Chapter 3: Arriving Home

When the plane landed, Tracey and Carla emerged into the terminal and got their bags from the claim area. Then they took a taxi to the dock where they were to catch a ferry that would take them to Pinkin Island. As they arrived at the dock and were heading for the ferry, Carla tried once again to comfort Tracey.

"Hey. We're here now. We'll be at your house very soon. You okay? You seem tired." Carla said.

"Yeah. I am a little beat. I only slept for about four hours last night and I really didn't sleep that well." Tracey admitted.

"Well, maybe after we get settled in and you get to see your mother then you can lie down for a while and try to take a nap. It may make you feel better."

"I don't think I can. Everytime I close my eyes I see the pain in my mother's eyes the day that I ran out on my family. It's been haunting me ever since my dad called yesterday."

"I understand how you feel but I also know that you aren't going to do anyone any good if you exhaust yourself. You need to try and get some rest later."

"Maybe. I hope that if I do get some rest I'm not just setting myself up for more nightmares." Tracey sighed.

"I'm sure you won't be. Hey, here we are on Pinkin Island. You sure lived at a pretty place, Tracey." Carla observed as the ferry docked and the couple stepped off.

"Well, the house isn't too far from here so why don't we walk."

"Ok. Let's go."

Five minutes later, the couple arrived outside Tracey's childhood home. Tracey's heart was in his throat as they approached the front door and he rang the doorbell. Moments later a girl with light brown hair, who looked to be about five years younger than Tracey, opened the door for them and rushed forward to embrace him.

"Tracey! I'm so glad you're here. Momma has been asking for you. I was worried that you wouldn't get here in time." Evelyn Sketchit paused for a moment as she noticed the young woman standing beside her brother. "Who's this?"

"It's okay Evey. I'm here now. That's all that matters. This is my girlfriend Carla. Carla, this is my sister, Evelyn." Tracey said distantly.

"Nice to meet you, Evelyn. I'm sorry to hear about what is happening with your mother." Carla said as she smiled at the younger woman.

"Thanks. Why don't you guys come in? You must be tired from the travel. Dad told me that you came all the way from Pallet Town." Evelyn smiled as she moved aside to allow the two to enter.

"Who was at the door, Evelyn? Tracey! Am I glad to see you! Mom just asked me if you were here yet. She's trying to hang on as long as possible." The new speaker was a young boy who appeared to be about twelve years old and was practically a mirror image of Tracey.

"I'm here now. Bobby, this is my girlfriend, Carla. Carla, my brother Bobby."

"Nice to meet you."

"Same here." Bobby smiled as he turned to look down the hallway. "Dad! Tracey's here!"

Moments later, Ray appeared from the back of the house and approached his children.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Tracey. I really appreciate you coming." The older man stepped forward and embraced his oldest son for a moment.

"I couldn't stay away when Mom needed me. Where is she?" Tracey asked.

"Back here in the bedroom. This way."

As Tracey followed his father into the room, his heart skipped a beat when he saw his mother. She looked very pale and fragile and it scared him to death.

"Aurora. Tracey's here, sweetheart." Ray whispered to his wife.

"Tracey. Come sit next to me, honey." Aurora motioned to a spot next to her on the bed and Tracey carefully moved and sat close to her.

"I'll leave you two alone."

"I'm so glad you came. I really wanted to see you because there is something that I have been wishing I could tell you for years."

"I heard that you needed me so I came as soon as I could. What did you want to tell me, Mom?" Tracey asked, his voice cracking with emotion.

"I wanted to apologize to you. I know that I hurt you terribly by not siding with you the day you left seven years ago. I should have told you to follow your dreams. I am so proud of how successful you've become." Aurora's voice was very weak and Tracey had to lean forward to even hear her. He took his mother's hand carefully in his own and held it as tightly as he dared.

"I understand why you did. I'm the one who needs to be apologizing. I never should have run out on you, no matter how bad things got. I know it was hard on you watching me leave."

"It was but I knew that you were doing what you had to do. I want you to know that I have thought about you every day and we have all followed your accomplishments very closely. I'm so glad that I got to see you one last time."

"I love you, Mom." Tracey said.

"I love you too." With those last words Aurora closed her eyes and her breathing stopped.

Tracey reached down and felt for his mother's pulse and was heartbroken when he didn't find it. He laid his head on his mother's chest and released his tears into her gown.

"Goodbye." Tracey whispered through his tears.