Epilogue
December 1996
1 month later
The TV made a funny sound as the 3D sprite of Super Mario died. The black on the screen suddenly said game over and gave the option to either restart or quit.
"Dammit!" Bennet said as he hurled his fist. He turned his head to Andy.
"I'm the one who got you into video games. You only just got the 64, you can't be better than me! Your system had to be broken."
Andy turned his head right back and gave him a sly smirk. "Don't blame the game because you suck." Bennet drooped his face, giving a very "not amused" look.
"Har Har" he said, "this is just Mario 64. I'll still kick your ass in every other game."
A knock came at the front door and Sapphire started barking.
"Andy, Bennet's mom is here!" He heard his mothers voice shout up to him.
"Be right down!" He put the controller down and flicked the off switch.
"Next time." He said as they made their way out of his room downstairs.
After Bennet left Andy got started on his homework. It was Friday but hey, I'm a 7th grader. I get homework on the weekends now. After he finished, Karen called to him from the kitchen.
"Dinner's ready Andy!" He put down the pencil and rushed downstairs. Man, I'm starving. He entered and smelled his new favorite food, Lasagna.
Later
Karen Barclay stood on the back deck of her house. She sipped her tea and watched Andy on the hill above. Her little boy had become so mature over the years, such a nice young man. Even in the freezing cold winter evening he'd make his way up that hill to pay his respects. She sipped her tea once more and smiled a knowing smile. A smile that said: even if something happens I know my boy will be ok.
Andy stood on top of the hill. His hair blowing in the wind as he looked at the tombstones of all three of them. The left: Molly Hadison, loving mother and wife. The right: James Hadison, loving father and husband. The middle: Tyler Hadison, loving son. The carving read, together in forgiveness and rest.
Andy smiled as he looked up into the starry night sky. I'll never forget you Tyler. I'll never forget my brother.
Andy lay in his bed, the clock read 10:30 and he was getting sleepy. He'd brushed his teeth and homework was finished. He'd read a few chapters of his book, Lord of the rings and he stared out the window into the night sky and the full moon. He thought of his favorite book when he was little, Goodnight moon. And he smiled as he recalled every word of it.
In the great green room there was a telephone and a red balloon, and a picture of the cow jumping over the moon.
And there were three little bears sitting on chairs, and two little kittens and a pair of mittens. And a little toy house and a young mouse. And a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush. And a quiet old lady who was whispering "hush."
Goodnight room,
Goodnight moon,
Goodnight cow jumping over the moon,
Goodnight light,
And the red balloon,
Goodnight bears,
Goodnight chairs,
Goodnight kittens,
And Goodnight mittens,
Goodnight clocks,
And Goodnight socks,
Goodnight little house,
And Goodnight mouse,
Goodnight comb,
And Goodnight brush,
Goodnight nobody,
Goodnight mush,
And Goodnight to the old lady whipping "hush,"
Goodnight stars,
Goodnight air,
Goodnight noises everywhere,
The sound of the wind slowly disappeared as Andy's eyes closed and he fell fast asleep.
Goodnight moon.
