Disclaimer: I lay no claim to any of the Charmed characters, quotes, or overt references that may appear in my stories. They are the sole property of Spelling Television. I write for my own satisfaction and for the enjoyment of those who choose to read them. Goodbye My Friend


Phoebe’s six year old mind couldn’t comprehend the events, but age held no restrictions on her sadness and pain. She watched as the tiny box was lowered into the ground. She felt the wind grabbing at her coat, but she was lost in memories.

They had known each other all there lives. Not a day passed that she and her best friend didn’t talk, play or get into mischief together. When Phoebe was sad she could be assured her constant companion would be there to offer a gentle hand to hold and an ear to bend. Where was her friend? Why couldn’t she see him anymore? Prue tried to explain, but her words meant little as she watched the dirt fall into the shallow hole, with an eerie thud, as the clumps of earth landed on her faithful companion.

The green of the trees began to mix with the blue of the sky. Phoebe felt like she was on a ferris wheel. As her tiny feet began to sway her body, back and forth, she felt Piper steady her. Her frame was now level but her insides still felt all askew. This thing called death was not new to her, but neither was it understandable.

Phoebe moved closer to the mound of sod and grass. It reminded her of the snow fort they had built last year; when beautiful frosty flakes made San Francisco a winter wonderland. Through the years they scraped knees, fought battles and won wars. Why couldn’t this encounter have resulted in a victory as well?

Ever since Phoebe could talk, they had been inseparable. No one stood up for Phoebe like her devoted buddy, not even Prue or Piper understood her as well as he did. Tummy aches and heartbreaks were always shared, popsicles and fevers, laughter and tears. Now she was alone and life seemed less fun.

But it had to be, she could not stop it from happening. Phoebe knew she had to let go. Let go of hands that still felt warm and sticky after playing in the cookie dough that Piper worried so over. Had to let go of the conspiratorial smile as they snatched the chocolate chip circles from the ‘clueless’ sister, whose back was turned. Had to let go… Had to let go…

“It’s ok… I don’t understand but Prue said it’s just the way life is. I know I will never see you again, but it’s ok… you can go… Good bye… good bye my bestest friend.” She exhausted what little words she could, before slamming her elfin form into her sister's midriff, wrapping shaking arms and broken heart around Prue's waist.


Prue comforted her little lamb, the precious child that cried for the friend that would not be there the next time she and her big sis had a fight. For the comrade that would be missing the next time a big, old, mean third grader told her she was nothing but an orphan. For the pal that would comfort her on Mother’s Day and would make her smile when Andy, Prue’s boyfriend, would be the one to take her to the first grade Daddy/Daughter Dance. Both older sisters' gave a look over the distraught child. Each understanding, but hating to see the pain in one so young.

Tears were damp on all three Halliwells as they turned and headed back toward the Manor. Prue slipped Phoebe into her arms, turned and slowly walked away.

Phoebe looked over her protector’s shoulder and blew the crested knoll a kiss.

“G…Good B…Bye my bestest friend. Good bye.”

Phoebe wiped away the tears with the back of her hand, took a brave sniff and laid her head in Prue’s perfect nook. She knew it would be rough without him beside her, but she had also determined that life was better for having known him then to have experienced it in his absence.

“Prue?”

“Yes, sweetie?”

“Is he… is he really gone?”

“Yes, Phoebes. I have to tell you the truth, honey; he is gone and will not be back.”

The little girl looked into the eyes that she trusted and knew her sister was as pained to say the words as much as she hurt to hear them.

“Prue?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m ok now.”

“I know you are, baby girl, I know.”


Prue watched as Piper tucked their sister into bed. Her brown hair, streaked with the touch of the sun, was fanned over the downy pillow that held her sleeping head.

“Is she ok?”

“I think so, we said goodnight to him from the window seat and that seemed to satisfy her.” Piper went to the door and leaned on the opposite frame.

“Where did all the time go? She was supposed to stay little for a long time, why does she have to grow up so fast?” The dim room hid the onset of her forming tears. “She is so innocent it doesn’t seem fair.”

“I know Prue, but let's face it; Alfred had to leave sometime, why not now?”

“That’s a bit callous, wouldn’t you say, Pipe?” Prue’s tone a tad accusatory.

“Prue, he was an imaginary friend, for crying out loud. Alfred hung around longer than Finnegan did for me or what… what was your friend's name again?” Piper teased as she pulled her sister into a sideways hug.

“Never mind. Besides, Casey never left. I just got tired of him is all, and put him in the attic with the rest of my toys.” Prue always bristled anytime she felt her childhood maturity was put into question.

“But Phoebe’s different, she needed closure, literally. Alfred's taken her through the roughest times of her young life. He was there when Mom died, when Dad walked out and when kids teased her about being an orphan. He was always there, even when we weren't." Prue found herself choking on the truth of her words. Not wanting her vulnerability to show she skillfully diverted the conversation. "By the way, where did you come up with the great idea to having a funeral for Al anyway?”

Piper instantly started to fidget and squirm, knowing that Prue would burst into fits of laughter if she knew the truth. She attempted to stutter out a logical response, but pathetically failed. “Uh… Um… Look, where the idea came from doesn’t matter. All that matters is the peaceful smile on her face, the smile I haven’t seen since the Have you seen my missing friend signs came down off the telephone poles. I mean she never left the side of the telephone in case someone by chance had located Alfred. She even emptied her piggy bank to offer a reward. Something had to be done.

“I’ll give you that, she was a wreck. She seems peaceful, almost angelic. Whoa, did I just say that?" Prue grinned, as she saw the smile tug at Piper's lip. "Ok, fess up, really, where did you get the idea?”

“That’s what Momma and Gram’s did for Piper when she lost her bestest friend.”

Piper, who had sworn the six year old to secrecy, was about to scold her when she saw that Phoebe was talking in her sleep.

Piper rolled her eyes and muttered… “That girl can’t ever keep a secret… Even in her sleep she blabs… Ugh!”

Prue had to pull her out into the hallway, before she let go of the laugh she was holding. Reaching for the handle, she closed the door on their baby sister and a wonderful part of her childhood.