Everyone was affected by Fenton. Frank barely slept and was over everyday. Charlotte had nightmares and couldn't eat. Callie was able to be his nurse and she was saddened to see him so ill.
Joe cried a lot. Ben had nightmares too and Margaret started to notice even more that things weren't right. Iola tried to comfort them, but she was upset too.
One day, Frank went over and sat next to his father. Fenton slept on the couch which was moved over to the window.
"Why do you like the window so much?" asked Frank.
" It brings back happy times when you and Joe were little. I also reminds me of Ben, Charlotte and Margaret. I want to be outside with them, but I'm cooped up in here."
"Can you go out?"
"I'll go tomorrow," he said.
Tomorrow rolled by and Frank wheeled Fenton to the door. He was about to wheel him outside when Fenton stopped him.
"I want to walk," he said.
Fenton pulled his weight up and opened the door. It was like watching a toddler walk for a moment. He wobbled, then suddenly got the strength to open it. A wave of fatigue hit him and he sat on a porch chair.
" I miss when you boys would play in this very yard. Charlotte, Ben, and Margaret play, but not like you boys did." Fenton said.
The boys used to play like they were in the Super Bowl or planned out a whole crime scene to solve. Through all the fights and glories, the lawn always stayed a lively green.
"I miss it too," Frank admitted.
" Take me out to the yard, please."
Frank held his father's arm and they walked onto the grass. Fenton gently pushed Frank's arm away and walked around. A smile was painted across his face and he didn't look like he was in any pain.
Fenton continued to walk around and got into Frank's car.
" Can we go for a drive?"
"Sure. Where do you want to go?"
"The cemetary. There's someone I want to see."
When they reached the cemetary, Fenton walked over to a grave that read, " Eleanor Simpson, beloved daughter."
"Is she the little girl that died of the heart problem?" asked Frank.
" Yes. She was always the sweetest little girl."
Fenton remembered looking outside his office window and seeing Eleanor playing. Her blonde hair would always fly free from the elastic band, but she didn't care. He held his breath whenever she'd have to stop to catch her breath, but she always got back up. Then, one day, she stopped playing outside and spent more days sleeping.
" She was given two months, like me." he said shakily.
" Dad," Frank started.
" I'm ready to go. Can we go see Charlotte? "
Downstairs in the living room, Margaret and Charlotte were playing on the floor with dolls. Fenton sat on the couch and the girls set the dolls down.
"Hi grandpa!" Charlotte said.
"Mommy says your really sick," Margaret said.
Fenton fumbled before finding the right words.
"I am," he said.
"Are you going to Heaven?" she asked with tears brimming her blue eyes.
Fenton set the small girl on his lap. He wiped her cheek.
" Maybe, but seeing you girls makes me feel better."
She smiled and played dolls upstairs in Charlotte's room. Charlotte looked at her grandpa with sad eyes. She could see how tired he looked.
"Charlotte? Come sit with me." he said.
She sat down with him and he looked at her.
" One month. The doctors said there's one month left."
" I know. I don't really feel like I'm-"
"Don't," she snapped back gently. " Don't lie to me. I'm not Margaret, I see how tired you are."
"You really are wise beyond your years." he said chuckling.
XXXXXXXX
Later that night at Joe's home, his children were asleep while he sat in the kitchen with Iola.
" A month left, it isn't right. " Joe said.
"I'm sorry, is there any possible chance of him living longer?" Iola asked.
" He doesn't look like he's dying. I really hope he can pull through."
"Well, maybe a miracle will happen. Ben wasn't supposed to live and look at him now."
Joe had been solemn with the whole situation since the start, but it finally hit him. He slumped in his chair and sobbed. Iola cooed meaningless words. Suddenly, they heard something from the doorway. They looked up to see Margaret, her blonde hair messy from sleeping.
"Daddy?" she asked walking towards him.
"Hi, Margaret. What's wrong?" he asked wiping his face.
" I had a bad dream." she said.
Joe sat her on his lap. She put her head down on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
" He's going to get better. He told me in my dream."
" Why was it a bad dream?"
" Because he said I couldn't go with him to where he was going!" she cried.
Joe and Iola shared a sad glance before rocking her back to sleep.
