Chapter 23

Sportacus had no answer to that question. He promised her he'd think of something and let her know in the morning. Then he yawned. It was nine o'clock and it had been a long day. Stephanie was feeling tired as well. She kissed him on the cheek said good night and went up to her room. She flung her purse on the bed and got into her pajamas. Then she pulled the piece of paper out of her purse and read it. She smiled as she continued to read the song lyrics. When she finished, she looked under her bed for her sleeping bag. Finding it, she grabbed her pillow and headed downstairs. Quietly she entered the guest room and set up her bed on the floor. Stephanie fell asleep smiling.

The next morning Sportacus awoke early and practically tripped over Stephanie on the way to the dresser. Carefully he stepped over her and pulled out some clean clothes. Then he left the room and went to take a bath. The doctor recommended taking a bath because the water wouldn't pound on his bruises and broken ribs. As Sportacus filled the bathtub will warm water he carefully peeled off his pajamas. Then he got into the tub and soaked his aching body.

Stephanie awoke to see Sportacus wasn't in the room. She got out of her sleeping bag and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. Going out in the hall she heard the bath water being shut off. Stephanie went upstairs and took a shower, got dressed, and bumped into Uncle Milford in the hallway.

"Good morning, Uncle!" she smiled cheerfully. Uncle Milford wasn't quite awake as he nodded and went into the bathroom. She just shrugged it off and went downstairs. Sportacus was emerging from the downstairs bathroom wrapped in a towel. He was upset with himself for forgetting clean underwear. Stephanie saw him and her mouth dropped open. Quickly brushing the thoughts of déjà vu out of her head she stared at his bruised torso. Sportacus stopped dead in his tracks and followed her gaze. Noticing how nasty his torso looked he quickly ducked into the guest room and closed the door. Stephanie went to the door and knocked on it.

"Sportacus let me in I need to talk to you." She said through the door. Sportacus opened it wearing pants and a button down t-shirt. Surprised at how fast he got dressed, Stephanie just stood there. Sportacus waved his hand in front of her eyes and she snapped back to reality. Stephanie walked into the room and Sportacus closed the door.

"Does it hurt as bad as it looks?" Stephanie asked.

"That depends. How bad does it look?" He tried to smile. Stephanie decided that it looked pretty bad but changed the subject.

"I read the lyrics you gave me." Stephanie said.

"Oh, and what do you think?" Sportacus turned a little red.

"I think that they just make me love you more." It was Stephanie this time who turned red. Sportacus kissed the top of her head.

"I thought about our predicament and I think I came up with a solution." he said. Stephanie listened to his idea about her going home. Stephanie's home town was a good eight hour train ride away. It only took about an hour to fly there in the airship, so Sportacus suggested that at least once a week he could fly out there. LazyTown had a competent police force and they could handle him being gone for one day. Stephanie said she liked this idea and could even try to visit LazyTown when she had Spring and Winter Recess. Then there was a knock on the door.

Sportacus answered it and Stephanie picked up her sleeping bag. Uncle Milford was surprised to see her in Sportacus' room.

"What is it Mayor?" Sportacus asked ignoring Milford's surprise.

"I'm going out for awhile." Was all Milford said.

"Ok. When will you be back?" Stephanie asked.

"I hope around 2 or 3 in the afternoon." Mayor Meanswell said.

"Bye, Uncle." Stephanie said as she walked by him carrying her sleeping bag and pillow. She went upstairs and put it away. Uncle Milford left and Sportacus sat in his wheelchair. Wheeling himself out to the kitchen, he grabbed an apple and bit into it. Stephanie came down and Sportacus let her have a bite of his apple. They talked about what they wanted to do that day. Sportacus decided he needed some fresh air. Sportacus popped his pain pill and Stephanie pushed him outside into the warm, sunny day.

To Be Continued…