Chapter 6/What Were We Thinking?
The seven helper searched for hours through every nook and cranny, but could find Stampy nowhere. It was dark when they all met back up near Choo-Choo's house. Sqaishey and Netty were frantic.
"Where is my little brother?!" Netty cried. Nobody knew how to console her. Saying they'd find him would be pointless if they didn't know where he was. Everybody was exhausted from the search, so Squid sent them all home. He, however, wasn't ready to go home. His best friend was missing.
What would Lee have done if this happened while he was here? he wondered. He would probably be as frantic as Stamps was. Then, it hit him like a brick to the face. Nobody had checked the cemetery. Feeling a burst of energy, he ran to see if his friend was there.
When Squid arrived, sure enough, Stampy was sitting in front of the grave of the bear. "Stampy." Squid walked over to him and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Have you been here all day?" Stampy simply nodded. "You worried everyone! You didn't meet up with Netty as you had planned, we went on a searching spree, and you told nobody where you had gone."
"I needed some space," Stampy muttered, not looking up.
"Well, you should've told someone."
"Why?" Squid was taken aback by this. But before he challenged his friend, Stampy continued. "You guys don't care. I followed you guys up to the clubhouse. I heard everything that was said. This is all a scheme to make me stop being sad and you, of all people, are the ringleader of this circus. "
"Stamps..."
"Don't interrupt me. I have been holding back tears for three hole weeks. I know I told Sqaishey I need to move on, but I can't. You know why? Because you guys expect me to be so happy. But I'm not." His voice cracked. "Lee Bear was my friend for years. It's almost like you guys want me to forget him and paint on a smile so you don't have to face a feeling of regret because you don't want to think you're bad friends. You're not. But everyone grieves in their own way for their own amount of time. Why can't I last just a little bit longer? "
Squid was speechless for a moment. Then he said, "You're right. We shouldn't have put you under that kind of pressure. I'm sorry."
Stampy stood up and hugged his friend. "I'm sorry I yelled."
"It's alright. If you need more grieving time. We'll be sure to keep our distance, but I'm obligated to check on you." He held his friend in his arms. He figured he would let Stampy let go first. He wasn't sure how long he would need that hug.
"Did you find him?" Netty asked the next morning.
"He needs time to himself." Squid replied. "He just needs to let go when he's ready."
"Do you think he'll be okay?"
"I'm sure he'll be fine. Only time will tell when, but he will be happy and smiling again in no time. I promise." He really believed it.