Chapter 14

He sat in the middle of his bed in Indian style. His hands were placed on either side of his face and he was hunched over with is elbows resting on his legs.

There was a slight grin on his lips, and a bright sparkle ion his teary blue eyes. He was replaying the words he heard the doctor tell his parents over and over in his mind.

Since he's no longer a threat to himself or to others, he can go home at any time… he can go home at any time…

Those words made him so happy, that he didn't know what to do. So he just sat there on his bed and waited until someone came along to release him. His smile grew bigger as he closed his eyes releasing a single tear.

He remembered the thing that was on his mind when he woke up that morning, the very thing that let him know that everything was going to be all right, even before he got the news.It was his mom's voice singing the song that now had a completely new meaning to him.

"Close your eye, have no fear. The monster's gone. He's on the run and your mommy's here… Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy. Before you go to sleep, say a little prayer…"

He opened his eyes and softly sang the next two lines of the song to himself. "Every day in every way. It's getting better and better." He reached up and thumbed away another stray tear.

The door opened and the nurse walked in, followed by his parents. Their smiles matched his, both in size and in the feeling behind it.

"Phil, Ape, you've made it." He said with a laugh.

"So, Bam, you ready to go home?' April asked, all ready knowing the answer.

Bam stood up and walked up to them to give them a hug.

"Hell yes." He spoke behind their backs, still in the hug. He pulled away and took a quick glance around the room.

"I can't say it's been nice, or that I'm going to miss this place, because it hasn't and I wont."

"Well let's not waste any time in getting you out of here then." Said Phil.

They walked him to the door and out into the hallway.

The car ride was mostly silent, but there was a content and thankful feeling amongst the three of them. Neither of them felt the need to say much.

April looked behind her to the backseat where Bam sat. She reached behind her as best as she could, and was just barely able to touch Bam with two of her fingers. He took hold of her fingers, hooking his finger around them and gave them a shake.

The car pulled into the snake run driveway and Bam looked out the window towards the approaching house. He smiled once he saw his friends cars parked in the driveway. He was excited, knowing that everyone was inside waiting to see him.

"Ok this is it Bam." Said Phil as he shut the engine off. They got out of the car and advanced the house. Phil looked at Bam.

"Well, go ahead Bam. It's your house, let us in."

Bam beamed with near laughter as he placed his hand on the doorknob. He cautiously opened the door and peered inside.

There was a large banner hanging from the ceiling that read "Welcome Home Bam!" And all of his friends were gathered around where he could see them as he walked in. At the same time they cheered, shouting the same phrase that was on the banner.

They all came up to him, giving him hugs and congratulatory pats on the back and hand shakes. Brandon wrapped his arm around Bam's shoulder.

"You now, Bam. We're all eventually going to wind up in the nut house. That's almost inevitable."

"What's your point Bran?" Bam asked with a laugh.

"Well since you were the first one to go… give us a report about what it's like in there." He joked.

"It's funny Dico." Said Ryan. "I always thought you would beat Bam to the nut house. You all ready have a toe over the line into insanity."

"Are you sure it's not the other way around Dunn?" Asked Rake.

"Yeah, it's more like Dico has a toe over the line into reality!" Raab chimed, causing the others to explode into laughter.

"Well, all kidding aside," Bam said once the laughter died down. "Let's get this party started!"

That said, they followed Bam's cue and started the long awaited celebration. The nightmare was over now, and everyone, Bam especially, could breathe again.