We need the old Kermit: Full Edition

chapter 10

The boarding house was heading off to sleep. Fozzie was making his way from the bathroom to his bedroom. He stopped in front of Scooter’s room, where the go-fer was still counting, again in front of Robin’s room, where Rowlf was tucking the young frog in, and once more in front of Kermit’s room. The door was open and the room was dark. Fozzie looked in and saw the frog standing, looking out the window.

“Kermit?” Fozzie said. He walked into the room and stood next to his friend.

“I hurt everyone today,” Kermit said. He turned and looked at Fozzie. “But I didn’t mean to. I don’t know why I’m pushing everyone away.” He looked down.

“Well- Kermit-“ Fozzie put a hand on his back. “I know you don’t mean it. You just... need a little time. I understand that. We all do.”

Kermit nodded. “Thanks, Fozzie,” he said as he looked up. “I still don’t understand it, though. I feel like-“ he stopped, shook his head and looked back out the window. “I don’t even feel,” he said.

Fozzie didn’t know what to do. “Wanna hear a joke?” he offered. “A frog walks into a bank-“

“Not now, Fozzie,” Kermit interrupted.

“Okay,” Fozzie said. “You should go to sleep. It’s late.” 

Kermit nodded. “Yeah,” he said.

“Kermit?” Fozzie said. “Come here.”

Kermit turned and looked at him. Fozzie gave him a hug, and he hugged the bear back. “Thanks, Fozzie,” he said.

“Any time,” Fozzie said. “Good night, Kermit.”

“Good night, Fozzie,” Kermit said. “Sleep good.”

Fozzie walked to the door and paused, looking back in to see that Kermit did in fact get in bed. Then he closed the door and walked to his room.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~​

The next morning, Kermit sat at the breakfast table in his usual chair, at the usual time, surrounded by the usual chaos. He greeted everyone with the usual “good morning,” but without the usual enthusiasm. He was oblivious to the edgy anticipation that was so thick in the air. He didn’t even notice that everyone kept glancing at him nervously.

“Good morning, Uncle Kermit!”

Kermit looked up from his plate to see his nephew standing beside him. “Oh. Good morning, Robin,” he said.

“I finished the card, Uncle Kermit!” Robin handed him a very large card. On the front, there was a little rainbow in the corner with the words “Thank you very much for helping to protect our theater. We hope you feel better soon!” The rest of the card was covered with everyone’s signatures.

Kermit nodded vaguely. “Very nice, Robin,” he said. “Do you want me to sign it, too?”

“Of course, Uncle Kermit!” Robin said as he handed Kermit a pen. “I saved a space for you, right here!”

Sure enough, there was an empty space on the front of the card, just big enough for him to sign his name. “Oh,” he said. He signed the card. “I’ll give it to Officer Dakota when I see him today.”

“Thanks, Uncle Kermit!” Robin said, and he hopped off to his seat.

Kermit looked at the food on his plate. He didn’t really feel like eating, but he knew he needed to.

The kitchen door flew open as Miss Piggy burst in. “Good morning, little people!” she said. Then she saw Kermit sitting in his usual chair. She was thrilled. Perhaps everything was back to normal? She sauntered over and stood beside his chair. “Good morning, Kermie,” she said sweetly.

He stared down at his plate, poking at his food with his fork. She didn’t notice. “Morning,” he mumbled.

“Well?” she said.

“Well what?” he mumbled.

“Well,” she giggled, “Aren’t you going to kiss me good morning?”

He looked blankly up at her. “No,” he said, and he turned back to his plate.

She was thrown off for a moment. She looked at him with her puppy dog eyes and said, “Please?”

He looked up at her again, annoyed. “Piggy, I said no!” he said, and he looked back at his plate and stabbed at his food a little more.

Miss Piggy sat down at the table, trying not to show how hurt she was.

Johnny leaned over towards her. “It might just be a little early for him, Piggy, you oughta try at night time-“

“Shut up,” she said.

Unfortunately, Sal overheard. “Nobody tells Johnny Fiama to shut up!” he said as he prepared to strike.

“No, Sal,” Johnny said with a mistaken calmness, “Don’t-“

“HI-YAA!” Johnny and Sal were sent flying across the room.

Kermit didn’t notice. “Fozzie?” he said. “I think we should get going soon.”

“I’m ready when you are, Kermit!” Fozzie said.

Scooter stood to clear his plate, stopping behind Fozzie’s chair. “Keep him away as long as you can,” he whispered.

“I will,” Fozzie whispered back.

Kermit cleared his plate and Fozzie followed him out the door.

Annie Sue peered out through the curtains. “They’re gone!” she announced.

“Okay everybody,” Scooter said, “Grab whatever you’re selling and get it outside!”

“Oh! First set up the tables!” Miss Piggy said.

“Man, we’ve still gotta clear the table!” Clifford said as he started collecting the dishes.

“I’ll call Frog Scouts,” Robin said, hopping to the phone. 

“I’ll set up the signs!” Gonzo said.

“Let’s get to work,” Dr. Teeth said.