Hello readers! Thank you for everything that you've done. Whether a favorite, a follow, or a review. Thanks all!
I also know this story is quite sad, so if you're the sensitive type…good luck to you.
Disclaimer:
I do not own any MR characters. That belongs to James Patterson. I also do not own any songs; they belong to their rightful owners.
Here is chapter 9 of "I Miss You"
"Somewhere Over The Rainbow"
Dad's been at the hospital for three weeks now and I've been visiting him almost every day. I don't get to visit him in the morning or afternoon because I have classes, and they've been extremely hard to work through for two reasons. One, being my dad has been on my mind and couldn't think straight. And two, my teachers are evil and decided to pile the work on me the past week.
It was now mid-November and his birthday was rolling by, also holiday break, so I can spend even more time with him. Iit was a Sunday today so I can spend most of the day with him. He said he's been feeling slightly better, but his physical appearance wasn't looking any better. I got up at around 8:30 and was feeling slightly groggy, but dismissed it because I was meeting my dad today.
As I was leaving the house phone started ringing. I sighed as I closed the door and answered the phone.
"Hello?" I asked through the phone
"Hello, is this Nick Ride?" I recognized the voice as Dr. Walker.
"Yes this is him speaking. What is it?" I asked sharply
"Your father, Jeb Ride, has passed away. He passed away in his sleep. I'm so sorry Nick, you are allowed to come and visit him now before he is wheeled out." Dr. Walker said with sadness in his voice. I stayed silent for a while. "Hello, Nick? Are you still there?" Dr. Walker asked with urgency in his voice.
"Uh erm, yes I'm still here" I stammered out. "I will be there in about thirty minutes. Bye" I said my goodbye through the phone and hung up. I knew my mind wasn't in the right place right now so I called Iggy to drive me to the hospital. He didn't ask any questions, because of the urgency in my voice.
I just couldn't believe it; he died without me standing at his side. I should've been there. Why couldn't I have been there? I'm a terrible son. I'm a horrible person.
All of my thoughts revolved around those topics until I was released from the trance by a honk of a car horn. I looked out the window and saw that Iggy was in my driveway. I got in the car and we just sat there without knowing what to say to one another. But we were released from that when Iggy asked
"Fang, what's wrong? What happened?"
"My dad passed away. Can you please drive me to the hospital?" I tried saying, choking back tears. He nodded his head, knowing I did not want to explain anything right now. He knew me too well. We got there ten minutes time and he dropped me off. I walked into the office with hands in my jean pockets.
Iggy came in beside me as I asked the receptionist if my father was moved.
"Yes he was moved to the west wing, room b12. I'm sorry for your loss" She said with sadness in her eyes. She pointed to the direction and Iggy and I walked towards that hallway. I looked at the different wall plaques, indicating the room number.
B8
Every thought of my mother rang in my head as I passed these rooms. This was the same hallway I walked through to see my cold mother on a hospital bed, no longer breathing for oxygen.
B10
Every memory of my father was present in my mind as I walked past these doors. Those days where we would go to the park when I was younger. Those days that I would cower in fear of the lightning when I was four years young.
Time slowed as I passed this door. The door that had held my mother in its confinements six years ago. The door that blocked my way towards my loving and caring mother. I stopped at the plaque B10, traced the numbers and kept on walking. The whole while praying to the patron saints of parents, Fiano.
B12
I stood in front of the door with clammy hands. I looked at Iggy and he nodded, reassuring me to go in. I opened the door and there was my father on his hospital bed, with Dr. Walker filling out some paperwork. He looked at me with sad eyes. I hadn't said a word, but he put his hand on my shoulder saying
"Go ahead Fang" I nodded and walked towards the bed. I touched my father's face, it was so cold. His eyes were closed and his hands were crossed. I clutched his hand, and started tearing up. I didn't know what to say, but I knew everything I wanted to say. Words escaped my mouth so fast that I couldn't comprehend anything I said.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here for you dad. I'm so sorry; I wish I could've been here with you. Why wasn't I here with you? Why wasn't I a better son? Why can't you still be here? I'm all alone now. Alone in this world, first mom, now you. Why can't I have a mom and dad with me right now? I need you here with me right now dad."
I sat there for God's know how long. I hadn't known Iggy had come in a few minutes ago. He put a hand on my shoulder and pulled me away slightly from my dad.
"Come on Fang, It's time to go, visiting times are over." I nodded my head in understanding. Dr. Walker came in too and pulled the sheet over my father's torso and head.
"Goodbye dad" I said for the last time before I walked out with Iggy.
We walked in silence until we got to his car.
"Fang, I already called my mom, she says that you can stay the night and longer. No excuses either, you're coming to my house. You'll always have us" Iggy said while backing out of his parking spot.
"Thanks Ig, how could I ever repay you" I said with a grin
"Well…" he started saying before laughing a little. I chuckled with him as we drove back to his house.
"Thank you so very much for inviting me here, Mrs. Griffith. Truly I am grateful" I thanked Iggy's mom
"No, no. It's what anyone would've done. You're like the son I never had" She told me with a smile
"I heard that!" Iggy yelled from kitchen. Mrs. Griffith and I laughed as we both know she was joking.
"Stay as long as you would like Fang, you're basically Family" She told me as she ushered me into the guestroom with my stuff in hand.
"Thanks but I promise I won't be here long" I said as she left the guestroom. I finished unpacking my stuff as Mrs. Griffith called for dinner. I washed my hands as I went downstairs. I greeted Mr. Griffith and his daughters, Bridget and Victoria. Eight and five respectively. Bridget and Victoria took after their dad, with the blonde hair and greenish-blue eyes, while Iggy took after his mom, strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes.
We ate dinner and I insisted I wash the dishes. Mrs. Griffith gratefully complied and so I went off to the sink to wash the dishes.
After I finished washing the dishes, I went into their living room and saw that they were watching a Disney movie. Bridget was sleeping on Iggy's lap and Victoria was sprawled leaning on his right arm. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith probably went to bed already, considering it was 11:30. He pointed to the two girls and then pointed to the stairs. I nodded my head and picked up Victoria. Iggy got up with Bridget in his arms. We both walked upstairs carefully as to not wake up the two girls.
I laid Victoria in her bed and Iggy put Bridget in her bed. We said our goodnights and I went downstairs. I found my way to the guest room and lied on the bed, thinking of everything that crossed my mind. I checked the time on my cell, 1:28.
'Why can't I sleep?' I asked myself. I got up and went outside to the backyard of the house. The Griffith's were huge on gardening so they had a beautiful canopy of amazing flowers. They had this arch that had roses entwined within the crevices. The same arch where we took pictures under before prom. I smiled to myself remembering that day.
Without thinking I started humming a song that my dad once sang to me, long ago. I closed my eyes as I reached for the lyrics in my head.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops that's where you'll find me oh
Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why can't I? I
Well I see trees of green and
Red roses too,
I'll watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Well I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark and I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, I... I love you
I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more
Than we'll know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Someday I'll wish upon a star,
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top that's where you'll find me
Oh, Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why can't I? I
Ooooo oooooo oooooo
I breathed out that last part. Just singing and thinking made me feel tired. I made my way back to the guest room with happy thoughts of my father in my mind.
So how'd you guys like it. If you didn't enjoy it though… still review. I like the negative comments. They just make me a better writer.
Also review and or follow if you have not yet. Thanks!
Song:
Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Quote-a-Day
Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt and dance like no one is watching.
- Randall G Leighton
So in other words: Live your life. It's yours and no one has the right to tell you otherwise. If they think they do, then they are ignorant of the fact that you are better than them, that you can face reality by being yourself and only yourself.
Just to assure you guys and gals, I have already written the tenth chapter and it will be in Fang's POV. I did this because I couldn't muster anything up for Max's POV until something else happens in the story. So basically my mind has a whole bunch of ideas for a Fang POV, but it is reclusive on any Max POV ideas. I apologize if that breaks up the flow for this story, but I promise I will bring that flow right back if I do break the "train of thought"
So yeah, I'll update that tomorrow.
U and A