South Park: The High School Years

Season 3-3

Rest in Peace, Wendy Testaburger

The entire town was gathered that sunny winter's morning, not that it was ever anything else in South Park. Young and old flocked to the church to pay their respects or any other feelings to the girl so many had loved and hated. Even Eric Cartman showed up, dressed in the black of mourning. The church was playing solemn music and the casket was up in the front. Stan sighed to himself, and Kyle placed his hand on his shoulder supportively.

"Are you ready for this?" Kyle asked gently.

"I'll never be ready," Stan said heavily. "Kyle..."

Stan sobbed and buried himself in Kyle's embrace once more. Many of the other townsfolk glared at them for this. It was pretty much out by now that Stan Marsh and Kyle Broflovski were an item. Cartman looked more uncomfortable then anything. How would everyone react if they knew he and Butters were dating? Cartman pushed that thought aside and made his way up the aisle to the casket. He made sure to say what he meant to say in a low voice, as he looked down on the limp form of the girl he hated and despised. She had been his first kiss, but he'd never stop hating her.

"I always hated you Wendy," Cartman muttered under his breath. "May you burn in hell with the devil and his minions, you bitch."

Cartman then proceeded to the parish hall where they were serving refreshments. His boyfriend Butters Stotch was there, sitting and talking with Jimmy. Jimmy had also grown much older, but he'd always have to have a brace.

"H-hello Eric," he greeted.

"Hi Jimmy," Cartman replied, taking a seat. "What's up?"

"Nothin," Butters said softly. "We ain't goin to see the body. I always hate wakes and funerals and stuff."

"Well, I went and paid my uh...respects," Cartman said awkwardly.

If only they knew, they'd probably think him the sickest person on earth. He didn't care. He never did. Cartman sighed and rose from his seat. Maybe he wouldn't stick around for the rest. Maybe he'd go somewhere and be alone, because that's how he felt right then, alone. He left the parish hall and ran into his older brother outside.

"Oh geez," he sighed. "God must hate me today."

"Hey yourself," Scott said with a snort. "You act like it'd be so hard to just greet me nicely."

"Why?" Eric asked blankly. "You're not my friend. In my mind, you're not even my brother. You're nothing to me."

The words stung. Scott shut his eyes and drew in a deep breath to steady himself

"Eric please don't say those things," Scott said. "I'm trying, I really am. I guess that's not good enough for you though. You always talked about how you wish you had a family, then when you finally do, you treat your only relative besides your mother like shit."

"Scott wait," Cartman said hesitantly. "You're right. I'm sorry. I know you've been trying."

"Maybe it's not just about you," Scott said bitterly. "I know you have this idea that the world revolves around you, but it doesn't. Maybe I always wanted a brother. Maybe I'm doing this for me too. You can't see that, because you can't see past your own ego."

It was Cartman's turn to be stung, but he didn't know if he should be angry or truthful. The words were the truth. He did have a massive ego, and he knew it. He also knew Scott was right, that he'd always wanted a brother, Scott just wasn't the brother he'd ever wanted. He could hardly believe himself for what he said next.

"The truth is, I don't know how to react to all this," Cartman said defensively. "You might think I'm an ego-centric maniac, but despite what you think, you're wrong. I do love people. I love my mom, I love Butters, I love K-"

"Kyle?" Scott offered.

"Yeah, that person," Cartman agreed irratably. "The point is, I do see past my own life. I don't know how to react to you. You're not the brother I wanted, I didn't ever want that, but I'm starting to rethink. When life offers you lemons, you make lemonade right? You're the brother I've got, and I'm just going to have to get used to that."

Scott was absolutely shocked. His eyes widened and his mouth was open slightly.

"I never expected to hear something like that from you," Scott whispered in amazement. "You've really grown up Cartman. You're not that kid from years ago."

Scott turned away from his brother and felt tears streaking his cheeks. This was so overwhelming. What else did his brother feel?

"Let me ask you something," Scott spoke, still looking away. "Do you regret it? Do you regret killing our father? Does it even make you sad?"

Cartman was silent for several moments. This wasn't like him to show all these emotions. He didn't like it. Once again, he could either tell the truth, or he could salvage his pride.

"Every day," he answered, surprising himself. "I regret it every single day. You have no idea how I feel."

Cartman then did the most uncharacteristic thing ever. He started to cry.

"Cartman?" Scott asked gently. "Are you crying?"

"It's my fault!" Cartman bawled loudly. "I always wanted a father, and then I-I..."

Scott pulled Cartman into an embrace and Eric let him. He had been wrong about everything. Cartman wasn't an unfeeling monster with no remorse. Their father's demise obviously tormented the boy.

"Cartman the past is over," Scott said. "Neither one of us can change it. I've had to accept it and move on. It's time for you to do that too."

"You're right," Cartman said wiping his eyes. "I can't change it, but I can do something that will make our father proud. Scott, you're my brother, and I love you."

Scott smiled and Cartman smiled back. It felt good to let out all those bottled up emotions. It felt like he was being himself, who he truly was, Eric Cartman. Meanwhile, inside the church, Stan stood looking on Wendy's lifeless corpse. He stiffled a sob, and Kyle placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Good bye, Wendy Testaburger, my love," Stan whispered.

He slowly walked away with tears in his eyes. He couldn't look back, he wouldn't.

To be continued...