Dana Larson sang her last note. Once she was finished, the stadium started screaming.
"Thank you Stockholm! God natt!" (Goodnight)
"That was our own former Sweet Valley resident, Dana Larson. Live in Stockholm, Sweden. She is missed in Sweet Valley, but in the small chance she is listening, I hope you come home before your world tour ends. Before I sign off there is exciting news. More More Music is auditioning bands. There will be thirty spots, but only twelve will be chosen for the taping. Auditions will be taking place in Sweet Valley High's gymnasium. Don't forget to sign up at SVWolf dot net. Anyways, this is Egman on Wolf! Awoooo!" Winston signs off just as soon as his replacement, Sam Burgess comes in.
"Egbert, good show there. Are you covering the judging?"
"I don't know yet. The big boss didn't ask."
"Well if you do, you should take it. You know the music scene better than I do."
"I'll think about it. Night!"
"Night."
Winston waves goodnight to Sam just as he puts on his headphones. It's been four weeks since the accident. His old enemy, Bruce Patman was keeping to himself these days. His parents, Henry and Marie Patman were dead. A drunk driver hit them head on and both were killed instantly. His cousin Reggie was alive, but was paralyzed from the waist down. God he disliked Bruce, but he wouldn't wish that on his worst enemy.
He remembered that night, he and Brooke were telling details about their wedding. Almost everyone rolled their eyes about their wedding details. Good. Both Winston and Brooke wanted to make everyone gag about their wedding details. When Brooke asked him about having a New York theme, Winston counteracted with a tropical theme. In the end they both compromised. Brooke will have her glam wedding, with Winston wearing a top hat to complete the New York look. The reception was going to be somewhat casual, they wanted their guests to be dressed up, but everyone was going to be dressed with leis from the Hawaiian dancers Winston was going to hire. There will be a city theme, a lá NYC, but with tropical flowers and dancers. Should he hire fire dancers as well? He was about to ask Todd for his opinion before Bruce walked up to the mic and made his announcement that the party was canceled. He then walked away to everyone scratching their heads. Then Lila and Jessica quietly led everyone out. No one knew why till the news came out the next day.
It was Clay DiPlama that was the drunk driver. He was speeding at one hundred twenty one miles an hour when he crashed into the Patmans. He was dead when the paramedics and fire trucks arrived, same with the Marie and Henry. The force of the crash caused all three necks to suffer severe injuries, but Reggie's life was spared when his airbag deployed. Sadly Marie and Henry were sitting in the back, and didn't survive.
The funerals were attended by almost everyone in Sweet Valley and beyond. Bruce didn't want to speak, but as the only Patman left, (Reggie was in a coma)he gave a moving eulogy.
Jessica was sitting with Lila holding her hand. Lila was numb. She and Bruce said some heated words, many that they both regretted. Lila still didn't tell anyone about her pregnancy, only select few. Winston found out from Brooke. Deep down he was glad Lila and Bruce were having a baby. Hopefully, their child brought them both closer together.
Alice and Ned, the Fowlers, Mr "Chrome Dome" Cooper, former SVH principal, Roger Collins, and his wife and son, Nora (Dalton)Collins, and colleged aged Ted "Teddy" Collins, SVH's new principal Bob Russo, plus Bruce's aunt and uncle came to the funerals. Reggie's parents showed up briefly, but couldn't stay due to their son being on life support. The Patman's business partners, old college buddies, politicians, the list was endless who showed up.
Todd, Bruce, Steven, Winston, Ken Matthews, and Joe Howell were the pallbearers for Henry. While Elizabeth, Jessica, Brooke, Nora Collins, Maria and Alex were the pallbearers for Marie. Both were buried in the Patman Family Plot in the historic Sweet Valley District.
Thankfully Reggie pulled through, but was devastated when he found out he was paralyzed from the waist down. But not as much as losing his aunt and uncle. His guilt was heavy and told everyone that it was karma for him for slightly speeding. He heard of Bruce's party and didn't want to miss it. He sent his condolences to Bruce, with Bruce saying that he didn't blame him for the accident.
As far as Winston knew Reggie was doing physical rehab. He and Bruce were figuring out the details on who should run the Patman family business.
He was glad to pull up to his home he shared with Brooke. He was excited about his wedding, but his enthusiasm was cut short. Especially when he found out Clay was a key witness to the trial. Now with him dead, it was all on Cara now.
He locked up his beloved orange beetle. He had that car since high school. He knew he could afford a new car, but he didn't want to part with it just yet. He sent a prayer to Bruce and Reggie. All they had was each other now.
