The Unimaginable

A smile filled the 14-year-old’s face as she saw her mother step into the living room. She looked beautiful in the knee-length blue dress made of cotton. The white pearl necklace hung at the right length, barely touching the neckline.

“You look wonderful, Moms,” Trixie Belden said.

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

“Wow,” Peter Belden said, moving toward her. He was dressed in his dark suit. “You look even more beautiful than the first day I saw you.”

“Oh, Peter,” Helen said, a blush filling her cheeks.

“It’s true.” Peter kissed her cheek.

“All right,” Helen said, focusing on the eight children seated in the living room.  “We will be home later. The phone number for the restaurant is by the phone if you need us.” She looked at the eldest of the group, Brian. “Please make sure that Bobby gets into bed tonight and not underneath it, and that he doesn’t stay up all night.”

“I’ll take care of it, Moms,” Brian said. “And don’t worry. We’ll be fine.”

“We won’t,” Peter said taking hold of Helen’s arm. “Good night.”

“’Night,” the eight voices chorused as the two adults left the house.

“I love seeing your parents together,” Honey Wheeler said as she shifted her position on the couch. “They are so openly affectionate with each other.”

“Sometimes it’s a little nauseating,” Trixie said.

“You have to admit that a lot of parents don’t show you that affection anymore,” Jim Frayne said. “They keep it behind closed doors.”

“There are times I wish they would,” Mart Belden said. “I mean, I walked into the kitchen before lunch today and they were locked together at the lips. What if someone else had walked in?”

“They would see two people who were deeply in love with one another,” Diana Lynch said. “And your parents do love each other.”

“Sometimes I wish they wouldn’t be so…so…,” Trixie sputtered.

“Expressive?” Mart supplied.

“Exactly.”

“You might want to store those memories away and treasure those moments you see, because you never know what the future may hold,” Dan Mangan said quietly.

“Dan’s right,” Jim said. “My real father was very affectionate with my mom, and I can still picture the sparkle in her eye during those moments.”

“Sometimes I wish Mother and Dad would be a bit more open, but I know that has a lot to do with their upbringing,” Honey said.

“Come on,” Mart said quickly switching the subjects, uncomfortable with the conversation of his parents love for one another. He was afraid it was going to more involved. “Let’s get on with our party. We have a movie to watch.”

“I’ll get the popcorn,” Trixie said and headed into the kitchen.

* * * * *

Through the evening they watched several movies and Brian kept his promise that Bobby would sleep in his bed instead of underneath it. Once he had been tucked in, the older children had put in a horror movie and got settled with the lights off.

It was well past midnight and they were so engrossed in the movie, that the doorbell startled all of them. The girls shrieked in surprise.

As Jim stopped the movie Brian went to answer the door. He returned a moment later with Sgt. Molinson and Officer Spider Webster. Neither officer looked happy.

“I haven’t done anything,” Trixie said defensively. “I have been here in the house all night.”

“We know that,” Spider said quietly.

Sgt. Molinson looked at Brian who was still standing. “Is there someplace we can talk privately?”

“Whatever you have to say can be said here,” Brian said. “There’s nothing we don’t share.”

“Brian, I really must insist,” Sgt. Molinson said.

Trixie looked carefully at the two officers. They both held their hats in their hands and were attempting to keep their eyes focused only on Brian. But it was a losing battle and their faces appeared to get whiter the longer they stood there. She couldn’t figure out what they were doing there at that time of night.

Her eyes met Sgt. Molinson’s and he didn’t look away. She watched him swallow repeatedly as if he was trying to get the nerve to say what he needed to get out.

The only reason for an officer to stop by so late was because…, she couldn’t finish that thought.

“No,” Trixie whispered as she shook her head in disbelief.

Sgt. Molinson spoke. “I’m sorry to inform you, but there was an accident outside of Sleepyside on the road from White Plains.”

“No,” Trixie said louder, tears coursing down her cheeks. She didn’t want to hear what he had to say, but he continued.

“We were called to the scene.” He swallowed again. “I’m sorry to say that your parents were killed in that accident.”

Trixie bowed her head, blocking out the gasps of shock coming from their friends.

It can’t be true, she thought. It can’t be true. Moms and Dad can’t be dead. They can’t be. They are fine. This is just a bad dream. They were so happy when they left for dinner. They were so happy.

Trixie was vaguely aware of two people holding her close. The shock was so overwhelming that she couldn’t focus on what was happening around her. The notion that her parents were dead was unimaginable.

She was unsure of how much time had passed when she heard a voice calling her name. She slowly opened her eyes to see the concerned faces of her brothers. Looking at their pale faces and red-rimmed eyes, Trixie knew the news was for real.

Trixie sat up quickly and Brian immediately gathered her in his arms. The tears came again as she was held close by her brother. She felt Mart wrap his arms around them both.

“What are we going to do?” Trixie whispered. “What are we going to do?”

“We’ll be all right,” Brian said.

“But what will we do?” Mart asked. “We don’t have…”

“We’re not alone,” Brian said. “We are together. And we have Uncle Andrew and Aunt Alicia. As well as Uncle Harold.”

Trixie leaned back from her brother and looked him in the eye. She believed him when he said things would be all right, but she had no idea how they could be.

“Miss Trask and Regan are on their way down,” Honey said behind her.

Trixie turned and saw the tear-streaked faces of Honey and Di. She released her hold on her brothers and was gathered in her friends’ arms.

“Oh, Trixie,” Honey cried.

“We’re here for you,” Di said. “We’ll always be here for you. Always.”

“Thank you.”

She stayed in their embrace for a few minutes longer. When she leaned back, she wiped her eyes with her hands. As she looked around the room, she realized Dan and Jim were visibly absent.

“Where did they go?”

“They headed into the kitchen,” Di said, wiping her own eyes.

Trixie glanced over her shoulder at her brothers and then looked back at her friends. “Stay with them.”

“We will,” Honey said.

Trixie got to her feet and headed for the kitchen. She had to see Dan and Jim. She needed them to be there. The unthinkable had happened and she knew the only way she would be able to deal with it was to have her best friends, all of her best friends, there by her side.

Stepping into the kitchen, she saw the two people she was seeking. Dan was leaning back against the counter by the sink while Jim stood by the kitchen door gazing out in the dark yard.

Dan looked up as she entered the room. He took three quick steps toward her when he embraced her. “Oh, Trix,” he said. “I’m so sorry.”

Trixie hugged him tightly. “Thank you.”

“And I’m here for you. Just tell me what you need and I’ll do it.”

“Don’t leave,” Trixie whispered.

“Never, Trix. Never.” Dan kissed the top of her head. “I’m here for the long haul.”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” Trixie said.

Dan slowly released her, but kept his arm around her shoulder as they both looked at Jim’s still body.

“He’s been that way since Sgt. Molinson broke the news,” Dan said quietly. “I followed him out here because I thought he would bolt.”

“Thank you.”

Trixie felt Dan lower his arm and she made her way toward Jim. The stiffness of his back scared her. She wasn’t sure how she would cope if he wasn’t there to support her through this.

Taking a breath, Trixie put her hand on his arm. “Jim?”

He turned to look at her and a lump formed in her throat. Tears were coursing freely down his cheeks from his green eyes. There was pure misery on his face. He gathered her in his arms and held her close. “Oh, Trixie. I’m so sorry.”

“Oh, Jim.” Trixie resumed crying.

“I wish this had never happened. I so wish you didn’t have to go through this. No one should be without parents.”

Trixie tears turned into gut-wrenching sobs. She knew Jim understood, but it didn’t change things.

There was a knocking on the door that forced Trixie to lift her head from Jim’s chest. He turned slightly and opened the door, letting in Regan and Miss Trask.

“We came right away,” Miss Trask said, eyeing the three of them and noticing their red eyes.

“Honey’s message didn’t tell us much,” Regan said closing the door.

“Let’s go in the other room,” Dan said. “The others are in there.”

Trixie held onto Jim as they made their way into the living room. She saw her brothers sitting on the couch flanked by Honey and Di. Their faces matched her own.

“What happened?” Regan asked, getting to the point.

“I think you both should take a seat,” Brian said quietly.

Trixie stayed where she was with Jim’s arm around her shoulder as the two adults sat down in the recliners. She felt Dan step up beside her and she was grateful for his presence.

Trixie watched Brian swallow and knew he was trying to keep his emotions at bay.

“I asked Honey to call you because you’re great friends of the Bob-Whites, as well as to our family,” Brian said. “And we are going to need your help.”

“We’ll help with whatever you need,” Miss Trask said.

“Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad,” Regan said.

Brian looked at the floor. “We just found out that…”

“Brian?” Honey asked as she placed her hand on his arm.

“I have to do it, Honey,” Brian said, placing his hand on top of her. “But thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Trixie watched Brian close his eyes and knew what was to come. She buried her head against Jim’s chest, hating the news.

“We just found out that our parents were killed in a car accident,” Brian managed to get out.

“Oh my goodness,” Miss Trask said.

“It can’t be,” Regan said at the same time.

“It’s true,” Brian said, emotion filling his voice.

“What do you need us to do?” Miss Trask asked.

Silence settled in the room. No one knew what needed to be done. They were all still in shock from the news.

“Brian, would you like me to call your aunt and uncles and inform them of the situation?” Miss Trask offered.

“Uncle Andrew and Uncle Harold,” Brian said.

“Aunt Alicia,” Mart said.

“It’s very late,” Regan said. “We can call them first thing in the morning.”

“And I suggest you let the machine answer all the calls,” Miss Trask said. “It’s possible the media will call wanting to get the story.”

“This just gets better and better,” Mart said sarcastically.

“We’ll help with whatever you need,” Regan said. “All you have to do is ask.”

“Thank you,” Brian said distractedly.

A silence settled on the room again. No one knew what to say. They all were trying to grasp the new reality they were going to have to deal with.

* * * * *

Trixie slowly moved her head and then stopped. Her head was throbbing and she couldn’t understand why. She also had no idea why she had been sleeping sitting up.

She opened her eyes and gazed about the living room. A small stream of sunlight made a trail along the carpeting. Tiny particles of dust seemed to dance in the beam.

Her gaze shifted about and she saw Honey and Di were curled up asleep on the floor. Mart was sitting in the recliner, his elbow propped on the arm. He was staring at the floor.

Behind Mart stood Brian, staring out the living room window into the dawning of a new day. He had his arms crossed in front of his chest.

From her position, she could see that both of their faces were pale and their eyes were red. For a moment, Trixie couldn’t understand why they looked so upset, but then the news from the previous evening came back to her.

“You’re all right,” a voice said softly.

Jim.

Trixie realized then that she had her head on Jim’s shoulder.

She sat up and looked at Jim. His eyes were bloodshot and his face was pale as well. But he was watching her intently, making sure she was all right.

“Did you sleep at all?” Trixie asked.

Jim shook his head. “But I’ll be fine.”

“Thank you for staying.”

He reached up and pulled on her curl. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

“Everyone will probably be hungry when they wake,” Trixie said. “I better go start breakfast.”

“There’s no need,” Jim said. “Tom brought down a bunch of food that cook made.”

“That was nice of them.”

“They wanted to help,” Jim said.

Suddenly there was the sound of little feet coming down the stairs. Trixie looked at her brothers and knew that no one had thought about how they were going to tell seven-year-old Bobby.

Bobby entered the room and slid to a stop. “I’m hungry. Where’s breakfast?”

Brian moved to the recliner and sat down. He looked much older than 17. “Bobby, I need you to come here. There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Can’t it wait? I’m hungry.”

“Bobby, please,” Brian said.

The young boy moved to his brother and stood by the arm of the recliner.

“Bobby, I need you to listen to what I have to say. It’s very important.”

“Okay.”

“Last night there was an accident and Moms and Dad were involved.”

“They’re okay, right?”

“Bobby.”

“Where’s Moms? Where’s Daddy?” Bobby asked.

“They’re not here,” Brian said.

“Where are they?” Bobby demanded. “Where are they?”

“Bobby, Moms and Dad were in the accident,” Brian said, trying to keep his voice strong.

“They’re okay, right?”

“I’m sorry, Bobby, but they’re not. Moms and Dad won’t be coming home. They passed away.”

“No,” Bobby said, shaking his head in disbelief. “It can’t be true. It can’t be.”

“I’m sorry, but it is.”

“NO!” Bobby yelled as the tears coursed down his face. He started hitting Brian’s chest. His swings started out strong, but quickly diminished. Bobby leaned against Brian who held him close as the tears fell.

Trixie swallowed the lump in her throat and made her way into the kitchen. She needed a few minutes. She hated seeing how upset the events made all of them and wondered what they were going to do.

The pounding in her head continued and she knew it was due to the lack of sleep as well as the emotional turmoil they’d all been through. Trixie grabbed the aspirin and filled a glass with water. She took the medication and hoped it would kick in quickly.

She closed her eyes and tried to get her emotions in check, but a tear slipped out. The tears continued to fall.

Why Moms and Dad? She thought. Why did this have to happen to them? They were so happy as they went out to dinner together. They were always happy. Every day when Dad came home from work, Moms had a smile for him. They constantly showed affection toward the other and we’ll never see that again. Why them? Why did this happen? All our lives are ruined.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned around instinctively. She let the tears fall.

“Go ahead and let it out,” Jim said, caressing her back. “Go ahead. I’m right here.”

Trixie had no idea where the tears came from and wished they would stop.

When the tears had subsided, Trixie leaned back and wiped her eyes. She looked at Jim’s shirt and saw it was soaked.

“I’m sorry, Jim.”

“It’s all right,” he said as he kept his arm around her. “I’m here and so are the other Bob-Whites. You all don’t have to go through this alone. We’re here and we’re not going anywhere.”

The phone rang and Jim said, “Let the machine get it. If it’s someone important, you can call them right back.”

“This is too much,” Trixie said, putting her hands to her head and massaging her temples. The throbbing in her head seemed to have increased.

“Trixie, I can see you are tired. You’ve had a lot to deal with emotionally and didn’t get much sleep last night. Maybe you should go upstairs and rest for a little while.”

“I’m okay,” Trixie said. “Besides, there’s work that needs to be done.”

“What can I do to help?”

Trixie offered Jim a small smile. “Thanks.”

* * * * *

Through the course of the day, Trixie focused on the chores that needed to be done. It felt good to keep busy because it kept her mind off the tragedy affecting their family, even if it was just for a few minutes.

The Bob-Whites stayed at Crabapple Farm to offer them support as well as any help they needed. They kept taking the messages when they forgot to let the machine answer the call and even answered the door when the bell rang.

News was spreading quickly about the accident that had claimed the lives of two well-known and respected members of the community.

It was almost dinnertime when there was a knock on the kitchen door. The Bob-Whites were all in the living room and Jim said, “I’ll go.”

The doors to Crabapple Farm had been locked after a reporter walked into the house. The reporter had begun questioning them about what it felt like to have lost both their parents and being orphans. Regan had been there and had escorted the reporter and photographer back out the door.

Trixie leaned her head back against the couch, closing her eyes. She was exhausted, but didn’t want to go back to sleep.

“I got here as soon as I could,” a recognizable voice said.

Trixie opened her eyes to see Aunt Alicia standing in the doorway. Unable to stop herself, she hurried to her aunt and gave her a hug. The tears resumed again.

“It’ll be all right,” Alicia said, giving her a tight squeeze. “I’m here now. We’ll get through it together.”

“Thank you for coming,” Brian said. “This is just so…”

“I understand, Brian. And I wouldn’t be anywhere else at a time like this.”

“Do you need me to get your bags?” Brian asked.

“No thank you, Brian. James offered to get them from the car.”

“We have the guest room all set for you,” Mart said quietly from his place in the recliner. Bobby was sitting on his lap, asleep.

“That’s fine, Martin,” Alicia said. “So, who wants to tell me what happened?”

“I will,” Brian said and looked at the others. “Why don’t you guys go see what can be made for dinner?”

“All right.”

The rest of them made their way into the kitchen just as Jim returned to the house, locking the door behind him.

“We’ll put something together,” Honey said.

“Yeah,” Di agreed.

Trixie, Mart and Bobby sat at the table, not really seeing what was going on around them.

“I’m glad Aunt Alicia is here,” Mart said quietly.

“Me too,” Trixie said. She wasn’t too fond of her aunt, because she wasn’t as feminine as she was expected to be. But it felt good that an adult was there with them. “She’ll know what’s supposed to be done.”

“Exactly.”

“Do you know when Uncle Andrew will be arriving?”

“Probably sometime tonight,” Mart answered. “I think that’s what Brian said.”

Silence settled around them again.

* * * * * *

As the hours dragged by, Aunt Alicia took control and began setting things in motion for the wake and funeral. Brian had been grateful that she had taken over, because he had no clue as to what needed to be done.

It was almost ten o’clock when Uncle Andrew appeared on the doorstep. His eyes held the sadness and loss of his brother and sister-in-law. He enveloped each one of them in a hug and offered reassurances that everything would be all right.

The other Bob-Whites left the farm seeing that the Belden children were with family, but promised to return the following day.

The six of them gathered in the living room and talked quietly about what was to happen in the coming days. Trixie didn’t pay attention because she was still dealing with the shock. She hoped it was a nightmare and she would wake up. But it didn’t seem to be happening.

When it was suggested they should all get some sleep, the four children reluctantly made their way upstairs. Making her way down the hall, Trixie passed her parents bedroom. The door stood open. She stood there and gazed at the bed, the dresser, and her father’s slippers at the foot of the bed.

The emptiness overwhelmed her and she hurried to her room, collapsing on the bed in a torrent of tears.

* * * * *

The next three days went by in a blur for Trixie. She was vaguely aware of being roused from bed to get dressed and have something to eat before they went to the wake.

She had stood silently as people offered their condolences for their loss. She couldn’t find the words to respond.

The day she dreaded most in the world finally came and Trixie didn’t think she would be able to handle it. The wake had been hard for her, but she knew the funeral was going to be ten times worse.

Trixie dressed and managed to brush her hair without much thought.

Upon entering the kitchen, her mind registered that her brothers were dressed in their best suits, but that was about it.

Somewhere along the line, voices singing angelically broke through her shock, but only for a moment. She knew they were at the funeral service. And then they would be off to the cemetery.

A strong arm around her shoulder brought her back again as she stared at the two caskets on the ground in front of her. There were bouquets of flowers on both of them. The bouquets included some of the wildflowers commonly found about Crabapple Farm that Moms loved.

She watched as the minister closed his Bible and knew the time had come. She watched with tear-filled eyes, as the caskets were lowered one at a time into the ground.

Those gathered stepped up to them and once again offered their condolences until the only people left standing there were the family and the Bob-Whites.

Alicia, Andrew and Harold each took a little dirt and sprinkled it onto each casket before moving away.

The Belden boys moved next, repeating the motions of their aunt and uncles. Bobby was crying openly.

Trixie shook her head as the tears streaked down her cheeks. “I can’t,” Trixie whispered. “I just can’t.”

“It’s all right,” Jim said softly, choking back his own tears. “You don’t have to.”

“But I’ll never see them again.”

“You don’t have to remember them this way,” Jim said. “Think of how happy they were as they headed out to dinner that night. They wouldn’t want you to remember them this way.”

The tears continued and she couldn’t stop crying. She clung to Jim, desperate for some strength to get her through.

“Things will be all right, Trixie. I know it.” Jim kissed the top of her head.

* * * * *

The rest of the day passed by, but Trixie was unaware of the time. After the service at the cemetery, everyone returned to Crabapple Farm. Many of the neighbors had brought food over to alleviate some of the burden they were under.

The Belden children took a seat on the couch and allowed the guests to come to them. Brian spoke for all of them and thanked the people for coming.

As the day drew to a close and the Beldens were left alone, an eerie silence fell on the farm. The happiness and laughter that had always echoed through the walls had vanished. It seemed as if the spark had died with Peter and Helen.

When Trixie had finally gone to bed, that is where she had stayed. She didn’t get up, she didn’t eat, she barely moved. She just couldn’t find the energy to do anything.

It had been three days since the funeral when Trixie was requested to come downstairs. She put on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt before making her way to the first floor.

Trixie entered the living room and moved over to the couch. She settled between Brian and Mart. Brian wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.

She looked over at Aunt Alicia and Uncle Andrew who were sitting in the recliners. They both looked serious and that worried her.

“We need to talk to you about something,” Uncle Andrew said.

“What is it?” Brian asked.

“Years ago, your parents made arrangements for the four of you in the event that something happened to them,” Aunt Alicia said.

“What kind of arrangements?” Mart asked slowly.

“Unfortunately, the four of you can’t stay here alone and your Aunt Alicia and I have our responsibilities back home.”

“So, who are we going to live with?” Brian asked, getting straight to the point.

“You boys will be coming to Iowa with me,” Uncle Andrew answered.

“And Trixie will be moving to Pennsylvania with me,” Aunt Alicia said.

Trixie stared at her aunt and uncle, stunned. She couldn’t believe they were separating the four of them. They had just lost their parents and were now losing one another.

“Why are you splitting us up?” Brian demanded.

“We aren’t doing this on purpose,” Aunt Alicia said. “Your parents made this decision long ago and we are just following their wishes.”

“No, it’s not happening,” Mart said. “You are not breaking us apart! We need each other. We’ve been through the worst week in our lives and now you’re going to make it ten times worse by sending us to two different states.” He stared at Aunt Alicia. “It’s not going to happen.”

“Mart, we don’t have much choice,” Uncle Andrew said.

“No,” Trixie said as she shook her head.

“You’ll all still be in contact,” Aunt Alicia said. “You’ll be able to write, e-mail and call. And we can even make arrangements for you to get together during vacations.”

“Why can’t we stay together?” Brian asked. “Why do we have to be split up?”

“Brian, this is what your parents wanted,” Aunt Alicia said.

“No,” Bobby said as he hurried to Trixie. “She needs to stay with us.”

“We know this is a shock, and even more so after all that has happened, but we couldn’t hold off any longer,” Uncle Andrew said. “I know this is short notice, but we’ll be leaving this weekend.”

The enormity of the situation stunned them all into silence. Within days they would be leaving the only home they had ever known and would be separated. They would be leaving the place that held the memories of the parents.

Trixie slowly got to her feet as she shook her head. “No,” she said. “No. I can’t. I won’t.”

“You don’t have a choice,” Aunt Alicia said. “We are going to Pennsylvania on Saturday.”

“NO!” Trixie yelled.

She turned and ran as fast as her weakened body could carry her. She made her way through the kitchen and out the back door. She missed the step and fell face first to the ground, hitting her head on the cement path.

* * * * *

“I really think we should take her to the hospital,” a female voice said, breaking through the fog in her brain. “The bump on her head isn’t going down, even with the ice.”

“She’ll be all right,” a male voice said.

She heard crying and a young male voice say, “I hurt Trixie.”

“She’ll be all right,” another male voice said. “It was an accident.”

“I just wish she’d wake up,” the female voice said.

Trixie let out a sigh and moved her head slightly, only stopping when she felt a sharp pain.

“Come on, sweetie,” the female voice said. “Come on, Trixie. Open your eyes.”

Trixie forced her eyes open against the pounding pain in her head. It took a few minutes until she was able to focus. She stared at the woman beside her, afraid she was hallucinating.

“You’re all right,” Helen said, caressing her cheek with her thumb.

Tears fell freely from Trixie’s eyes, unable to believe that her mother was sitting beside her. She felt as if it was all a dream.

“What is it?” Helen asked. “Is your head hurting really bad?”

The tears continued and Trixie couldn’t stop crying. She had noticed that both her parents were dressed as if they were going out. Ignoring the pain, Trixie sat up and hugged Helen tightly. Her mother was real.

“Oh, Moms,” Trixie cried.

“It’s all right,” Helen said soothingly.

Trixie just held her mother tightly as she looked at her father, still trying to grasp that her parents were alive.

“You’re okay,” Peter said moving over to her and crouching down. “You slipped on one of Bobby’s toys as you went upstairs. You hit your head on the stairs when you fell.”

“Oh, Dad,” Trixie cried, taking hold of his arm.

“It’s all right, sweetie,” he said. “It’s all right.”

Trixie couldn’t believe they were really there. She was too shocked.

When the tears seemed to have subsided, Helen leaned her back onto the pillows of the couch. She took the makeshift ice pack and placed it against the swelling lump.

“This needs to stay on there until the swelling comes down,” Helen said.

Trixie held onto her mother’s hand.

“You know,” Peter said, “if you think she’s all right, we could still make our reservation.”

“NO!” Trixie yelled, sitting up quickly even as her head swam.

“Sweetie, please don’t move so fast,” Helen said.

“Please don’t go,” Trixie begged. “Please don’t.”

“We won’t,” Peter said. “We’ll stay right here.”

The anxiety she had felt seemed to vanish. She knew her parents were all right. They weren’t going to dinner. There was no chance that the nightmare she had was going to come true.

She was happy because they were alive, and that’s all that mattered.

-The End-

Author’s Notes: Once again my esteemed appreciation goes to Amy and Kaye for the edit. I really do appreciate all your hard work.  More thanks goes to Amy for making my site look as good as it does. You definitely rock.

And I also hope everyone has a wonderful April 1^st. This story was created following last year’s April Fools Day and I hope everyone enjoyed it.

Disclaimer: This is an unauthorized fan fiction site and is not affiliated with Random House in any way. No profit is being made from these pages.