Chapter Three

If the Fraggles thought one week without Gobo was hard, that was nothing compared to several weeks. Everyone gradually returned to his or her normal routine, but there was always the tension of worry in the air. Only Red seemed calm; she happily went to retrieve Gobo's postcards and read them to the others, and then went about her business, seemingly without a care.

Mokey was concerned about Red. She was acting too carefree, like it was all a façade. She also noticed that Red always hastily retreated to their cave after reading a postcard. Mokey decided it was time to find out what was going on with her best friend.

After the next postcard arrived, six weeks after Gobo had left Fraggle Rock, Mokey immediately followed Red to their cave. She found Red sitting on her hammock, reading intently. A little smile played on her features as she mouthed the words. Mokey didn't want to interrupt her, so she watched from the cave's entrance as Red finished reading and hid the card with the others.

Red turned around and let out a startled squeak when she saw Mokey. "Mokey! Why didn't you say something? I had no idea you were here!" Her eyes narrowed as she said, "How long have you been standing there?"

"A few minutes," Mokey replied. "Red, I'm really worried about you. You're being very secretive, and, well, that's not like you."

Red got defensive. "I am not being secretive!" she said indignantly. "It's just that sometimes I need a little alone time, okay?"

Mokey sighed. It would be hard to get Red to confess what was wrong. She tried another tactic. "It's been difficult having Gobo gone for so long," she said conversationally.

Red gave her a wary look, but said nothing. "I wonder when he'll come back. It doesn't seem like he's had much luck finding Uncle Matt. Maybe it was silly for him to have gone in the first place."

That did the trick. Red immediately cried, "It wasn't silly! Gobo had to help his uncle, because he's a good person and he sticks by the Fraggles he loves."

Mokey couldn't help needling Red a little bit. "What other Fraggle does Gobo love? Besides Uncle Matt, I mean?" she asked innocently.

Red realized her mistake. "Oh, you know. He's a leader; he looks out for everyone," she answered lamely. Oh, rats! Mokey's on to me.

"I think I know who he loves," Mokey said, feeling a bit daring as she devised a trap for Red in her head.

"Who?" Red asked, trying not to sound too curious.

"Fiona Fraggle," Mokey said decisively, holding back a laugh as she saw Red's horrified face. "Yes, I think they'd make a great pair. Before he left, I saw them talking to each other in the Great Hall. She's got such pretty red hair, and…"

"Red hair!" Red yelled. "I have red hair, too! And Gobo loves me, not Fiona! He told me so in his postcard!" She clamped a hand over her mouth in disbelief. I can't believe I just told her that!

"Really?" Mokey breathed. "Oh, how wonderful, Red! Well, no wonder you've been acting so strangely. You're heartsick over Gobo being gone."

"Uh…" Red started, but Mokey cut her off.

"Don't worry, Red. Gobo will be back and the two of you will be reunited in love! Oh, I just thought of a great poem I could write about this! And don't worry, I won't tell anybody." Mokey gave her friend a quick hug and scurried out of the cave to go start writing.

Red groaned. I didn't get to tell her that Gobo loves me, but I'm not sure if I love him. She wished he would come back. She wouldn't be so confused if she could talk to him and see him face to face.

Red pulled out his last postcard again and reread his note to her:

"I'm starting to get really sick of being in Outer Space, Red. I have no idea where Uncle Matt could be, and I want to be back home at Fraggle Rock with you. Being apart has given me a lot of time to think, and although I know this will probably freak you out, I have to tell you: I love you, Red. It's okay if you don't feel the same way, even though I wish you would. I hope I see you soon.

Love, Gobo"

Red returned the postcard to its hiding place and flopped face down on the hammock. Why did everything have to be so complicated?