I do not own Arthur. It belongs to Marc Brown
It have been five years since Dave got Alzheimer's. There have been a lot of changes since then. D.W. and Kate (who was a baby) are making out fine. It have been tough for Arthur because he has been struggling adjusting at first. He came around later that day when he and D.W. made a memory album with a help from Francine. Then, Jane decided to move near Lucy's to help take care of him a few years ago while she's at work.
He is now 13 and attends junior high school, which he still can attend, while his sisters attend Lakewood Elementary School. As he was getting older, he gets to stay up for another hour on school nights now, but later on weekends. He usually brushes his teeth either before or after his sisters so he can have free time until he goes to bed. Kate have no problem going to bed early. D.W. got jealous, but her mom reminds her she needs to set an example for her little sister.
The new house is big enough for all the kids to have their own rooms, but the girls needed to share a bedroom. Their grandmother moved in next door last year. She have been helping out while their parents are working late, especially when Jane helps David out with the parties. They saved the guestroom in case she stays overnight if they work late.
At the dinner table, Jane said, "I have something to discuss with all of you. I had a phone call from my sister. Your grandfather is entering hospice care and will be taken care of him while living with my sister."
"What are you saying?" asked Arthur.
He had a gut feeling he could be losing his grandfather any day now.
"The doctors are giving him several months to live. I'll be taking time off from work to care for him," said Jane. "David, can you help handling the kids for the time being because I'm not going to be around much?"
"Sure, but I won't be able to help out tomorrow. I'll be catering for a big party. Are you free to come help out?" David asked Jane.
"I'll try my best after I'm done helping with my father," said Jane.
"Take your time," said David. "Therefore, Arthur, do you mind keeping an eye on your sisters?"
"Maybe," said Arthur. "Um, may I leave the table, Mom?"
"Of course, sweetie," said Jane.
Arthur gets up and leaves for his room.
"How come he haven't been watching us?" asked D.W.
"Hate to say this, but I could tell he won't be in the mood to baby-sit because he is depressed and it gets worse lately," said Jane.
"I thought the album helped Arthur," said D.W.
"I thought so, too, but the best way is to be there for him," said Jane.
"Kate and I have been doing that," said D.W.
"Oh, good," said Jane.
After dinner, Jane came in to be with her son.
"I wanted to see how you were, honey," said Jane.
"I knew things were bad when you mentioned about Grandpa," said Arthur. "It was bad enough I had just lost Pal not long ago and now I'm losing Grandpa."
Pal had died recently at the age of five after being ill for awhile. Arthur was very attached to his dog that he didn't want to be at the vet to say good bye to his beloved dog and best friend. He got the ashes in his room.
"I know things haven't been easy for you," said Jane. Then, she had an idea. "How about you can come with me and you can always help out during the week?"
"Sure," said Arthur.
He was trying to be cheerful.
The next day, David was on the phone talking to his mother.
"Sure, I'll be around tonight to help out," said Thora.
"Okay, good. Thank you, Mom," said David.
After they were finished talking, Jane said, "Arthur will be coming to my sister's to help out with my father. Once she gets home from work, I will bring him home before I go help you out."
"That's fine," said David.
At school, Arthur had trouble focusing on classwork, which never happened before until recently. He felt one of his teachers do not understand what he is going through: another words; strict about getting about anything done or it will be for homework or can be kept after school for not paying attention in class. He was lucky that Mr. Ratburn was the only who helped him when he was in third grade and still does if he needs a teacher to rely on. He knew his teacher cared about him.
At lunch, Arthur and Francine were heading to lunch together. This is the only time they see each other. Arthur was spaced out when she was talking to him.
"Is everything alright?" asked Francine.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't notice you were talking to me," said Arthur.
"It's okay," said Francine.
"Mom told me my grandfather is going be in hospice care," said Arthur. "She's going to be a caregiver for awhile."
"Wow," said Francine.
"I knew it was bad news," said Arthur. "Mom asked me if I can go help her out."
"Maybe I can help go with you and help out if she needs extra hands," said Francine.
"Oh, good," said Arthur.
"I'll text my mom during lunch," said Francine. That's what she did and moments later, her mom texted her back. "My mom just replied and she said it was fine for me to go help you out."
They were about to join his friends, but they all ignored Arthur and walked away, including the one who was supposed to be his best friend- Buster, which bothers him a lot.
He is glad there Francine was the only one who cared about him. They have been close friends for a long time since preschool. And, now they started to have a relationship- even before he lost his beloved dog.
"He's always a crab," said Muffy in a low voice to their other friends.
Arthur's mouth jaw dropped when he saw her going by while she was saying that.
"Why did she say that about me for?" asked Arthur.
"Beats me," said Francine.
"I can't believe this is happening," said Arthur.
"Tell me about it," said Francine.
He got up angrily and turned over to Muffy.
"Not so fast. How could you say that?" asked Arthur.
"Well, it's true," said Muffy.
"That's not true," said Arthur.
"We've seen it happen," said Buster.
"I thought you guys are my friends," said Arthur before he left there in tears.
"Happy now?" asked Francine. "He's right. He needs friends right now at the time like this. On top of that, he's about to lose his grandfather."
"Why did you care?" asked Fern.
"Well, that's because that I'm his girlfriend and I do care," said Francine. "It's bad enough you guys haven't been there for him since Pal's death. He was attached to that dog."
After lunch, Francine was looking for Arthur, but couldn't find him anywhere. She knew he was upset because of Muffy. After school, he was at his locker when Francine comes to him.
"Why did Muffy had to ruin that when I'm about to go help Mom out? She was so rude," said Arthur.
"I know," said Francine. "When I saw you leave, I gave her a lecture."
"Thank goodness you were nearby," said Arthur.
"I knew how it feels to lose a grandparent," said Francine. "It's never easy when you're close to them."
Arthur knew what she was saying. He remembered how upset she was when she lost Bubbe. "I remember she was like that to you when you needed her when you lost your grandmother. You were counting on her to listen."
"Just like you wanted them to," said Francine.
"If it was up to me, I'd rather be at home," said Arthur.
At Lucy's house, when they got there, Francine said, "I offered to help out."
"Oh, good," said Jane.
Arthur and Francine were the dishes. He was trying to forget what Muffy did.
"Can one of you can just take out the trash?" asked Jane.
"I guess," said Arthur as he left to go take out the trash.
Jane noticed something was bothering him for the way he have been acting. He normally talks about it, but he didn't want to think about that. He was able to focus on his homework and was able to finish it by the time his aunt came home from work.
"Thank you for staying," said Lucy.
"No problem," said Jane.
"I just learned that I can't take time off. My boss is going to have surgery and will be out of work for about a month," said Lucy.
"Don't worry about it. We can still handle Dad," said Jane.
"Thank you, sis," said Lucy. "But the good news is that I will have a day off once a week. That's the only time I won't need you."
"Do you still need me when you do your errands on your day off?" asked Jane.
"I barely do them, but when I do, I'll let you know," said Lucy.
"Okay," said Jane.
"I might even do that on my way home from work," said Lucy.
"That works, too," said Jane.
After a few minutes, Jane dropped Francine off at home.
"Thank you again for your help, Francine," said Jane.
"Anytime," said Francine.