Stan slept in his own bed that night, but it slightly disappointed him. He woke the next morning to another burned breakfast and an apologetic Wendy.
"Seriously you don't have to cook for me." Stan said over a burned piece of French toast. One of his favorites so he still ate it.
"I know I just feel bad, like I'm a burden" Wendy ate the more significantly burned piece.
"Man, Wendy what happened to you? You need your confidence back." Stan hated being so blunt, but her behavior was starting to grate on him.
"I know, I'm sorry." She started to say.
"Don't apologize either." His eyes softened at her. "I'm sorry, it's not your fault I'm in a bad mood, it's everyone else." He looked down at his phone. "I have to leave soon."
Wendy buried her hands in her face and Stan worried he made her cry. "No, Wendy please."
He got up and took her into his arms. "Please I know the opinions of the public got to you but you're so much more than that. You are the Wendy I remember and admire. Maybe she's a little dormant but I know she's in there."
Wendy looked up at him, no makeup and bed head. She looked so sexy to him. He focused on her face for a moment, her lips were so close but kissing her would be inappropriate at this time. He hugged her instead. "I'm sorry I have to go to work. I will see you tonight. I'll cook for you. Just relax. Think of your next plans."
"Thank you, Stan." She said softly.
Stan was going to be late again so once again he found himself rushing through town on the way to the office. He got a message, hope pricked at him for a second it was Wendy calling back, but it was a call from Kyle. His best friend had a moment to check in between his busy schedule, Stan had to take the call.
"What up, Doctor Marsh?"
"Not much, Doctor Broflovski, how are things?"
"Bad, lost two patients last night."
"Aw man I'm sorry." Stan put his head down.
With all his debt it had been a miracle Kyle had been able to afford to graduate from medical school. He had loans on top of loans. He found a program that would pay for Kyle's student loans if he worked in a public hospital and he had been transferred out to San Diego, CA. It was a hard adjustment on Stan, especially since Stan had been permanently banned from entering San Diego ever again. But Kyle fallen in love with the bustling city and the ocean.
"It's okay, it happens. I went jogging to clear my head after work. Remembering you getting arrested by the marina for jacking it always brings a smile to my face." Kyle laughed.
"Hey!" Stan's cheeks burned. "Of course, the only city that took you I can't enter anymore."
"Sorry I'll miss your birthday, but I'll make it up to you when I come visit for Thanksgiving."
"Yeah, well speaking of things from childhood you'll never guess who's staying at my house."
"Wendy?" Kyle said simply.
"Yeah. How did you know?"
"Kenny. He has a big mouth. Stan why? Are you that lonely?"
"No, she just needed my help. There's nothing going on between us." Unfortunately, Stan thought to himself.
"Just don't get hurt again. I know you have a soft spot for strays."
Stan jerked his steering wheel and pulled into the parking lot of his work. He put his head against the steering wheel. "Did you call to lecture me and insult Wendy? Because i don't want to hear that right now."
"No, not really. I wanted to chat after the night shift. Stan really, please protect your heart."
"Thanks, Kyle for your concern." Stan's voice strained.
After a long day at the office Stan walked into his house and saw a different scenario. Wendy was dressed nicely, and her hair and makeup done, slight disappointment from Stan since he was so attracted to her tousled look. She sat with the dogs who lay obediently by her feet, she had stacks of paperwork in front of her. "I ordered take out Chinese for us, I hope that's ok."
"Yeah, that's great, you look more like yourself." He went to hug her.
"I have this for you too." She passed him a manila folder. "Your tax-free card is coming in the mail. I also booked my flight; I leave on October 20th."
"Oh, well good luck. The start of the rest of your life." Stan suddenly couldn't meet her eyes. "Glad I was able to help you out for this week." A week of bliss from Wendy and grief from his friends. Nothing more.
Wendy returned his hug, lingering a bit. "I also sat down and did some self work, like you suggested. I made a list."
"Of course, you did." Stan teased.
"I made a list of my accomplishments and regrets. Thinking about what can be salvaged. I have my degree, my work experience. I can leave Colorado and start fresh in my career."
"Of course. I'm the only one dumb enough to stay stuck in South Park." Stan joked in a bitter tone.
The doorbell rang and Wendy went to answer, picking up the City Wok delivery. She left the notepad out on the table. Stan didn't want to invade her privacy but saw something that had been written and erased in her regrets column.
'Let Stan slip away.'
He felt his heart leap ever so slightly and practically shoved the paper away once Wendy reentered with a bag of food. He couldn't help but grin at her. "Want to eat in the living room and watch tv?"
Wendy couldn't help but smile back, he was so cute and boyish in his smile and mannerisms even though they were grown up. Smile the same, pretty blue sparkle to his eyes, every little thing he did and said managed to be adorable and funny without even trying. Wendy had fucked up letting that go.
She grabbed paper plates and soda and set up on the coffee table. "What do you want to watch?"
"You pick." He handed the remote as he piled food onto the plates. He eased down on the couch next to her. Wendy flipped through the channels before they both caught a glimpse of Wendy's face on the news. "What now?" Wendy groaned.
"You don't have to see." Stan tried to grab the remote.
She held the remote away from him and turned up the tv, watching intently.
"This is Bob Baconsmut with the news. Disgraced politician Wendy Testaburger has been seen hiding out in her hometown of South Park, Colorado. She's wanted for questioning before the board for her mismanagement of the milk tax and is subject to persecution."
A brief interview with a former colleague of Wendy's, he basically said it was all Wendy's fault for anything bad that went on and it was her fault for dropping the ball, being hard to work with and unprofessional.
Stan looked over at Wendy, her teeth gritted in anger. "Kevin was the face of everything. He had no ideas he would come to me and then get credit. I would suggest the same thing and get critiqued and say Kevin did it better. Now that I'm gone, he's freaking out and shifting blame to save his own ass. He's going to head up my persecution committee? I'm fucked. They're going to try and arrest me."
Stan tried to put a hand on her shoulder. "Maybe you need to just shut off the tv."
"No, how can he get away with that? I need to fight back. They have to know the truth." Wendy was shouting now, making the dogs jump around the living room.
"Wendy, they want to make you the bad guy and you're playing into their trap. Please, calm down. We can get you out of here sooner."
"I can't miss your birthday. I had to make up to you for your kindness somehow."
"Wendy it's fine. I had plans. I care more that you're safe and gone." It's easier not to get hurt that way.
"No, I won't leave until the 20th. It was the soonest I could get out. I want to spend a little time catching up." Wendy finally muted the tv and sat back on the couch, putting her head on Stan's shoulder.
He put a careful arm around her. "Well, what did you want to do as a catch up?"
"I...I don't know. Have a little dinner here for the night of your birthday. Talk about the old days. Make up for lost time." She smiled up at him.
"I...could build a fire." He said.
"But dammit the news has me so pissed off." Wendy sat up out of Stan's reach. "Everyone in Colorado public office is sexist and ignorant. What's worse is they'll fully get away with it if I'm the scapegoat."
"Well fuck 'em. You'll be gone and leave all this bullshit behind. I'll do whatever I can to make these last few days with you special." Stan pulled her back into a hug. "Want to watch Netflix instead.
"That's fine." She finally retreated the remote back to Stan and let him pick out a movie. She couldn't shake the dread and anger in her stomach as her reputation was being dragged through the mud. She tried to clear her mind and focused on Stan's strong arms around her. She should have chosen a different path in life. Wendy sighed and snuggled against him.
Stan watched the movie, feeling Wendy relax. He didn't want to move but had to ask. The question had been bothering him all day. "Hey, Wendy. Is it ok if I kiss you?"
No response.
Stan was prepared for rejection, but he saw she had fallen asleep. He sighed and hugged her closer, there was still two days left to rekindle something. He better not miss his chance and chicken out. Stan felt his own eyes growing heavy. They fell asleep on the couch the rest of the night, wrapped in each other's arms.