Chapter 12: "To be Startled is Much Better Than to be Scared"

Sandy had estimated properly, and by nightfall she pulled her old car into a hospital parking lot in Missouri City, Texas. The drive had been dreary, SpongeBob disliked her taste in music, an he couldn't think of anything better to do, so they'd sat in silence most of the way. But now, arriving at their destination, Sandy began to feel extremely nervous. She hadn't seen her parents in ten years, and wasn't sure whether or not they approved of her choice of home. They hadn't exactly been on good terms when she left. However, the fact that he father had bothered to call and confide in her gave her confidence, and she prompted SpongeBob to get out of the car with her.

She wasn't ten steps, when she spotted her father coming toward her. He'd definitely aged...of course, a person could do that in ten years. She was sure that she'd changed, too. She was no longer the teenager she'd been when she left, she was almost thirty years old.

"Sandy!" His accent surprised even her...had she been in Bikini Bottom that long?

"Pa!" She called back, and they met up and embraced strongly. "Pa, this is SpongeBob. He joined me on the drive to make it less lonely. SpongeBob, this is my father!"

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Cheeks!" SpongeBob greeted, though he looked a bit nervous too. Sandy's mood must have worn off on him.

"Nice to meet you, boy!" Mr. Cheeks replied. SpongeBob liked him already; he wore a big smile, and had lines around his suntanned mouth and eyes from smiling. But he wasn't smiling today. He turned back to his daughter. "Sandy, your ma's condition hasn't improved, and she's still askin' for you."

"Let's go see her, then!" Sandy said, urgently. The three made their way into the big building. The elevator felt a bit odd, and once they reached the top floor Sandy's father directed them down a set of halls toward where Mrs. Cheeks must be.

SpongeBob suddenly felt very nervous. "I'll wait for you out here, Sandy." He said, stopping in the hall outside the room. Something about walking in on a sick person like that made him feel intrusive.

"That's okay SpongeBob," Sandy said. She patted his head, and then followed her father into the room.

-----

"Patrick, I did not--" Meg's protest did no good, as Patrick tried to give her a black eye through the kitchen window. She was faster than him, however, and was able to duck out of the way before he made contact. "Patrick! You're not--" He came crashing through the window, and Meg jumped out of the way. She didn't want to hurt him, but she didn't want to get beat to a pulp, either. "Squidward, say something!"

"Like what?!" Squidward's tone was extremely grouchy, and Meg was honestly surprised that he didn't come through the window after her first.

"I don't know--" She screamed, and ducked beneath a flying spatula. "Patrick! Please--" When he rushed at her again, she grabbed him by the shoulders and shoved him to the floor, pinning his arm behind his back.

"Get off me!" He exclaimed, angrily.

Meg sighed. "Patrick, you're being ridiculous. I didn't even say anything, and you came through the window trying to bite my head off, and you expect me to let you go?!"

He squirmed furiously, and seconds later Mr. Krabs came bursting into the kitchen. "What the halibut is going on in here?" Great, all Meg needed was more negativity.

"Sir, he attacked me. I was just--"

"You don't pin the customers down, ignorant--"

"Mr. Krabs! This is Patrick we're talking about!" Meg flushed purple, trying to calm down.

"Get back to work, lass!" He shouted. "And let that man up!"

"But sir--"

"NOW!" His bellow shook the hanging utensils, and Meg, startled, let Patrick up off of the floor. He punched Meg in the arm, hard, and then brushed himself off and left.

Mr. Krabs threw her a glare, and then exited the kitchen and went back to recluse in his office.

Meg wanted to cry. What was wrong with everybody?

-----

"Mama?" Sandy didn't like what she saw. Her mother...always so strong, so able, and now here she was, laying in a hospital bed looking like the life had been drained completely out of her. The only indications that she was living were the constantly beeping heart monitor and her eyes. Her mother's eyes had always had a sparkle, even when she didn't feel well. That sparkle was there now.

"Hey baby!" Mrs. Cheeks reached for Sandy's hand as her daughter sat gingerly down.

"How are they treatin' ya?" Sandy asked. She took her mother's hand and fought back the threatening onslaught of tears.

"Very well." She replied, smiling. "How have ya been? I haven't seen you in ages!"

Sandy knew her mother would try to get her to talk about her new home, if for nothing more than to distract her for a while. "I've been wonderful, ma." She gave her a sad smile. "Bikini Bottom is very beautiful, did Pa ever show you the letters?"

Mrs. Cheeks nodded, still smiling. "Flowers and sunshine and our little girl. It must be a paradise!"

Sandy laughed, despite her watering eyes. "I've made some wonderful friends."

"Is that so? Well, what wonderful person wouldn't want to be friends with you?" No sarcasm or hurt showed on her mother's face, just pride and love.

It cut Sandy to the bones.

"You find a fella yet?" She asked, smirking.

Sandy felt better, knowing that she hadn't lost any of her love for life, or her enthusiasm. "Not yet, mama." She pulled her chair closer. "But I brought my best friend. He rode with me because I was afraid to come alone." She admitted.

"'Sat so?"

Sandy nodded. She could feel that her body and heart wanted her to cry, but she choked it back. Not yet, She told herself. Not in front of ma. Please...

"Is he a handsome friend?"

"Ma!"

Mrs. Cheeks laughed, only to sit up and start coughing.

Sandy jumped forward. "You okay?"

Still coughing, she nodded and motioned toward a pitcher of water on the bedside table. Sandy quickly poured a glass and handed it to her. After a few moments, Mrs. Cheeks was once again sitting back comfortably.

"Oh baby, I've missed you so much!" She pulled Sandy into a strong embrace, which Sandy returned carefully, burying her face into her mother's fur. She felt so much like a little child right now...and it felt good to be with her ma.