Chapter 4
"Morning all!!" Lynx announced as he strutted downstairs.
The Thompsons, Misty, and the Sackville-Baggs—sans Gregory—were all sitting at the table eating breakfast. Freda had set out every breakfast food known to man—and several known to monkeys—out before them. Gregory trudged after Lynx, dark circles under his dark eyes as he followed the jovial teen to the table. Like last night, he sat beside Misty, in between her and his father. When his plate had been taken for his mother to pile his breakfast on, he let his head fall forward to rest on the table.
"What's wrong with him?" Lynx asked, pointing at Gregory.
"Lynx..." Misty began, folding her hands on the table, "Let me tell you something about yourself that you don't know...You snore...and it's very loud...it sounds like a bear during hibernation...but louder..."
Lynx rolled his eyes.
"Lynx, I'm not joking," Misty shook her head.
Lynx folded his arms over his chest and looked away, his ears burning red and earning a laugh from the others. He glared at Misty.
"You seem to be in a bitchy mood," he snapped, "What's wrong with you—Pardon my language by the way, Freda."
Freda nodded before turning to Misty for her answer to Lynx's question.
"Because I found out some bad news last night concerning out dear cemetery friend," Misty replied.
"What news?" Lynx sat up, worry now leaking into his blue eyes.
"He's in the hospital," Dottie replied for her.
"Yes, we meant to tell you both yesterday," Freda replied, "But you were in such a good mood."
"Well, what's he there for?" Lynx asked.
There was a long silence before Misty broke it in a steely voice.
"Cancer," she spoke, glaring at the table.
Lynx fell back in his chair and stared at her before looking at his plate.
"Advanced?" he asked in a weak voice.
Misty nodded.
"How long till...?" Lynx shuddered.
"A few days," Misty replied as she stared sadly down at her half-eaten food.
"We're going to see him today, right?" Lynx asked.
Misty nodded again and took back to eating her food.
"When are we going?" he went on.
"Around noon," Misty answered before taking a bite of pancakes.
Lynx nodded.
"Will we bring the movie?" he asked.
Misty nodded. Lynx faked a smile and began eating, leading to silence among them all.
--
"I'm looking for the old cemetery keeper..." Misty told the receptionist.
"Oh yes," the woman replied with a sad tone--never a good sign, "Second floor, room 204."
Misty forced a smile and led the way to the elevator. It was a nice hospital, the staff seemed very nice and sociable. Misty walked with flowers and a wrapped box in hand. They'd stopped by the flower shop in town before arriving. Lynx and the others followed her, almost afraid to take the lead and ruin her chance of seeing Bill first. They filed into the elevator. Misty, Lynx, Gregory, Anna Rudolph and Tony filed into one and then the parents and Rudolph in one right beside it. Misty stared at the different levels as the elevator closed and they began moving. Gregory glanced at her and gently took her left hand that was at her side and clenched into a fist. She relaxed a little as he held her hand and moved a little closer to him for comfort. Lynx noticed this, but chose to ignore it as the elevator came to a stop and they filed off, Misty in front, still holding Gregory's hand, Lynx after them and then Anna, Rudolph, and Tony following close behind. She almost stormed down the hall, dragging Gregory along before she finally reached the room. Staring at the door, she tried to will herself to open it. Gregory squeezed her hand a little.
"Go on," he urged gently.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped inside.
Bill was lying on the crisp sheets. He had a breather beside him and he was hooked up to quite a few machines. There was a certain frailty to him now that just broke her heart. He looked to be sleeping. She gingerly knocked on the door, startling him a little before he glanced at her and smiled.
"Good mornin'," he said weakly.
Misty winced at the weakness in his voice before walking inside.
"I brought you some flowers," she smiled, as she sat down in the chair beside his bed.
"Oh thank you dear," he grinned as Lynx walked in, "Monrin' Lynx."
"Good morning, Bill," Lynx forced a smiled, "You remember the Sackville-Baggs and the Thompsons?"
Bill nodded.
"It's nice to see you all here," he said as he pressed a button to raise his bed so that he could be in a sitting position before turning back to Misty, "How was your flight?"
"It was alright," she replied, "I suppose it was okay that I didn't call, eh? Just found out late last night that you were here..."
"Very true," Bill nodded.
"I can't even believe you're here..." Misty shivered, her voice quavering.
Bill took her hand in his and stared hard at her.
"I know," he sighed, "But you don't need to worry. I'll be going to a good place, I think. I doubt helping that crazy man and his vampire notions'll keep me from heaven...I do have a few requests, though...if you wouldn't mind..."
"Of course not..." Misty replied.
"Well..." Bill began, "I've already contacted a notary...everything I own will go to you--"
"Are you sure?" Misty asked, surprised.
"I got no one else," Bill shrugged, "No family...You and Lynx are the only two in my will. I leave you all of my money and worldly goods...If you want it, I leave you my job."
Misty nodded, and he went on.
"I would also..." he paused, almost afraid to go on, "Really like you to speak at my funeral. I want you to perform the eulogy. C-can you do that for me, dear?"
Misty nodded, crying.
"Oh, don't cry," he scolded, "I don't want you cryin' now. You can be sad, but I don't want you to be. I'm not one who'll be missed by many."
"Just all of us," Misty replied, motioning to the others in the room, "but mostly me."
"I know," he smiled.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner..." she shook her head and stared down, "Oh...I almost forgot. I got you something on the trip."
She handed him the wrapped gift. Bill tore away the paper with his shaking hands. His eyes grew soft and teary as he stared down at the DVD in his hand. Glancing up at her, he smiled.
"Thank you dear," he wept, "We'll have to watch it..."
Misty nodded, wiping the tears away.
"Could we watch it now?" Misty asked, "Visiting hours end late at night and it is a tradition of ours to watch this on weekends."
"That sounds nice," he smiled before glancing at the two families, "Will you all be stayin'?"
"We could," Bob shrugged as a nurse walked in, "Would that be alright?"
"What?" she asked, confused.
"The lot of us stayin' here to watch this movie with him," Misty explained, pointing to the DVD.
"I suppose that'll be okay..." the nurse looked doubtful, "But perhaps not all of you...."
"Honey," Dottie began, "We need to go check in with the 'exterminator' back home..."
Bob started.
"Oh yeah!" he turned to Misty with sorrowful eyes, "Sorry. We'll come back when visiting hours are over."
"Frederick and I will head home," Freda shrugged, "That way I can have a start on dinner later tonight before we come to get you all. Will you six be alright here alone?"
The children and teenagers nodded and hugged their parents goodbye before turning back to Misty, who was watching the nurse put the DVD in the DVD player.
--
Halfway through the movie, Bill tapped Misty on the shoulder and motioned for her to lean in closer. She glanced at everyone else, laughing at Igor's shenanigans, before leaning forward to listen to what Bill had to say.
"There's one thing I want you to do," he whispered, "I want ya to find someone. I want you to get yourself a boyfriend."
"What are you talkin' about?" she furrowed her brow as she whispered to him, "What do you mean?"
"Even if it won't be before I go," Bill explained quietly, "I still want ya try and find a boyfriend...someone who'll take care of ye...Will you promise me that?"
Misty glanced at Gregory, who had his eyes on the film and a smile on his handsome face, before returning her gaze to Bill.
"I'll definitely see to it," she smiled, patting his shoulder, "You just enjoy your movie for now."
Bill nodded with a smile and turned back to the television to watch the rest of the movie.
--
"I wish we didn't have to leave," Misty pouted, a tight grip on Bill's hand.
"Don't you worry about me," he smiled back, "I don't have long, but I won't be leavin' just yet."
"Don't say it like that…" Misty forced a laugh, her voice strained.
"Oh come on," Bill rolled his eyes, "I don't get the big problem. I have cancer. Joke about it. Make it less unbearable by makin' me laugh."
"I guess I'll just have to write up a few good jokes then, won't I?" Misty smirked.
"That you will," Bill said sternly as he patted her hand.
"I'll be back tomorrow," Misty assured him, "I can even skip school for a couple of days to come here."
"I won't hear of it," Bill furrowed his brow, "You go to school, I'll be fine here."
Misty paused and got down on her knees at his bedside.
"The final phases are severe weakness and incredible pain," she sniffled, "I want them to call me when you start to experience that."
Bill stared at her long and hard before nodding.
"Alright," he spoke softly, "I'll see you tomorrow, then."
"I love you," Misty's voice was strained against her tears.
"I know," he smiled back, "I love you too.
Reluctantly, she let go of his hand and walked out of the door with the others. She wasn't related to Bill in any way, so the doctors forbade her from staying through the night. They filed into the elevator. Misty leaned against the back wall, staring at the ground. Lynx nudged Gregory a little, encouraging him to talk to her. Gregory stood beside her as Tony, Anna, and Rudolph walked onto the elevator after Lynx. Once the doors closed, Misty finally let the tears fall. She buried her face in the ends of her sleeves as she sobbed. Uneasily, Gregory placed his right hand upon her right shoulder, his arm across her back. Misty glanced at him through her sad eyes before slowly drawing closer and wrapping her arms around his torso; seeking warmth from him. He was so warm and gentle now…She wept into his shoulder, her eyes shut tight. Lynx reached into his pocket and withdrew a pocket-sized pack of tissues. He held it out to Gregory, who took it and offered one to Misty after mouthing a 'thank you'. Glancing up at him, she murmured her own quick 'thank you' before taking one of the tissues from him.
--
The car ride home was quiet with remorse. Misty leaned against the window, staring morosely out the foggy glass. The landscape flew past her honey eyes as they sped home. Gregory sat beside her in the back seat of the minivan with Lynx on his left. He glanced at her with a blush. The back seat wasn't what one could call 'spacious' in any sense of the word, which lead the three teens to be packed in together like sardines. Lynx could have opted for riding with Tony and his parents, but ultimately wanted to keep an eye on Misty, who'd actually volunteered to ride in the minivan with the Sackville-Bagg family. Rudolph and Anna had fallen asleep in the two middle seats, for the ride home from the hospital was very long and the young children were very tired. Gregory stared at Misty and leaned over.
"Are you alright?" he whispered.
Stupid question, yes, but he couldn't think of anything better. Misty was silent for a moment and he worried that his stupid question had offended her.
"I…I feel like I'm losing my best friend…" she finally replied, "I fell hollow inside…and I feel so useless because I can't help him."
She stared down at her right wrist sadly.
"I wonder…" he began slowly, "Why do you wear long sleeves now? You never wore them like this when we met last year—even with the cold. Why the change?"
Misty glanced at him before looking out the window at the setting sun.
"I'll tell you when we get home," she replied, staring back down at her wrist.
That was the end of the talk in the car. They made it back home without another word.
A/N: YAY!! Bill's finally in the story...Sad though...anywho...lemme know what you think if there are still people reading this...Thanks!!