Chapter 6

"Sam, did you make your list that had everything that you wanted in your rooms including the color you wanted them painted?" asked John in an attempt to kill time on the flight home.

"Nah, I thought I could do it on the way home," replied Sam. "Virgil, can I get you to paint a picture for me to hang in my bedroom on the island?" Virgil looked at Sam thoughtfully as he contemplated what kind of painting she'd want.

"What kind of painting, a portrait or scenery?" questioned Virgil. It had been a while since any member of his family asked him to paint anything.

"Well, I would really love to have a portrait of all of us together with Dad and Grandma," said Sam. "A painting of the woods around the farm would be nice too. I'll leave it to your discretion. Whatever you decide to paint will be wonderful." Virgil blushed slightly at her compliment and turned his attention back to the book he had been reading. Sam looked back at John and prodded his shoulder as if it were a pillow.

"Wake me up in an hour so that I can work on my list," said Sam as she laid her head on John's shoulder. Within minutes she was asleep. Not long after Sam feel asleep John leaned his head against hers and he too fell asleep.

"Hey, you two need to wake up. We're getting ready to land," said Scott. The twins carefully stretched in their seats as they looked out of the window. Sam looked at John with a wry grin.

"I can't believe we slept the whole way home. I guess I was more tired than I thought," said John in an effort to explain why he didn't wake Sam up. Sam just shrugged her shoulders as if to say "Oh well."

The plane touched down on the runway with a slight bump. Their dad taxied the plane to their private hangar. As soon as it came to a complete stop and the engines died, the Tracy children and Grandma stood up and grabbed their carryon bags. Jeff met them at the door and opened it lowering the stairs so everyone could exit the plane. As soon as Jeff exited the plane he went to the hangar and drove the truck over to the plane. Together the family transferred their luggage from the plane to the truck and then Jeff moved the plane into its hangar and locked it up.

"Everyone ready to head home?" asked Jeff. Scott had gotten the younger children into their seats and ready to go. All six of them nodded in response to their dad's question. With a quick glance to make sure that he was clear to turn out of the airport Jeff headed the truck towards home.

By the time Jeff had turned into the driveway Alan and Gordon were literally bouncing in their seats. They were ready to play and run in the backyard of the farm. The older kids knew that they only had a week to have everything packed and ready to go to Tracy Island. They helped unload the truck and took everything into the house and made sure that the right owner took it to their room. As Sam walked into her room, she glanced around at everything and suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotions. This was the room that her mother had helped decorate and her presence was all around. They had so many mother/daughter talks together in this room. Sam didn't know how to let it go. It felt as if she were losing her mom all over again. Making her way to her window seat she picked up a picture that was of John, Sam, and their mom. Staring at it she realized that no matter where they were in the world their mom would always be with them. Slowly, she walked back out of her room and headed back downstairs to ask her dad a question.

"Dad, is Grandma going to sell the farm? If she keeps it should we leave our cold weather clothes here since they won't be needed on the island. When we go to school, we'll have to wear uniforms so we will only need a few changes of clothes there," said Sam. She only wanted to pack what was absolutely necessary and needed.

"Grandma is keeping the farm so you can leave what you don't want to take here. I have a feeling that we'll come here to visit once in awhile," replied Jeff with a slight smile. He knew that the kids had a deep connection to the old farm and he didn't want to throw too much at them at once. Smiling at her dad she went and gave him a hug.

"Thanks Dad," whispered Sam as she felt the emotions start to overwhelm her again. Turning quickly she ran back upstairs to work in her room. As she reached the hallway she slowed down and paused at Scott and Virgil's room. After getting the all clear when she knocked on the door, Sam walked into their room and told them that they didn't have to pack all of their cold weather clothes. They would only need a few changes for the weekends at school.

"Not only do we not have to pack everything, Grandma is keeping the farm so that we can come back for visits," said Sam in an excited tone. Virgil and Scott both looked relieved at the news. Neither of them was ready to let go of their ties to the farm either.

"What's going on?" asked John when he happened to pass by the open door.

"Dad just told me that we don't have to pack all of our cold weather gear. We only need to take a few changes of clothes to have on the weekends while we are at school," said Sam. "Grandma isn't selling the farm so we can come back and visit from time to time. That means we can leave some of our stuff here. Well, I am going to go and sort through what I want to take to the island and school and what will stay here."

Back in her room, Sam began to sort through her clothes. Some of the stuff she had outgrown or just didn't like anymore. She put those in a pile to donate to someone that needed them. She packed most of her summer clothes into her suitcase. She left out enough to wear for the rest of the week. Looking in her closet she found a plastic storage tote that was empty except for few odds and ends. Sorting through them she was able to clean it out and pack her astronomy and foreign language books into it. She wrote "SAM'S BOOKS" on several pieces of tape and labeled it on each side. Reaching into her closet she pulled out the box that contained her telescope. She hadn't used hers since John had also gotten one and they normally just used his. She laid the box on top of the tote with her books. She left all of her winter sports gear in the closet along with the stuffed animals she had collected before her mom had died. The only one that she took was one of a wolf that her mom and dad had gotten for her when she and John had been in the hospital for a tonsillectomy.

Wrapped up in her sorting and packing she didn't hear Alan run into her room until he grabbed her around her waist in a big hug.

"Sam, it's dinner time and I'm hungry so hurry up," begged Alan just as his stomach started to growl. Sam busted out laughing as she heard it.

"You're starting to sound like our big brother," giggled Sam.

"Which one?" asked Alan. "You know that I have four of them." Just as he began to laugh with Sam, the brother in question walked into the room.

"What's so funny?" questioned Scott with a small grin on his handsome features.

"We were just discussing how much Alan is beginning to sound like you," giggled Sam even harder than before. Scott just stared at her with a perplexed look until Alan's stomach growled again louder than before. Upon hearing Alan, Sam doubled over in laughter. Scott realizing the hilarity of the whole episode began to laugh with them. Virgil and John had heard the laughter from John's room and came to investigate.

"What's going on?" asked the boys.

"Alan is taking after me when it comes to mealtimes," chuckled Scott as he continued to watch Sam who was still laughing uncontrollably. Suddenly Sam stopped laughing and began crying. Alarmed at the sudden change in her mood all of the boys started towards her. They had only taken a step or two when Sam collapsed to the floor.

"SAM!" screamed John and Virgil at the same time. Scott was instantly kneeling beside her to see if she was conscious. Looking up at him, Sam began to shake violently. After hearing the sudden scream, Jeff had ran upstairs to find out what was going on. Looking into Sam's room he saw Alan being held by Virgil and John and Scott kneeling by Sam. Sam was pale and shaking on the floor. By the time Jeff got to her side her eyes rolled back and she fell limp, unconscious.

"Scott, tell Grandma I need her upstairs now. John, clear off Sam's bed and pull down the blankets so that we can cover her up after I get her on the bed," ordered Jeff in a military manner. Very carefully, Jeff slid one arm beneath Sam's neck and another beneath her legs and lifted her up. Being as gentle as he could he laid her on her bed. As soon as she was lying down John pulled her bedclothes over her. By that time Scott had gotten Grandma.

"What happened, Jeff?" asked Grandma in a worried voice. Her grandkids had always been healthy with the exception of a couple of colds and an occasional bout of the flu.

"She was laughing at Alan and then all of a sudden she started crying. When we started towards her she fell to the floor and began to shake," explained Scott. He was struggling to keep his emotions in check for the sake of his baby brothers. Grandma went to Sam's bathroom and got a cool, wet cloth and folded it in half and laid it on her forehead. Jeff was getting worried because Sam still hadn't come around yet.

"Scott, take your brothers downstairs and get them their dinner," said Jeff in a subdued tone. "Grandma has it all on the table. It just needs to be dished out." John looked at Jeff and shook his head. He instead walked to Sam's bed opposite of where Grandma was standing. He pulled up a chair and sat down and held Sam's hand in his.

"Sam, please wake up," pleaded John in a choked voice. His youthful features were etched in worry. Sighing deeply he leaned over and placed his head next to Sam's. Crying softly so as not to draw attention to himself he stayed as close to Sam as he could.

Suddenly, Sam began to turn her head towards the crying that she heard. Opening her eyes she saw John's head next to her and felt him holding her hand.

"John, what's wrong?" asked Sam in a soft voice. John jumped at the sound of her voice and held her hand tighter.

"Sam, you passed out. Do you remember anything?" asked Jeff in a concerned tone of voice. Sam shook her head no and realized that she had a really bad headache that was making her feel nauseous.

"I think I'm going to be sick," whispered Sam as she fought to keep from throwing up. Grandma helped her lean over the bed and held a wastepaper basket up so that she could get sick. Sam began to heave and finally was able to lie back on her bed. Grandma wiped her face and straightened her blankets again. Jeff took the wastepaper basket to the bathroom and emptied it. Looking at John, Sam slowly began to drift off to sleep.

"Dad, what's wrong with Sam?" asked John in a somewhat panicked tone. Sam had been fine all day. It didn't make sense for her to be so sick.

"I don't know what's wrong, John but we'll find out," replied Jeff. "Mother, should I call the doctor to come out and have him check Sam out?"

"Not yet," replied Grandma. Looking around Sam's room she noticed that some of her belongings had been packed and her clothes had been sorted through. Suddenly, it dawned on her what had caused Sam's sudden illness.

"I don't think Sam is really sick. I believe that she has just had an anxiety attack and her body shut down so she could get through it. She showed a few of the symptoms and if you look around she has been packing," stated Grandma in a knowing tone. "She had probably been thinking of Lucy and felt like she was losing her again. And then when she was laughing with the boys she thought that once school started they wouldn't be able to have those spontaneous interactions." As she finished what she was saying Virgil and Scott came in. Each of them was carrying a dinner tray and Gordon and Alan were behind them carrying a glass of ice water each for Sam and John.

"We knew that Sam and John would be hungry and that John won't leave her side until he is convinced that she is alright," explained Scott. "We have all eaten dinner and cleared our dishes off the table. We dished up a plate for the two of you and put the extras away and washed the dishes." They set the trays down on Sam's desk and Gordon and Alan set the glasses down next to them. John glanced up and nodded his thanks to his brothers for thinking of him and Sam.

Sam began to stir again as she heard the voices of her brothers and felt a slight movement as Alan and Gordon crawled up on her bed to see how she was doing. John edged back to make room for them. Feeling a warm body on either side of her she slowly opened her eyes and looked into the worried gazes of her baby brothers.

"Sammie are you okay?" asked Alan in a scared voice. He had witnessed everything and it had scared him. Sam wrapped an arm around each of them and hugged them to her. She was feeling a bit better even though she still had a really bad headache.

"I'm okay, Squirt," she whispered in an attempt to keep her headache in check. Reassured Alan snuggled closer to her and slowly began to fall asleep. Gordon taking the opportunity to get her attention put a hand on either side of her face and turned her to look at him. With his typical mischievous smile he gave her a big juicy kiss on her forehead.

"Love you," was all he said as he began to giggle at her expression.

"Can someone hand me a towel to dry all the Gordy juices off my face?" pleaded Sam in a joking tone. She looked around her and felt safe and loved.

"Alright boys that's enough. Sam, you are to stay in bed for the rest of the night. John, you can eat dinner in here with Sam and make sure that she eats," said Jeff as he scooped a sleepy Alan into his arms and carried him to his room. Sam sat up and scooted over a bit and propped up her pillows. After John handed her the dinner tray, she patted the space next to her.

"Sit down and eat your dinner next to me," said Sam. John looked relieved that she had asked him to sit down with her. He was still worried and concerned but he grabbed his tray and carefully sat down. After they were finished, John stood up and put the trays back on Sam's desk. Looking back at his sister he was surprised that she had fallen asleep again. Gently he pulled out one of her pillows that she was propped up on so that she could sleep more comfortably. He covered her up with a light blanket and turned to leave the room.

"Don't leave John. Stay with me until I fall asleep, please," pleaded Sam in a soft tone. John walked back to her and looked at her. Sam patted the space next to her and he lay down on the bed. Drawing on the comfort he offered her she drifted off into a peaceful sleep. John watched her and soon found himself drifting off too.

"John, come on you need to get to bed," whispered Jeff. He had come back to check on Sam after he had eaten dinner. He was not surprised to find both of them sound asleep. He was beginning to understand what his mother had been telling him about the connection the twins had. Quietly he got John to his feet and steered him into his own room.

"Night, Son," said Jeff as he turned to leave. John gave a small snore in response already sound asleep.

The next morning was one of chaos as the Tracy children began the daunting task of sorting through their belongings. Sam was back on her feet and was glad that she had a head start on her brothers. Grandma had been right in guessing that Sam had an anxiety attack and as a result everyone was keeping an eye on her and each other. By the end of the second day the family had a full truck load of clothes and other unneeded items to donate to those less fortunate. Jeff and Grandma took the donations to a center that accepted drop-offs early on the third morning while the kids finished packing things from the family room.

"Scott, do we have anymore boxes?" asked Virgil as he taped the box he had packed. After taping it closed, he wrote "VIDEO GAMES AND CONSOLE" on each side of it. Looking up, from where she and John were wrapping and packing family pictures, Sam tossed him an empty box from where she was working. Gordon and Alan were working together and packing books. After they finished packing one box either Scott or John would close it up and label it. By the time Jeff and Grandma pulled into the driveway the family room was packed. Grandma packed only a few things from the kitchen figuring that they could buy new stuff for the new house.

Grandma served a light dinner that night because everyone was tired. Sam and John decided to take his telescope outside for a little bit so that they could get some stargazing in. Gordon and Alan were busy trying to catch fireflies while Virgil and Scott sat on the ground and watched them. So absorbed in what they were doing none of them noticed Jeff watching them from his bedroom window. He had been up there most of the day packing his belongings. Just like Sam, he was having a hard time of boxing up his memories of Lucy.

"Jeff, she will always be with you," said a voice from the doorway. "Just like I know that your dad will always be with me." Jeff blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.

"Mother, I miss her so much. I sometimes can't believe that she is gone," husked Jeff. With a look of understanding, Grandma walked to her only child and held him as he leaned down and cried into her shoulder. After a few minutes he regained his composure and wiped his eyes.

"Thanks, Mother I guess that I needed that." Jeff looked around the room and began to pack more of his stuff. The last thing that he packed was the picture of him and Lucy on their wedding day. They were so happy and in love. Going to his bedroom window he looked down at where his children were still busy with various pursuits.

"Lights out in ten minutes," he called down. A chorus of disagreement echoed back up to him. "Okay how about five?" Without another sound, six children made their way to the house and to their rooms. The oldest ones made sure that the Terrible Two brushed their teeth and then waited outside of their room while they changed into their pajamas. Gordon opened the door and Sam, John, Virgil, and Scott walked in and tucked their baby brothers into bed. Sam gave each of them a kiss and a hug while the boys just gave them a hug.

"Goodnight, Brats," said the voices of three big brothers and a big sister as they left the room.

Sam went into her bathroom and brushed her teeth and washed her face before changing into her pajamas. She was pulling her hair up into a ponytail as she came out of her bathroom. John, Scott, and Virgil were waiting in the hallway when she came out.

"What?" asked Sam as she looked from one to the other. The boys just walked up to her and gave her a big hug and told her goodnight.

"You guys can really be strange, do you know that?" remarked Sam as she went into her room. Crawling into bed she pulled her sheet up over her and left the other blankets folded at the end of the bed. Leaning over she turned off the bedside lamp. With a soft sigh she closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep.

John, Virgil, and Scott had barely made it to their beds when their father came around for lights out.

The next day, day 4, was spent telling friends goodbye. Sam and Scott called their track coach and told him that they were moving. Sam and John called their gymnastics coach and relayed the same message. Gordon had to call his swim coach and let him know that they were moving and that Jeff wanted to know if there was a coach available in the town in which the boarding school was located.

Finally, the big moving day arrived and Jeff hired a moving truck to come and load the boxes and take them to the private airport. What wouldn't fit on the plane would be left in the hangar with the SUV. Jeff would end up making several trips to Kansas to get everything back to the island. He would also have to make a few trips to the mainland in order to get what was on each child's list for their rooms.

With a final look around their rooms the Tracy children made their way downstairs and to the SUV. They climbed into their seats and patiently waited while their dad and grandma locked up the house and got into the truck. Soon they were at the airport and boarding the plane. They were all quiet on the flight back to Tracy Island and for the most part they slept.