The Professor walks in, and tells us, "Girls, I have important news to tell you. I've called your mentors, and they want to come over and talk to you, if that's okay. Or, is it too early for that? Do you girls just need to take a day off entirely?" Without waiting for a response, Professor answers his own question, "Right. What was I thinking? Today is way too early. I'll tell them not yet, but soon."
Bubbles moves to the chair next to me, and scoots it over until we're practically touching. Then she stands up, and retrieves her crayons and papers. She shows me a picture of Mojo Jojo. I inspect it closely. Mojo is standing in the picture, but he's smiling. Sometimes I wonder about Bubbles. She begins to interpret her picture, "This is a picture, that I drew, of Mojo Jojo. Mojo is very happy. I like Mojo. He's my friend." I can't help but think to myself about how weird she is.
She continues explaining, "He's standing next to the tree." I look at the picture again, and don't see a tree. I see a little bush. It must be a baby tree. "I think Mojo is a very nice monkey. Did you see him today Blossom?"
"Ugh! Shut up about that stupid monkey already!" I hadn't even noticed Buttercup had entered the room, but her annoyed tone now made it very obvious that she had. Her knuckles look a little pink; she must have been punching her punching bag without her gloves again. She only does that when she's really angry.
She turns to face me, and I see a tiny teardrop slide toward her nose. She quickly turns away from me; she must have realized she was crying. I see her pretend to itch her nose. I've never seen Buttercup cry before. It's kind of scary. If Buttercup is crying, why aren't I crying now? Am I doing something wrong?
The Professor comes back into the kitchen and reports, "I've called the mentors, and they understand. We'll try for later on in the week. Just let me know when you girls are ready to go back to talk to them. Oh, Buttercup, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine! Gosh, can't everyone just get off my back already?" She sounds irritated. I look at her and I think I see another tear on her cheek. Buttercup storms out of the room, muttering something about being the only one who cared.
The Professor sighs and walks out of the room. I decide to follow him. I leave the room and slowly float up the stairs. Everyone is so sad. I decide to take a nap, and try to relax. I put on some pajamas, and climb into bed. I feel the coldness of my pillowcase, and breathe out deeply; then I fall asleep.
My eyes slowly open and I look around. What's going on? I realize the blanket is over my head and my pillow is down by my feet. I yawn, and stretch before I climb out of bed. I smell pancakes. Bubbles must have wanted pancakes. I wander back into the kitchen, and sit down in my chair next to Bubbles. Buttercup is sitting at the table now, also. I wonder how long she's been in here with Bubbles.
I don't see any pancakes. I don't smell them anymore either. I must have imagined it earlier. The Professor sits down across the table from us. I see him open his mouth to speak, "Girls, I have something important to talk to you about. I can tell you're sad. After all, I'm sad too. I bet you two have a lot to talk about. I want you guys to feel comfortable getting out all your feelings. I've scheduled all three of you a little time with a new friend, and I want you to feel comfortable talking with her."
Bubbles jumped in, "What's her name? Is she nice? Is she pretty? What does she do for a living? I bet she's a firefighter! Where did you meet her? Does she have any daughters?" The questions practically exploded from her mouth.
"Well, her name is Dr. Venga, and she's a very nice woman. She's not a firefighter, Bubbles; she's a doctor. I met her at a science expo once, but I don't know if she has any daughters, and I thought she was pretty when I met her." The Professor winks at Bubbles as he says the last sentence.
"So, you've only met this woman one time, but you still say she's a very nice woman? I don't buy that!" Buttercup snarls.
"Well, Buttercup," The Professor answers, "I met her once in person, and we still chat on the Internet very often. I mentioned the death of Mojo Jojo and she thought that you girls would need a female to relate to. I can't really give you any mothering, you know" The Professor always knows the best ways to answer us.
Bubbles starts whimpering, "I don't want to go alone. I want to go with Blossom." She almost starts crying.
"Well, I'm sure that will be all right for the first few times you all talk." Bubbles smiles at Professor's answer. "Now, girls, I need you all to be ready by 2:00. That's when we need to leave for Blossom and Bubbles' first appointment."