Return to Neverland

Chapter 8

Out of everything Grandma had said and done, that was probably the craziest thing that she could've said.

Mom's mouth dropped open, and I couldn't help but do the same. Neverland? What seemed like the most normal day ended up to be a day where Grandma had jumped into the deep end. Dad stopped the dishes and lead her into the living room. I followed. Mom was frozen, gaping like a fish. A rag was lazily dangling in her palm.

"Wendy, are you sick?" Dad asked, concerned. Grandma shook her head.

"Oh, it was about my time to go back, anyway," she replied. I couldn't respond. I was overwhelmed with everything that was going on. My head couldn't seem to wrap around the fact that what she said was something she believed. Dad rubbed Grandma's back.

"Are you sure you don't need to see a doctor?" he tried. Grandma gave her head another shake.

"Who's going where?" Charlie asked. When she spoke, though, it sounded like 'who go'n' w'ere?' Everyone turned their heads to my siblings, who had their toothbrushes dangling from their lips. Toothpaste dribbled from Charlie's chin.

"Neverland," Grandma responded calmly. The two brightened up and ran to the bathroom to spit. They came back, wiping their mouths with their sleeves. They hopped onto the couch next to Grandma.

I had read the story Peter Pan to Charlie and Jamie many times. It was one of their favorite stories. It was where Charlie found her love of fairies and how Jamie found interest in pirates. We had watched the Disney movie many times, too. So of course they knew what my grandma knew when she said 'Neverland.'

"Have you been there before?" Jamie asked.

Grandma chuckled, "You can say that."

"Was there pirates? Indians? Mermaids?"

"Oh of course not. Well, I guess there was. But there were so many other people."

"Did you know anyone from Neverland?"

"Oh yes, he was a very good friend of mine."

Peter Pan. I crossed my arms. She thought that she saw Peter Pan. I knew that if this went too far, Mom and Dad would have to try to remind her that she needed to go back to reality. Staying here wasn't enough now, she was walking far off the line.

Charlie and Jamie had to be pried away from Grandma to go to sleep. They weren't tired once they got under their covers, either. Charlie and Jamie talked to each other excitedly, wondering if Grandma would be able to take them to Neverland and if they could talk to her tomorrow. I stared at my wall, waiting for the night to pass by.

I was awake even after I heard the soft snoring of my brother and sister sleeping soundly. My mind wasn't thinking for a second about sleeping. It was concerned about my Grandma. What if she tried using that sand to fly to Neverland and die from falling? The thought was unbearable.

I crawled out of my bed and crept to the stairs. My throat was begging for water. I went halfway down the stairs when I heard my parents and Grandma talking. I leaned over, trying to translate the words that they were saying. I sat down, worried that they would hear me creeping downstairs and stop their conversation. 

"Mom, I'm worried about you," Mom said.

"Oh hush, we all knew that I was going to have to leave your guys' house one day," Grandma replied.

"Wendy, you don't understand," Dad piped in. "We don't know where you'll go."

"I already told you, I'm going to Neverland."

It was quiet. My heart pounded and I was worried that they had heard my feet squeak on the stairs. Then they continued talking.

"This is getting out of hand Mom, you have to understand-"

"It's my time Joanne."

It was quiet again.

"So soon?" I couldn't believe my ears. Was Mom slowly believing her? Was she getting molded into craziness, too? Or had she been like this all these years? I wanted to leave, run to my bed and forget the whole conversation. My body refused to obey my mind, though and I stayed put.

"You knew that this would happen."

"Well, how are you certain?"

"I just know. Someone told me."

I rolled my eyes. Who, Tinkerbell? Or had Peter Pan's shadow come over to hide in her drawer, too? I felt embarrassed for being so sarcastic, but I was so tired and confused that no one could really blame me.

"Have fun," were the last words I heard.

My body finally cooperated and I slowly went back to my room and went under my blankets. Even though Charlie and Jamie were in the room, I felt alone. Everyone believed Grandma now. They were all convinced that she was going to Neverland. It seemed almost realistic. She came here to find her stability, not have everyone lose it. Even though she had been able to persuade everyone else, I knew that I would stand strong. Alone or not.

If I was going to have to remind everyone of the real world on my own, then so be it.