Your Cheatin' Heart
Chapter Five
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the characters (except the Silvers sisters and the horses) in this story. And I also changed the rating from G to PG because somebody gets shot (gee, I wonder who). It's not like there's a ton of blood or cuss words or anything-I just upped the rating to make sure that nobody could report me. I've been reported before, and it's definitely NOT fun! XP
Oh, yeah... and somewhere in here, I think I stole a line from the original "Little Women" movie... I'll check and identify it later.
I got back to the house at around nine-thirty and went to bed at ten. When Bruce came in to say good-night, I couldn't help but wonder what would become of him after I died. Sure, he and Tracie would become Mr. and Mrs., but would they be happy together after all, or would my sacrifice be for nothing? Would they ever have any children? More importantly, would anyone ever discover who had killed me? Boy was that an awkward sentence… I hoped they wouldn't.
"Are you sure you're alright, Dick?"
I gave myself a mental headshake and tried to pay attention to what he was saying.
"Huh?"
"I asked if you were alright."
"Oh, um, sure. Why do you ask?" I regretted it at soon as I said it.
"I don't know. It's just that you've seemed kind of upset all day. Distracted, you know…"
I made an attempt to smile. "Don't worry, Bruce. I'm fine."
He said good-night and ruffled my hair, like when I was little, and stood up to leave. That's not to say that I wasn't little at 15, either. Actually, I was—and still am—on the shrimpy side, as is evident by June mistakenly calling me a thirteen-year-old, but…
Suddenly, I remembered—this would be the last time I'd ever see him in this world.
"Bruce!" I cried in sudden panic.
"What?"
"I…" Taking a deep breath, I said softly, "Good-bye, Bruce."
He gazed at me quizzically, but said good-night once again and left without saying anything else.
—
Early (very early) the next morning, I awoke to the sound of my alarm clock. I slammed the button before it could wake anyone else up, got dressed and checked out the window. The sun was just beginning to peek out over the horizon, spreading weak rays of yellow light across the pale blue sky.
I headed out to the stable and took my pinto out of his stall. I was in such a hurry that I forgot to saddle the poor guy. If I were going to live through this, I would have said Bruce and Alfred would kill me.
Bruce… Alfred… I knew I'd miss them, even in Heaven. Or wherever I was going.
I took one last look around the stable before mounting Rainforest, digging my heels into his sides and galloping off for Seagull Rock in the early morning light.
Halfway there, it finally hit me what I was doing, but it was too late to go back—even if I wanted to. I always knew that I'd give my life for Bruce if I had to, but who knew I'd ever actually have to do it?
When I got to the Rock, I spotted that old tree trunk. Ever since I came here for the very first time—when I was ten—I've loved jumping that log. I don't know what it is about it, but jumping the log has always been my favorite part of vacationing here. Maybe because it reminded me of flying through the air, like when I'd switch from Dad's hands to Mom's on the trapeze.
I paused a few yards in front of the tree, glancing around. Saying good-bye to everything, I guess. Actually, I was kind of surprised to find that June didn't shoot me while I was standing perfectly still like that. I certainly would have made for an easy target.
But, she didn't. Maybe that spot was at a bad angle for her. So I nudged Rainforest forward.
He knew exactly what to do. I'd made this jump with him at least a million times before. Maybe I was just imagining things, but he seemed to enjoy jumping as much as I did. I doubted if he'd ever been on a trapeze, though.
The tree loomed nearer. I had the terrible feeling that this was the end. It was the only time I could ever remember being afraid of making that jump.
Closer…
Come on, there's nothing to be afraid of…
Closer…
Closer…
You can do this…
Rainforest's front legs left the ground, then his hind legs. The old familiar feeling of flight washed over me, and I almost thought that I was actually going to make it.
There was a shot, a white-hot flash of pain and everything went dark.
Me: No! Dick! Waaaaaaahhh!
(cowers under the chair)
Me: (peeking out from under chair) Oh, and the 'I knew I'd miss them, even in heaven' WAS from the original "Little Women". It was just before Beth dies. I thought it sounded good, so I decided to use it. Okay, Dick, do the replies.
Dick: (sarcastically) How? I'm dead, remember?
Me: No, not yet, but you WILL be if you don't do the replies!
Reviewer Replies
a 60's tv fan-You're welcome. And here's the update. 8)
Alexnandru Van Gordon-I think you'll like the ending. A lot. Incidentally, what IS your idea of a happy ending? ;-)
Herald Tamara-I know somebody else who isn't happy about it-me. I don't know why Panamint thinks torturing her Muses is FUN... anyway, thanks for reviewing and we hope you like this chapter more than I did.
60's bat-fan-Yes! A supporter! Thank you! You have no idea how much I appreciate this, especially with this nutcase Panamint around.
Mysterious Jedi-Well, here's 'more'. Enjoy! XD
kokomocalifornia-Glad you liked it, although I wouldn't call it interesting. I'd call it dangerous. But that's just me.
lizaln-Yes, well, when she said it was 'fun', she meant fun for HER. She likes making her Muses suffer for some reason. And that was a very interesting option you thought of-Panamint didn't even think of that! Thank goodness...