Once again, thank you to everyone who has continued reading and for those who have left encouraging feedback. I apologize for all the angst since the start of this fic. It's necessary, and you'll see why starting in the next chapter.
A HUGE continued thanks to Roswalyn for everything! May your life one day be as crazy as mine is becoming! (wink wink)
As always, please pay close attention to the dates at the top of each chapter. Chapters are NOT being posted in chronological order for now. And now...may I present...
Avoidance by Death
by lightwarai
Chapter 2
April 26th
(three days after the accident)
"George, I'm not sure I can do this." Bess Marvin gripped her cousin George's arm tightly. She heaved her oversized purse onto her shoulder and cast a despairing eye towards the chapel. "I'm not ready to say goodbye."
George Fayne sighed heavily as she led Bess and all four of their parents towards the chapel entrance. "Bess…" her voice trailed off. How do you say goodbye to your best friend, she thought sadly. She glanced at her parents over her shoulder, but they could only manage a small smile.
The group fell into step silently as they followed others into the large foyer. Up ahead, George could see Mr. and Mrs. Nickerson walking towards the front, where their son, Ned, sat in his wheelchair. She couldn't see his face, but his posture was stiff, unmoving, and she knew he was grieving. Everywhere she looked, she saw many people she recognized. She tried to smile. "Nancy sure knew a lot of people," she spoke softly to Bess.
Bess plunged her hand into her purse and pulled out a tissue. "She knew everybody! Everybody loved her!" she cried, quickly soaking the tissue, and reaching for another, pulled out a handful.
"George, Bess."
The cousins turned towards the voice, and saw Andrea Bender threading her way through the crowd of mourners towards them. When she reached them, George noticed how pale her face was, a bold contrast to the black pantsuit she wore. For a moment, George wondered if Andrea was reliving the nightmare she had faced years ago when she lost her own daughter, Vanessa, to cancer.
She enveloped both girls into her arms and held them close. Without a word, all three stood there, holding onto each other as unspoken words of grief and condolences passed between them.
Suddenly, the pressure on the small group tightened, and George saw more of their mutual friends join the three. Chet Morton and Callie Shaw Sloan each wrapped their arms around the closest person. With each face down and each being so close, George couldn't tell who the gentle sobbing was coming from.
NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB
Ned Nickerson sat still, his eyes focused at the front of the chapel. Many people came by to express their sadness and condolences, and to offer words of encouragement. Some even gave him a small testimony of how Nancy had helped them in the past. But it didn't ease the pain in his heart the tiniest bit. He just stared at a large photo that had been placed at the front, his eyes never leaving to glance at the other two portraits.
He had always known this was a possibility. That some day, she might not ever come back to him. And though they had argued about that often, some part of him was always hopeful that she would remain the invincible, head-strong red-head she had always presented herself as.
He sighed and blinked, shifting in his wheelchair. He wasn't fully paralyzed, but after overhearing a conversation earlier that afternoon, if he didn't make some movement once in a while, people thought he was a quadriplegic. He quickly dismissed the thought and refocused on the portrait.
Even though they had broken up a few months earlier, it didn't mean he loved her any less. Deep down, he knew the real reason she had chosen to end their relationship. She had come to realize that she couldn't protect him anymore. The moment he saw her face, when he had finally woken up in the hospital, he knew something inside her had changed.
As the time passed and he began his physical therapy, she had become more and more withdrawn from him, not physically, but emotionally. She no longer confided in him when struggling with a case. She only talked about how his therapy and recovering were progressing, and the lighter side of her life. He knew she blamed his injury on herself, and no amount of persuasion could convince her otherwise. His parents had spoken to Nancy privately, trying to help Nancy understand that they did not blame her for anything, which she accepted, but she continued to blame herself.
Ned was jolted out of his thoughts as he felt a hand on his shoulder. He gave a weak smile when he saw who was standing next to him. "Hey, guys."
Burt Eddleton and Dave Evans flanked his wheelchair, each staring at the same memory that had held Ned's attention since arriving earlier. Both men had been college buddies and fraternity brothers of Ned's, and had joined Nancy and her friends on many of her cases. Although Bess and Dave, and George and Burt had dated in the past, the friendships had remained steadfast. The dangers they had faced together had forged a nearly-unbreakable relationship for the group.
Dave took a chair next to Ned, while Burt remained standing, his grip a firm, but reassuring feel on Ned's shoulder.
Dave shook his head sadly. "It just doesn't seem right, does it? Like life cheated her."
"Or death did," Burt added softly. "But, it was an accident. And maybe this accident is what saved her from suffering in the future. If nothing else, we should be thankful that she died this way, rather than at the hands of..." he trailed off when he felt Ned stiffen. "I'm sorry."
Ned just heaved another sigh. "It's alright. I know what you mean, and for that, I'm extremely grateful that it happened in this manner. It just doesn't make it any easier." He glanced at his two friends. "And thanks for coming. I know you guys have been busy lately."
Dave smiled at Ned. "You know you shouldn't be thanking us. Of course we'd be here, no question. But my question is, how are you?"
Ned glanced down at his hands. "I don't know. I guess the proper word would be numb. Or confused. Frustrated. Exhausted. They all seem to fit. And angry."
Burt saw his hands clench into fists with his last statement. "Angry?" He pulled up a chair next to Ned's, catching Dave's eye as he sat down.
Ned exhaled through his nose, quelling the sudden burst of anger he felt racing through him. He didn't speak, only breathed. For a few long moments, the trio sat silently.
"I should have been there," he stated suddenly. "If I weren't confined to this chair, I would have been with her, and I could have protected her."
"Ned," Burt looked at his friend. "If you had been with her, you would have died also."
"Then at least we'd be together. But he was there. And he should have protected her," he growled. "He shouldn't have let this happen."
Dave raised an eyebrow at Burt. "You're talking about Frank Hardy." He had meant it as a gentle statement to reaffirm his belief, not an accusing question. But when Ned's eyes narrowed, Dave had to wonder if his tone had been harsh.
"I know you didn't exactly like Frank, but aren't you being a little unfair? It's not like they are standing in this room right now," Burt added.
Ned just shrugged. "Probably. Well, yeah, I am, I suppose. But what am I supposed to think? How am I supposed to act? I don't know how to deal with this!"
"You take it one day at a time, son." Carson Drew stepped in front of the three guys. "Noone expects anything else."
NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB
After the close of the service, Chet Morton stepped outside into the sunlight, drawing a ragged breath. Too many emotions and memories overwhelmed him in such a place, and he just had to get away from everything for a moment. Life sure is unfair, he thought glumly.
During the service, he kept glancing at the family and friends gathered, all still in shock of the loss. It was all too familiar. And for his little town of Bayport, it was definitely too much. Their town had suffered greatly over the years, but not just from crime, but from the loss of those who dared stand in crime's way. His sister, Iola Morton. His friend, Vanessa Bender. And now, Frank and Joe Hardy, his best friends.
He thrust his hands into the pockets of his black pants and rocked back on the heels of his boots. The temporary escape helped him to calm his mind and allow himself a few moments to gather his courage and console himself, before he joined others in consoling those who had lost their children.
The door opened, and Andrea Bender appeared next to him. Chet gave her a drawn smile, and was met by the same. The smiles faded into the silence.
NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB
As Laura Hardy hugged the last person, she turned to her right, facing her husband and their friend. The looks were identical, and she couldn't help the fresh tears that slipped down her face. She knew their hearts were breaking as much as hers. She stepped up to them, and grasped Fenton's hand in her right one, and Carson's in her left. She squeezed them gently. "I think that," she hesitated, "this time, it was just one of those things. No criminals or bombs. Just life."
Fenton sighed heavily. "If I could, I would trade everything to have them back." He glanced at Carson.
The lawyer just stood there, eyes shifted upward. He hated it. He hated how unfair life seemed to treat him. Losing his wife long ago nearly killed him. His sole reason for living had been Nancy. And now, in a cruel twist of fate, she was gone, too. Over the last years, as she matured into a bright, capable young woman, her life had pulled her away from River Heights. And although he didn't see her as often as he would have liked, they talked at least once a week. And now, he'd never be able to talk to her again. To tell her how much he loved her, how proud he was, how much like her mother she was. Yes, he had told her many times before, but there would never be a next time.
But at the same time, he was comforted to know that Elizabeth and Nancy were together again. His thoughts were in a torrent, and he couldn't help the lone thought that kept coming back. I wish I were with them. A knot twisted in his stomach, as he glanced at Fenton. He'll never know how lucky he still is, he thought darkly. He still has Laura.
A hand on his arm snapped him out of his thoughts. "Carson, you're still needed here." Eloise Drew smiled softly at her brother. "She would want you to keep going."
Behind her, Hannah stood, gripping a box of tissue. She looked at the family members standing there, and then to Gertrude Hardy next to her. "They would want us all to keep living, and to be happy. We mustn't forget that."