A special thanks to Sam and Hannah for their awesome i deas of Chester. Thank you to all you readers,I really appreciate it!

EIGHTEEN

Edward sat in the grass in the edible room, resting on his elbows. He watched the chocolate pour down into the rest of the river below. A ripple disturbed the chocolate waterfall and the chocolate parted, revealing a most peculiar sight.

A man sitting cross-legged on the back of what appeared to be a turtle and holding a plaid patterned umbrella floated through the waterfall. He was wearing a plaid tuxedo with a long coat tail and brown spectacles sat upon his nose. He had a long face and light brown hair under his plaid top hat. Everything was plaid.

Edward scrambled back in alarm as the man and his turtle reached the bank. The man got off the turtle, carrying a brown briefcase with him.

"greetings my dear friend. My name is Chester Nelson and this is Richard," Chester said gesturing to the sad looking turtle.

Edward sat in silence, blinking and looking from Chester to Richard and back to Chester again.

"I imagine Mr. Wonka had told you all about me," Chester said in a distinct British accent.

"well no actually," Edward said uneasily, getting to his feet. "who are you exactly?"

"I'm Chester Nelson, official candy tester for Willy Wonka, the greatest chocolateer there's ever been, and my best friend," Chester said, with extra enthusiasm on the 'best friend' part.

"oh that's great, I'm Edward," Edward said.

"pleased to meet you. Now as I approached you, I couldn't help but notice how unhappy you looked. I also happen to be an uncertified psychiatrist and I can help you if you'd like. Now tell me my friend, do you need some consoling?" Chester said with lightning speed.

Edward opened and closed his eyes a few times before saying, "no. I'm fine, I'm happy."

Chester shook his head saying, "noooo, that is not a happy body. Tell me what troubles you, I want to help you."

Edward tilted his head to the side, silently disputing if he should tell this very odd complete stranger what was bothering him. Edward exhaled slowly, "alright."

"excellent," Chester said sitting in the grass next to Edward. "what's on your mind?"

"Willy and Charlie want to fix me," Edward said.

Chester's eyes widened and he raised his eyebrows. Edward quickly shook his head, "not that kind of fix. They want to give me real hands."

"I see," Chester said adjusting his spectacles, "and how do you feel about that?"

"well, I feel confused and I'm not sure what I want to do." Edward flicked his scissors, "we've been through a lot together. They're my only memory of my father, well at least I thought he was my father. I've given 202 haircuts with these scissors to dogs and people. I've cut and trimmed at least a thousand bushes and trees, showing off my artistic abilities. If I leave them now and get real human hands, it'll be all gone and I will never be the same. Sure I would love to have real hands and be normal, but I'm just scared is all."

Chester nodded and pulled out a pad of paper and a pen from his briefcase. He jotted down some notes and cleared his throat. "well Edward, that is quite the predicament. I'm not going to give you long advice that you probably won't use anyway. All I'm going to tell you is that you must do what you think is best. Memories stay with you forever and you can look back on them every now and then. If you do have this operation, you can be free to make different kinds of memories and be able to do what you couldn't do before. Consider both sides Edward, but most of all, follow your heart." (sorry if it's too cheesy!) Chester finished and smiled, patting Edward on the shoulder.

"thank you Chester," Edward said.

"I hope everything works out for you Edward my friend and I wish the best of luck to you. Now I must take my leave to taste Charlie's new candy," Chester said.

Chester hopped up and settled back on the gloomy turtle, setting his briefcase and folded up umbrella in his lap. "goodbye Edward!" he called.

"bye Chester," Edward said waving.

Edward watched Chester float down the river until he disappeared down the tunnel beneath the bridge. He layed down, resting his head in the soft grass and closing his eyes. The only sound Edward could hear was the pattering of the waterfall. Edward drifted off to sleep, recalling some of his fondest memories.

Edward was sitting on his straw bed in the castle waiting patiently. He heard hurried footsteps coming up the stairs and a soft voice calling, "Edward?"

Kim appeared on the stair and Edward stood up smiling. Kim was wearing her cheerleading uniform, on her way home from school.

"Edward," she said breathlessly. She ran to him and carefully threw herself in his arms. "I've missed you so much," she said smiling in Edward's embrace.

"me too," Edward said closing his eyes and resting his cheek in her soft blonde hair.

Kim reached her hands up and held Edward's face. She kissed him softly. "I have to go now, but I'll be back later tonight," she said.

Edward nodded, disappointed, but smiled, watching Kim slip out through the door.

"Edward? Edward wake up,"

Edward's eyes fluttered opened and blinked to see Charlie and Willy standing over him.

"Edward, we're ready," Charlie said.

"so soon? Oh, alright." Edward stood up, his knees shaking from his nervousness and followed Charlie and Willy out of the room.