The dance floor of Dove's Pub was filled with people dancing to 'Johnny B. Goode', when the music suddenly stopped.

A loud groan was heard throughout the Pub.

"What is going on?" Bill wondered aloud.

Nanny Dove suddenly appeared in front of Bill, at the same time as spirits appeared among nearly all the families.

"What is going on, Nanny?"

"It bes time, Matty."

"Time for what?"

"'enry."

She disappeared again.

Bill looked at Matty, sighing, "ah fuck."

Daniel and Wendy joined Bill and Matty.

"What is going on, Bill?"

"You are about to see another unique thing of the Bay."

As Bill spoke, people started getting their coats and outdoor boots on and while most of the women waited at the front of the Pub, the men left.

"Is something wrong?" Wendy asked, a panic edge to her voice.

"Get your coats," Matty told them.

She turned to Bill.

"I will get the truck, you go to Henry and his family."

Bill kissed Matty quickly on the lips and hurried across the Pub, to where Henry was sitting with his family.

When he arrived, Nick was already on one knee, checking Henry's vitals.

Bill looked at Henry and forced a smile.

Nick stood up.

"He is going fast. I don't understand this. He was fine this morning."

"'e jest wanted to bes a part of all of dis," Nanny Dove informed Nick.

"Now its bes 'is time."

Henry looked at Nanny Dove.

"Thank youse, Matilda."

"Youse most welcome, 'enry."

Freddy walked to Bill.

"You want Ise get the ambulance?"

Bill nodded.

"Go, but make it fast."

Bill walked to Michael Simpson.

"Get out there and help direct traffic."

The two RCMP Officers joined Bill and the others.

"What do you need us to do?"

"Get your police car and get to the highway. You have to stop the traffic, if any, headed south, once the procession starts moving. 

And make sure that the ambulance is in the lead."

Wendy and Daniel joined Bill.

"What is going on?" Daniel almost pleaded.

"Why is everyone leaving?"

Henry looked up at the Premier and his wife.

"'cause it bes me time."

"Your time?"

Henry nodded.

"Yes, missus. It bes me time."

The realization of the situation hit Wendy. She took Bill's arm and pulled him away from the table.

"Is he dying?" she whispered.

Henry laughed weakly.

"Youse don't haves to whisper, missus. Its not bes a bad ting."

More people were leaving the Pub, as traffic began to line up in front of the Pub, stretching down the cobblestone road, to the top of the hill that led to the fabrication plant.

Bill saw the flashing lights of the police car, as it drove out of the Bay toward the highway. Seconds later, the lights of the ambulance could be seen, in front of the Pub and moments later, Freddy, Michael and Carl Pike appeared in the doorway bringing in the gurney.

Tables and chairs were pushed out of the way, as the gurney was brought to the Tucker's table.

Michael picked up Henry and gently laid him on the gurney, as Harry covered him up and Nick gently made sure he was secured.

"Lets go," Michael ordered, as he raised the gurney and started pulling it toward the door.

Matty walked into the Pub and tossed Bill his coat.

"I have instructed the spirits to stay with the younger ones still at home. And some of the older teens have agreed to stick around and check on things while we are gone."

"Ise goin' wit me brudder," Harry informed his wife, Mable, as he headed for the door.

"Youse go wit 'arriette."

"Go," Mable shooed him, as she wiped tears from her eyes.

Matty took Wendy's hand.

"If you want, you can come with us. If you don't want to, you can go to the house."

Wendy shook her head.

"No. We want to be part of this. Whatever this is."

Matty nodded.

"Hey Linny?"

"Yea, Matts?"

"Can you take Frank and Julie with you?"

"Come on," Lindsay waved.

"Carl has da truck warmed up."

"We gotta go," Matty quipped, as she headed for the door, noticing the ambulance was pulling off the Pub's parking lot.

The last four left the Pub and piled into Bill's truck, which was right behind the Tucker's van and the ambulance.

Seconds later, the siren on the ambulance came alive and the ambulance started off down the cobblestone road, headed to the highway.

Behind it, some thirty vehicles followed, carrying those who wanted to be part of the event.

As Bill pulled his truck on the highway, he waved to Officers Temple and Bradley, who were setting up flares on the highway. Their police car was across both lanes, its lights flashing, so to stop any traffic that might come along. 

"Can one of you two tell us what is happening?"

Bill turned to Matty.

"Your turn."

Matty turned in her seat, to better face the two in the rear seat.

"Okay. Many years ago, Henry Tucker and Nanny Dove's youngest sister, Elizabeth, they called her Lizzie.

Well those two kinda got together when they were about 16 or so. Lizzie was in Corner Brook, staying with relatives and going to highschool. Anyway she came home for Christmas, and even though the two had known each other all their lives, that Christmas they connected.

And Nanny Dove caught them, as they connected."

"Oh my God," Wendy half laughed.

"Exactly. Nanny was gonna kill Henry. Right after Christmas she sent Lizzie back to Corner Brook.

Well, you can guess what happened. Not long after that Nanny found out that Lizzie was pregnant. She went crazy on Henry and ordered that he marry her. The thing was that Henry and Lizzie loved each other and they had no issue with getting married."

Matty took a deep breath.

"So. It seems that Lizzie was on her way back to the Bay. One of her relatives were driving her back. But they got caught in one of the quick winter storms that come on around here.

Somehow, they got hit, head on, by a woods truck, headed for the mill in Corner Brook. Poor Lizzie and the driver of the car were killed instantly."

"That is horrible," Wendy gasped.

Matty nodded.

"Nanny blamed Henry for Lizzie death and the two have not talked for almost fifty years.

Until a while ago. When Nanny realized that Henry was in a bad way, she talked to Henry and forgave him and allowed him to do this."

"What is this?" Daniel asked.

Bill braked the truck as the two vehicles ahead of him stopped in the highway.

"This is what is happening, right now."

Bill put the truck in park.

Behind him, the other vehicles from the Bay were lining up and through his rearview mirror, Bill could see the flashing lights of the police car as it pulled across the highway at the rear of the procession.

"Why have we stopped here?"

Matty smiled a sad smile.

"This is the place where Lizzie was killed."

"Oh my God."

Matty took Wendy's hand.

"This is a good thing.

Spirits tend to stay where their death was. Even though Lizzie is buried in the Bay, her spirit is still here, at this spot.

Henry wants to die here, so he can join Lizzie."

Wendy put her hands to her mouth, as tears filled her eyes.

"That is so romantic."

Bill smiled, as he got out of the truck.

"Welcome to the Bay. You stay here. I want to see what's going on."

People were getting out of vehicles all down the highway.

It was a clear night. The moon was barely visible, but the night sky was full of stars and the lights from all the vehicles lit up the area like it were daytime.

Bill joined Harriette, who was standing by her car, having a cigarette. She offered one to Bill.

"How is your Mom?"

"Mom bes gud. Dis not bes a sad ting, but Ise knows Ise will miss me Uncle 'enry. Never knowed 'im not to bes around."

Bill hugged Harriette with one shoulder.

"It is what Henry wanted."

The two stood in silence, as, slowly, others joined them.

The back door of the ambulance opened and Nick came out, closing the doors quickly.

Up front, Freddy and Michael also left the ambulance, so that Harry and his brother could have some time together.

"How is he?"

Nick shrugged.

"In my professional opinion, if we got him to Corner Brook, we could save his life, but he refuses. He told me it was his time and he was prepared."

Nick took a deep breath.

"Damndest thing. Never saw anyone so calm, while staring at death's door.

But then this is the Bay."

Nina joined her husband, hugging him.

"How is Henry?"

"Actually, he is fine."

About ten minutes passed, before the back door of the ambulance opened and Harry got out. He walked silently to the car where Mable was and opened the door.

"'enry wants to see youse and 'arriette."

Moments later the two stepped into the ambulance and closed the door.

Matty, Wendy and Daniel were now at the ambulance, as well, as were most of the Bay.

Matty walked to Harry and hugged him tightly.

"I am so sorry, Harry."

Harry forced a smile, as he shook his head.

"Donts bes. 'enry bes at peace wit all dis. Dis bes what 'e wants.

'e doesn't wants Lizzie to be alone no more."

A few minutes later, Harriette and Mable came out of the ambulance. 

Mable went directly to her husband, while Harriette looked out over those gathered.

"Me uncle 'enry wants me to tells all of youse dat 'e loves youse, one and all."

Harriette fought to hold back the tears.

Officer Bradley hurried to her and hugged her tight.

"I'm okay."

She kissed Brian and continued.

"Uncle 'enry wants to thank all of youse fer makin' 'is life one dat were filled with love, friends and family.

And 'e does not wants youse to shed no tears for 'e, 'cause dis not bes a sad time, but dis bes a 'appy time, as 'e will be wit 'is beloved Lizzie, once again."

Harriette took a deep breath and walked to Bill.

"Uncle 'enry wants to see youse and Matty."

Bill took Matty's hand and opened the back of the ambulance, closing the door behind them, as they went inside.

The two sat on opposite sides of Henry.

"How are you?"

Henry laughed.

"'part from da dying' ting, Matty, Ise pretty gud."

He took Matty's hand.

He then turned to Bill and took his hand.

"Ise jest wants to tell da both of youse dat Ise bes so proud of both of youse. Ifin not fer youse two, da Bay wud be gone and wit it, the memories of all those who lived dere."

He smiled.

"Ise 'as no doubts dat youse two will see dat da Bay will live on forever."

"We will see to that, Henry," Bill promised.

"The Bay is our home too."

"Ise knows youse will."

Henry took a deep breath and coughed slightly.

"Ise asked 'arry to cremate me body and bury me wit me beloved Lizzie. Ise mite not bes in da Bay anymore, but at least me and Lizzie will be together, inspirit 'ere and in dust, in da Bay."

Bill nodded, fighting back the tears.

"I will see that your wishes are looked after, my friend."

Henry nodded.

"Nick says 'e will put me bones in 'is freezer, in 'is office."

He laughed slightly.

"Ain't been in a fridge since 'arry poked me in da old fridge we used to 'ave. Mudder were ready to kill da both of us."

Matty kissed Henry's hand.

"I love you, Uncle Henry."

"Loves youse too."

He turned to Bill.

"Looks after dis mainlander 'ere."

"I will."

Henry took another deep breath.

"It bes time now. Ise needs to be alone."

Matty kissed Henry on the forehead and quickly left the ambulance.

Bill took both of Henry's hands in his.

"You are a good man Henry Tucker.

Even if you did call me a fucking mainlander, the first time we met."

Henry squeezed Bill's hands.

"Youse no mainlander anymore, me son. Youse a true Bay man now."

Bill kissed Henry's hand and left the ambulance, closing the door behind him.

He walked to Harry and his family.

"He wants to be alone."

Harry nodded, as he hugged his wife and daughter.

Bill walked to Matty and hugged her.

"Won't be long now."

Silence overtook the group, as they stood, surrounding the ambulance. Gentle sobbing could be heard.

Nearly fifteen minutes passed, before Wendy caught movement from the forest.

"Oh my God," she whispered, as she tapped Bill's shoulder.

She pointed to the tree line.

"Look."

Within seconds, everyone had turned to face the forest as a spirit could be seen walking across the top of the snow.

Harry smiled.

"Dat be Lizzie Dove, sure as Ise standin' 'ere."

The teenage spirit walked to the edge of the highway and stared at those gathered.

She walked to Harry and looked at him for a moment, then turned to Matty.

Matty's heart caught in her throat.

"She looks like I did, as a teenager," Matty gasped.

Lizzie's spirit walked to Matty and stood in front of her.

"Aunt Lizzie?"

The spirit smiled slightly and then turned to the ambulance.

"Henry?"

A collective gasp fell over those gathered, as another spirit suddenly appeared at the rear of the ambulance.

"Lizzie."

Harry kissed the top of Mable's head.

"Dat bes 'enry as a young man."

Henry's spirit walked to Lizzie's and the two hugged.

"I love you."

Henry looked at those gathered and the two disappeared.

Nick quickly went to the ambulance and inside. He checked Henry's vitals and slowly pulled the blanket over his head.

He looked out at Harry.

"Lets take 'enry 'ome," Harry sniffed, as he opened the car door for his wife.

Slowly, everyone went back to their vehicles and within five minutes, Freddy had the ambulance turned around and headed back toward the Bay. There were no flashing lights or sirens.

Once in the Bay, Henry's body was taken to Nick's office and put in the freezer there. In the morning, he would be taken to Corner Brook, where he would be cremated and buried with Lizzie, as he wished.

Everyone gathered at Dove's Pub, where champagne was poured for everyone.

Bill stood on the stage.

"Henry would not want us to be sad and, as per his wishes, there should be no tears.

Henry is now where he wants to be and he is at peace and we should all be happy for him."

Bill raised his glass.

"Henry Tucker. We all love you and you will be missed, but your memory will always be a part of the By, even if your spirit won't.

To Henry."

Everyone drank their champagne and slowly, one by one, people left.

There was no party mood anymore.