Winnie & Murr's love story: Then & Now

Chapter 10

Soon, the 2 lovebirds (& Midge) graduate. They meet up with the Vulcanos, Quinns & Gattos. "Q, I can't believe ur son actually graduated!" Sal whispers, haughtily. "Thanks to this young lady!" he gestures to Winnie ,who's busy kissing Murr. Sal sneers at them (he still hasn't accepted their relationship!) "I still can't believe that she's dating 'the boy with no future'!" he mutters. "Hey! That's my son u're talking about, Vulcano!" a protective Beth rolls up her sleeves & charges at him! Fortunately, Q stops her from killing Sal. "FYI, he was accepted into The British Astrophysics Academy." Q defends Murr. "U mean u're going to London? U didn't tell me..." a disheartened Winnie looks at Murr. "I didn't wanna upset u. I'll be back in 5 yrs. But, we could make this long distance relationship work, we'll keep in touch through Skype..." Murr replies, hoping she won't be mad at him! "5 yrs?!!" Winnie blurts out in disbelief. "Don't be mad, Win!" Murr consoles her. "I'll be fine. Just follow ur dream. I'll support u, ok? But, u'd better not forget to call me!" she hugs him. A few days later, they bid their farewells at the airport as Murr leaves for London, while Midge leaves for France (she's studying modelling there)
A few months later, Winnie's still waiting for an email or a phone call from Murr. "She's been locked up in her room for days now, crying her eyes out! & Murr still hasn't called. She doesn't even have Katz to console her." a worried Alex complains to Sal. "Hey! It isn't my fault that filthy cat's dead! It shouldn't have walked right in front of the lawnmower while I was mowing the lawn!" Sal defends himself. "I've tried talking to her, but she won't listen to a word I say. Why don't u try?" Alex pleads with Sal. "No way! I told her to stay away from him, said he'd break her heart...but, she didn't listen! Don't worry, she'll bounce back! I'm teaching her a 'life-lesson' by leaving her alone." Sal explains. "Gr8! The kid's dyin' from a heartbreak...& u're teachin' her 'life-lessons'!" Joe snickers to himself. "What're U even doing here?!" a suspicious Sal asks. "I came here for ur wife's freshly baked cupcakes...& now I'm leaving!" Joe replies with his mouth full. "Hey, guys! 'Sup, Joe?" Q enters, as Joe walks out with a handful of cupcakes. "U guys look tense...what's wrong?" he asks Alex & Sal. "Our kid's depressed & won't get outta her room... " Sal replies. "Say no more! I was depressed too a long time ago, I can handle this!" Q interrupts & rushes upstairs. "Hey, Win! It's uncle Q. I need to talk to u." he announces from outside her room. "Go away!" comes the reply. "Hey! I know u're angry with Murr for not calling u, I know u're heartbroken....I've dealt with this stuff before, I've battled depression & I just want to help u, sweetheart!" Q explains. She lets him in. He sits beside her. "I'd been having problems at school (she's studying to be a biologist) & I used to Skype with him 'coz he's sorta like a troubleshooter. So, a few days after Katz died, we were talking over Skype & I was telling him about how I missed him & Katz & that I couldn't concentrate on my studies 'coz of this.... & then he snapped & said that he didn't have time to help with my problems & had his own problems to deal with...& then, we broke up!" Winnie sobs. "Sweetheart, I know Murr. He's bad tempered when he's under a lotta stress. He loves u too much & he's gonna patch up with u soon." Q consoles her. "What if he doesn't? What if he moves on?" a worried Winnie asks. "Well, he still hasn't gotten over the Tenth Doctor's regeneration into the Eleventh Doctor! I don't think he's gonna move on so quickly." Q replies & snickers to himself. "Now...I've a solution to ur 'Katz problem'. I'll be back!" Q exclaims & leaves. He's back soon with a furry white kitten in his arms. "This lil guy's name's Pearl. Beth & I rescued it from the roadside  a few weeks ago & it's yours now!" Q hands it over to a smiling Winnie. "Thanks, uncle Q! U're the best!" Winnie hugs him. "U can just call me 'The Destroyer of Depression'!" Q jokes, grins at Sal & leaves.