My Purple Hippopotamus

Part Three: June

The sun shinning across the bottom of the sky reminds June of heaven as she chases it toward the bridge trying to keep the memory of Dale and Ruby's screams out of her head but they play on repeat in the background of her mind and roar louder than the radio no matter how high she turns the dial. Their voices distract her from the headlights heading for her and before she's able to react, her memory collides with reality and the train whistles into her ears and the loud impact chases their voices away. Everything turns silent and she remains still, stuck in more pain than her body can handle as she's carried beyond her threshold and she shuts her eyes against her tears as she's dragged into the white light.
The center of the blinding light splits as Dale and Ruby walk through the opening and their smiles grow with each step they take towards their mother.
June's heart beats wild as she draws closer to her children but she walks with caution, trying to comprehend how she's here with them. "I'm sorry." She says as they reach each other and she holds them in her arms and pulls them tight for she's missed them so desperately. "Is it really you?" She questions as she looks at them.
Dale nods his head. "It's really us but  you can't stay." He says.
Ruby kisses her check. "Goodbye." She say as they shove her down and watch her fall out of the  light.
June's eyes shoot open and she takes a sharp breath; a shock bringing her back to life. She struggles to get off the gurney for her heart begs to be with Dale and Ruby again but before finding complete awareness she fades away as the needle is pulled from her skin and mesmerized by the young girl and her purple hippopotamus as they rush by her, June's thoughts take her to the past.
The afternoon sun shinned high in the sky, streaming down through the opening between the trees and reaching the forest floor as they walked across the log as Robbie lead them to the meadow where he proposed to June. They laid in the tall grass looking up at the blue sky and listened to him tell the story of how she followed his notes that were pinned to the trees, telling her where he was; waiting for her. Their smiles grew on their faces as he lead them through every detail and spoke all his emotion as she stood before him and when quiet set in around them and the story filled the air Dale and Ruby ran in the flowers and Robbie held June in his arms; looking down at her closed eyes.
Robbie is dragged out of his memory, still staring at the woman's closed eyes as he fights his mind to keep the image of June inside his head and he wipes away the sweat from his forehead as he attempts to calm his anxiety but scared he might lose June completely his heart pounds inside his chest and he has trouble settling. He hits his face in attempt to pull himself out of shock, afraid to remain stuck inside his mind at which hasn't kept in pace with his body; his movements many steps ahead of his realization. He looks around the waiting room and retraces his steps trying to find reality. "June's been in a crash." He tells himself.
Levi walks into the waiting room and for the third time he stands above Naya, wanting to wake her but failing every time he walks away again.
His shoes screech against the floor and Robbie catches sight and drawn by something in his movement, he's reminded of the night he left June, pulled into the memory.
Glass; that once covered their photos laid spread across the floor, their tears dried upon their faces and silence lingered in the heavy air around Robbie and June as they stared back at one another with surrendering eyes. They couldn't look at one another without being reminded of the painful memory that scared them and both torn apart with broken hearts they stood apart with nothing except for the knowledge of what happens next. Their stubborn minds left them with one choice for all they said couldn't be unheard, truth was spoken and hit too harshly, moments happened that were impossible to take back and without the relief of peace in sight and tired of fighting they knew they had to take it. "I love you but if love is all we have left than I don't think it's enough." June said softly as she took her wedding rings from her finger and reached out for Robbie to take them.
Robbie's mind was full of words because he didn't want to let her go but giving her what she deserved, he took the rings and left.
The thin green line flows flat across the screen as June's fragile mind longs for her children and a smile grows across her face as they walk toward her again; feeling like moments since she's seen them last despite the hours that have passed. She bends down in front of them to look into their gorgeous eyes. "I've missed you." She says.
Dale rests his hand on June's check. "You gave up." He says disappointed in her.
June stares back at Dale with confusion. "My body wasn't strong enough." She says stating which she believes is the truth.
"The problem isn't your body, it's your mind but you still have a chance." Ruby says inspirationally as she tries to convince June to live.
"I want to stay with you." June cries.
"We're alright mom but dad needs you." They say.
June stumbles upon her feet and she holds back the wave of tears that threat to come as her mind jolts into realization. "I have to go back." She declares as her heart breaks down desperate to stay but knowing Robbie will always need her.
"Remember mom don't simply survive but love each day with everything you have." Dale and Ruby say as their voices guide June back to life.
Robbie is caught in the colour of Delilah's eyes as he stares at his children inside them almost as if they're real for she reminds him of them and he falls to his knees as another wave of pain scorches him. "I miss them more than my body thought possible." Robbie says to answer her question.
Delilah reaches her hand out to him to comfort him and though she's only a child but from finding courage through her mother's illness she understands pain. "My friend Eloise once told me not to be afraid because in the end we all meet again." She says.
Robbie rests his hand on top of Delilah's as warmth grows inside him and he is able to stand as she breaks the darkness and reenergizing him. "I'm glad I met you." He says honestly with a smile.
"I'm glad too." She grins as she continues on her path down the hall.
Robbie nods his head goodbye as he saunters the opposite direction leading himself nowhere, walking passed room after room and lost in thought he wanders beyond the red line unknowingly taking himself to where his heart wishes to go. The operating room door opens and nearly hits him, startling him out of his head and he catches a glimpse of June laying still on the operating table. He looks away, bothered by the sight but the door across the hall opens as well and his stomach turns weak as he watches blood spill across the floor. He turns his body quick to escape, slamming himself against the wall as nurses race by as a code sounds over the public address system and before witnessing more he runs away. Robbie stops safe over the red line, agitated as tears pour down his cheeks and trying to catch his breath as he begs his mind to forget what he saw but unable to focus on reality, his nightmares run inside his head, clouding his eyes and dance ahead of him.
The wooden fence that surrounds their backyard haunts him and their screams echo into his head as he stands staring at the empty space where the broken board once was. The wind howls across the field and he falls to his knees, beating himself up for falling too comfortable in his life and not slowing down for a moment to fix the fence. His memories collide and June slaps his face, her tears distracting him from her anger. "It was something so simple, why didn't you fix the fence." She cried.
Robbie covers his ears trying to escape the past and he shouts as pain floods his lungs and tears over power him, running down the hall to chase the memories away. He turns the corner and the woman brings him out of his nightmare as she brushes by him; her golden blonde hair rubbing against his cheek, filling the air with the scent of her shampoo and leaving him calm and taking his breath away in her angelic blue eyes. "I'm sorry. I can't be here." She says as her quiet voice whispers by him and she disappears.
Robbie stops and he stands next to another woman and looking at her with wonder of why her face is full of despair, he wishes he had the words to ask but instead he smiles at her and looks away for she reminds him of June.
Bethany smiles back at him feeling alike as she notices his cheeks covered in dried tears. "It gets hard sometimes doesn't it?" She asks.
He lifts his head as her voice captures his attention. "I can't lose her." He says as his emotions control his words.
"I pray you won't have to." She says genuinely.
He wipes away the tear upon Bethany's cheek as she brings him closer to hope and he holds her face just for a moment for he somehow can feel her pain striking through his skin. "Whoever has you crying like this, I pray you find peace."  He says.
She rests her hand on his as he drops his hand from her face to show him gratitude for the kindness he has gave her. "It feels impossible but maybe I will." She says. 
Robbie bows his head to Bethany as he leaves her as he continues down the hall. He hadn't expected to connect to a stranger so deeply and as he walks across the white tiled floors, he finds himself with a stronger wave of hope. He opens the waiting room doors and sits down on the same chair he left earlier, this time his heart nearing whole as he is feels closer to June.
June's monitor beeps steady as the surgeon works to save her life and unattached from the moment June is dragged into deep thought inside her unconscious mind as remorse fills her head and she is forced into the past.
June pounded against the metal door and the bang rung loudly into her ears for Robbie refused to answer. Her heart hurt because she hurt him and her eyes were heavy because she never meant to blame him for their children's deaths; knowing they would have found themselves on the other side of the fence regardless. She dropped her body down as she neared defeat and rested her head against the door, her hand pressed against the spot where she could feel Robbie. "I don't blame you." She said sincerely.
Robbie felt June begging him for forgiveness in her voice but recklessly upset he missed the opportunity to tell her that he still loved her and without words he remained against the door long after he knew she was gone.
Ripped from her memory June falls into sheer emptiness where peace settles and their presence consumes her, whispering inside her head; telling her that Robbie isn't upset with her despite her mind suggesting otherwise and with a single thought her heart goes wild. Spring blooms around her like when they got married when she thought their love would last forever because he said he wasn't going anywhere and she smiles as she realizes they never lost it just simply lost sight of it and now she knows she doesn't want to go another day without him.
Robbie stares up at the ceiling with fear in his stomach and hope in his heart, stuck inside his head as Naya and Levi's voices pass by his ears inaudible because he is left distracted with prayers for June.
"My head feels full, Diego."  Eloise whispers.
Robbie looks down at the young girl and he stands in shock as blood spills from her mouth. "Someone help." He screams and as the panic ignites his mind, his memory collides with his vivid imagination and he watches helpless as the train roars across the waiting room and unable to stop it, he can doing nothing as his heart is torn. He closes his eyes on the horror and as the whistle fades away and the room returns to its unsettling quietness Robbie opens his eyes to his  beautiful children.
"You can't let our memory bring you pain anymore. Remember us only with the joy we brought you." Dale says with peace in his voice as he holds Ruby's hand.
Robbie smiles because he's unable to tell them of his love otherwise for his ability to speak is missing but with a whisper as they disappear the burden of their death is lifted from his shoulders and Robbie can feel his sorrow begin to heal. He rests against his chair and he looks at Naya. "I think that young girl was meant to be here today like somehow she healed my heart. Do you think?" He asks.
Naya smiles at Robbie and as his eyes glare into hers she can feel heaven whispering into her ears, telling her Hank will survive. "Yeah, I think." She says, wanting to believe in this feeling that sits in the air around them and as Lillian walks into the waiting room hope is washed away and certainty replaces.
"He's awake." She says happily. 
The thin green line flows flat against the screen as June's heart stops again. "She needs a transplant now or I might not be able to revive her." The surgeon yells.
The white light flashes before her eyes and June wakes up alone stranded in darkness. She is confused because she thought once she gained control of her mind that she'd survive and without Dale and Ruby with her she has no one to guide her. "I'm not dead." She whispers on repeat to herself.
"You have to let go." Dale says with wisdom.
"The memory of that night is dragging you down." Ruby says with kindness and soothing June with her calming voice.
June looks up at the sound of their voices and she falls disappointed as she notices they aren't with her. She tries to speak to ask where they are but without warning she is thrown into the past as Dale and Ruby force her to face the feelings that she's locked away and relive the moment that's holding her back, in order heal.
The front door swung open and warm air blew inside following behind Robbie as he entered the dark house. He walked down the quiet hallway, leading himself to the kitchen where June waited for him.
June dropped another dish into the soapy water and turned to receive her wanted kiss that she had sensed coming as he failed to sneak up behind her. "How was your day?" She questioned with wonder.
Robbie grabbed his prepared dinner from the fridge and took it to the microwave as he always did after work. "My day was good and how about you?" He asked June continuing their conversation.
June wiped Robbie's dirt covered face clean with her dish cloth as they listened to the microwave heat his food. "It's been wonderful, the kids and I enjoyed our day under the sun." She spoke with delight.
Robbie smiled glad they had fun. "Where are the kids?" He questioned, recalling how he hadn't heard their voices in the backyard as he usually had.
"They're in the yard." June stated.
Robbie took himself to the window because his mind was curious of why it had been so quiet. "They're not out there." He stated oddly as he stood and stared at an empty yard.
"I guess they're at the neighbours." She said amusingly and she stepped out to check the yard next door. "Dale, Ruby." June called their names for they weren't in sight.
Robbie joined her outside because of the silence that followed their names. "Dale, Ruby." He called out louder.
When silence was all that followed again, their hearts dropped and without words, together they ran until they came to the edge of their property and panic washed over as they found that the broken board had been moved to create a space in the fence. Neither June or Robbie had fit as Dale and Ruby had so with rage Robbie kicked the board, already placing blame on himself for the unknown of whatever awaited them as Dale and Ruby's screams echoed in the night air and after wasted time, they fit through the space and raced for their children. On top of the hill was where they laid sight on them; across the field and around the pound. Too horrible for words to describe, June and Robbie stood helpless as a train whistled toward Dale and Ruby. It had been hard to tell but it seemed as Ruby's foot was stuck in the tracks. With quick assessment for what she could tell, June lost her heart as she knew her children well and sick to her stomach her head understood that neither would think to simply take Ruby's shoe off as their young minds were too fragile to think under such pressure. Her feet slammed heavy across the grass as she raced faster toward them. "Take her shoe off." She yelled in terror.
Robbie raced behind June, his head messed up with worry. "Get off the tracks." His voice echoed, following June.
Dale had heard their voices but he couldn't make out what they were shouting, their words mumbles by the time they sounded into his ears. He was terrified with the train in his sight and desperate for help he had waved for them to run faster with nothing more to do. "Help us please." He hollered full of fear.
The train had been too big in Ruby's eyes as tears blurred her view. Her heartbeat pounded in her throat and without a clue of how to save herself she cried hopelessly out for her parents as well. "Please save us." She called to them as pee ran down her legs.
They ran out of time and their only thought had been to hold hands to show each other they weren't alone. They shut their eyes tight to calm their beating hearts and prepare for the worst impact that their wildest dreams never could have thought up and on the random Saturday night their lives ended under the black sky as the stars twinkled and the moon shone upon them.
June opens her eyes as she is taken from her memory, needing nothing more and ready to begin to heal her shattered heart. Tears run down her face of joy for having found peace in such horror and of pain that still strikes her from losing them. Her stomach hurts as she feels sick, finding it hard to bare the suffering as it escapes her but able to breath again because the burden no longer threatens to drowned her. Her body grows stronger and her mind weaker as the white light shines into her eyes.
Dale and Ruby stand ready to say goodbye as they hold hands with smiles across their faces. Their hearts full of joy and grateful that they were given the chance to heal their parents. "We'll always be with you." They say softly into June's ears.
June presses her hands against their empty chests with all the love in the world for them. "You're both so strong." She says knowing this is goodbye.
A woman appears as a gentle breeze of wind kisses June's skin. She stands gracefully with Dale and Ruby ready for them to take her beyond the white light and with a gentle look, she smiles at June. "May you tell Gus and Reese that I love them more than they know and tell my husband I'll take him with me unlike my heart." She says not as the stranger she is but the person June will know her as.
Unable to react as she is pulled back into her body and mind, June is left speechless as she fades away.
"I'm glad you're awake." Lillian says with relief.
June looks around the hospital room confused with a foggy mind. She is having a hard time
remembering in detail her time spent with Dale and Ruby but in her heart she knows she saw them and smiles as she tries to hold onto them but as her body wakes she can feel herself losing them. She looks at Lillian. "I don't know who they are but I need to talk to Gus and Reese." June says with an unclear mind.
Lillian nods her head feeling her unfamiliarity and unknowing Gus and Reese as well she is left without an answer. "Listen to your heart." She says as she holds Diego closer to hers, knowing somehow Eloise will help her.

The end.