It was three in the morning and Louise was wide awake. Her insomnia had been worse than ever since the accident. It wasn't so bad at the hospitals. Everything was loud and she endured frequent checks. Her first day's home wasn't bad either. She didn't have to worry about school or anything. At least she was still on half day but Dr. Macon, Mr. Frond, and unfortunately her parents agreed that luxury would end after winter break. Thanksgiving was in two days, she had less than a month of half days left.
Of course, she knew life had to get back to normal eventually. She was just hoping to at least get through the rest of fourth grade or better, yet they just kept forgetting and she never had to go back to school full time. Her mind was racing, and she reveled in the silence of the night. Until the silence was broken by the sound of Linda screaming. She heard Bob beg her to calm down. She assumed her mother had just had a nightmare. Until she heard her parents' door slam. Intrigued, she pulled herself into her wheelchair and wheeled to the living room. She spotted Linda grabbing a photo album off the bookshelf and shoving it into her suitcase.
"Mom? What's going on?" Louise asked.
"Nothing, mommy just has to go away for a while. Now go back to sleep." Linda replied shakily.
Louise woke the next morning confused and exhausted. She wheeled to the kitchen where Bob was busy cooking breakfast. Tina was scribbling in her notebook and Gene was hurriedly completing a math assignment.
"Uh Gene, buddy?" Louise called.
"What is it, Louise?" Gene asked.
"I don't think 44x9=-3
"Maybe in the fourth grade but things are different in sixth grade." Gene scoffed.
"No, they aren't Gene and maybe next time do your homework the night it's assigned." Bob warned.
"Oh boo" Gene whined.
"So, where's mom?" Tina asked.
"Wait she's really gone. That wasn't a dream?" Louise asked, still half asleep.
"She just had to go away for a bit." Bob replied.
The second to last day before Thanksgiving break was crammed full of tedious work. Winter break would begin the Friday before Christmas and teachers were rushing to get assignments completed before it became time to start reviewing for semester exams. Of course, the fourth-grade exam was pretty basic. Nothing too intense. Louise was just hoping for a little more pre-Thanksgiving fun. The next day would be a half day for Wagstaff. Louise was praying that it would be a quarter day for her.
"Boy that was a brutal." Rudy laughed taking a seat beside Louise.
"Tell me about it." Louise concurred.
"You kids don't know how good you have it. Trust me, fourth grade is small potatoes compared to what us fifth graders are enduring. Enjoy your youth." Benj sighed.
"OK, grandpa." Louise laughed.
"Hey, I already have the chair!" Benj cried.
"And I have the lungs of a middle-aged smoker." Rudy added.
"Aw Rudy" Louise whispered.
"What's going on, Belcher? I got grandpa and he gets aw Rudy? You like him or something?" Benj questioned.
"What no." Louise lied laughing nervously.
"So, what's going on with you guys?" Rudy asked.
"My brother is coming home tonight." Benj replied.
"Nice, what about you Louise?" Rudy questioned.
"I don't know. It's weird. I heard noises last night. So, I got up to check and my mom was rushing out of the house. She said she had to go away for a while. Then when we talked to my dad he didn't say much more." Louise explained.
"Maybe she's a secret agent in deep cover." Benj suggested.
"Nah that's way too cool for my mom." Louise sighed.
"Maybe she's secretly Courtney Linford?" Rudy offered, referring to a mysterious singer who never revealed her true identity.
"Isn't she like twenty and black?" Lousie reminded.
"Yeah, but maybe she's, her agent." Rudy hoped.
"She is not a mystery singer or her agent!" Louise snapped.
"I know what happened to your mom." Chloe laughed.
"What?" Louise asked.
"Think about it. Leaving in the middle of the night. Not telling anyone where she went. Clearly, she left. She is ashamed of having a worthless cripple for a daughter. So, she packed her bags and ran away to start a new life." Chloe explained.
"You don't really think my mom would leave us, do you?" Louise questioned.
"I mean I would." Chloe replied.
"Yeah, and you know I read a book last year. Where a girl got burned and her mom ran away without her. Then she started a new life and had a new baby she named after the deformed freak." Lynette added.
"I don't think my mom can have more babies." Lousie sighed.
"Well, whatever she left." Chloe taunted.
"Can you guys just cool it?!" Louise begged.
"Maybe if you did something about it?" Lynette suggested.
"You know I can't." Louise rebutted.
"Can't you?" Chloe teased.
"You know I can't! I can't get out of this chair. Because of you by the way and I also can't fight you with my words either!" Louise snapped.
"Aw that's too bad." Chloe smirked.
"Tragic" Lynette agreed.
Louise knew better than to let Chloe and Lynette get to her. She had not expressly told Dr. Macon what was going on. She just said that some kids from school were bullying her. She again did not clarify what the bullying was. Just that it was occurring. Dr. Macon had just told her to ignore it. Unless it got to the point where she did not feel safe. In which case she was supposed to tell her or another trusted adult. Yeah, like that would happen. She knew to just let it go but this time it really hurt. Linda was mysteriously gone, and Linda had always been so active. Louise could see where she would not want anything to do with a paralyzed daughter. She probably would leave forever and start a new family. Though she may send for the others and leave Louise on her own. Come to think of it she was wheeling home alone. Maybe Tina and Gene had already been called away. A feeling of relief washed over her. When she opened the restaurant door and saw Bob standing behind the counter talking to Teddy.
"Hey Louise. How was school?" Bob greeted.
"OK" Louise sighed.
"You sure? You seem upset." Bob commented.
"Of course, I am upset!" Louise snapped.
"What happened?" Bob asked.
"Was it deer?" Teddy guessed.
"Deer?" Louise questioned.
"When I was a kid. Deer broke into my school and ate all the chocolate pudding. The rest of the year we had to endure tapioca." Teddy explained shuddering.
"They kept the same pudding all year?" Louise questioned.
"It was in vast. Just not very good ones." Teddy clarified.
"OK well that's not what happened." Louise replied.
"So, what is upsetting you?" Bob asked.
"Shouldn't you know?" Louise demanded.
"Uh no I don't." Bob replied.
"Mom, Tina, and Gene left because of me!" Louise cried.
"What? Who told you that?" Bob demanded.
"Uh somebody from school." Louise fibbed.
"Well, whoever that was, was a lying bully." Bob assured.
"If this mystery kid was lying. Where is everybody?" Louise demanded.
"Gene has detention for not turning in his math homework and Tina went down to the community center with her Thundergirl troop to help set up for the outreach Thanksgiving dinner they are hosting on Thursday." Bob explained.
"OK I remember now but where mom is?" Lousie questioned.
"Look she didn't want to tell you kids anything. Until she had some definite answers but seeing how upset you are. I guess I shouldn't keep it from you anymore." Bob sighed.
"What's going on? She's not sick or anything? Right?" Louise asked.
"She is fine, but your Grandma Gloria fell leaving her bridge game last night. She was scraped up but OK. So, she went home. Then a few hours later she fell into the bathroom. She seemed disoriented. So, your Grandpa Al called an ambulance. At first, they weren't too concerned. They thought she was just tired. Then all of the sudden she couldn't use her right side. Louise, your grandma had a stroke. She is in the ICU and things are pretty touch and go right now. She has stabilized some but last night when they called your mom. She was very critical. They did not know if she would survive. Your mom and Gayle had to catch the first flight they could to Florida." Bob explained.
Tina helped Harley roll a round folding table into the main room of the community center. They popped up the legs and flipped the table upright. The center already looked amazing. She was grateful to be able to help set up for such a wonderful event. Even though Bob always went out of his way to make Thanksgiving great. Even on a shoestring budget. She was well aware of her family's economic status. She knew how easily they could end up requiring assistance to celebrate a holiday.
"Tina! Can you go get the tablecloths out of the closet in the gym?" Ginny asked.
"Sure" Tina replied.
Tina grabbed the keys from Ginny and walked down the hall to the gym. She could hear the local junior cheerleading squad practicing inside. A whistle blew and the coach told the girls to take ten. The door opened and girls began filing out. Tina slowly approached the supply cabinet. She saw Chloe and her sister Lynette sitting on the stage talking. Tina waved but they did not see her. She unlocked the cabinet and grabbed the box of tablecloths. Chloe and Lynette were talking now. She knew eavesdropping was wrong but was always intrigued by the popular kids. The girls were talking and suddenly Tina was hit with a feeling of nausea. They were the mysterious voices she had heard on Halloween. Now she was really intrigued and furious.
"I really thought Louise was going to get out of the chair today. When we started in about her mom leaving." Chloe laughed.
"We'll get her soon, sis." Lynette assured.
"I hope so. If coach finds out I've been bully, I'll be off the squad for sure." Chloe sighed.
"Tomorrow, we hit her where it hurts. We take her hat and throw it on the catwalk during Frond's stupid play." Lynette explained.
"That will get that little rat on her feet for sure." Chloe laughed.
Tina slammed the cabinet shut completely blinded by rage. She knew Chloe was awful for having paralyzed Louise and Lynette was no peach either, but she didn't think they were that cruel. She didn't think they would stoop as low as trying to trick Louise into getting out of her wheelchair. She assumed they would at least believe Louise was really paralyzed, that Chloe would feel some remorse. She picked up the box and walked towards the exit. The coach blew his whistle again and the girls ran back to the practice area. Tina watched Chloe run with ease. It made her sick. Knowing that she could move freely, that she was not in a wheelchair and afraid. She deserved to know how Louise felt. Tina shook the dark thoughts away. She knew it was wrong to feel the way she did, but she could not help it. She quickly ran back to the main room with the box.
"That took you a while Tina, everything OK?" Ginny asked.
"Fine just got caught up talking with a girl from school." Tina lied.
"OK well help Jodie set out the tablecloths." Ginny ordered.
"Yes mam" Tina replied.
Later that evening Linda called, confirming what Bob had told Louise. Gloria was making as good progress as she could in less than twenty-four hours after what was determined to have been a substantial stroke. They were optimistic that she would survive but it was going to be a long road to recovery.
Louise was happy to know her grandmother was going to be OK. She was even happier to know that Bob was not lying. That her mom had not left her. Tuesday night was even harder on her than Monday had been. Even though she knew Linda still loved her and would be home in a few days. She could not get Chloe and Lynette's words out of her mind. How long would it be before her family got tired of her? How long until one or all of them really did leave? The thought made her sick.
Seymour's Bay woke the day before Thanksgiving to winter wonderland. The sprinkling of snow that was expected. Had turned into a rich blanket of snow that got school canceled and most businesses closed. Every kid and kid at heart outside enjoying the first snow of the year. Every kid except the Belcher kids. Bob had requested Tina and Gene help with a few restaurant chores, before being allowed to play. Louise was of course expected to help as well but she would not be able to go out after the work was done. At least she assumed she would not be. Her chair was supposed to be all or at least most terrain but was it really?
"Tina, Gene? Can I talk to you in the kitchen?" Bob called.
"Sure" Tina replied.
"Coming father!" Gene added.
Tina and Gene followed Bob into the kitchen. While Lousie continued wiping down menus, annoyed that she had to keep working.
"What is it, father?" Gene asked upon entering the kitchen.
"Louise has been really depressed since the accident and what Chloe told her yesterday made things even worse. Your mom and I were going to take her Black Friday shopping at the toy store but with your mom down in Florida. I don't think that is happening. So, I was wondering. Could you take Louise to the park? Take her sledding maybe?" Bob asked.
"Can Louise sled?" Tina asked.
"If one of you rides with her." Bob replied.
"I'll help her." Tina vowed.
Louise scowled as she followed her siblings to the park. Her chair handled OK in the snow but what was she supposed to do at the park? How was she supposed to sled? Her trunk control was pretty amazing but what if she fell? Then again sledding was still her favorite winter activity, and half the fun was falling. Plus, Tina had promised to help her out. Tina was puberty sweaty and clumsy, but she would never let anything happen to her baby sister. Louise smiled and picked up her pace. Before she knew it, they were at the park. Much to her chagrin there were teenage boys having loud snowball fight at the bottom of the hill.
"Sorry boys! We are here to sled!" Louise cried.
"Shut up, baby! Wait Smellcher? Is that you?" Logan greeted.
"It's good to see you again too, Logan." Louise replied.
"Oh My God! It is true! You are crippled now! Man did Christmas come early or what?" Logan laughed.
"Didn't your mom teach you manners? It's rude to make fun of the handicapped." Louise scoffed.
"Well baby. When you get to high school like me. You are taught a few things about the disabled. Mainly that you are supposed to treat them like everybody else. Ergo it would actually be rude of me not to make fun of you." Logan explained.
"You're a real advocate for civil rights." Louise laughed.
"And a gentleman too. So, you know what. I am going to let you sled!" Logan cried running up the hill.
"What are you doing?" Louise asked.
"Did you lose your hearing too? I am letting you sled!" Logan cried taking the handles of Louise's wheelchair and shoving her hard down the hill.
For the second time in two months. Lousie endured an event that only took seconds but felt like hours. Her heart was racing a million miles per second. She could not believe that this was happening. Her screams were heard throughout the park and a crowd had already gathered. By the time her chair crashed into the snow at the bottom of the hill, flipping in the process. She fell to the ground with a hard thud. There was a snap, and she instantly felt an unimaginable pain in her arm.
"LOUISE!" Tina cried rushing to her side.
"Are you OK?" Rudy asked in gasped breaths.
"My arm. It hurts really bad." Louise replied.
"Gene! I forgot the emergency phone! Go home and get dad!" Tina ordered.
"Just a minute." Gene replied.
A feeling of rage washed over Gene. Dr. Macon had been working with him on controlling his temper but in this second. His breathing exercises and calming thoughts did not work. He grabbed a rock and a handful of snow, rolling the rock and snow into a tight ball. He hurled the rock ball at Logan, the ball hit the teenage bully square in the face and his nose began to bleed.
"You little punk!" Logan spat.
"GENE GO GET DAD! NOW!" Tina ordered as she helped Louise back into her wheelchair.
Gene ran as fast as his legs would carry him back towards Bob's Burgers. Normally he was the least athletic of the Belcher trio but knowing his sister was in trouble. Knowing that he was in trouble. He was dead meat when Logan caught him. He knew it was a bad idea to throw that rock ball, but that jerk had hurt Louise. Louise who had already been hurt so much.
"DAD! COME QUCK! SOMETHING'S HAPPENED TO LOUISE!" Gene cried.
Somebody had already called 911 by the time Gene returned to the park with Bob. Logan and his friends were long since gone as were most of the witnesses. Those who remained were gathered around Tina and Louise. Louise sat in her wheelchair holding her arm and crying.
"What happened?" Bob demanded.
"Logan and his friends were having a snowball fight. Louise asked them to move albeit rudely. Logan charged Louise and pushed her down the hill. She fell out of her chair." Tina explained.
"And definitely broke my arm. Don't forget that." Louise winced.
The ambulance arrived a few minutes later. Louise was loaded into the back, Bob climbed in with her and this time the paramedics allowed Tina and Gene to ride along. The drive to the hospital felt like it took an eternity. Upon arrival Louise was whisked off for tests. While Bob was left with the dreaded task of calling Linda.
"Lin, it's Bob." Bob greeted.
"Bobby? What is it?" Linda questioned.
"Linda there's been an accident. It's Louise." Bob sighed.
"Another accident?" Linda gasped.
"Logan attacked her at the park. They think she broke her arm." Bob explained.
"WHAT?! My poor baby! Oh, My poor baby! Logan is dead! He's dead!" Linda bellowed.
Sure enough, Louise did break her arm and quite severely at that. They would be keeping her overnight for observation and she would be undergoing surgery first thing in the morning. Linda booked the first flight she could back to Seymour's Bay.
"So now I broke my arm? And I have to have surgery? And I have to stay overnight?" Louise questioned.
"Afraid so" Bob sighed.
"But my arm will be, OK? Right? I will be able to use it again. Right?" Louise asked.
"You will be in the cast for at least six weeks after surgery and it's going to mean more physical therapy but yes you will be back to normal soon." Bob assured.
Linda arrived back in Seymour's Bay around five in the afternoon. She immediately rushed to the hospital. Where she spent the remainder of visiting hours with Louise. The family checked into a hotel for the night. They were up bright and early to be back at the hospital for Louise's surgery. The surgery went well, and Louise was scheduled to be released by the afternoon. About an hour after Louise got out of surgery a pair of detectives arrived to the hospital.
"Mr. and Mrs. Belcher we would like to ask your children a few questions." Detective Jones announced.
"So, we were just at the park to cheer Louise up and Logan pushed her down the hill." Tina explained.
"Has this Logan bullied Louise before?" Detective Jones asked.
"Yes, he stole her hat last year. Then last winter his friends started attacking us with snowballs." Tina replied.
"Uh-huh" Dr. Jones replied.
"Please tell me he's been arrested." Tina begged.
"Your parents would have to press charges and even if they do because he is a minor. He may not be taken in." Detective Jones explained.
It was not the Thanksgiving Bob had envisioned but after the past few months. He was just glad to have his family together. Louise was released in the late afternoon. Thanks to having done most of the prep work earlier in the week. Bob was able to toss together his Thanksgiving dinner. They did not eat until after eight that night and Louise was still woozy from the anesthesia.
"This year I just want to say I am grateful for my family. Grateful Gloria is recovering, Grateful that Louise has survived two horrible attacks." Bob spoke.
"Thanks for the reminder" Louise hissed.
"I love all of you." Bob finished.