one day later "MOM!!" Joe and Jodie yelled as mom stepped out of the car. "DAD!!" Charlie and Lukie yelled as they all barreled into them. I watched this all hiding the tears in my eyes."Teddy..." my mother said "Get over here and hug your parents!" my dad beamed and I came up to him and Lukie, my little sister pulled me into the warm, safe embrace of my family. Finally, we separated. They babbled on and on about their trip. I studied them. My father who shared my tawny hair and tall build. My mother whose clear, greenish,grayish, bluish eyes were in Joe, Lukie,and me Charlie and Jodie had my dad's solid brown eyes and my mother's dirty blonde hair. Eventually, we watched a movie, talked a bit more, hugged each other again, and went to sleep. I lay in my bed thinking about Jamie. She was kind of my girlfriend. I shook the thought away. A soft whisper traveled across my mind "to give up strength is to give up hope...you must believe in yourself I wasn't sure about it...it creeped me out. I sighed, sleep taking over my body. I woke up early next morning. I dressed quickly and realized I'd be roped in to baby sit Lukie. So, I called Bella and she, being an early riser, answered and she agreed to baby sit Lukie so I could finally finish Grandpa's story, the one from a week ago. I dressed quickly.
I sighed, walking slowly through my neighborhood. An ever so slight chill passed through the air, a sure sign of fall. I ran a hand through my hair, thinking about it all. In no time I was at Grandpa's house. Knowing both my grandparents would be awake, I knocked. Grandma answered, pale and sweat covered. "Oh Teddy..." she said, distracted. "come in." she said slowly allowing me to get inside. "I...I'm afraid Grandpa is very sick..." she said then started crying violently. I patted her back and led her to the couch. "I'll check on him ok?" I said slowly and calmly "yes...go do that..." she murmured sadly. I walked cautiously into their bedroom. My grandpa, my sweet, fun-loving, understanding, strong Grandpa was lying there, his chest barely rising and falling to show he was alive. "Grandpa..." I whispered, tears rising in my eyes. his old slightly crooked hand beckoned me. "Teddy...my time is up..." "NO grandpa No! We'll call 911 and get you to help...I...I cant...I just" I started crying like a little kid babbling and sobbing at the same time. I reached for the phone. "Wait...I must tell you something before I die." "NO GRANDPA YOU'RE NOT DYING!" I shrieked "Teddy, yes I am. My time is up, you must understand. that small trunk in the corner of my room is yours...all that's in it will tell you my story...please take care of it Teddy...please" he croaked. I grabbed his hand "GRANDPA!" I wailed and called 911 "help...help please my grandfather..." I choked down a sob "my grandfather is dying!" I yelled at the phone. "we'll be there in a few minutes, try to stay calm and check for a pulse." the woman on the other end said calmly. "goodbye...Teddy...I love you." he whispered, his hand falling limp, eyes closing for the last time.