Tracey and I were resting at the apartment when our father called. "I have some bad news. Grandma passed away earlier in the afternoon."

Tracey put him on speaker phone, "I put you on speaker phone. Please repeat yourself, dad."

Dad repeated, with me being able to hear, "Grandma passed away today." Tracey and I went into tears. Jessica was as work, so we knew that we needed to get in touch with her.

"Dad, we need to go so that we can call Jessica up in Redmond," Tracey replied. "Call us back later."

With that, we called Jessica and put her on speaker phone. "Thank-you for calling WorldSoft. This is Andrea, how may I direct your call?" It was Jessica's boss (the lady we met at the party before), Andrea.

"Andrea, this is Tracey Kinderheart, Jessica's sister. We need her on the phone, now! It is a family emergency: our grandmother passed away today."

"Let me patch you right through," Andrea replied.

We were patched through quickly, "This is Jessica."

"Jess, it's Tracey." By now, Tracey and I were sobbing badly. "Grandma in Newport died today. Dad just called us with the news." We could hear Jessica start to cry on the other end.

Jessica, sobbing, asked, "Please take the next bus to Bellevue. Pack entertainment and things needed for a few days. From Renton Transit Center, catch the 342, 560, 564, or 565 to Bellevue Transit Center I will be waiting at Bellevue. I am going to get us an immediate flight tonight and a hotel. Let me go so that I can let Andrea know I'm leaving."

When Jessica hung up, we made our way out. Tracey locked the door and we started our walk. The 908 DART picked us up and we were crying big time. "I need the lift and I'm getting off at Renton Transit Center," I sobbed.

The driver responded, "Is everything all right?"

Tracey, sobbing, answered, "Our grandmother died today. We're on our way to get our sister in Redmond."

When we got on the bus, we called Dad. Tracey spoke to him: "Dad, this is Tracey. We're on our way to Bellevue to meet up with Jessica. We're flying to Rhode Island tonight. We'll have details when we see Jessica later."

We arrived at the transit center, and we were on the 564 Overlake in a very short while We called Jess to let her know that it was the 564 bringing us to Bellevue. When we arrived at Bellevue, Jessica was waiting for us and told us that we needed the 560 to get to the airport. When we got on the 560, the three of us were fully engulfed in tears. The driver asked if we were alright. "Our grandmother on the east coast passed away today. We're on our way to the airport."

We got to the airport and checked in with Air New England, and I asked for a wheelchair. "We'll push him," Jessica said to the ticket agent.

Five minutes later, a wheelchair was brought to us. "I'm his sister, and I'll gladly push him. We're all on the same flight," Jessica said to the person bringing us the chair.

With that, Tracey assisted me in transferring to the chair. She took my crutches as Jessica began to push me. The three of us were quite upset, but we knew that tomorrow morning we would be in Rhode Island. Our first stop was the security checkpoint. Tracey informed the TSA officer, "My brother is unable to walk without these metal crutches. With help from me and my sister, he is able to transfer to an already checked chair if need be. I am advising you that he does have medication in the form of solid pills."

We were selected for additional screening, "We'll go to a private screening area. I want both of my sisters with me, since one alone can't lift me if needed," I said.

The private screening went through just fine, and we were soon on our way to the sterile area of Sea-Tac. "Let's get some food," Tracey suggested.

After eating, we proceeded to the gate. The three of us each had our laptops and I made sure to pack a power strip, knowing it would come in handy. After checking in with the gate attendant, we located an outlet and plugged in our laptops. Setting up a secured ad-hoc, we played a game together. We played for several minutes, then we decided to just cuddle up with each other. We allowed our batteries to charge up. I was hugging both of my sisters very tightly and we started sobbing again.

We were trying our best to comfort each other, but without much success. Jessica wanted me to sit in her lap so she could hold me, so I climbed onto her lap. Jessica was hugging me very tightly, and Tracey also hugged me tightly. We were still quite upset, and someone from the airline came over to check on us.

"Are you three alright," someone from Air New England asked us.

"Our grandmother passed away, and we're on our way to Rhode Island for her funeral," Jessica responded. "I am advising Air New England that if we start to get upset mid flight, that it's because of her death." Finally, it was time to board and everything seemed to go along just fine.

While in mid-flight, there was an emergency. I felt quite short of breath and my twin sister noticed it. Tracey immediately hit the Attendant Call button. "My brother is short of breath," Tracey said to the attendant.

They suggested an oxygen mask, which Tracey said, "Yes, please get him oxygen." She then proceeded to wake Jessica up from her nap. "Jess, wake up. No, we're not at EWR yet, but Mike is having a minor emergency. He is running short of breath and the crew is going to fit him with an oxygen mask."

The attendant came back with an oxygen mask and fitted it to me. Tracey asked, "Can you show me how you fitted it to him so that we know what to do?"

"Sure," the attendant replied. She then proceeded to show Tracey how it was fitted around me. Jessica also paid attention. I wanted both of my sisters to hug me, since I was frightened. They were, as always, very willing to hug me. They really care about me, and always have.

The attendant needed some information from me. "I'll provide this info," Tracey said, "We're his sisters and we're like PCAs to him."

We arrived at EWR tired and hungry. We were also frightened. I've never needed an oxygen mask before. We proceeded to find something to eat. We went looking for a simple breakfast with cereal and milk. The only problem was that it was time for our flight to PVD. So, we boarded the Air New England Express flight. We were informed that it was only a 30 minute flight to Warwick, so it should be quick. Although we did inform the crew of this flight of my oxygen emergency of the flight from SEA to EWR, luckily I didn't need it for this flight.

We arrived at PVD without any hassle and we boarded #14 Providence / Airport / Newport. I was in tears because I was so happy to be on a bus heading home. I missed Rhode Island and I was so happy to be home. When we got inside the Gateway Center, Jessica was amazed: "The Gateway looks much nicer now."

"It was renovated this past Summer," I replied. We proceeded to purchase a Group All Day Pass. I was clinging to my big sister tightly and the three of us were still quite upset. We boarded the 63 Purple Line and took it to the Mainstay. We checked in and put our things into our room. We then headed out to go visit our cousin, Joe. The 63 dropped us off at Eisenhower Rd, and he seemed to have quite the attitude. We weren't happy with his attitude. We didn't stay too long, because he didn't have bus fare and we wanted to do things. We boarded the 63 back to the Gateway Center. We were going to catch the 67 to the Island Creamery. When we got to the Gateway, we boarded the 67 Trolley and took it to the Creamery. We were all happy to see it, since we missed the Naughty-Naughty. I could see it: both of my sisters were quite happy to be having lunch at the Creamery. The manager came over to us. "Joe Hoffnagle?"

I replied, "No, I'm his cousin, Michael Kinderheart."

"I'm Douglass, the main manager of this Creamery. Your cousin was in here the other day and told me that your Grandmother passed away yesterday. I'm sorry for your loss. Louis was a good friend of my mother and I. I'd like to offer you lunch on the house. Whatever you and your sisters want, it's free."

We ordered breakfast food, knowing full well that the Creamery is best known for the Naughty-Naughty and their second popular item is their breakfast. So, we knew that we had to order breakfast foods and the Naughty-Naughty on the side.