Simpsons Porn Story: Love Thy Neighbor Chapter 12

It was well past nine in the morning when Lisa awoke. She could smell bacon and coffee from downstairs and knew that her mother was cooking a light meal, eggs were probably part of the breakfast and that was fine with her. For a few moments, Lisa felt fine, until she remembered the dream. It was so real and full of love, had her father really visited her or was it just her mind playing tricks with her? Whatever it was it made Lisa dig herself deep into the covers and start to cry. She wanted her Dad to come in and comfort her, tell her everything was alright and that his death had been a horrible nightmare. For a good ten minutes, she stayed under the covers, whimpering and trying to forget the wonderful dream. It was too hard though, she would have to deal with it and head down to breakfast before her mother worried about her.

She came down the stairs to find that Maggie had already gone outside to play in the sandbox and Marge was sitting alone balancing her checkbook with a cup of coffee. Her hair was still in a tangled mess from last night and she looked extremely haggard, as if she did not get any sleep. Bart was nowhere in sight, he was probably still sleeping or just sulking in his bed over last nights argument.

Marge looked up from her thoughts and gave Lisa a warm smile, Lisa could tell that her mother was trying to not to show that she had a hard night. Good morning Lisa, there are some scrambled eggs in the skillet and some bread by the toaster, she said before looking back down at her checkbook.

Lisa walked over and put two pieces of bread in the toaster before turning back to her mother. How are you this morning Mom? she asked.

Marge made a quick subtraction before letting out a heavy sigh and looking at Lisa with a sad face. Im a terrible mother arent I? she asked.

Lisa gasped at what her mother had said and quickly went over to hold her mothers hand that was sitting on the table. Mom I love you dearly, you are trying your hardest to take care of us as a single mother now and I dont think you should let Bart stop you from trying. His emotions are all bottled up because he is a boy and boys hold their emotions longer, said Lisa remembering the words her father told her in her dream.

But Lisa I threw him down the stairs, no mother should do such a thing to their child, even when they arent behaving, said Marge, Lisa noticed that she was now shaking as she grabbed her cup of coffee.

I agree that was a terrible thing to do but it wasnt serious and Bart will forgive you, he loves you, he is just upset at what he saw last night, said Lisa as she walked over to grab the toast that had popped out of the toaster.

Marge only sighed and looked down at her cup of coffee, it was almost empty now and there was only a small amount left, enough to see the bottom with and make her swirl it around with the sugar that settled down there.

It was the wine wasnt it mom? asked Lisa as she set up a plate next to her and began to eat her eggs.

I sure hope so, said Marge as she continued to look down. She then looked back up at Lisa and noticed how sorrowful she looked as she slowly ate her toast.

Is everything okay with you? she asked in a motherly voice.

Lisa looked up from her plate and quickly swallowed her toast before letting out a heavy and longing sigh. Should she tell her mother all about the dream or just that she had one? It was probably better to do the latter.

I had a dream last night and Dad was in it, she said as she quickly took another bite of eggs.

I have those dreams too Lisa, hes there for a short time and then he leaves, I hate waking up to those, said Marge.

Yeah me too, said Lisa as she wondered if Bart ever had one.

After a few minutes of silence, Lisa finished her breakfast and brought it over to the sink where she looked out the window and saw Maggie having fun alone in the sandbox. She could see the trees moving, signaling a change in the weather and it made her wonder if Maggie was warm enough out there.

Do you think Maggie should come in now Mom? asked Lisa.

I think she should be fine for a few more minutes, why dont you go out and keep her company for a while, said Marge.

Lisa only nodded as she quickly grabbed her sweater and put on a warm pair of shoes before heading out to join her little sister. Maggie was busy making a nice big hole in the dirt and putting a Malibu Stacy into it before looking up at Lisa with a satisfied smile.

Stacy needs a makeover in the mud, so she is gonna sit in this hole for a while, said Maggie.

Well thats nice of you Maggie, are you getting cold at all? asked Lisa.

Maggie stopped what she was doing and thought it over for a moment before giving her an answer. A little, she finally replied.

Okay we should go in in ten minutes then, we dont want you to get cold, said Lisa as she gave her little sister an extra scarf. Maggie loosened it after Lisa put it on too tight and went back to her doll.

Lisa then sat down on the edge of the sandbox and watched Maggie for a moment. Her mind was still racing about the dream, it was so real. Yet it did make her wonder why he had visited her and not Bart, maybe she was supposed to talk to him about what her father told her. She guessed Bart did not listen in dreams either.

Lisa let out a heavy sigh and looked over at the two trees where her father used to sleep on the hammock. It was still there swinging against the breeze without an owner. It was then that Lisa was brought back to a memory she really wanted to forget yet her mind was telling her otherwise.

It had happened five months before Homers death, a day in which Homers health took a turn for the worst. The day was almost like today, dreary and cold and Maggie had been playing in her sandbox by herself. It was the weekend too so Bart and Lisa didnt get up until a little later. Marge had gone out early to run some errands and Homer was still in the room sleeping.

Lisa and Bart sat there quietly eating their cereal and thinking about what the day would bring. Bart had been thinking about going over to Milhouses to play video games and Lisa planned on getting some homework done, nothing too big today.

Both were just finishing their cereal when Homer came down breathing heavily and looking more exhausted than he ever had been. Both Bart and Lisa watched him with concerned faces, wondering what was going on.

Dad are you okay? asked Lisa.

Homer did not respond right away but stared out at Maggie, his chest rising up and down faster than normal and he just looked miserable.

I dont knowmaybe I need some fresh air, he said with a heavy sigh between words and slowly he made his way outside and closed the door behind him. Lisa stared back at Bart who looked back worriedly. They had never seen him like this before and it was very worrisome.

Lisa decided that she had to go out and check on her father to see if everything was alright. Quickly she took the last few bites of her cereal before running over to the sink and dumping what was left of the milk in there. She looked outside to see if she could see Homer, it took her a moment to figure out what was going on outside. She rubbed her eyes back and forth trying to see what was lying in front of the sandbox, whatever it was; Maggie was staring back at it looking a bit scared. That was when Lisa gasped in alarm and started to run out the door.

Bart! Call 911, Dads fallen! Lisa yelled as she ran out.

Bart jumped up and looked out the window to see Lisa running toward their father who was lying on the ground not moving. As quickly as he could, he ran to the phone.

Lisa made her way to Homer, Maggie was sitting on the edge of the sandbox looking confused at what was going on and nearly jumped in fright when she saw Lisa running full speed toward them.

Dad! Get up! Lisa yelled as she rushed to his side and started shaking him. He did not respond, Lisa quickly moved him on his back and felt for a pulse. There was one but it was faint and barely there. Lisa then did the only thing she knew would help him. She began CPR.

Lisa beat down as hard as she could on his chest and then breathed into his mouth, getting as much oxygen going as she could. She beat down on his chest twice, three times, and then four times before finally launching into hysterics and yelling at him to wake up.

Dad please dont leave me! she cried as she kept going.

I called the ambulance and they are on their way, do you need any help? asked Bart as he ran to see if Lisa was making any progress.

Yeah call Mom and tell her Dad is not doing well, please Bart! said Lisa tears falling down her face and she continued with CPR.

Bart ran back to the house while Lisa kept trying until finally Homer opened his eyes and let out a heavy cough. Lisa sighed with relief glad that he was finally conscience until he suddenly rolled onto his stomach and began to cough heavily. Lisa didnt know what to do this time but watched helplessly as Homer began coughing up blood. The cancer had finally caught up with him.

Lisa could only stare helplessly as Homer continued to cough and wheeze like he had just been pulled out of a rip current, she knew she could not roll him on his back, that would only make it worse. But her momentary worry was quickly lowered when she heard sirens coming down the road. Lisa ran to the front yard to get their attention so they could help her father as fast as they could. The fire department was the first to arrive and they ran as fast as they could to the back yard to administer to Homer. The ambulance came two minutes later and quickly took out the stretcher as Lisa led them to the back yard.

She watched as the fire department made Homer sit up while one of the paramedics injected an IV into him while another put an oxygen mask to his face to calm the cough. They were soon surrounding Homer and Lisa could not see what was going on, it was probably better that way though, she did not need to watch it all.

Lisa then looked toward the sandbox noticed that Maggie was still there watching the whole thing with curious eyes. Lisa calmly made her way over and picked her sister up.

Whats wrong with Daddy? asked Maggie once she and Lisa were far enough away.

Hes very sick Maggie, the nice men are making him well, said Lisa as she quickly brought her over to the porch so as not to be too close to the action.

Before she even knew it, Homer was loaded onto the stretcher and the paramedics ran as fast as they could to the ambulance. Lisa followed them and watched as they loaded her father into the back and drove off, sirens blaring. Bart soon joined her, a look of concern on his face as the ambulance disappeared from view.

Mom will be over shortly to pick us up, he said.

Thanks Bart, you were very helpful, said Lisa who rubbed the tears out of her eyes.

One of the firemen made his way over to the kids and bent down to their level to give them an important talk.

Your father had respiratory failure, hopefully the hospital will fix the problem and he will be okay, said the fireman.

He has cancer, do you think thats what caused it? asked Lisa nervously.

Most likely and I am sorry you had to deal with this so early this morning but you three are very brave. Most kids would just stand there and cry until the mother came home, said the fireman.

Thanks for all your help, said Bart.

Is your mom coming home at all? he asked.

Yeah I called her, she says she is on her way, said Bart.

Would you like me to wait until she comes home? asked the fireman.

Lisa looked over at Bart, she was not sure if they could handle being alone for a few more minutes. Bart was the brave one and he usually knew how to run things if there was a problem. Lisa did too but at the moment she was still in shock after trying to revive her father.

Only if you want to, Im okay running things until she gets here, she said she was just down the road, said Bart.

The fireman looked back at Bart with concern, it looked like he did know how to handle things but then he decided that staying around for a little while would be the best bet.

While the fireman talked with Bart for a few more minutes, Lisa went back inside and decided to grab her saxophone. She remembered a few months ago when her father was in the waiting room, ready to hear any new options about his cancer. She remembered how scared he was and that he had wanted to hear her play her saxophone to ease his worry. Perhaps today once things calmed down in the ER, he would want to hear some music. She ran up and grabbed it and came out just in time as her mother pulled into the driveway.

The ride to the hospital was spent in silence; Lisa could sense that her mother was very nervous about what had gone on. No tears were shed as she made her way to the hospital, she remained brave and calm about it.

They soon arrived at the emergency room and as calmly as Marge could, she made her way to the front desk. The nurse looked up at her ready to hear what the emergency was.

My husband just went through here probably a little less than half an hour ago, his name is Homer Simpson, do you know where he might be? asked Marge her voice low yet very upset sounding.

The nurse looked around at her charts in what seemed like ages to Lisa until finally she found what she was looking for.

Oh yes, I remember him now, he came in about fifteen minutes ago. Unfortunately they had to give him emergency surgery, said the nurse.

Marge let out a worried gasp. How long do you think it will take? she asked.

The doctor said about two hours or maybe longer but I will let him know you are here so he can talk to you once its over, said the nurse.

Marge thanked the nurse and wandered over to the waiting room. It was quiet in there for a Saturday morning but all four did not really notice. Maggie went straight for the toy area while Bart opened up a magazine about deer hunting. Marge only stared at the TV not really paying attention to what was going on, and Lisa was fiddling with her saxophone, hoping that her father would come out okay to hear a small tune from her.

As Lisa sat there with her saxophone she began to press down on the keys making a low clicking sound that sounded like some sort of rhythm to Maggie who also started to makes those sounds with one of the toys. Lisa watched as she pressed down on one of the keys of her Saxophone before Maggie touched a key on a toy piano. Maggie then looked up and smiled happily.

Are you trying to make music Maggie? asked Lisa.

Maggie only smiled as she let the beads click together on the toy and then tapped a small xylophone with a stick.

Sing a song for us Lisa, said Maggie as she tapped on the beads again. Lisa knew she meant play the saxophone but Maggie didnt know the difference.

What do you want to hear? asked Lisa knowing that playing music would probably make everything go by quickly and that her worries would not be so high.

Ummm.the Little Mermaid, said Maggie. Lisa could already sense the song would be one of her choices, that or some nursery rhyme which she was starting to grow out of.

Okay Ill play it, but only if you sing it, said Lisa.

Maggie only smiled as Lisa began to play the first song Ariel sang in the movie. For a moment Maggie listened as she tried to remember the right words and when she finally did, the words came out differently but that was okay, a three year old was not expected to remember everything.

But The Little Mermaid was not the only song that Lisa played; Maggie of course wanted her to keep going. Soon there was a menagerie of Disney songs from The Lion King, to Toy Story, to even Beauty and the Beast. After a while though, Maggie began to forget the words and ended up making skit scat noises. Even Bart joined them by slapping his knees and adding some dialogue into the music.

Sometimes nurses and other people in the waiting room would come and see what all the commotion was about. Marge would give everyone a sheepish smile and wave, hoping that she was not in trouble. It was quite the opposite though and everyone enjoyed it, after a while some of the patients who had been waiting came out to watch as Lisa poured her heart and soul into the songs she played. They all laughed at Maggie for her cute dialogue and they all clapped at Bart as he did a few dance moves to go along with it.

It lasted a little over three hours before Lisa was suddenly stopped by someones hand on her shoulder. Lisa let out a gasp as the saxophone let out a high pitched squeal before she turned around.

Your father said he was happy to hear your music when he woke up, said the man.

It was Dr. Fisk, Dr. Hibberts new intern who was now just starting to learn the ropes.

Lisa let out warm smile, her father made it out of surgery and had heard her let out all her energy.

So hes okay? asked Lisa.

Dr. Fisk looked up at Marge and then up at the group of spectators who were still gathered around. They all sensed that they needed to leave because now Dr. Fisk had to tell them the bad news.

Once everyone was gone, Dr. Fisk walked over to Marge and gave her a concerned smile one that seemed to show pity and sadness. Marge seemed to sense this and looked up at him as a tear fell down her face.

The cancer finally caught up with him, said Dr. Fisk.

W-Whats going to happen? asked Marge, the only question she could think of at the moment.

Dr. Fisk was about to respond but was quickly interrupted by Maggie who was asking Lisa for more music and was doing it with an outdoor voice.

Maggie not now, I need to know whats wrong with Dad, said Lisa.

But I want to hear when you wish upon a star, said Maggie as she tugged at Lisas dress.

Maggie! Marge snapped. Maggie turned to her mother who gave her an angry glare; she instantly knew that now was not the time and quickly hushed up.

Sorry, please continue, said Marge.

Its alright, shes still young. We did exploratory surgery and the cancer spread to his lungs, we did a special procedure to get most of it out and extend his life a little longer but unfortunately it will come back very quickly, and doing any more surgery on him is just too risky. He now has to be on oxygen to help him breath and we estimate that he has only six months left, said Dr. Fisk with a heavy sigh. He had explained this to a few patients before since Dr. Hibbert told him it was good practice. He hated doing it though and Dr. Hibbert always made it sound so easy.

Marge sat there on the chair, stunned and eyes wide with the news. She didnt cry she only stood up and made her way out of the waiting room but stopped midway.

I can see him now right? asked Marge.

Hes in room 22A, said Dr. Fisk.

Marge slowly made her way to the room, the kids right behind her, Maggie at the rear wondering what was going on.

Are we going home now? asked Maggie.

No, we still have to see Dad, said Lisa.

Maggie said nothing, having a sick father was very confusing. No one really explained it to her and watching her family look upset around her father worried her. Why was he so sick and why couldnt he just take that yummy cherry medicine she took when she had a cold?

Marge was first to enter the room, bracing herself for what she was about to see of her husband. She was afraid he would not recognize her or be in total shock of what had just gone on. She let out a heavy sigh and looked over at him; he was awake and hooked to almost everything the family could imagine. There was an oxygen tube in his nose, an IV on his wrist, heart monitors and a large wrapping on his chest where the doctors had entered to look at his lungs. Dr. Hibbert was standing next to him with a concerned face; Lisa could tell he had just broken the news to Homer because he was crying.

Homer?! Marge called to him nervously.

Homer looked over at his wife, his eyes red from both the drugs and the crying, he looked so pitiful and in the worst state yet.

I dont want to talk about it right now Marge, I just want to hear my daughter play a song for me, he said in a tired and sickly sounding voice. One that proved he had also been crying and he was starting to get the hiccups.

Dont worry Homer; I wont say anything, just rest. You need to save your energy and try not to breathe too hard, you had some major surgery. Lisa would be happy to play for you though, said Marge as she came forward and stroked his bald head. Marges soft hands began to sooth him as he let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes in rest. Dr. Hibbert quickly left the room to let them be together privately and to not disturb them.

Lisa stood there for a long moment unsure of what to play on her saxophone for him. She had played all the Disney songs she knew, save for When You Wish Upon a Star, but her father would not want to hear that.

Please Lisa, Homer said after a long pause.

Lisa knew she needed something happy or at least something not too sad or her father would probably sob even more and cause even worse problems with his breathing. Finally she decided to start playing random tunes while Homer listened. He let the tears flow quietly down his face while Marge stayed close by stroking his hand. Bart sat in a nearby chair with Maggie watching worriedly.

Homer stayed in the hospital for a week and half to make sure there were no complications with the surgery. Marge would come every morning and stay with him until later in the evening to keep him company. Lisa and Bart would often show up too to give him support and let him know that they were rooting for his recovery. Lisa would bring her saxophone along and Homer would listen before falling asleep.

Marge, Bart and Lisa were not the only ones who showed up. Grampa came one day and gave his son a heart to heart talk about how bad he felt for his son to be going through something he should have gone through first. Grampa admitted that a father should not watch his son die and the circle of life could be extremely cruel if it wanted to be. Of course Grampa rambled for far too long, Homer was too tired to really say anything but Marge could tell that his fathers words were upsetting him. Marge finally told Grampa to go home and they would call him to let him know how Homer was progressing.

Lenny, Carl, Barney and Moe came around one day as well. It was mostly guy talk which Homer liked but after a while, Moe could not take seeing his best customer in the shape he was in and quickly walked out to the hall where he put his head on the wall and sobbed heavily. Lisa was the first to find him standing out there alone, together they talked about the great times they had with Homer until Moe had to leave and open up his bar.

Homer came home one cold Wednesday night. The family had a private ceremony to celebrate his accomplishment for surviving the ordeal and for Lisa who helped revive him. The doctor even said that if Lisa did not do anything fast then he would have lost his life that day. Lisa had saved him for another few months.

Together the family watched Homers favorite movies, enjoying life and trying to forget their problems. Homer was asleep by nine that night though and Marge helped him make his way slowly up the stairs to bed. He would spend most of his days up there, until one afternoon a month after the surgery when Homer suddenly started having complications. Marge ended up calling the paramedics who rushed over and had to use a special stretcher to bring Homer down the stairs and into the ambulance.

Dr. Hibbert was very concerned about this and even suggested that Homer should stay in a hospice so that he could be better taken care of. Marge though did not want that and neither did Homer. Marge even said she would prefer to have him die at home with the family around him. The hospital would be okay too if moving him after a sudden emergency was not an option.

Finally Marge ended up buying a special bed for Homer and put it in the rumpus room where Maggie usually played. It was a quiet a peaceful place where Homer had access to a TV and the perfect place for him to just rest and not be bothered by anyone. Marge purposely bought a large enough bed for the two of them, even though her room was still on the top floor, she felt guilty leaving him alone at night in that room. Homer didnt want it any other way and was so glad his own wife still wanted to be by his side through the night, unless of course Marge had a cold, then she would sleep upstairs.

Even though he slept most of the day, Homer still tried to find a way to be in the living room while the children were watching TV or doing homework. He would sit quietly on his side of the sofa, either watching them or what was on the TV. Lisa remembered how at first she and Bart were not fond of him doing so, especially since his oxygen tank made that weird noise as it pumped air into his nostrils. To them it sounded a lot like Darth Vader but they soon learned to accept it, after all, it was keeping their father alive.

Lisa remembered the first time Homer actually came out of the room to be with them; Marge set him down and made him comfortable before heading back to the kitchen to make dinner. Lisa and Bart took no notice and continued to watch Itchy and Scratchy, they were both glad though that their father managed to come out and visit them for a bit.

Dinners ready! Marge called when the food was finally ready about an hour later.

Bart jumped up and ran to the kitchen to grab his meal. Lisa soon followed but didnt go very far when Homer called to her.

Lisa, he called to her in a low voice.

Yeah Dad? Lisa asked with a puzzled face.

Can you help me get up? he asked rather sheepishly.

Lisa stared at her father, for the first time she actually looked back at him and saw how sickly he was. He looked so haggard and worn out, his five oclock shadow was now grizzly looking from rarely shaving. And those eyes, those eyes that used to be so full of life had now lost their shine and were nothing but dark circles. He did not look like the father she once knew, but a stranger.

Lisa moved forward cautiously, nervously as if he was a dangerous snake ready to strike or as if he would break if she got close enough. She reached halfway before stopping and looked down at the ground, not sure how she was going to help him out.

Everything okay Lisa? asked Homer.

Yeah Im okayI just, she began.

Youre afraid you might hurt me? he asked in a matter of fact sounding voice.

Lisa only nodded as she continued to stare at the ground. And she thought hearing her father give her a heart to heart talk was hard, this one was worse.

Dont worry Lisa, Im not as fragile as I look, he said as convincing as he could.

Lisa knew she had to help him up sooner or later and moved forward quietly, she had to stay strong like her mother. Carefully she grabbed his hand and then pushed him forward on his back with her other hand. As she did so, she was expecting him to feel heavy like he always had been, but instead he was so light it was almost as if she was lifting Maggie.

Youre so light, she finally said once Homer was on his feet.

As Homer leaned on his cane to balance himself, he looked back at Lisa and gave her a small smile. Well thats what happens when a pound cake becomes nothing but air, it becomes angel food cake. Mmmmmmangel food cake, He replied, Lisa thought it was very brave of him to think of it like that. At least he was trying to be optimistic like many of his friends tried to be.

Homer was able to attend a Sunday service two months after he had been told how much life he had left in him. He told Marge he felt fit enough to go and it was mainly because he hadnt been outside in a long time. Marge was more than happy to have him come with the family and when they arrived, everyone looked astonished to see Homer finally out even though it was in a wheelchair and hooked to an oxygen tank. When the service was over, all his friends came over to wish him the best of luck, they all hoped that he would survive the ordeal and that the doctors were nothing but phonies for believing he would not make it.

Moe and his friends were so proud of him for coming out that they invited him to the bar for a life party. Homer was too sick to drink beer now but all his friends wanted to at least celebrate his life with him and spend a few hours together just talking about the good old days. Homer spent almost three hours there before Marge decided that he had enough excitement for one day.

As the weeks went by, Homer became sicker and sicker. Soon he was too weak to even get up and spend some time in the living room with the kids. He tried his hardest though and it soon became normal for the kids to see him only two or three times a week in there. They would still visit him in his room but he usually fell asleep before they could even finish a game or movie. His frequent hospital visits were soon getting very worrisome; twice he came down with a terrible cold, one caused by Marge who tried her hardest to stay away from him. A hard thing to do when your husband needed help with almost everything he did. One of his colds was so severe that Dr. Hibbert thought he would die in a few days. He did end up getting better a week later but after that fiasco Marge was afraid she would wake up one morning to find him gone, especially since Dr. Hibbert informed her that he would most likely die quietly. Thank goodness it happened when she was awake enough for both of them to say goodbye.

Lisa then remembered when it finally happened one rainy afternoon, she had spent the afternoon with her friend Janey, they were watching a movie when Janeys mother got a call from Marge. Homer was back in the hospital again and Aunt Patty was going to pick her up to take her, Bart and Maggie to see him which they always did just in case. It was his last trip to the hospital and the last time she would have a heart to heart talk with her father. She remembered heading home after saying goodbye with Aunt Patty and Selma watching the rain fall from the car window and wondering how many hours he had left. She could not sleep that night and as soon as she heard the phone ring a little after four thirty in the morning, she buried her head under her covers and cried her heart out. She was glad his pain was gone but wished with all her heart that they would have fought harder to save his life.

There were now no more daddy daughter moments, no more listening to her father proclaim his greatest accomplishments. Only dreams would help her with that, but how often would those dreams come to her?

Lisa? a voice called to her. Lisa shook herself from her trance and looked down at Maggie who was looking up at her concerned eyes.

Im ready to go in now, she said.

Lisa gave a heavy sigh and suddenly realized how much cooler it had gotten that day; a storm was most likely coming in, bringing snow back to Springfield. What a lovely thought, she loved those days curling up with a good book and some hot chocolate as the snow fell around her. She just wished her father would share it with her.

Yeah it is getting cold isnt it, said Lisa.

Do you think it will snow soon? asked Maggie.

Perhaps, then we can go out and make snow angels together, said Lisa as she walked back to the house, Maggie was holding her hand in the process.

I cant wait, said Maggie with excitement in her voice.

Lisa only smiled as she made her way in the house but then suddenly stopped short when she looked up at Barts bedroom window. The window as open and Bart rarely left it open unless it was too warm in the house or if he forgot to close it as he snuck out.

Lisa gasped with surprise and ran into the house and up the stairs causing Marge to look up from her check balancing.

Whats wrong Lisa? asked Marge.

Lisa did not respond, she only ran up the stairs to her brothers room and opened the door. As soon as she opened it, a heavy cold breeze rushed up and hit her in the face. She looked over at his bed and found that it was fully made and that Bart was nowhere to be seen.

A/N: Long chapter is long. I would like to thank Amy Tan for inspiration for this chapter. Amy Tan is a wonderful writer with novels that include The Joy Luck Club, The Bonesetters Daughter, and The Kitchen Gods Wife. At the beginning of The Kitchen Gods Wife, the main character tells about how her father lost his life to stomach cancer and in one paragraph she told of how he would ask for her to help him get up. I just had to use that, I just loved how she wrote it. I didnt mean to make this chapter so long, I just wanted to show what the family had gone through in those last five months, I could have added a lot more but I didn’t want to make it too long or you guys would have gone nuts and slapped me upside the head.

Any way I keep forgetting to give you an update on my friend. I have good news and bad news. Bad news is he has jury duty. Good news is he can probably get out of that. Heh heh yeah. But more importantly, he had a small infection in his diaphragm and stomach causing him to get really bad hiccups. He went to the hospital where they drained it out and he is again doing much better. He believes he is on the mend now but it will probably still be a few months before he can actually come back to work. He did stop by for a visit at work and it was great to see him, he actually climbed our hill to talk to everyone at the administration office and that hill is huge, I still get winded when I walk up it. But still keep him in your prayers so that nothing else will go wrong and all of his problems will soon be left behind for good.

Im not sure when I will update again, next week is the start of my two classes that I will be taking for two weeks, meaning long hours and probably lots of assignments. One of them includes field trips so that will probably take up most of my time but we will see. I promise I will be back by the beginning of July with a new chapter so please be patient and please review when you can.