Chapter 8
June 3, 2006
The Mayor called the people of LazyTown together. He had some news to deliver and didn't know how to tell everyone. Bessie told him that he'd find a way but somehow Milford doubted it.
People filled into the Town Square. They were confused as to what was going on. Usually the Mayor would give notice before just calling everyone together.
"Friends, family, and LazyTowners, I have some news which I must deliver." The crowd silenced. Standing off to the side, Amanda held Joshua. Trixie was trying to console Stephanie the best she could.
"Our hero, Sportacus, has been killed in the line of duty." The words barely escaped his lips as Milford broke down. A loud gasp went up from the crowd. No one wanted to believe him.
"How could this be?" A cry went up from someone in the crowd. Milford couldn't continue and Bessie tried to fill in.
"That's all we can tell you for now. Mayor Meanswell will let everyone know when more information becomes available." She told the gathering.
Helga watched through Robbie's periscope with joy. Robbie, however, felt sick to his stomach. For all the time he had hated Sportacus, it had become clear that he now couldn't stand the above-average hero being gone.
"Well cousin, here it is. The check that will give you your inheritance." Helga said handing Robbie the slip of paper. The villain wanted to rip it up but somehow couldn't find the strength.
"My bus arrives shortly and I will leave you to enjoy your money." Helga continued. Robbie only nodded. His cousin felt that this was odd behavior for a man who just knocked off his enemy and received ten thousand dollars. Normally, she wouldn't have cared but it bugged her and she decided to ask Robbie what was going on.
"Why aren't you happy cousin? You should be jumping and dancing around. Not only is your enemy gone but you have all that money." Helga asked him.
"What good is the money, if I have no one to share it with?" Came Robbie's response.
"You mean that girl?" His cousin asked.
"Amanda is her name." Robbie corrected her.
"I'm sure you can find someone else to be with. She wasn't strong enough to do what you asked." Helga told him. Robbie stood up and got in her face.
"There will never be another like her! She is it! Now I will spend the rest of my life alone! Leave me!" He shouted. Quickly, Helga grabbed up her duffel bag and was gone.
Stephanie sat in their apartment. She had told her friends that she needed to be alone with Joshua. At first, they had protested but eventually they backed off and went away.
She sat with the baby on her lap and watched him smile. Joshua hadn't completely understood what was happening and hopefully, he never would. Making sure that the blinds were drawn, Stephanie placed the four month old in his swing and walked down to the bedroom.
Throwing herself down onto the bed, she hugged her husband's pillow to her face. Breathing in deeply, Stephanie absorbed Sportacus' wonderful smell. How she wished they could be together right now.
Amanda wandered around LazyTown. She hadn't wanted to leave her friend but some alone time was probably what she needed. The girl wished that she wasn't alone but didn't even think about going to Robbie's. He had never struck her before and now she didn't even know if she could face him. That's when she saw Helga waiting at the bus stop.
Slowly, Amanda approached Robbie's cousin. The other girl stared at her, wondering what she wanted.
"So you're leaving?" Amanda asked.
"Yes." Was all Helga said. There was silence between them for a few minutes when Robbie's cousin spoke again.
"You know, my cousin wasn't as thrilled as I'd thought he'd be to get his money. He told me that it was no good if he couldn't share it with someone."
"Well he's going to be alone for a long time." Amanda said flatly.
"Look I don't do nice things, its not in my nature, but I can't believe the way my cousin behaved. He told me that there would never be another like you. I don't know what he sees in you but it's quite obvious he cares for you. Even if you don't care anymore, the least you could do is to let him know that." Helga finished. Amanda didn't know what to say. The bus pulled up to the stop and quickly Helga got on it. Left alone, the other girl stood there thinking about what had just happened.
Back in the apartment, something was going on. While Stephanie had lain on the bed someone emerged from the closet. Things were about to get very interesting in LazyTown.
To Be Continued…