Chapter 3: News From Rocko

Saturday has now arrived. Filburt's cold is starting to disappear a bit. His coughs are becoming slower, his nose is becoming less runny and his throat pain has disappeared. He is sitting on the couch now, not lying on it.

"Paula, I think my cold's going," said Filburt. "Don't you think?"

"You're right," said Dr. Hutchinson. "It does seem to be going a bit."

"Soon, I'll be able to play with the kids again."

"That's right, Filburt."

Missy appeared. She appeared to be upset.

"Mommy, I wet my diaper," Missy said.

"Uh-oh, it looks like a diaper change for you, Missy," Hutch told, as she picked up Missy.

Filburt's mobile phone suddenly rang.

"I'll be right back," reminded Filburt. "I'm getting a call."

"Okay, Filburt," said Hutch. "I'm just gonna change Missy's diaper."

Filburt went into his and Hutch's bedroom, got out his mobile and answered it.

"Hello?" said Filburt, letting out a cough.

"Hey, Filburt," greeted Rocko. "How's your cold?"

"It's starting to disappear a little bit. How's your day today and how was it yesterday?"

"Well, to be honest, yesterday wasn't great and today is the same."

"What happened?"

"Yesterday, I got into a massive argument with Heffer and when he called me a nasty, lying, no good, selfish, heartless, bossy, pushy, mean, cold-blooded shorthead, I told him that I never wanted to see him or speak to him ever again in my entire life and wished that I never actually met him. Then he responded by saying that he hopes I die a horrible death and he slapped me across the face. I was traumatized when I got slapped. I still think of it today."

"That is horrible. Maybe you should go apologize to him when you have the chance to."

"Yeah, maybe. I have to go now."

"Bye, Rocko."

They both hung up. Filburt was shocked and speechless. How can he cope with his two best friends splitting up just when Heffer goes to Canada? His hands shook with angst as he felt tears coming to his eyes.

--

Meanwhile, Dr. Hutchinson is putting a new, clean diaper on Missy.

"There you go," said Hutch. "Now, next time you need to go potty, remember to tell me so you don't have another accident, 'kay?"

"Okay," replied Missy.

After disposing the wet diaper and cleaning her hands, Hutch got worried since Filburt hasn't come out of the bedroom. So she carefully and quietly opened the bedroom door.

"Filburt?" Hutch wondered.

She gets a surprise when she sees Filburt sitting on the bed, noiseless, trembling and upset.

"Filburt, what's the matter?" asked Hutch, sitting on the bed next to Filburt. "Why are you upset?"

A tear rolled down Filburt's face.

"It's Rocko…" Filburt spoke, trying to hold back his tears. "He got into a massive argument with Heffer yesterday and he was called a shorthead and he got slapped in the face by him. And it all happened before Heffer went on holiday…"

Filburt started to cry.

"My heavens, poor Rocko," gasped Hutch. "Is he okay?"

"He was traumatized after the argument," Filburt answered, sobbing. "And he still thinks of it today."

Hutch gasped and gave Filburt a hug. Filburt cried more than ever.

"There, there, Filburt," Hutch consoled. "There's no need to cry."

Filburt wiped away his tears as he calmed down.

"Feel better now?" asked Hutch.

Filburt nodded.

"Shall we go watch the kids play?" Hutch offered. "I'm having a feeling they are starting to get worried."

"Okay," replied Filburt, after letting out a couple of coughs.

Filburt and Dr. Hutchinson went to the bedroom door. Filburt opened the door to see their quadruple children standing in front of them.

"Why was Daddy crying?" asked Norbert.

"One of his friends got into an argument," replied Hutch. "He found out about it over the phone."

"Poor Daddy," said Missy. "I'll kiss you better."

Missy went up to Filburt and kissed his hand.

"Awww, thank you, Missy," Filburt melted. "Do you mind if me and Mommy watch you four play?"

"Yeah," the four children replied.

And they did.

--

Finally got this chapter done. I decided to insert some angst in this one. The fourth chapter will come soon.