Chapter 21

Sportacus walked slowly back toward his airship. It was now eleven thirty and saying it had been a long day would've been an understatement. He was about to climb the ladder into his airship when he saw Amanda sitting over on a park bench. Surprised, she was still up he came over and sat next to her.

"What are you doing up?" Sportacus asked.

"I couldn't sleep. My brain has a tendency to keep plugging away at something even though I'm trying to get some sleep." Amanda explained.

"I know what you mean. So anything you want to discuss?" he asked.

"I've seen a lot of things in my short life but today was something I'll never forget. I watched a girl go from a complete mess to grabbing whatever sanity she had left and going to confront her problems. Then I watched a doctor inject something into a hero and make him come back to life. His first thoughts were of his girl. I've never seen that. You guys are so lucky." Amanda spilled.

"Lucky?" Sportacus sounded confused.

"Yes, lucky. You each have someone to love and it's a complete love. There isn't anything you two won't do fore each other. I haven't been so lucky. No one seems to notice me." Amanda's self esteem problem started to show.

"Well, I'm sure that someone notices you. Stephanie noticed you. You guys are good friends now. There is nothing like a good friend to help you through your problems. Stephanie and I were good friends before we became a couple. Someone will find you, too. Just give it some time." Sportacus tried to reassure her.

"Thanks Sportacus. I think I'll go and try to get some sleep. Have a good night." Amanda said getting up from the bench.

"Anytime. Good night." Sportacus smiled and climbed up the ladder into his airship. Amanda slowly walked back to her hotel room and processed everything that Sportacus said. Little did she know that Sportacus was processing what she said.

The next morning came too early for Stephanie. She literally crawled out of bed and into the bathroom. Once she was showered and dressed she went downstairs to eat some breakfast. To her surprise Sportacus was already sitting on one of the kitchen stool.

"Uh, Sportacus, why are you sitting in my Uncle's kitchen so early in the morning?" Stephanie asked.

"Early? Its eleven am. I came to find you. I thought you'd want to know what happened at the police station last night." He smiled.

"Yes, I would like to know why it took you so long to come over last night. What are they going to do with Robbie?" She smiled right back.

"Captain Dogooder explained that Robbie's parole officer didn't watch him as he was supposed to. Robbie slipped out of the retirement home to put the box of apples in my airship. They didn't know about the note and I didn't mention it. They said that the parole officer has been fired and that the ankle bracelet system is getting an entire make over. Robbie is going to serve out the rest of his sentence in the LazyTown prison. Now let's talk about something else. I just want to spend what little time we have left this summer thinking about someone else." Sportacus finished.

"No complaints here. So what do you want to do?" Stephanie sat on his lap.

"Remember how I said the locket was only part of my present. Well, I want you to come with me." Sportacus said lifting her off his lap.

"What are we going to do?" Stephanie asked.

To Be Continued…