Mike held on until their son Jimmy arrived from Arkansas with their two adorable two grandkiddos. I hadn't seen little Hunter since Linda's mother's funeral four years ago. He'd grown so, but he remembered me and hollered, "AUNT BECCA!" Mike, who hadn't reacted to much that day said, "Hunter!" and became visibly happy. It was sweet. I've always loved Jimmy, even though I used to tease them he didn't exist. I knew them two years and even though he lived nearby, I never saw him. So when he finally did visit, I decided they'd just hired an actor to portray their fake son and called him Rent-a-Jimmy. The nickname stuck. Funny, back ten he was in a death metal band, had waist length hair and was a machnist. Now he's clean shaven, shrt hair and of all things, he runs a mortuary. What funny turns our lives take.
At the end, only Linda was there with him. She said he was asleep and gasped once. She knew he was gone. She told us it was very peaceful. She called and Poopsie and I leaped into the car to be with her, arriving just as her sister janet did. I'm crazy for Janet, she's awesome. Anyhoo, we all sat with Linda while we waited for a friend of Jimmy's came for the body. Since Mike was being cremated and Jimmy has no equipment for that, he had made arrangements for a fellow to come take the body. We kissed him and hugged him, and when the man came, I helped him wrap Mike up and slide him onto the gurney then cover him with a big fake red fur cover. I'm glad he let me, it was comforting helping care for Mike's body.
And then, just like that, it was all over. We went to eat at our favourite little restaurant. We all were happy he was finally free, but sad. Linda followed us home in her truck and we all sat around and told our favourite Mike stories. So now, Linda will come and have dinner with hank and I every night, because let's face it, cooking for one is a drag. Hopefully that will help her from being too lonely. And I guess she'll pick up the pieces and make herself a new life.
This is the obituary Jimmy wrote him. I think it was so sweet.
http://www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=3318952&fh_id=11569
We're having a small party for him and Ken later, no funerals. Funerals are for lives ending, and theirs are continuing, just not here.
@Ology I don't think this baby is spirited, I just have been on edge with no sleep. She's a cutie though.
@tulagirl She doesn't have markings, oddly enough. Looking at the difference in the plastic body and legs from her head and arms, I believe she's a marriage of two dolls. I may be wrong. She reminds me of my little Sun Rubber baby doll. I think she might be an Eegee. I'll take some pics for you. I was thinking of you when I found her. Weirdly I also found composite doll parts and a mohair wig that day at the same place. I guess the doll's head was crushed but everything else was salvaged. I love old doll parts... Why I dunno.
. I send lots and lots aaaaand lots of hugs to you, your family and friends! 
