A/N Well these last chapters are a lot shorter than most of my chapters. But they seem to cover everything that is needed. Thank you guys all for your reviews. I told you these last chapters were emotional ones (and this one is no exception).

To Becca – If you make it through the rest of this without crying I'll be really impressed! Cause like I said, I bawled after every chapter!

Thanks again to everyone who has been with me all this time. I'm still amazed you all stuck with me this long and reviewed so much. Have to tell you all it is a wonderful feeling! So thank you.

Kelby

Chapter 107

"Collin." Mark shook him in the dark. "Collin wake up."

"Five more minutes." He mumbled as he pulled the pillow over his head.

"No, Collin wake up." He told him, flipping on the light and starting to dig through Collin's dresser, pulling out clothes.

"What time is it?"

"Almost three. Here put on your jeans. We're taking a road trip."

"A road trip? Where are we going?" He sat up, confused.

"Cleveland."

"But what about school?"

"Don't worry about it. Hurry up and get dressed. You can sleep in the car."

By three thirty they were on their way out of the city heading towards Interstate 80. Somewhere in Pennsylvania Mark pulled off. "I need coffee."

"Are we there yet?" Collin asked from the back seat.

"No were just getting breakfast." Roger told him as he stepped out of the SUV.

They were just about to go in when Mark's phone ran. He looked down at the caller ID. "That's Jen. You guys go ahead, order me coffee." He told them as he flipped open his phone. "Good morning Jennifer."

"Good morning! Don't give me that crap! What the hell is going on Mark?" She yelled into the phone. "Jason comes down here last night and tells us about Roger. And then I get up this morning to find a note on our door. 'Jen – went to Cleveland, I'll call later.' What the hell is that? What's going on? Where are you?"

"Somewhere in Pennsylvania."

"Well what's going on?"

"Roger decided he wanted to take Collin to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame." He shrugged.


"What? In the middle of the night? Why?"

"Because it was important to him."

"Oh." She was silent for a moment. "Are you okay Marky?"

He let out a long sigh. "I don't know. I got so much running through my head right now…"

"I know. When are you guys coming back?"

"I don't know. A few days."

"Okay. Well be careful. And call if you need anything."

"Okay. Thanks Jen. I'll talk to you soon." He hung up the phone and walked into the restaurant. Before he even saw them he heard Roger hacking away. It was a sound he was quickly beginning to hate.

By early afternoon they made it to Cleveland. They found a hotel and got two rooms. Mark took Collin to Wal-Mart to buy bathing suits so they could go swimming in the indoor pool.

As they drove back towards the hotel Mark kept glancing at Collin. He was such a smart kid he had to have known something was up. Even for them, getting up in the middle of the night to drive to Cleveland was odd. He figured he should find out what the kid was thinking at least. "So how you doing kiddo?"

"Okay. Mattie will be sorry he missed this."

"Well, maybe some other time."

"Yeah. Maybe." He stared out the window. Without looking back he spoke to Mark. "My Dad's getting sicker isn't he?" He asked softly.

Mark sighed. "Yes he is."

Collin nodded. "Is he going to die soon?"

"I don't know." Mark tried to explain. "Eventually yes, he is going to die."

"That's why he wanted to come here isn't it. He always said someday he'd take me to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We came now so he didn't die first." Tears started rolling down his cheeks.

Mark pulled the car over. "Come on, don't get all upset on me. Please?"

"It's not fair! I don't want him to die!" Collin cried.

Mark pulled him over into a hug. "I know. I don't either."

***************

The next morning after breakfast Roger and Collin left for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"What are Mom and Uncle Mark gonna do all day?"

Roger shrugged. "You know your Uncle Mark. Probably convince your mom to go to a movie with him."

"Probably." He looked out the window as they pulled into the parking lot of the Hall of Fame. Suddenly the reality of why he was here hit him all over again and it was too much for the thirteen-year-old to take. Roger turned the car off just as Collin grabbed his arm and started bawling. "Dad I don't want you to die!"

"I know. And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Collin." He hugged him. "But I can't help it."

"I'm gonna miss you."

"I'm gonna miss you too."

"It's not fair!" He kicked his foot hard against the dashboard while wiping at his eyes. "Why does everybody in our family die? It's just not fair." He sobbed harder.

Roger didn't know what to say. What could he say? Collin was right. He had already lost a lot with Maureen and Collins. And the way that had affected everyone. Now here he was dying on him too. He hated himself for that.

After awhile Roger got Collin calmed down enough to go inside. They looked at everything. And talked about everything. The exhibits. Roger. Collin. Cass and Mark. What it would be like when he was gone. Everything. Roger saw the tears come to Collin's eyes more than once during the day. He felt it in his own too. By the end of the day they were both physically and mentally exhausted. But Roger felt good. Like the whole day had somehow been successful. Somehow made things better. For both of them.