DISCLAIMER:
Why do I still bother with these? We don't own Pokemon. How would
we get the power to do that?
A/N: Okay okay, stop pelting the
tomatoes already! I KNOW it's been nearly a year since we updated
this and for that we are incredibly sorry. It's gotten hard, I've
been without a computer and for the most part I talk to Grocko maybe
once a month, whereas before it was once a day, lol. So please
forgive us, we honestly appreciate and thrive on the support you guys
have given us. I've received dozens of emails asking for an update
and I'm so so sorry it's taken this long. But hopefully you'll
agree it was worth it! Read on and enjoy!
Chapter
6 – Funeral & Frustration
"It's a long hard road
to the promised land, when you fear in your heart what you don't
understand."
--Eric "Brock" Stuart--"A Bad Seed To
Sow."
The
car pulled up outside the huge building, just before 10 am that
morning. The short ten minute drive was done so in silence. Brock
ever keeping his eyes on the road, Andrea asleep in the back seat,
with myself blankly staring out the window in my own little world
watching the deserted streets go by. Ash for his part respected that
I needed this time for reflection and didn't utter a word,
surprising as it sounds. He just kept his hand on my knee throughout
the drive, assuring me he was there when I needed him.
The
whole concept of time seem to elapse too quickly for my likening as
before I knew it I had found both Ash and myself standing to the
entrance of the huge building with our goodbyes to Brock being
uttered not but seconds earlier, as he had quickly departed, thus
taking Andrea away from this place, this place of sorrow and
despair.
For what seemed like an eternity I just stood there
blankly staring into nothingness, amply followed by the choking back
of an inhaled sob, trying desperately to maintain my composure in a
bid to brace myself for what was to come. I stole a glance around me
to find Ash intently staring at me worriedly, his arms folded, not
sure how or what to say to aid me through my inner turmoil at this
time. He seemed to stall a moment before finally speaking
up.
"Misty..." he mouthed softly. I cast my eyes upon him
before reverting them back to the building, and then simply uttered
two simple words.
"Hold me" I whimpered softly, to which
in response he once more seemed to be rooted to the spot, somewhat
scared and uneasy about doing or saying the wrong thing within this
moment. He hastily approached me, wrapping me in his arms. I buried
my head into his chest as I stood there trying to take some shred of
comfort to his kind words and gentle touch.
"I realize this will be nothing but a cliche to you at this time honey, but the pain you're feeling will pass in time...it will pass in time..."he whispered softly as I merely stood there letting the rain cascade upon me while trying to take what shred of comfort of which I could from the one I loved.
Once
we had mustered the mental resolve to enter the building we were
shocked to discover that the services were running somewhat late on
this morn, and due to the constricting time span of the whole
process, of which you could tell right away my mother had flung
together on the cheap, we found ourselves taking part in the wake /
keegar whatever others call it before the actual service in the
reception of the building's main hall.
You could cut the
tension with a knife. Numerous strangers and bickering family members
assembled in a huge hall brought together for a purpose no one wanted
to be there for. I for my part was a nervous wreck. I kept looking
towards my sisters awaiting a cold glare, or some sort of sarcastic
look as my mother seemed to ignore my presence completely, engrossed
in conversations and taking in sympathy from anyone who was everyone
who would give it to her
"My God! How much longer are they
going to make us wait, acting out this bloody charade!" I blurted
out bitterly as Ash approached me with a plate of food.
"Misty,
calm down will you? No one has said anything to you. Besides, you
can't exactly speed along other peoples bereavement." I sighed as
I took the plate from him. He was right, I was being totally narrow
minded here. I was not the only person within the community suffering
on this day.
"You're right Ash, I'm sorry..." He
sighed as he grasped me by the shoulders and focused my head to face
him.
"Look, I know this is hard for you but you've got to
be strong.....you have the chance to do something here I never had -
to say goodbye. I think your father would have wanted you to with a
clear conscience, don't you? Whatever anger you're feeling,
whatever hostility you experience Mist, please for God's sake let
it go."
I gazed into his eyes wondering if he had lost his
mind. He was basically asking me to accomplish an impossible task.
How could he even stand there and ask that of me?
"Ash
Ketchum, I love you and you mean the world to me, but that's it, no
more coffee in the mornings for you" I quipped in response as he
merely proceeded to glare at me with a bemused stare.
"Misty!
I'm serious here" he warned as I placed the plate down on a near
by table and folded my arms in befuddlement.
"You've got to be kidding me here!" I said, trying hard to keep my vocal base at a steady level. He went to say something but I hastily cut him short, as my anger seemed to boil over.
"You
expect me to plaster a smile on my face and totally forget everything
those people have done to me....done to us?" I stammered as he
rubbed his hands down his face
"Will you settle down? I
wasn't implying that -" I cut him short yet again, for I just
felt as if he had unearthed a buried rage that I had been trying so
desperately to suppress for all this time.
"The
hell you weren't!" I spat out bitterly. He grasped my arms as I
went to move away from him.
"Misty will you just hear me out
for a second!" he advised as I focused my gaze back upon
him.
"Mist if life has taught me anything..." I smirked
playfully as he cut himself short. "Yeah I know at times I ain't
the sharpest knife in the drawer but just listen a sec, ok?" I
could not help but initiate a sigh of exasperation.
"Ash, in
case you haven't noticed I am at my father's funeral here so
could we move this along please?" I asked as he nodded and let go
of my arms.
"Alright, what I am trying to say here Mist
is...no matter what indiscretions they might bestow upon you, no
matter how much your sisters might snub or mistreat you and no matter
how much of a bitch your mother becomes to you.....at the end of the
day, especially during a time like this, they are still your family.
They are hurting just as much as you are. Their frustration towards
you is just their way of coping. Remember Mist, he was the girls'
father too. And yeah he was in the proceedings of divorcing your mom
but part of him must have loved her and vice versa, cause if that was
not the case...then I wouldn't have the girl I love right now." I
stood there taking in his words. I never thought within my lifetime I
would say this but Ash Ketchum sort of began to make sense!
"Mist
please, if they don't do it themselves, don't get mixed up in a
war of words today. Your dad wouldn't have wanted it that way" he
urged as he placed a hand on my cheek. I choked back an inhaled sob
as I moved my arms around his neck.
"Alright. For you...."
I whispered as I moved closer to him in a bid to merge my lips with
his but he stopped me.
"No! Don't do this for me. Hell,
don't even do it for your father. Do it for yourself sweetheart.
Prove that you're better than them. Don't raise to it" he told
me as I nodded and brushed my lips into contact with his. Our moment
of intimacy was rather abruptly interrupted by a third voice.
"Well
well, like look who's here and fashionably on time for once!" I
heard Violet chime as I whirled around in Ash's arms to be
confronted by my three sisters.
"Guys" I acknowledged with
a slight nod. "Good to see you don't let your fashion sense go to
waste considering the somber occasion" I commented, referring to
the bright dresses they wore despite the fact they were at a
funeral.
"Well Misty, we are suppose to be celebrating dad's
life today...and black is such a depressing color" Daisy commented
in a tone which I could not help detect had some sarcasm based within
it.
"Fair comment" I finally responded, resigning to the
fact I had no come back for that last statement. I let go of Ash as
Violet scanned her surroundings a second.
"So! Where's the
kid?" I took a step forward a moment, wanting to basically wipe the
floor with her for that comment, but Ash placed a hand on my
shoulder. I cast my eyes at him and seeing a slight shake of the
head, I merely cleared my throat and softly spoke.
"Her name
is Andrea, and to answer your question Brock's looking after her
this morning" I informed her as she merely nodded to my words. Lily
for her part was being awful quiet, for I detect she was still
wrestling with where her loyalties truly lied. I re-focused my gaze
on Violet as she had spotted the table I had laid my plate of food
upon. For unbeknownst to me I had placed it upon a table with
numerous other plate where located. Little did I know my sister would
be underhanded enough to use this as a catalyst to a provincial war
of words.
"Say, that food yours?" she asked,
pointing in the direction of the table. Not knowing any better I just
shrugged and nodded my head. Little did I know that was my first
mistake.
"Geez! Little sis! What's up with your
appetite lately?" Violet commented, to which Daisy suddenly
exclaimed a theory of her own.
"Like, my God! The
Casanova there hasn't knocked you up again has he?" Now I got to
say even that one took Ash aback as the phrase of, "Say what!"
escaped from the back of his throat. As for me my rage was at an all
time high.
"What did you just say!!!" I shouted as another
voice was heard.
"Alright that's enough! My God I don't
need this today.....and I might have known you were involved!" For
the voice that just spoke was my mother and yes, she was referring to
myself. She approached and stood between us.
"Now what's
the problem here?" she asked, casting her eyes around Ash and the
four of us.
"No problem "I commented, folding my arms and
taking a few steps back towards Ash.
"Hey Misty, better get
you a seat near the rest room, women in your condition and all and
with such a long service ahead." My mother whirled around at me,
her mouth agape.
"What!! You're pregnant?!" It was then
my resolve snapped.
"I'm not pregnant!!!" I roared
as even Ash decided to back off on that one.
"Now now
sis! Don't have a hissy fit! You wouldn't be the first member of
our family showing up at a funeral carrying something other than a
heavy heart and a since of bereavement" Daisy mocked as I, to put
it bluntly, had had enough. I lunged at her but was held back by Ash.
In the process something fell from my pocket to which my mother
indicated. She bent down and picked it up.
"What's
this?" she asked, picking up what I now recognized as the small
photograph I had brought with me.
"That's your
granddaughter Mrs. Waterflower" Ash commented as I went to grab it
from her but he held me at bay. My mother flipped it over and cast
her eyes upon the small picture.
"She's...
beautiful..."she muttered, to which I shifted
uncomfortably.
"Thanks" I muttered uncertainly. She
seemed to take a few seconds to stare at the object within her hands
as my sisters leaned in to get a closer look. I even got a squeal
from them which was surprising in itself.
"She has
your cheekbones" my mother commented, referring to Ash. He smiled
gratefully.
"I wonder if she'll have her mothers
zealous for life when she grows up" my mother observed as Ash
seemed to be confused at what she meant.
"And that
means?"
"Oh you know....go out, sleep around, have
under age sex..." That was all I heard as after the phrase "sleep
around" I had lunged forward and proceeded to swing my hand in an
air swift motion and as she finished her words my hand came into
contact with her face.
"You bitch!!! Just when I think
there might be a remote chance you're being Goddamn sincere!! I...."
That was all I got out as Ash had picked me up on his shoulders and
started making his way out of the room.
"Alright, won't be
long! Misty and myself are just popping out side to grab some
air...maybe retrieve her sanity while we're at it!" he shouted.
He walked outside as I repeatedly pounded on his shoulders.
"Ash
for God's sake put me down!" I hissed.
"Not until
you promise not to kill your mother!" he mused as he had arrived
within the hallway.
"Dammit! Alright" I conceded as
he put me down to face him
"It's just she makes it
so Goddamn difficult! Did you hear the thing she said?"
He
nodded. "I ain't deaf Misty" he informed me. "But the fact is
you went back on your word of earlier already" he told me. My mouth
gaped open.
"What!! You expect me to stand there and
let them slander my little girl! Forget it!"
"Misty,
don't you see what they've done? They plop the biggest piece of
bait in front of you and you've bitten like a starving piranha!"
I glared at him. "I can't believe you're turning on me over
this!" I shouted.
"I am not turning on you, Misty!
For God's sake, this town already has a screwed up picture of you!
Do you think what's just transpired in there helps your case? If
nothing it gives validation to whatever they might have said about
you."
I knew I should have listened to him.. I knew some of
what he was saying did make perfect sense. But I just couldn't
bring myself to do so, I just couldn't trust his word. My blood was
at a boil and instead of throwing my arms around him and taking what
comfort from him I could, I found myself doing the one thing I least
expected.
"When you're ready to stand up for your
daughter as am I, then come back and we'll talk." And with that I
left him in the hallway with his thoughts.
The
rest of the service went by unexpectedly with no more glitches. We
all got to say goodbye the way it should be done, but my sense of
betrayal by Ash somewhat spoiled the occasion. I sat alongside him
throughout but did not dare utter a word to him. I just could not
comprehend how he could see another's point of view against that of
his daughter's.
Even Brock seemed mystified when we
got back to the hotel as to why I was so pissed at him. I merely
barged through the door, walked into our bedroom and threw some
pillows outside within the lounge. Finding no way to make sense of it
all I found I had cried myself to sleep. In the distance I could hear
Ash explaining to Brock the bare bones of what happened.
Several
hours must have passed me by in disruptive slumber as the bedroom
door slowly opened. Keeping my eyes closed I felt a hand slip down my
cheek, softly wiping the tear infested droplets that remained. It
moved away and I sternly reached out and softly spoke.
"How
in the hell do you put up with me? Even when I'm a total bitch to
you?" I asked, opening my eyes and casting them upon Ash.
"That's
my job" he muttered, sitting down to face me to which I nodded with
a grin. He sighed. "Mist, you know I was right today. You've lost
this one sweetheart" he informed me with a sly grin.
"I
know baby. It's just going to take a little time to get down from
this particular high horse...I just can't stand anyone saying
anything like that about her" I told him, referring to our
daughter. "She ok?" I asked as he lay down beside me and wrapped
me in his arms.
"She's fine, had a feed from the bottle
about an hour ago and is out like a light" he assured
me.
I smiled to myself as I leaned tighter into his embrace.
"I
love you...." I whispered sleepily. He kissed my neck with a
sigh.
"Yeah I know" he muttered exhaustedly as I
felt his grip on me loosen. I turned to see he had withdrawn into the
land of slumber. I snuggled close against him as I pondered over the
days events, for the circle was now complete if you like, my father
could now rest in peace. While our lives though still had many bumps
along the way, I knew all obstacles were for another day. For sleep
was all I desired a clear conscious of body sprit and mind.
A/N:
Well! Are you all happy now?! LOL, I am too, I can't wait to start
writing my part, even though I don't have a computer or a clear-cut
image of how this is gonna go. But I'll do my best. I'm not
setting any deadlines for this story, as I said it has become
increasingly difficult to write stuff without a computer and I am
doing this at work so you may next hear that I am unemployed for
breaching internet rules, lol. Nonetheless, we are hoping to not be
so slack in the future. Once again thanks oh so much for the kind
words, look out for the next installment ASAP!!
P.S. For some
odd reason the paragraphing went screwy. Hope you can all bear it
out!
