that he could take care of his own kids, but they thought it was easier for him this way.
Ross, too, was having a hard time. He and Monica had had their moments as kids, but now they were really close. Or were really close. And Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe didn't have an easy time with it, either.
Since there was no body, the decided not to have a funeral, but instead, a memorial service.
A week after the accident, exactly, Sam and Audrey went back home. No one had told them about their mom. Sam kept asking when she would be home, and shouldn't she have come home by now?' But they all thought Chandler should be the one to tell them. And no one else wanted to have to be the one to tell them anyway.
Chandler wondered how in the world he was going to tell a two and an almost five-year-old that their mother was never coming home. After she had left promising them that she would be home so soon they wouldn't even notice. He was sure as anything Audrey wouldn't even understand.
That night, he sat them down on the couch. Sam complaining that he wanted to go play, and Audrey whining that she wanted ice-cream.
Okay, you guys, he started out. We have to talk just for a minute, then you can do whatever you want. If you still feel like it, that is, he added. How am I going to do this? he wondered. I haven't even gotten used to the idea yet.
Why wouldn't we? Sam asked, confused.
You'll see. We need to talk about Mommy, Chandler said, trying his very best to keep his voice from cracking.
Yeah, where is she? Sam asked, annoyed. She said she would be home before I noticed she was gone, and she's not!
Well, it seems she had to change her plans, Chandler said.
Like how? Sam asked.
Okay, guys, look, here's the deal. Do you know what it means to die?
Sam told him. My friend Lindsay's dad died. Since she said that, he hasn't come to pick her up at school anymore, Sam remembered.
Do you know why he hasn't come to pick her up anymore?
Well, I think it's because he died. But I don't know what died is, really.
Okay, well, since Sam doesn't know, I doubt that Audrey knows. Do you? he asked Audrey. She shook he head.
No. But that dog Katie has dies.
Okay, guys, dying means someone doesn't come back. They're gone. You can't see them anymore, but you can still love them. And it's not just that they leave you. If they COULD come back, they would. But they're gone.
What does this have to do with Mommy? Sam asked.
Sam.... Mommy died.
he asked.
She can't come back. And don't think she doesn't WANT to come back, but she can't. She's not a person anymore.
Not a person? No one can see her? Audrey asked.
No one. She was coming home on her airplane, and her airplane crashed. She probably got hurt really bad, and her body stopped working.
So, she's.....dead, Sam asked, his eyes starting to glass over with tears.
Unfortunately, yes, Chandler said, taking a deep breath.
Like Lindsay's Dad.
And don't dead people get buried in the ground? he asked.
Yeah. Only we aren't going to do that to Mommy, because we never found her body.
Are you okay? he asked, not sure how Sam was taking it.
Daddy, are you going to die, too? he asked.
No, Sam, no. I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be here with you and Audrey. Forever. Okay?
Sam was quiet for a second. His face slowly turned sad, and his eyes filled with tears. She's really never coming back? Chandler shook his head. That's not fair!! Sam told him, and started crying.
I know. Believe me, I know, Chandler told him, as he pulled him into a hug.
I don't think Audrey understands, Sam whispered through his tears.
No, she's too little, Chandler agreed.
I'll be upstairs. You can talk to Audrey, Sam said. He walked to the stairs, still crying. Chandler decided to let him go, and be alone for a while, while he tried to get Audrey to understand.
Hey, Auds, you know The Wizard of Oz, right, Sweetie? Lately she had been watching The Wizard of Oz nonstop, but skipping the scary parts. Chandler figured maybe she'd understand better if he used an example from the movie.
she said, getting excited at the mention of the movie.
Well, you know how at the end, the Wicked Witch melts?
Audrey nodded. She died. Chandler nodded, gad that she had offered the word died' herself. Maybe she did have a better understanding of it than he thought. It seemed even better than Sam's.
Well, sweetie, that's.....that's what happened to Mommy.
She melts? Audrey asked, her face showing her confusion.
No, honey. She didn't melt. And she's not a bad witch. But she died.
But she not a movie! Audrey protested.
No, that's true. But sometimes things happen, and people die.
Mommy's not even a witch!
I know, Sweetie.
That's sad! Audrey said. I want Mommy back.
I know, he said. So do I.
* * * * * * *
After the memorial service, Chandler was carrying Audrey, and holding Sam's hand, looking for Rachel who had wanted to talk to him.
Audrey missed her mom, but didn't quite understand the whole situation. Sam, however, did, and spent a lot of time crying, or very upset.
As he was dragging them around, looking for Rachel, Audrey was beginning to fall asleep on his shoulder, and Sam was getting anxious, obviously wanting to go home, and be left alone; away from all the people telling him they would miss his mother, and how sorry they were. But by now, most of the people had left, and the few who did remain didn't have anything more to say to them. They just gave them sad looks and walked on.
By the time he found Rachel, Audrey was asleep, and Sam was slowing down with every step.
Rachel said. Hey! Sorry I took so long. I was talking to some lady who worked with Monica...... her voice trailed off as she mentioned her name. Sorry. Well, anyway I wanted to if you need anyone to take the kids for a night or two. I mean, I know it's gotta be hard enough, but with two kids to deal with..... Joey offered, too, she added.
Thanks for the offer, Rach, but I think I'm okay. I mean, they're gonna be with me forever, and I'm never gonna stop missing Monica, so I gotta get used to it. But thanks anyway.
she leaned down to Sam, who probably thought she was just another face offering condolences. But this was Rachel, and she knew that wasn't what he needed. You take care, kiddo. If you wanna come visit me, or talk or anything, that's fine. Okay?
Okay. Thanks Auntie Rachel, he said. She patted him on the head, then she turned to Audrey, who had awoken due to the conversation. Same goes for you, too, girly, okay?
Audrey agreed, smiling, most likely having no idea what she was agreeing to. Rachel left then, and then Chandler was alone. Sam looked up at him.
Are we going home now? he asked.
Chandler said. Sam frowned.
Why the frown? I thought that's what you've wanted all day? Chandler said.
Not really. If we go home, we're just gonna see Mommy's things, and that's even sadder. Chandler gave him a small smile. He knew that feeling all too well. Not only that, but being home gave him more time to think, and remember she was dead.
He switched Audrey to his other side, and then took them home. The car ride home was silent, even though both Sam and Audrey were wide awake.
* * * * *
Three days later, Sam was still as miserable as before. Audrey, too, had noticed how the house was different without her mother, and was sad and lonely, not bothering to talk to anyone much. she asked one night. Does this mean ice-cream for dinner every night?
No. It means I'm gonna have to cook us some real dinner, Chandler said.
Good, because ice-cream for dinner gets kinda icky after a while, Sam told them. And I'd miss chewing. That was the first attempt at a joke Chandler had heard Sam make in a long time.
Hey, Sam?
he asked, looking up from the table.
You know those puppies that Michael's dog just had?
Sam said, not showing much interest.
Well, you still want one?
Sam's face lit up Yeah!!! DUH, Dad!!! Yeah!
Well, I know this may not be the best time for it, but it's now or never with the puppies, because soon someone is gonna adopt them, Chandler said.
But, would, uh, Mom want that? It feels like we're lying to her.
Sam, all she's ever wanted is for you to be happy. And I feel incredibly guilty about doing this, now, but I know she'd want you to have that dog. Before she left for Rome, we had actually talked about it.....
Yeah. And she seemed like she was all for it.
I always KNEW you guys were good parents! He hugged Chandler, and he was glad he was happy. But he couldn't help but feel that this was not a good time to be adding a pet to the family. He tried to push it to the back of his mind. Truth was, he knew that Monica agreed about the dog. And he knew that she would want her kids happy instead of upset. But he still felt somewhat guilty.
* * * * * * * *
The next day, Sam and Audrey had picked out the puppy. It was really small, and light brown with white patches. They both had agreed on the puppy they wanted, no doubt in their mind. Trying to name it was another matter. Audrey suggested naming it Mommy, and Sam said that was dumb and made her cry. Chandler then explained to her that Mommy was a girls name, and the puppy was a boy. So then Sam suggested naming it Scooby Doo, and Audrey told HIM it was a stupid name. So then Chandler had to tell her to be nice. He knew the naming process was going to take forever at this rate.
That night, Joey and Annabel came over, along with Jake, to see the puppy.
Personally? I think you should name him Joseph!
Don't listen to him, Chandler told Sam and Audrey. If he had his way, you two would be Joseph and Josephine, he said. Sam rolled his eyes.
Annabel agreed. And Jake would be Joseph, too!
The next kid, Annabel. Joseph Jr. or Josephine. Or, hey, JOY! he said, realizing another possibility. Annabel rolled her eyes. Come on! he whined. I mean, okay, other people's kids, I don't expect them to name them after me. But ours? That's my only chance!!
So now your trying to get the dog named after you? Annabel asked.
Well it's not like Chandler and Monica are ever going to go for..... he stopped after realizing what he had said. Sam and Audrey had long fled the room with the dog. The adults remained silent. I'm sorry, man, I didn't mean.... Joey began.
It's okay, Chandler said. It just slips. I understand. I do it, too.
It sucks, huh? Annabel said. When my father died, I remember, it was all sad. Then something would happen, and everyone would have a good laugh. Since they were having fun, the sadness seems like a dream. That person is still alive. Then you remember and fell TOTALLY guilty, and dumb. And sad. All over again.
I know. You know what's the worst? Knowing Audrey's not going to remember her. Sam probably won't, either. That's the worst part. After all she's gone through for them, they won't even know her, even though they know her right now.
* * * * * *
On the island, they had managed to build some little shelter. Seems that Simon, one of the other survivors, was a contractor. He knew how to build stuff, and did so using things they found from the airplane wreckage. It wasn't the next condominium, but it was something.
A lot of bags, suitcases, and stuff, washed up on the shore of the island. Inside where clothes that they were able to wear. The found cell phones, but were dead. If only there was such a thing, and they had found, a solar powered, water proof cell phone.
Kathy seemed to think her husband was going to come find her. They were rich and had their own plane. After a week, she gave up on him, and was hitting on Bruce. Everyone thought that it was strange of her to just move on like that. It wasn't until a few days later, that Bruce realized something that made them all think.
All our families... our friends.....they all....think we're dead. Had our funerals and memorial services. They're all are crying, kids crying over lost parents. They think we're dead and never coming back.
