GEN II: Chapter 8

Jenni and Chase were talking in the kitchen while Alan made dinner for everyone. Chase actually apologized to his mother for not being very helpful around the house. He knows that he should put a little more effort in and has decided to try to get a job again.
"I'll start looking tomorrow." Chase said

"Honey, it's really not a big deal, take as long as you need." Jenni replied, "we are your family, we will always be here for you no matter what."

Pretty soon dinner was ready and the family sat down together to eat.

Jenni remembered that she hadn't taken care of her garden that day because she had to get to work that morning. She excused herself from the table and went to tend her plants. While she was out there, a lady came up beside the garden and pulled out a book. It was as if she was trying to show Jenni how bored she was waiting to be noticed. Jenni finished pulling the weeds from the base of her plant and greeted the woman. Her name was Lacy, she told Jenni that she was just here to introduce herself, she was moving in down the road. "I'm sorry it's so late, but I saw you out here, and thought I'd say hello." Lacy said. Jenni invited her guest inside for some key lime pie.


Inside, Alan had gone to bed and the kids were the only ones about. The Key Lime pie was ready so they all filed in and grabbed a slice. Lacy mentioned that this happened to be one of her favorite desserts. Jenni did not have any, she actually said goodbye to Lacy and went upstairs to join her husband in bed.

The rest of the family talked to Lacy and enjoyed their dessert, after which Lacy excused herself and went back home. Crystal, Damien and Chase all went to bed after cleaning up the kitchen.

The house was silent.

Upstairs something started to stir. It was Alan, he awoke feeling a tingle from head to toe. At first, unsure of what was happening, he started to panic. Then realization came, and Alan started to relax a little. He did not want to leave his family behind to grieve for him but if it was his time, it was his time.











Alan took a look at his new form. "Not too bad," he thought, "A life well lived." As he thought these words to himself, the spirit of death came to help him cross to where he needed to be. His family had awoken because they all felt a new and different presence in the house. Jenni was up first, and she wasn't as welcoming as Alan was, to the newcomer. She let out a yelp, a squeak which let everyone else know where to run to find out what was happening. Pretty soon the whole family was piling into the small master bedroom.

Alan was happy to see that everyone had come, he turned to them all and told them not to fear. It was time for him to go.

"I'm not scared, and you shouldn't be either." Alan said to them.

Even though his loved ones were begging him not to go, for him not to be taken from them, he shook hands with the spirit of death and went willingly with him to wherever he was going next. With a last farewell, the family heard him say "I will keep watch over you all."

Jenni couldn't help it, the love of her life was leaving, she was devastated. She fainted, luckily Hayden was there to catch her. Hayden gently placed his mother into her bed so she would be comfortable until she woke.

The sun was coming up over the horizon and no one in the house really knew what to do with themselves. Kenya and Hayden were supposed to work that day, but they called in for unpaid vacation time.

Crystal's heart was broken. She ran out of the house as soon as she was dressed, she needed to be alone. She went to her favorite spot, one that her and her grandfather would always share together. When she got there, she broke down into tears. Crystal screamed to the heavens. She wasn't sure she could handle this. Though she didn't want to, Crystal knew her family would be looking for her soon and, soaked with tears, she walked back to her home.


Jenni woke and reached for her Alan. He wasn't there. Reality hit her and she cried again. Hayden came in to comfort her as best he could and help her to gain composure. He suggested she take a shower, that it might help. There were some things that needed to be done for Alan.


The family discussed where to have his service. Jenni didn't hesitate, she knew where to do it.

She instructed her family to get into the car, and she would drive them there to prepare. When she stepped onto the beach where her and Alan met, she broke down again and cried on Hayden's shoulder.



Pretty soon, everything was set up and people were invited to say goodbye to a well known and good man.











Many people came to offer their respect. Jenni was too upset to welcome everyone, but she did her best. Her sons, daughter-in-law and granddaughter made sure that all guests were greeted, and thanked for coming. Crystal had the hardest time keeping herself composed. She blew a kiss to her parted grandfather and then broke down again. She screamed and cried, then decided she had to leave. She left for home, where she cried herself to sleep.



After the wake, Jenni and the rest of the family went home. Everyone seemed to want to be alone for a while, and went to their separate rooms. Jenni decided to turn on the TV just for some noise. When she did, the television broke. She stared at it for a moment then cried again, Alan was always the one to fix the TV when it broke.

Hayden heard, and came to her aide. He walked her into the kitchen and made her some tea. He went back to the living room to fix the television.


As he worked, he couldn't help but think of his father, and all the things that he had upgraded or fixed in this house. Hayden's eye's watered with his thoughts and a tears started to fall.









Unfortunately a drop fell right to where he was working and Hayden got electrocuted. It was only brief, but as the electricity coursed through his body, Hayden feared for his life. The shock detached him from the source of power and the pulses stopped. He was fine, singed, but alive.

Hayden screamed his frustration. He realized then that his clothes were burnt off and his skin was burned in places. His already stricken mother did not need to see her first born in this state.










Hayden took a quick shower to remove as much evidence of electrocution that he could. Then he went back to Jenni.

It had been a long day for everyone. Hayden called for Damien, and the two of them helped their mother to bed. Things would look better in the morning.


Crystal was up first, and she made pancakes for everyone. She stood there and looked at the plate for a moment and cried, Alan wouldn't be sharing this breakfast with them. Crystal missed him.


Hearing Crystal's call for breakfast, the whole family sat at the table together. They ate in silence. No one really knew what to say. Sometimes it is better not to say anything at all.

After eating Damien spilled his heart to his brother.

"I'm not sure I can take this Hayden, I don't know what to do without dad." He said.

"Hey, Damien, everyone feels the same way," Hayden replied "none of us know what to do, or whats going to happen next. The only thing we do know, is that we have to keep moving. Dad will always be here with us, do not ever forget that."


Chase over heard Hayden talking to Damien and came in. He collapsed onto Damien shoulder.

"I know he wasn't my biological father, and I haven't been here that long, but I want you to know, Alan was the best man I had ever known. He let me into his home when he was trying to raise two of his own boys." Chase admitted "He will always be my father. I love him better I ever thought I would." The three boys shared a hug.