CHAPTER 5: THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

Boston, Massachusetts 1:30 PM; Location: Boston Logan International Airport

Linus, Audrey, and Rerun had their luggage waiting for their flight to Sparkyville. They decided to go ahead and head out there. They were still undecided about attending Lucy's funeral, but still went to at least catch up with old friends who may have been going, especially Charlie, Sally, and Schroeder, whom they were closest. The brothers agreed not to tell their parents that they were in town and they were going to insist that their friends not spill the beans. They wanted to wait and let them know if they were going to stay for Lucy's funeral.

"So, so you think you'll talk to them?" asked Audrey.

"I might," said Linus. "I do want to get some sort of closure with my parents. I just hope mom don't try to make excuses for Lucy again."

"What about you, Rerun?" Audrey asked the younger Van Pelt.

"What Linus does is his business," said Rerun. "As for me, I'm avoiding them like the plague. I'm not going back to that place. It's for my sanity and sobriety. I remember the day I gave them an ultimatum…"

10 Years Earlier…

"Mom, don't you see?!" asked an 18-year-old Rerun. "Lucy's not getting better; she's getting worse!"

"Rerun dear, Lucy's just going through her cycle right now," said Lacey, their mother. "It's that time of the month for her."

"That's the problem!" Rerun fumed. "It's that time of the month EVERY FREAKING DAY with her! Mom, there's something seriously wrong with Lucy. Not even the most ill-tempered person is this crazy, this angry, every day of their lives! This is why Linus moved out when he was my age. He had enough, and so have I. Dad, can't you say something to her?!"

Larry Van Pelt was a quiet man who didn't get involved much in family disputes. He did seem to sympathize with his sons, though, but was vetoed by Lacey often. "Rerun has a point, dear."

"Larry!" whined Lacey. "You're supposed to be supporting me! Our daughter needs us and our attention. That community college didn't see the potential in her."

"WHAT POTENTIAL?!" asked a bewildered Rerun. "Linus was right. She's a lost cause! And yet, you still support her. Make her go out on her own! She's 25 years old and still living at home. And she has not grown up at all. Although she's grown 'out'!"

"LIAM!" gasped Lacey.

"Sorry, but it's true, mom," said Rerun, his patience now up. "So, I'm going to give you a choice. Either get Lucy some help and possibly get her on meds so she can be a part of society, or I'm gone. And unlike Linus, you will never hear from me, nor will I give you my number to call. What's it going to be, mom?!" Lacey hung her head down.

"I'm sorry, dear," she sighed. "Lucy needs us."

"Very well," said Rerun, heading for his room. "Just one request before I leave forever. When you become too broke to take care of her freeloading ass, don't call me for help. I advise you not to call Linus, either." And Rerun went to pack some clothes and headed for his beat-up pickup truck and left for parts unknown.

Back to the present

"I never saw them again after that," Rerun finished. "I fell into the wrong crowd and got hooked on drugs and alcohol. Started committing petty crimes and ended up in jail, so I wasn't able to visit Linus when he came home. And unlike mom, I'm not making excuses for my own actions and all of the bad things I did; I take full responsibility. But now I'm trying to get my life back together again. That's why I moved out here with you two. Audrey, you and my brother are the only family I trust."

"I, more than anyone, gets it, Rerun," said Linus. "That's why I'm not saying anything to them about being in town right away. When I do, I may talk to dad first, because we could always talk to him. It seemed like he suffered as a result of Lucy as the two of us."

"Yeah, maybe," said Rerun. "But he didn't do anything to help, either." And they got ready to board their plane.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1:55 PM; Location: PHL Philadelphia International Airport

Sally and Schroeder were already boarded on their plane and were about to fly out to Sparkyville. Schroeder decided to go to the funeral after all, only to make sure his nightmare was really over. Sally also wanted to see her brother and parents, as well as find her best friend, Eudora, to ask if she would be her maid of honor in their upcoming wedding.

"I wonder if Franklin and Marcie will be coming back, as well," said Sally.

"Maybe," said Schroeder. "Though I don't think they'll be getting too close to everyone. You remember the fallout between Marcie and Tricia over Tricia's quitting school?"

"How could I forget?" Sally replied. "It was the second most talked about fight, only after my brother's confronting Lucy."

"I always thought those two would be best friends forever," said Schroeder, with a sigh. "I just hope that they don't fight when they come back to town."

"Me too, babe," agreed Sally. And the plane got ready to take off for Sparkyville. Sally and Schroeder couldn't wait to see their families and old friends. Aside from Charlie and Linus, no one knew that they were engaged to be married. They planned to make that announcement when they were home.

Somewhere over Oklahoma 2:45 PM

Charlie and Violet were sitting together in First Class on their plane. They spent the time catching up on each other's lives and what they've been up to. Violet had cuddled up to Charlie and laid her head on his shoulder to take a small nap. He didn't mind it at all. He was happy to be with her. Violet had really grown into a beautiful woman and even became nicer as she got older. While he wasn't looking forward to the funeral, he couldn't wait to see everyone again.

TO BE CONTINUED…

NEXT UP: PART 2 (THE REUNION)