They found him sitting on the small hill that looked over the cul-de-sac. This was new. He never ventured out on his own. He was always with his friends.
But, venturing out on his own was a good thing because it meant that his mind was growing, something everyone feared would never happen. Everyone wanted him to start doing things on his own.
"Is it alright if we sit with you?" Edd asked their tall friend.
Ed didn't say anything.
Eddy looked at Edd for guidance. Edd was honestly lost himself.
Ed's family was being torn apart.
The divorce was finally happening. Ed's parents were never meant to be together. His mother had been abusing him for years and his father never did a thing to stop it.
The person who was finalizing the divorce saw how they treated their children and ordered them to send Ed and Sarah into foster care.
He and Sarah were together, but they were moving an hour away from Peach Creek.
Eddy approached Ed first. "I remember watching the fireworks from here, lumpy."
"Oh, yes, Ed," Edd laughed joining them. "You'd imitate the sounds they'd make after they went off. One year you said they were aliens."
A little smirk came to Ed's face.
"We sure had the best of times up here." Eddy said throwing an arm over Ed's shoulder.
It wasn't long before Ed's smile was gone once more.
"I don't want to leave tomorrow, guys."
"We don't want you to either, Ed."
"I'm never going to see you two again! It's not fair!"
Eddy's heart hurt. This was not easy for him either. Eddy had been watching how Ed grew up in an awful household. Every day he wished he could do something to help. Now that this day was finally here, it didn't feel right.
"This is the best thing for you, Ed. You need better care."
"But, why can't I stay with you?" Ed asked.
Edd closed his eyes. Before he could speak it was Eddy who talked. "You can't learn everything from us. We have been helping you every step of the way. You need to learn to do things on your own."
Ed stared for the longest time at Eddy. That was the most brotherly advice he ever got from his best friend.
His face broke more though.
"Do you two not want me around anymore?"
The Eds heart broke. It was last year when Ed told them how he always thought the reason why Edd and Eddy hung out with him was because of his name. He always felt unimportant. That's how his parents made him feel.
"We reallu wish this wasn't happening because you have helped Edd and I so much throughout the years. You helped me realize what true friendship really is."
"Me too, Ed." Eddy said.
"We will never forget you, Ed. How about this? We should plan to have weekly group phone conversations with one another. Won't that be fun?"
They all agreed.
Ed's lip trembled even more. He was trying so hard to keep a straight face.
"It's okay to cry." Eddy reassured him.
The Eds held one another and stayed that way for the longest time. Thought things weren't going to be the same, they'd still always be three.