Chapter 26: Tears of Heavy Hearts, Part I

Don and Stephanie reached the Lazytown Police Department a little before four p.m. They made impeccable time on the highway. Stepping out of the car, Stephanie gazed behind her at her small childhood town. They entered the building and were directed to a small office where Officer Calmers helped them out. Don allowed Stephanie to explain the situation.

"He attacked my neck in front of my friends. I felt helpless. I just want him to stay away from me. I won't press charges or anything. Please promise to keep an eye on him, though." Stephanie spoke without getting too emotional.

Don added, "He was a trustworthy friend. I didn't think this town would be unsafe for my daughter."

"I will talk to Sportacus," Officer Calmers said, "He has the option to leave this town. As for now, sign here and here and date it please. This will keep him one-hundred feet from you at all times. If he breaks this, it will be held against him. Stephanie, I know how important this place is to you, but maybe you should stay away for a while. Just until Sportacus calms down or we can figure something else out. And congratulations on graduating next week. It is a very exciting time."

Stephanie signed on the dotted lines and said, "Thank you."

"We'll go to Milford's for a few minutes," Don said. "I need to talk to him. If you have anything here, pack it up."

For a moment, Stephanie felt very sad. "I have to see someone before I leave," She said, "and then I will go back to Uncle Milford's."

"Alright sweety. Let's go. Thank you for all your help, Officer."

"Not a problem. Here's my card if anything happens. Feel free to call with any questions, too." Officer Calmers walked the two out of the building and wished them a good day.

Don and Stephanie rode in the car for a few more minutes until they reached Milford's house. Stephanie got out and smiled back at her father. She went off towards the baseball field. She was surprised that no one was out playing, then again it was a week night and the other kids probably had weekend homework to get done. Passing Bessie's house set off a ping of pain in Steph's gut. She remembered many summer days saving her from Robbie's evil doing. She thought about the time Robbie locked Milford away, almost leaving his Mayoral term up for grabs. As Steph passed her friends' houses, she could have sworn a few of them poked their faces through curtains to peek outside. Finally, Steph reached the baseball field which indicated her favorite billboard was not too far.

There it was, staring at Stephanie as if it were asking why she'd come. Stephanie did not want to be here on such terms. She knew telling Robbie her plans to travel would not come easily. There was no other option. Lazytown no longer held the purity it did. Stephanie was well over eighteen now, and not a child. She seemed to be the only one out of the group of kids that acknowledged maturity. Perhaps it wasn't their faults; maybe being brought up in such a small town confined them to monotony and suppressed their ability to learn and grow. As for Sportacus, he clearly had a power switch turn on without the option of shutting it off. He was no longer a hero. He was an older man with aspirations to be something great. Stephanie stopped and stared at Robbie's entrance. At that moment, she realized Lazytown was stuck; Lazytown would never prosper. All who resided here did not adapt to change well. All who rest their heads upon fluffy pillows merely woke in the morning to remain content with the same old same old. Stephanie was not like this. She wanted to live. She wondered if only coming here in the summer allowed to have a tiny taste of life. Maybe that was why she wanted out so badly.

"Pinky!" Robbie greeted Stephanie with an ear-to-ear grin. He ran over to her and kissed her hard on the lips.

"Mm." Steph parted, unable to hide her red cheeks. Robbie would always have that effect on her.

"You're early. I'm not complaining. I was thinking that you could stay here in the summers. It would keep you far from Sportycook and closer to me. It's a huge thing to ask, but I'm ready if you are." With his own blushing cheeks, Robbie added, "Live with me."

Tears already formed in the corners of Steph's eyes. She blubbered, "I can't live with you, Robbie. I'm going to travel for a while. It might be a long time. After I graduate, I'm spending a year across the states. Mom and Dad planned this for me as a backup plan if I couldn't find a college before receiving my diploma. I'm not coming back to Lazytown. This place is bad for me."

"Stephanie, you are kidding right? I love you. You can come here with me and we can eat cake and watch movies and listen to indie music. I'll even go walking with you or jump around. We can be active." Robbie felt like crying. He had not cried since he was very young. Suddenly, he recalled the choked up feeling that came along with it.

"I have to go. I love you too, with all of my heart in fact, but I see no other option. I will be back, just not here in town. I will write you. I promise. I will be one of those dorky girls and spray perfume on the postcards and kiss it with lipstick. Please understand."

Robbie straightened up and did not allow his crying to begin. He said with a stern voice, "I guess we should say goodbye then. I tried to be the nice guy. Postcards and letters are not you. We shouldn't see each other right now. Another time, another day, we can reunite. For now, this is too much pain for me. I imagine it is too painful for you, too. So, let's move on and hold our time together as a good memory."

"Wha- Alright, if that's what you want." Stephanie did not want to give up on love. She let the sadness consume her. "So long, Robbie Rotten."

Robbie raised his voice, "I won't say goodbye. I'm crushed. You will never leave my heart, Pinky."

He watched her leave his home. Robbie became very frustrated and cursed loudly. He threw things around childishly and finally collapsed to his orange chair. Next to his foot was a Frisbee. Her Frisbee.

He kicked it to the side and broke down.

Running to her father's car, Stephanie slammed the door and let her tears flow. Sure, she could have moved in with Robbie, but that wasn't best for her. Not with the whole town hating her and ready to squish her into the mud for 'hurting' Sportacus. The whole town already sided with him. That's why the kids stared through the window. They did not come out to say hello or be friendly. They stared. In the deepest part of Stephanie's heart, she wished Robbie could have come with her. She wanted to save him. Unfortunately, she was not a heroine.

"Ready, kid?" Don said as he entered the car. "Why are you so upset? Did you see him?"

"No, Dad," Steph stuttered, "H-had to say farewell to the love of my life. R-right in front of me . . . He was there forever . . . Trying to make us laugh is all. Now I have to leave him. Makes no sense. Nothing makes sense anymore."

The engine revved up. Don replied, "When you let the thing you love the most go, it typically comes back. If someone here means that much to you, I'm sure you will see him again. Chin up, Steph. Your adventure is about to begin. Take these tears as a lesson. Sometimes love hurts. Hurts a lot. Let's go home, huh?"

Stephanie nodded. Out of the window, familiar houses faded from view. Before Lazytown completely disappeared, she swore she could see a billboard where a man showed her hope dwelled.

There's always a way, you gotta know you can make it. Someday, Robbie, I will come back for you.