Whatever Yeah-Yeah

Chapter 23

The funereal had been a few weeks later.

I didn't say anything. Eric didn't understand it.

His grave was so shiny. That was soon to be covered in dirt in years to come.

Being back home with my grandpa was weird. Living with Yeah-Yeah for almost a year was amazing. Going back with Mertle was different.

"Ariel? Can I come in?"

"Sure Grandpa." I said.

He walked in and sat down.

"I just got a call."

"Someone else in our family dead?"

"Your mom got released from jail. Over crowding or something."

"God! Now I have to deal with her again?"

"Why don't you go to the Sandlot? That would be good for you."

I sighed and walked to the Sandlot.

"Hey R." Benny said hugging me.

"Hi Benny."

I turned my head to see Ella, Brielle, Smalls and Squints running our way.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Your mom. She's here. She's asking about where you are."

"You guys didn't tell her did you?"

"Of course not!"

"Why wouldn't she go straight to Mertle's?"

"She heard that Johnny is here, and that you lived with Yeah-Yeah for a while."

"Speaking of Yeah-Yeah, where is he?"

"Right here."

I turned to see my boyfriend standing there with bruises on his face.

"What happened?"

"Johnny. It's fine."

"I swear that boy!"

I kisses Yeah-Yeah's bruises and he flinched.

"I don't care if they hurt. I'm kissing each of them."

Yeah-Yeah grabbed my face to stop me.

"I love you. You know that right?"

"Ew young love. I remembered when I thought I had young love."

We all turned to see my "mother" standing there.

"Go away."

"I'm not allowed seeing my precious little girl?"

"Don't touch me."

"C'mon I need a hug after knowing about Al."

"You didn't love him. You hated him. You hated all of us."

"That is true my dear. I didn't mean to have you guys."

"Of course." I scoffed.

"Don't give me attitude missy!"

"You have no right to tell her what to do anymore." Benny said stepping in front of me.

The others followed, but Yeah-Yeah remained by my side and held my hand.

"Leave me and my friends alone."

"Hey bitch I'm over here!"

Johnny was standing on the other side of the Sandlot with a bat.

"What did you call me?!"

"Johnny no!"

"Johnny? I almost didn't recognize you."

Next thing I knew everyone was throwing punches.

I went to punch Aurora, when she held up Yeah-Yeah as a shield, making me punch him instead.

"Yeah-Yeah I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!"

A knife was drawn and we all stopped and stared.

"Let him go. Please."

I was crying. She was holding a knife to Yeah-Yeah's throat.

"Do you know how it's like going to jail? I'm not an animal. You can't cage me up."

"You almost beat me to death."

"I wish it was to death. But I guess this is close enough."

"Please no! I love him!"

"You think you love him Ariel! You don't know what love is!"

"Yeah I do! Because at a time, I loved you!"

"No one loves me."

"Grandpa does! I think."

"God. That old man is next on my list."

"Why? Why are you doing this?"

"I'm killing everyone you love my dear. To get revenge."

"You can't kill your own son."

"Won't I? He is last on my list. I was going to have Alan here be last, but I decided to make him first."

I looked Yeah-Yeah in the eyes and he mouthed the words I love you.

"No! Please I'll do anything."

"I'm afraid there's nothing more to do."

Screams of pain filled the air and I fell to the ground and blacked out.

-
-
-
-
-
-
I sat up straight screaming.

"Ariel are you okay?" A voice asked.

"No. I'm not. Everyone is dying. Why can't it be me?"

"Ariel what are you talking about? No one has died."

"W-w-what?"

The lights turned on and Yeah-Yeah was sitting next to me.

My arms went around his neck and I began sobbing.

"What happened?"

"You died."

"Well I'm still here."

I sighed and rested my hands on my stomach like I do when I'm stressed.

"My bump. It's here!"

"You still have our children in there." He laughed.

"Wait. So they're not dead?"

"Why would they be dead?"

"If you're not dead, and our kids aren't, that means Al isn't either!"

"Ariel, Al is still in his coma."

"I've never been happier to hear those words."

"What is wrong with you? You're acting different."

"Don't worry. It was all just a dream. A terrible dream."