Green Eyes on the Prize
byline: Anubis C. Soundwave
10. Our family is united again.
The Foley clan of ghosts congregates in the light. Aldridge and Demetrius join hands. Tucker rushes over to Mary Jane and Virgil; the three living Foleys approach their spectral kin.
"After so long," says Aldridge, "our family is united again."
"United and restored," smiles Mary Jane, trembling.
"Don't join them too soon, Grandmama," says Virgil, placing an arm around Mary Jane.
"That ain't up to me, child," says Mary Jane. "That will be decided by the Lord."
Virgil nods.
"If..." begins Tucker, "...any of you pass by Amity Park, then pay us a visit."
A. T. smiles, but shakes his head. "No," he says. "I believe that I have left Amity Park in strong and capable hands. Like any town, it has its problems," he continues, "but I know you all can handle it."
"Let us sing a hymn," says Aldridge.
"Sing this one here," says Mary Jane. "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way..." she begins.
After allowing Mary Jane to start off the opening verse, Virgil finishes it off. "...my lot, Thou hast taught me to know...it is well, it is well, with my soul..." he sings.
Aldridge nods, allowing Mary Jane and Virgil to lead off the refrain as he joins them, along with Jeanette and Demetrius.
Tucker starts to open his mouth to sing.
"Not you, Tucker," say the Foleys in unison to Tucker.
"You just keep time, boy," adds Mary Jane. "Clap your hands."
"...yes, ma'am," frowns Tucker. He claps as the other Foleys, living and dead, sing; the ghost Foleys rise into the eye of the storm.
Mr. Middleton nods, then casts off his tattered robe; his chains fall off. "I believe that I shall rest back at my grave now that this business is concluded," he says, relieved as he dusts himself off, "until the proper day of judgment is upon us-presupposing such is the will of Providence, of course." He nods briefly at Dash and Shane, then vanishes.
Shane whistles. "That guy was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence," he says. "He wasn't as lucky as the guys on our money," Shane continues, "but he pledged his life, his fortune, and his sacred honor."
Tucker takes out the Middleton Contract, presenting it to Shane.
"Edward Rutledge too?" Shane grins after reading the document.
"Who is he?" wonders Tucker, "Aside from being a lawyer?"
"One of the other signers from South Carolina," says Shane, "and that state's first governor. Tucker, you've got yourself a historical document!"
The eye passes.
"And you'd better put the damn thing back in that box quick," continues Shane.
Tucker nods, placing the Middleton Contract back inside the lockbox.
"Back to the vehicles," says Jack, "before we get rained on!"
"I never thought I'd live to see the day," says Bethea, "when we'd say that."
Everyone boards their vehicles and drives back to Baxter Farm.
A month later, back in Amity Park, the first day of school is about to begin.
Danny and Tucker arrive at Sam's mansion as she exits with her book bag.
Dani lands just ahead of them, clutching her book bag.
Danny scowls. "What did I tell you," he hisses, "about using your powers out in the open?"
"Not to do it," says Dani apologetically, "but I don't want to be late. 'No Fenton has ever been late to school', you know. I don't want to buck the family trend."
"You're going to learn," says Danny, grinning, "that you shouldn't always take 'Uncle Jack' seriously."
Dani blinks at Danny.
"But I will admit," Danny continues, "that's it's difficult to tell when you shouldn't and you should."
Dani touches her chin a moment, then gently elbows Tucker. "Is it true that Dash buried a cow?" she asks.
Tucker nods, frowning in grief.
"It was a beautiful service for a faithful family friend," says Sam.
"It was a waste of good beef!" spits Tucker.
"It's like Kathleen said," says Danny, "'you don't eat family'."
"The family member's name was 'Steak'," mutters Tucker. "It was her destiny to be eaten, not buried."
"Then fuck destiny," smirks Sam. "Steak was the most awesome cow ever, and likely one of the more sensible members of the Baxter family. Compared to the absurdities I've witnessed from Dash and his family over the years," she continues, "a funeral for the family cow is perfectly sane."
"That's probably how you want all cows to go," snorts Dani.
"If it will make you feel better, Tucker," says Sam, "the grass that is finally going to grow at Baxter Farm will eat well; as will the earthworms: who will turn Steak into nourishing soil for all of the food the farm grows."
"I outgrew The Lion King philosophy some time ago," says Tucker, pouting. "Steak was supposed to be cut up or ground into hamburger, grilled, and served to me on a plate."
Danny and Sam chuckle.
"I can't believe I missed that adventure," says Dani. "Why didn't you call or text me? I got great cell coverage back in Reno."
"Vlad was there," says Danny.
"Great," grins Dani ruefully. "I could have beat up the cheesehead if he caused any problems."
"We had bigger fish to fry," counters Danny, "and I'm glad that one's gone."
"Aren't you worried, though?" asks Sam. "Your dad has a weapon that can kill a halfa."
Danny gives Sam a grim smile as he nods. "Good. If I ever turn into anything like Jackie Barrineau," he says, "I want to be stopped."
Dani blinks.
"The same goes for you-and definitely for Plasmius," continues Danny, looking at Dani.
Dani whistles. "I guess this is what you mean," she says, "when you said that it's hard to tell when you should take Uncle Jack seriously."
Danny nods.
The four teenagers arrive at Casper High.
"To the trailers to finish off junior high," grins Dani. "This could be fun." She leaves Danny, Tucker, and Sam.
"When will the city just rebuild the middle school?" snorts Tucker.
"Sometime after never," says Sam. "You know that old man Baxter is a living, one-man anti-middle school crusade."
"I also know that 'old man Baxter' is an asshole who passed his jerkass bullying gene over to his grandson...who's headed this way," grins Danny, oddly calm.
Dash approaches the trio, mussing Danny's hair. "Fenton," he sneers, "I'm going to paste you later today for being a no-show during that ghost haunting at your ancestor's place. What kind of weak-ass kid wusses out and doesn't support his parents during their darkest hour?"
Danny places his hand on Dash's shoulder. "I know it seems that you're right," he says, "but rest assured that I was there in spirit." Danny walks away.
Dash stares at Danny a moment, confused. Tucker blinks, then follows Danny.
"Don't overthink it," says Sam. "Just remember that we have rich blackmail material to play with this year," she adds with a smirk.
Dash looks into Sam's eyes briefly, then returns the smirk. "I've got to cram the little bastard into a locker, though, Manson," he says, "just to bring things back to normal between us."
"It's fair enough," says Sam, "to give normalcy a shot." She shrugs, then walks off after Danny and Tucker.
Dash shakes his head, snickering, then leaves to meet with his friends.
THE END
AN: I hope everyone enjoyed this prequel to SEVEN YEAR JOCK ITCH. It's a side adventure, set a week or two after the vanilla DP ep REALITY TRIP (featuring Freakshow).
Any questions or comments? I look forward to them in the reviews!
Take care.
acsound