Chapter 19- Too Grim for Words
Dear Diary, Sometimes things are just too grim for words. Ok, please pardon that opening note because, as you know, things had gotten very sad, and difficult in our little household.
We had decided that things were moving along all too well, but......what about tomorrow? What happens if we lose our dear helpers, who are much more like family than just slave labor. We hope we have given them a good and happy life and that they will be with us for seasons yet, but doesn't it pay to look forward to a time when they may not be with us? To be prepared? Ihvan and I made the decision that we had to think, not only of ourselves, but our darling child's future. What if he or she needs the help we have been so fortunate to receive? You already know our first choice, Darling. She had always been sort of an outsider, a hanger on, with a sad look and a longing in her eyes for more, particularly for Don Lothario, a hopeless case at best. So Darling was the first of the newcomers to join our little team. We had hopes she would help out in the, by now, massive garden, or take up the task of keeping things repaired. Maybe she could write a Book of Life or something. We really didn't know. We just wanted to take her in, give her a good home, (and a make over!), and see what comes of it. I took the opportunity at the party to clue her in as to what we wanted and what it would be like for her and she was "all in". So all in she actually started recruiting on her own, her first "find" being the guy who didn't make the cut at the library! [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
More about him later. As it turns out, with a little help in the clothing and appearance, he certainly was a stunner. But I digress. Let's leave it at he and Darling were the next additions to the crew and will be discussed in future.
Meanwhile, it definitely appeared we were just in time with our plans. Our beloved Kelly had been quite a find for us, working hard in the garden and with floral arranging and more to the point, painting up a storm and keeping us afloat with lots of cash. It was here, at his easel, that Grim came to call. Kelly heard his approach, and knowing what was coming, his only regret was he would never get to meet our child.Kelly: Is that you Grim? You coming to get me? You really couldn't just wait a tick and let me chat about Grilled Cheese or get to kiss Amanda's kid?
Grim: *sigh* Hey, old man, don't make this more difficult for me than it has to be, ok? It's a bummer you were just that one thing short of filling that ridiculous aspiration, but hey, that's the way the cheese melts.
Kelly: Bad puns aside, you've left me alone for quite some time now. I sort of expected it sooner. I just grateful for the life I've had. One last favor? Do it quick. Don't let my Mandy see this, ok? She's in a delicate way.
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Grim: You're wish is my command, my friend. Maybe we can play a game of chess on the other side.
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Grim: And with a last sigh, I took him home. Man, I hate it when they are good ones. (sighs) Rest in peace, Kelly. You will be missed here by many. Rotten job you know, but someone has to do it and I am SO good at it.
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Of course I knew nothing of what was happening right over my head. Grim kept his word and I never saw my dear friend pass over. Instead, I was completely immersed in my cooking skills. I did have a job to prepare for and to max so I just kept cooking. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Ihvan was also unaware. He was in the, what has become our "music room", plunking away at the piano. He was determined to be able to mentor our child in that skill and I was grateful to not have to listen too closely. Somehow "The Itsy Bitsy Speeder" lost something in translation. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
With a fresh grilled cheese sandwhich in hand, I chatted up Grim, totally ignoring Leyland who seemed to have decided to take a nap just then. I was so involved in my discussion over the merits of grilled cheese, thus satisfying one more step in the aspiration, that I paid no attention to what was happening at my feet. Really, Leyland had been one of the least favorite people, and with his hatred of children I was pretty concerned how my child would be treated. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Grim apparently had business to do with Leyland, thus relieving my mind a bit over the future for my nooboo, and I just carried on with eating my sandwich. You know, when you're pregnant you are constantly hungry and when you've got to eat, you've go to eat. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
I'm not normally cold hearted you know, but it seems Grim had put a geas on me and there was a sense of this was right. No harm to come to me or my nooboo it seemed. Sadness could wait till later. What I didn't know as "later" approaching rapidly, as Dylan felt the presence of Grim and collapsed in front of his long held dream. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Ihvan had heard a bit of commotion, and wondering who had come to call, came upon the scene just as Grim was gathering poor Leyland's sould. He was completely devastate and really didn't understand my nonchalance and attention to my grilled cheese. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Having decided to explore his new environment a bit more, Atharv Arnold, (we call him Arnie), discovered to his horror the dead body of his new friend, Dylan, laying on the ground in front of the rocket ship. Was this what he was getting into? Death, alone in front of the thing you cherished the most? Too late for doubts now. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Feeling a strange presence, he slowly turned around and was further horrified by the vision of the Grim Reaper! He thought it was only a fairy tale, and yet here he was in the flesh, or whatever it was he had, standing there tallying up Dylan's life. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
This time I was not to be protected. I stared, horrified and deeply saddened at the body of one of my dearest friends. How could they all be dying off so soon, and all together? It was horrible. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
We all were there, stunned and shocked with grief over our loss. Grim, ever so gently removed the soul of our friend. It was almost regretfully. We were too overwhelmed to take it all in. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Grim: Rest easy my friend. You've been a good friend, a perfect help mate, and a beloved member of this family. May all your dreams and aspirations come true in the Netherworld. (sigh) He was a good man, you know. Grieve him well!
The moment over, the family all left to find solace where they could Perhaps crying it out in their solitary beds, missing the near by companions who once had been there. As for me, there was nothing more to do. I hugged my old friend, thanked him for his gentle care and for the grilled cheese aspiration, and wished him well. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Grim: Aww, Amanda I really hate this job you know.
Amanda: Yes, old friend, I know. But.......
Grim: Someone has to do it and........
Amanda: You're awfully good at what you do!
So we leave our old companions and go to face the future with our new ones..Good night dear diary, I have some grieving to do.
