July 8th, 2002
Week 16
The sun trickled through the leaves of the large oak tree in the back of the Carter compound. Bobby Carter jumped from a branch. He adjusted the crown on his head and picked up the plastic sword. He had to dodge any pirates that might show up. He tip toed around the tree and felt the tip of another plastic sword in his back.
"I got you!" Eight year old John Carter cried. Bobby turned around and smiled.
"You didn't kill me though." Bobby raised his knife. John gasped and raised his knife. The two Carter boys started to sword fight. Twelve years old, Eileen walked out to the back yard.
"John. Bobby. Momma said to knock it off." She said crossing her arms, "You'll get hurt." John and Bobby exchanged looks.
"Capture the Wench!!!" Bobby cried. Eileen's eyes widened.
"No! Don't you dare touch me!" She cried and ran up the stairs. The boys giggled wildly and ran after her. Eileen screamed running into the house. A very young Millicent laughed as the children ran past her. It did her well to see such happy little children sometimes. Eleanor stepped out of the library with a nasty look on her face.
"Stop that this instant!" She snapped. The boys and Eileen halted in their steps.
"I told them to stop, Mother." She said. The boys exchanged looks and rolled their eyes.
"You should know better." She frowned deeply, "Go get washed up this instant." Eleanor took Bobby's arm. "Are you all right son?"
"I was having fun." He pouted and ran to the bathroom Eleanor looked at John.
"What do you want?" She asked.
"You should let us play more, Mom." He said, "Gamma doesn't mind really."
"Your father wants it to be quiet here." She said. John bit his lip, "Go get washed up now, John."
"Yes, Momma." He muttered and ran to the bathroom. The kids looked at him.
"What did she say?" Bobby asked.
"That daddy needed it to be quiet." John said washing his hands. Eileen rolled her eyes.
"I swear, he's going to work himself into a grave."
"Daddy's gonna die?" Bobby asked.
"It's a figure of speech stupid." Eileen said. John left the bathroom as the two Carter children bickered back and forth. He went into the dining room where Millicent was reading a newspaper.
"Gamma?" John walked up to her. Millicent smiled softly and put John on her lap.
"What can I do for my favorite grandson?" She asked. John grinned exposing his missing front tooth.
"What about Bobby and Chase?" He giggled.
"I love them too." Millicent winked. "What do you need, Pumpkin?"
"Well…If Momma hates me so much why did God give me to her?" He asked. Millicent frowned deeply.
"Why do you think your mother hates you?" She asked. John shrugged.
"She's sort of nice to Eileen because she's the only girl and she's nice to bobby because I don't know, but she's nice to him, but she doesn't love me." He said.
"Sure she does." Millicent said.
"She doesn't say it to me the same way she does the others." The little child sighed heavily. "Why did god give me to her?" Millicent hugged him gently.
"Because he wanted me to have a wonderful grandson." She tickled his nose; "I love you so much John. You're a very special little boy. You have the John Carter name and you have the Carter spirit. I will always always love you John. You understand?" John smiled softly and nodded.
"I love you too, Gamma." He hugged his grandmother.
* * *
John shuffled into the bathroom as the alarm woke Jing-Mei up. She groaned slightly throwing the clock on the ground. John chuckled slightly as he turned the water on. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end and he heart started to pound.
"Deb, you guys okay?" He asked.
"We're tired." She groaned. "I want to quit work and become a professional sleeper." John snickered slightly.
"I'll see what I can do." He smiled getting ready to shave himself. The phone rang. "Who would be calling at this hour?"
"Someone insane." Jing-Mei said answering the phone. "Hello? Oh Jackson, good morn-…What?" John listened as she spoke on the phone. She got suddenly quiet. Her voice got sadder. "Thank you. We will." Jing-Mei hauled herself out of the bed and walked into the bathroom. "John…"
"What's wrong?" He asked looking at the sad look in her eyes.
"It's Gamma." She said softly. John blood ran cold.
"Gamma? What…what happened?" He whispered.
"She…She had an episode. She thought your grandfather was in the garden and she went out there." Jing-Mei said softly, "Gamma went out there in the rain storm. Now, she's terribly ill, John."
"How ill?" He whispered.
"She has severe pneumonia." She said, "and with her age and medical history…." John closed his eyes.
"She can't be. She needs to be here for the birth." He whispered. Jing-Mei bit her lip and walked up to him.
"We should go to the house and be with her." She said softly.
"I…I knew something was wrong. I knew something wasn't right." He whispered.
"Let's go." Jing-Mei said softly.
* * *
John slowly walked into his grandmother's room. She looked so pale and frail. He sat at her bedside and pushed her grey hair off of her face.
"Gamma." He whispered. She slowly opened her eyes.
"John." She whispered hoarsely. It was good that she knew who he was. "What are you doing here?"
"You're sick Gamma." He said softly, "I wanted to be here with you."
"Where's Charles?" She asked. John sighed.
"He's dead. Gamma." John said. Millicent's lip quivered. "You're sick, okay?"
"I'm fine." She said coughing.
"No you're not." He said, "You have a high fever and your lungs are filled up. We're keeping oxygen close just in case." Millicent looked at John with hurt eyes.
"This is it isn't it?" She whispered/ John's heart broke as drew in a deep breath.
"I…I hope not." He whispered. Her lip trembled slightly.
"I'll see my love again." She whispered. Tears started to fill in John's eyes. Millicent took John's hand. "I love you so much John. You're a very special little boy to me and so will your babies. You have the John Carter name and you have the Carter spirit. I will always always love you John. You understand?" John nodded slowly as tears trickled down his face.
"I know, Gamma." He said softly, "Just… hang on as long as you want to. If it gets too hard….Let go." He whispered. Millicent smiled softly and closed her eyes.
"I'm tired." She whispered.
"Sleep." He said softly, "I will be right here when you awake. I won't leave." John closed his eyes as he held her hand. He hoped this time would never come, but obviously is was coming.
* * *
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