After Story: Before The End

This is a story about Chase. He's an 8-year-old boy. His birthday will be tomorrow. He was pretty happy to celebrate it with his family. Sadly, by the end of this story, he will die.

Yes, you know but he doesn't need to know that. Sigh, I am disappointed when the story ends this way but alas, the story must go on. Who am I? Well, let me introduce myself. I'm the Narrator. Oh, it seems to be starting. We can skip to a day before. Now, let's continue with this story.

His mother, April, was able to come back home to cook dinner today. Lately, she had been working late so Chase had to come back home himself. He didn't mind, he was happy he could explore the city. His dad Jackson had to work long hours so he wasn't home but at least they got to video call some nights. After a long exhausting day at work Chase's mom came from work. Chase was already at home. He was watching TV when he heard the key door turn.

"Mommy!" he greeted her, as he ran to give her a hug.

"Hello dear, how was school today?" she asked him, she gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"It was fun! We learned how to count numbers today! I heard that we would be learning about butterflies tomorrow!" he said.

"Oh, that's great dear! Come on, let's make dinner now!" She smiled.

Chase was always super happy when his mom came back home. He can always talk to her and tell her about things that happened that day. He started to bounce around because he couldn't contain his excitement.

"Mommy, mommy guess what?" he said.

"What is it dear?" she said.

"It will be my birthday in 2 days!" his eyes sparkled with excitement.

Oh, a birthday party how fun, but I wonder if Chase can make it to his birthday.

"Oh yes! I asked your daddy to come home, where do you want to go?" she asked him.

"Really? Will Daddy come home? Yay! Can we go to the park?" Chase asked.

"Sure! I'll call him later tonight okay?" she smiled.

"Yay! I'm so happy!" Chase said.

After dinner, April put Chase to bed. She read him a storybook. It was about a fearless knight who went to slay the dragon to save the princess. April gave Chase a kiss on his forehead before leaving.

April decided to go to her room so she had some privacy. She turned on the light and went to sit by her desk. The faint tick of the clock that hung from the left side of the wall gave a peaceful atmosphere. She called her husband and waited for him to pick her up. The call went through after the 4th ring.

"Hey sorry, I'm just so busy today." April can hear Jackson's tired sigh.

"I know." April chuckled. "You didn't text me at all today."

"Oh! I am so sorry, April. My boss gave me more projects to work with and it's been nonstop."

"Oh..." April started to play with her fingers as she became distracted. "That's what I was going to say... did you remember to put the request for Chase's birthday?"

"Chase's birthday! Damn it! I have to check with my boss. I'm so sorry April. I think I placed the days off but I don't remember... our poor baby. I've been so busy that I couldn't even take time off to spend with him. I'll send you more money this month so you can take Chase somewhere."

April sighed, "We talked about this. Chase wants to spend time with you, that's more priceless than you giving him money."

"I will try my best and text you about it okay?" April can hear Jackson's voice distance. "Sorry I have to go, my meeting starts now. I will talk to you tomorrow, okay? Bye love you!"

Well, that seemed to go well I think? A lot better than what it was before. Oh! Forget I said that.

The sun shined through Chase's curtains, his alarm went off in his room. He went to turn it off. He yawned, I'm so sleepy, he thought. He went to find the set of clothes his mom prepared for the day in his drawer. It was his blue train shirt with black pants and put them on. He was rubbing his eyes as he headed for the bathroom. His mommy seemed really busy taking some phone calls already as she was preparing stuff to leave the house.

"Oh, Chase! I got your breakfast on the table. I talked to your dad and he said he would spend the day with you tomorrow okay? Sorry, I was talking to my son." his mom went back to her phone call.

Chase was super happy his dad would be able to spend time with him. He hasn't played with his dad since last month. He couldn't wait for this day to be over so he can see his dad tomorrow!

Chase seems to really love his dad. To think I wouldㅡ

Chase was brushing his teeth. He frowned and looked around him, "Who are you? Are you talking about me?"

You... can hear me?

"Are you a bad person? Do I have to tell my mommy?" He asks as he quivers.

Well... this is a problem uh... No, I'm just a storyteller

"Storyteller? Is that your name? That's so cool, come on storyteller, I want you to meet my mommy!" Chase jumped down from the stool he was standing on to run to his mom.

Oh. Uhm. No, don't do that, she seems really busy. You can introduce us at the end of the day when you come back home, okay?

"Ok! Yay! Storyteller, did you know that my birthday will be tomorrow?" Chase bounced.

That is great! Happy early birthday! Now let's go eat breakfast so your mommy can take you to school okay?

"Okay!" Chase agreed.

Chase went to eat breakfast and his mom drove him to school. He happily watched the cars as they went past him. He was thinking about all the fun things they can do together. He could ask his mommy or daddy to push him on the swings. They can play with balls. Toss a frisbee to each other. Or play with bubbles.

"What is your favorite game?" Chase asked.

A Pause. Oh? Are you asking me?

"Yeah, what do you like to play?" he asked me.

I thought for a moment. Guess I like to play on the slides. They were fun when I was a child. But let's move along, shall we?

Chase enjoyed his classes. He saw some of his friends in class and played with them at recess. He liked school; he could learn so many things and ask a lot of questions and talk to other kids. It was time to go home so Chase said goodbye to his teacher and headed back home. Chase just followed the street that was on the same path to the bus stop. He was happy he was able to get on time sometimes. He ends up talking to a friend for a little too long then he misses his bus and has to go home later. Today he was able to get on the bus on time. He scanned his tag and hopped on the bus.

Chase was able to meet so many new people when he was on the bus! His new friend also helped him feel better in situations when people were not that nice... He hopes to introduce his new friend to his mommy and daddy when he gets home. Autumn started to become chilly. He was a little cold but he didn't mind. He loved to play with the leaves on the floor. His best friend Catherine came on the bus and he was so happy to talk to her. He was talking to her about his day and asked her how she was doing. She said she was doing well and her mom was cooking spaghetti tonight. I love spaghetti! Maybe I can ask my mommy to make it for me, Chase thought. Chase realized it was his stop so he hugged Catherine goodbye and waited for the bus driver to fully stop his car before leaving the bus.

I do like spaghetti, I told him.

"Right?" Chase said, "Let's eat it together!"

We can certainly try.

He looked up because he realized he almost missed his stop and pulled the line. I should head home really fast so I can play with mommy! He thought. Chase knew his house was a block away and decided to quickly cross the street.

But, he never made it back home.