"Relatively Speaking"
                                                                             
                                  A Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy
                                              episode continuation

                                                           by
                                                   Dynamoe Dave
                                                                              

                                                    Chapter Four
                                                        Monday       

Sunday had been a tiring and totally unproductive day for Mandy and Ms. Doolin. From attic to basement a methodic search in each room had proved useless. So had tapping on walls and floors for secret passageways and hiding places. They were no closer to finding the family ledger than they had been in the beginning, and it was now Monday. The deadline for demolition of the house had arrived and the heat was on. It became sadly apparent that the ledger simply wasn't in the house, and that Mandy, for the first time in her life, would lose at something. Too bad it would be something so vitally important and profoundly personal.

                                                  **********

It was early Monday morning and Claire, deciding to not add fuel to an already volatile fire, didn't object when Mandy firmly stated, "NO school for me today. I'm stopping the demolition by any means possible."

Claire just sighed and shrugged her shoulders. What could she do without Grim? It was painfully obvious to even the most thickheaded individual that Grim would drive the bulldozer himself if the workmen would let him. Mandy would get no help there. As for her stubborn daughter, Claire knew the workmen would demand that she leave so as to not endanger her safety. It was nearly over and she smiled, soon this whole affair would be just an uncomfortable memory.

Claire called to Mandy, "Well, before you go, please go to the basement if you want clean clothes. They're all in the dryer. I have to go to the attic to hunt for some things. I'm having a yard sale." She chuckled briefly to herself, thinking that since Phil was gone to work already she'd sneak out a few extra things the man would never miss.

Mandy glared at her mom, the inefficiency around here was getting more and more annoying. Why were there no clean clothes in her bedroom? She'd have to lecture her mom on her clothing needs as soon as possible.

Grumbling and mumbling, Mandy headed to the basement. When she got there she noticed her CD player sitting atop the dryer control panel. Mandy had been searching for it for several days. Her favorite, 'Best of Goth Metal, Vol 2' CD was in it, and she was glad to have found it. Briefly forgetting why she was in the basement she turned on the CD player and frowned when it immediately began to skip. Opening the case she removed the CD and noticed it was dirty. Making a noise of disgust she tried to reach across the dryer control panel for a lint rag to clean the CD and in doing so, dropped the CD. She watched it roll parallel to the wall, beneath her old baby crib, and finally winding up behind a large piece of unused furniture. At least, that's what Mandy thought it was, the stupid thing was covered in a dusty and tattered tarp.

Mandy got down on all fours in an effort to reach to reach the CD. She could see it, but it was just too far in to reach. Mandy moved her old crib with ease, but trying to shove the tarp covered object was no good, it was extremely heavy, and all Mandy did was work up a sweat. Realizing that she needed to get to Ms. Doolin's she decided to leave the CD, it wasn't going anywhere, was it? She'd get it later. As she was getting up she noticed an old hydraulic jack that her dad used to change his car tires. It was compact and squat, and what if it was put in sideways against the wall and the furniture? Perhaps it could move what was blocking the CD? Mandy decided to give it a quick try. It would turn out to be a very wise decision on her part.

Mandy took the jack, and wedged it sideways between the wall and the furniture. The thing began to move after the very first pump and soon Mandy had more than enough room to get in and get her CD. When she crawled behind it she noticed that it was made out of fine, polished woods. Sensing that the tarp needed to go, she got up and pulled it off with one smooth motion. Dust flew everywhere and she coughed and waved her hands to clear the air. As the dust settled, she found herself looking at an old wooden dresser. It looked handmade and was no doubt extremely expensive by today's prices. She gaped at the fancy dresser and Ms. Doolin's words came flooding back to her..."It was a dresser made of Philippine Mahogany trimmed in Indonesian Teak wood...I used to love exploring in all the drawers and compartments looking for her jewelry. The thing weighed a ton, and I hope whoever took it got a sore back for their trouble." It was Ms. Doolin's old dresser and it matched the faded spot in her bedroom precisely.

Before Mandy even knew what she was doing, she was yanking and snatching at every door and compartment like someone possessed! When she got a drawer out she dumped the contents into an old clothes basket, and then went to the next drawer. Methodically and rapidly, she removed every drawer and opened every compartment. Grabbing a piece of what she thought was was an old shirt sleeve stuck in a drawer rail she gave it a tug and in doing so, opened a false door. Reaching in without clearly seeing, she grabbed something thick and flexible. Pulling it out she let loose a victory shriek that Claire heard clear up to the attic. Mandy had found the ledger, she couldn't believe it, the bloody thing had been in her house the whole time! Thumbing it open and fluttering through the pages she muttered under her breath, "Please, please, let the charter be there, please."

A moment later Mandy was hauling butt back upstairs, the charter and ledger firmly in her hands. Claire was coming down from the attic with her arms full of Mandy's old baby clothes to see what all the fuss was about and saw Mandy with the ledger. They met just inside the living room hallway.

"Where did you find that?" Claire recognized the ledger from her childhood and was astonished, Mandy had pulled off a miracle.

"Where do you think? In the dresser downstairs. You know, the one you took and hid under that tarp!" Mandy stared at her mom, absolutely furious. "You had it the whole time, didn't you?"

Claire was trying to avoid another Mandy meltdown, she was already angry enough over this whole affair. It wouldn't help matters if Mandy thought her mom had deliberately hidden the ledger.

"Remember what I said, that I hadn't seen the ledger since I was your age? Mandy, your grandfather and your dad brought that dresser here before you were born. They nearly pulled their backs out lugging the thing down there. It's been in the basement ever since because we didn't really have room for it. Besides, have you ever seen us use it?" Claire looked uncomfortable, and finished talking, "We'd pretty much forgotten about it."

Mandy gave her mom a doubtful glare, but said nothing. Thinking, she realized that there was only one person had a motive to have hidden the ledger like that. Who else, but the Grim Reaper! She had been too close to the problem to see the obvious. No wonder Grim had seemed reluctant and nervous lately. Still, she had to hand it to him, what better place to hide something than in the house of the person who would one day look for it?

It was time for action! Mandy bellowed out at the top of her lungs, "GRIMMMMMM, HERE! NOW!"

A characteristic blinding green and white vortex appeared in the living room and Grim stepped out complaining, "Mandy, really now, what is all dis fuss about?"

Mandy whipped the ledger out from behind her back and beyatch slapped Grim upside the head with it, "THIS, does it look familiar? Wanna' guess where I found it?" Grim froze and said nothing, he'd been stone cold busted!

"Oh...dat...you found it. Well, it had to happen sooner or later. When I found out dat Claire was getting the dresser I decided to hide the ledger in it. You were right, the symbiotic house spirit had left years before. It belonged to Lord Moldybu...buh...buh...umm...well, you know the guy. All I know is that he used to spirit to tap into your family's negative energies. That is, until, your family failed to retain me for two generations. Needing to feed elsewhere, the spirit moved on. To dis' day, I don't know what happened to it. As for me, I saw a chance to finally break free. Can you blame me, I mean, what would you do?" Grim shrugged, stared at Mandy, and slowly rubbed his sore head clearly wanting to offer no more information.

"That was intriguing, but what you're going to do now is take me to my great-grandmothers..." Claire smiled at that..."or I'll pull your robe through your eye sockets and whip you like a horse at the Kentucky Derby. KAPEESH!"

"Yeah, yeah, I kapeesh, sheesh!" Grim motioned for Mandy to follow and walked outside. Immediately, he extended his arms and began to laugh, "AH HAH-HAHHH-HAAAAHH!" Mandy stepped back as Grim began to change from his bipedal form into an skeletal stallion. Brilliant multi-colored flames came from his eyes and mouth, and his inky black cloak was now a flowing blanket/cape combo of sorts complete with hood. He resembled a battle horse from some ancient civilization long gone.

Kneeling his front legs so Mandy could get on, he spoke, "Hang tight, Mandy!" He let loose with a loud and haunting whinney, and stood up on his hind legs. Mandy couldn't resist and snapping the reins, commanded, "Hi Yo, Grimmo away!" He came down on all fours and began a rapid and urgent gallop towards Ms. Doolin's. Claire, now standing in the doorway, watched them as they leapt over the neighbor's hedgerow and out of sight. Shaking her head, she raced towards her car, got in, and throwing gravel all over the front yard, began to chase them. Grim as a horse with Mandy as the jockey was simply too much, and she decided right then and there to have the mother of all talks with Mandy.

                                                   **********

Bob the Breaker sat atop the controls of his brand new Bulldozer, an enormous D-10 Caterpillar capable of leveling a multi-storied house with just one pass. It was so much more fun to destroy than to create. He thought his cousin, Bob the Builder, had it all wrong. This was much more fulfilling! The power one felt atop this machine was almost seductive in it's nature. Looking at his watch, Bob smiled; it was 7AM and time to break in his new toy. Bob switched on the main power, waited for the self-diagnostics to run, then turned on the V12 Turbo-Diesel that powered the machine. Keeping it in idle, he revved the engine and was proud to be it's master. This wouldn't last long, but it would be especially wonderful because the local television station was covering the demolition for the evening news. He waved and smiled for the camera crew, he was gonna be a TV star! Putting the transmission into gear and lowering the blade, Bob began to move the bulldozer forward.

                                                  **********

As Grim galloped towards Ms. Doolin's Mandy's heart sank, they were cutting it too close. A massive bulldozer was moving towards the house and a crane with a wrecking ball stood positioned nearby. This was going to go down to the wire! Kicking Grim in the ribs she urged him on and Grim shifted into overdrive. Aided by a supernatural power and the pain of Mandy's sharp heels they skidded to a stop in front of the still moving bulldozer. Mandy leapt off, positioned herself in it's path and steadfastly refused to move, ignoring the frenzied warnings of the other construction workers. Grim left the scene and trotted behind the house as if to hide or look for something.

                                                  **********

Claire was right behind Grim and nearly lost her cool, having freaked at the scene of her daughter now standing in front of such a large and still moving bulldozer. It was a scene right out of Tiananmen Square as little Mandy was staring down the bulldozer and defiantly shouting, "This far and no farther, you shall NOT pass!" Claire skidded to a stop in front of the bulldozer causing Bob to lean out and swear in a harsh Scottish brogue.

"Are ye daft lass? I could have killed ye, an tha' wee 'un!"

Mandy ignored Claire, ignored Bob, but saw the television crew who were intently filming the whole confrontation. Waving the charter at the camera she spoke, "Citizens of Endsville, this is the original Endsville City Charter which I have just found. It was written in the lobby of THAT house." She pointed towards the mansion and was surprised to see her mom running inside. Staying focused, she continued talking to the cameras. "It's a priceless document that connects this house and this town. You can't tear the house down, it's an historical landmark, and it would be a crime to do so."

                                                   **********

"Mandy's in the box, Mandy's in the box!"

Billy, who had turned on the TV to watch a morning Dinobinoids cartoon before school, was jumping up and down, running in circles, and creating all sorts of mayhem at the sight of Mandy and the bulldozer. Billy's parents, Gladys and Harold, were also in the living room watching the live feed from the Doolin Mansion. Billy had picked the wrong channel and had turned on "Endsville in the Morning" instead. Usually that morning show was a humdrum yawn fest, but today, it was kickin!

"Boy, haven't we told you to lay off those Atomic Frenzy Cakes before school?" Harold asked. "Gladys, go see if there's any missing. Dem's good for dunkin' in Freckle Burger gravy." Grease was more like it.

Gladys responded, "They're all there, and what does that fool girl think she's doing?" Gladys had seen Mandy playing chicken with a 30-ton bulldozer and was utterly jaw-drop astonished at her apparent wish to be turned into a Mandy flavored pancake.

"That's not a bulldozer, mom. It's a Transformer, Mandy's fighting a Transformer-er-er-ER!" With that, Billy commenced to swan dive out the nearest open window.  Executing a flawless tuck and roll, he actually managed to land feet first before making a beeline straight to the Doolin Mansion.

Harold simply shook his head and muttered, "Boy, I wish we could transform you. That Simpson kid, now there's a well mannered lad."

Gladys, frustrated with Harold's moronic comments, swatted him on the back of the head with her newspaper and walked backed into the kitchen.

                                                   **********

Claire had left her car parked directly in front of the bulldozer to slow it down. Knowing that it would have to stop and take a different course was good enough for her at the moment. Mandy would be safe and hopefully her errand in the house wouldn't take long. She was looking for her grandmother and thankfully she was correct, it didn't take long to find her. Ms. Doolin appeared out of nowhere and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Claire, what do you want here? Don't try to stop me, dear. I'm going out there to show them what I'm capable of. They won't find a friendly ghost in this house!" Claire turned and saw nothing but determined rage in her grandmother's face. She wasn't going to lose the house without a serious fight.

"Yes, we're putting an end to this, but not how you think." Claire quickly walked towards the front door and urgently motioned for her grandmother to follow. "Move it, Mandy's found the ledger with the charter!"

                                                **********

The crane operator, a novice in the field really, had been watching the events with Mandy, Claire, and Bob the Breaker. Sensing that the demolition was not going as planned he figured he'd help out, and score some gnarly job points in the process. He did the only thing he could do, and pulled the release lock for the wrecking ball.

The ball began a rapid swing towards the house and the crowd gasped at it's sudden and unplanned release. The television crew had split off and added a second team to cover the crane and ball. The whole event had already made the World Wide Web because numerous spectators had also been filming with their cell phone cameras. Mandy, Claire and Ms. Doolin were becoming instant internet celebrities. That was to be expected in today's age, but the events that happened next caused a total media sensation that lasted for months.

From the side yard, from the bushes, came a whipping, whistling sound followed by a thick strand of what appeared to be a silver-gray cord. It caught the ball and began to pull against it, slowing it down. The momentum caused the cord to pull taut with a loud twanging noise. The origin of the cord was none other than Jeff the Spider, now a bright lavender color from his Granny Grim de-skunking treatment, who had stopped the ball with a thick line of spider silk. He had been yanked, rather rapidly from his original position in the yard mind you, and had scattered all sorts of underbrush and trash as he was jerked forward. Hanging on for dear life, all eight of his legs were dragging against the ball's pull. It seemed like for a moment that the ball would win, but Jeff prevailed and the ball slowed down enough so that Jeff could walk it backwards until it hung harmlessly from the crane. Grim, now back in his biped form, walked out of the brush and stood proudly next to the tired spider. It seemed that Grim had had a change of heart, and sensing the need for Jeff, had gone to look for him.

Simultaneously, a throng of onlookers, numbering nearly a thousand, erupted into a deafening, congratulatory cheer! The bold, little blonde girl and the odd colored spider had struck a defiant chord in them. They clapped and cheered for several minutes, but abruptly stopped when an city government car came screeching to a halt in front of the house. An important looking city official, complete with suit and tie, walked over to Mandy and assuming she was easy prey, got up in her face. He didn't know who he was dealing with, and he somehow missed the television crews who were still filming joyfully. This was an unprecedented day for local news!

"WHAT is the meaning of this nonsense, little girl?" He leaned further towards Mandy in an attempt to intimidate her. He was unsuccessful.

"BACK OFF!" Mandy snarled. She was definately NOT easy prey. Before the city official could respond to her blatant disrespect, Claire and Ms. Doolin walked up along with Grim and Jeff.

"Now, see here everybody, this is illegal and uncalled for trespassing. You're holding up an expensive and time consuming operation, please leave before I have you all arrested." The city official pumped out his chest in an effort to look important. All it did was make himself a bigger target.

"We'll do no such thing, young man!" Ms. Doolin snapped back, poking him in the chest with her finger. She then pointed to Claire, and continued, "This is her property and YOU are the one trespassing."

Claire took the ledger from Mandy, and flipping the pages, pulled out the deed to the house and showed it to the city official. "You see, I am the legal descendant and current owner. The demolition is cancelled, please leave."

"I don't care WHO you are, we can't just call this off. Permits and waivers have been bought and paid for. It has to come down. Now, what do you say about that?" The city official looked very smug and confident now.

Claire opened her mouth to speak, but everybody heard a little boy's voice instead. It was Billy's, and it said, "LORD MOLDYBUTT!" No sooner had Billy said the words that must never, ever, EVER be said, there was a haunting and weird rhythmic music. It was over quickly, and then the chain holding the wrecking ball snapped. Too bad that the city official, in an effort to be quick and decisive, had parked his shiny city car directly beneath the ball. The 10-ton ball fell straight down and turned the car into instant scrap metal! The crowd gasped in awe, then began clapping again.

"YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" The city official pointed angrily at the bulldozer and motioned for it to proceed, Mandy or no Mandy, car or no car! He then pulled out his cell phone to call for the police when he was tapped on the shoulder from behind. A tall woman introduced herself, "My name is Terri Goodall, and I'm the Professor of Arachnology at Endsville University." She pointed to Jeff. "It's apparent that this house and surrounding property are this spider's home. He's an Arachnus Gigantigus, and as such, is a protected and endangered species under Federal Law. He is not to be bothered, harrassed, or disturbed in any way what-so-ever. The house and surrounding property are to be left alone. I've already filed the necessary paperwork, and mark my words, I'll be keeping a close eye on this magnificent spider's progress." She then waved her paperwork in his face before leaving.

Billy, who had walked up, glared at the man, "That's my boy, you leave him be, or you'll deal with my bony buddy here." Billy pointed to Grim, who smiled wickedly and then pointed to his scythe. Jeff heard what Billy said, and his broad smile and tear stained face showed his gratitude!

The city official was stupidly unafraid, and was still determined that the house be demolished. He was not about to be out maneuvered by an irate, bimbo housewife, her kid, or be out bureaucratted by some bleeding heart bug lover with a degree. Foolishly, he started to object yet again, but didn't get a word out before Claire had leveled him with a right cross! Both Mandy and Ms. Doolin looked totally dumbfounded as he rolled to the ground. Mandy then kicked him in square in the crotch as he scrabbled off and groaned, "OWWW! OK, OK, you win, we've all been paid anyway!" Getting up slowly, he whistled to get Bob's attention and then waved him off the job site. Bob wasn't happy, but reversed the bulldozer, began to leave, and started crying like a baby in the process.

Claire gave a big sigh of relief, pulled Mandy close, then waved for the television crews. They zoomed in on her, Ms. Doolin, Mandy, Jeff, Billy and Grim. Claire took a deep breath and began to speak.

"As much as I want that house torn down, I want my daughter's respect even more. After seeing how much it means to her I realize I was very wrong, the house can stay. I'm sorry Grim, you're with us for a while longer it seems." Mandy shot her a look of surprise, admiration, and wonder.

"Oh...joy. Lucky me." Grim stood there, looking dour, depressed, and resigned to the fact that he was going to be at Mandy's beck and call for quite some time. He needed cheering up, bigtime!

The finale of the morning's events now began. A bright, iridescent ray of light came down from the heavens and engulfed Ms. Doolin. She spoke quickly, "I don't have much time, my reason for being earthbound is over. The Grim Reaper is staying in our family and you two are the reason why." She grabbed Claire and Mandy and gave them both a huge goodbye hug. "I love you both, and thank you."

Mandy returned her great-grandmother's hug with tears in her eyes, "It's NOT FAIR, you're the coolest adult I've ever met, dead or alive, and now you have to LEAVE!" Claire was also near tears as Ms. Doolin began to turn translucent, then transparent, and finally, was gone. Grim, standing close, wiped away a tear and was heard to say, "Dat part always gets me, mon."

Mandy looked up at the sky, choked back a sob and spoke angrily, "THIS ISN'T RIGHT...I'll...miss you." Claire just sighed deeply and sadly gazed at her bitterly bummed out daughter. Mandy didn't wish to be seen or filmed by others, so she buried her head in her mother's blouse. Claire promised Mandy she could visit Ms. Doolin's gravesite when she was ready. Sensing Mandy was ready to go, Claire took her by the hand and helped her to the car. Once they were both inside, Claire floored the accelerator and quickly sped away.  Billy ran after the car, hollering, "Hey, what about me, don't Billy gets a ride? Can I ride the Transformer-er-er ER!" As Claire's car sped away Billy stopped running and exclaimed, "What a gyp, I still hafta go to schoollll!"

Grim gave Billy's comment a snort of derision and looked around as the crowd began to disperse. He saw Jeff who was walking towards him on an intercept course. It seemed Jeff had an urgent question to ask.

"Grim, I'd like to really thank Dad for helping me get de-skunked, and especially for what he said to that city guy. Do you have any idea how I could do that?"

Grim saw the perfect chance here to get some much needed amusement. He put a bony arm around Jeff's head and whispered like he was sharing a precious secret.

"Sure I do." For effect, he looked around to make sure nobody was eavesdropping. "Dress up as a clown for him. You know, makeup, red nose, floppy shoes, da works, mon." Grim looked at Jeff with a totally straight and sincere face.

"He'd LIKE that, Grim?" Jeff was all anxious and grateful.

"I guarantee, he won't forget it." Grim nodded solemnly.

"Hey, Thanks. I should go find a Spider-Clown costume." Jeff waved, then gallumped back towards the rear of the house.

"Yah, you do dat, mon." Grim smiled, then vanished in a puff of flame and gray smoke. It had been a long night, a crazy morning, and he was going back to bed.

                                                    **********

Several weeks later Mandy was getting ready for Halloween. School had let out, but it hadn't gotten dark yet. She was in the process of trying on her costume, which to the untrained eye appeared to be a large roll of toilet paper. Claire couldn't resist and simply had to ask Mandy about it.

"Dear, that's not your usual style of costume, why toilet paper? That's not scary at all."

"Mom, it's single ply, OK!" Mandy was peeved at her mom's apparent lack of proper potty protocols. Single ply was disgustingly weak and offensive!

Claire however, did understand and commented, "EWW, that IS scary. Good imagination, dear."

Mandy was almost out the door. It paid to hit the streets early because all the good candy would go fast, and as every kid knew, it was first come, first served on Halloween night. A late kid almost always got...raisins! Claire put her hand on her daughter's neck and quietly asked, "Can you wait a minute? I have some surprises."

Mandy had seen her parents trying really hard to get to know her better, and be more respectful of her wishes and feelings ever since the unfortunate misunderstanding with Ms. Doolin. The whole affair had been handled badly, and she was beginning to think they were genuinely regretful. Deciding to cut her mom a rare break, Mandy consented.

"A minute, no more." Mandy stood waiting.

"On your way out, please make it a point to go by your Great-grandmother's house. I've decided to have the house restored to it's original appearance and make it a family home, hopefully for generations. Since an authentic restoration of a house that old would be extremely expensive I'm doing this with a fundraiser, and Purple Filth has agreed to play tonight. Plus, if it gets seen on the 'net, maybe donations will come in."

Mandy was honestly astonished, "You got Purple Filth to play a charity gig, how?"

"It was your dad's idea and Grim helped, he talked them into doing it. They agreed when he said they'd get some great exposure because the whole thing would be on the internet, and they liked the idea of a Friday night Halloween concert. Grim put the word out and invited Jeff, Dracula, A-Bomb, Hoss Delgado, Lord Pain, and even Irwin's mom."

"NO IRWIN!" Mandy was adamant here.

"Mandy, his dad called and explained what happened between you and Irwin. He really is sorry and asked that his mom please be a part of this. A mummy, on Halloween, what could be more perfect? At least try to be nice if you see him, won't you?"

Mandy looked like she'd rather gargle with the world's nastiest tasting cough syrup and crossed her arms in utter defiance!

"No promises, I'm leaving."

Mandy took one step to leave and was again halted by her mom, who spoke, "There's one more surprise, dear."

Claire was about to speak when there were several rapid and insistent knocks at the door. Mandy opened the door, and stood face to knee with none other than Dracula. He scowled impatiently down at Mandy.

"Grim said to move your buns, girl! Dracula wants to know who wrote this mess? How come Dracula didn't get a bigger part? Dracula got bills to pay!" Then, having delivered his message, he transformed himself into a humongous black bat and flew away.

Mandy pointed to the receeding Dracula bat, "Will you hurry up, I'm losing candy here." Mandy was leaning against her mother's pull.

Claire took a very deep breath, and let it out slowly, "You're going to be a big sister."

"WHAT!?!?" Mandy was took utterly by surprise with this incredible and unbelievable bolt from the blue!

"Yes, me and your dad have been wanting to tell you, we just couldn't figure out how or when."

"DAD?" Mandy was still in understandable shock at the recent revelation. "You're pregnant, HOW?"

Claire, having decided that honesty was the best policy with Mandy, gave her the answer that sent Mandy out the door in total TMI overload.

"He rocks my socks, what can I say?"

                                   FOUR SCORE AND SEVEN YEARS LATER

The elderly matriarch lay in her bed fast asleep. Her sisters had visited the ancestral family home earlier to check on her, and stubbornly refused to leave until they were satisfied that their oldest sister was stable and secure. She was trying to get comfortable under an old quilt which was a family heirloom handsewn nearly a hundred years prior. Shuddering, she was disturbed by a sudden and pronounced blast of cold air. Looking up and blinking, she saw what had caused it.

"Oh, Grim, it's you." She let loose with several wracking coughs while Grim waited for them to subside. Lately, they had been becoming stronger and more frequent.

"Yes, it's me. I've noticed you've been very tired and weak lately. I can help you with that cough, too."

"Oh, I'm sure of that. You've been waiting for this day a long time haven't you? You'll just make it painful, go away!"

The Grim Reaper shook his head, "Not this time, Mandy. The Master is waiting." He held up her hourglass which was just dropping it's final grains of sand.

She felt an ever so slight chill like the opening of a refrigerator door several feet away. Looking down at her old body, she couldn't help but notice how frail it looked. Her once bright yellow hair was mostly white now and her face was sunken in. By contrast, she felt young and powerful in her new spiritual body.

"Hey, that wasn't so bad. So,what happens now, Grim? I'm really not up on the afterlife like I should be."

"Just follow the light. It's simple, really."

"Follow the light? How cliche."

Grim held her close, and kissed her goodbye. "I don't think I can see you again. The Master has rules about seeing a client after they, well, you know."

"I understand. You know, I think I'll actually miss you." She smiled fondly at her old acquaintance. He smiled back, pleased that time had allowed them to finally respect one another. There hadn't been any real fighting for many years, and now it was simply an act they used to good naturedly tease one another.

"You better go, there's someone waiting, you'll see. I called in a few favors, call it a parting gift."

Grim stepped back as she began to fade from sight. In a moment, she was just a memory. Grim sighed, looked around the bedroom and at the body of his departed friend. Mandy had passed on, and now he was bound to serve the sister next in line. This was the life of the Grim Reaper until such time the family decided to release him from servitude. Coming back to his reality, Grim vanished in his patented green and white vortex. There was a pressing job to do in Townsville that would leave three grieving women after his departure.

                                               **********

After leaving Grim and the physical world, Mandy was instantly in a place of untold beauty and indescribable glory. Completely mesmerized by what her senses were telling her, she failed to notice a young woman approaching her from behind. The woman tapped Mandy on the shoulder and she whirled around, startled. A look of rapturous joy enveloped her face as she recognized who it was.

"Hello, Mandy. It's nice to finally see you again. Would you like some melon?"

                                                   THE END