After Childhood

Sticks and Stones

"Morning, Chris."
"Morning, Abby."
"Got any big muffins in there?"
"In a four pack only."
"What kind?"
"Blueberry and lemon."
"Can I get one pack of both."
"Sure. Why so many muffins?"
"I'm gonna share them."
"I see here."
"Here is your money. Keep the change. And would you like a muffin?"
"Awe, well thank you, Abby. I will gladly take one. Can I have a blueberry one?"
"Sure. Here."
"Thank you."
"Have a good day."
I see Rudy waiting where I told him to. Good.
"Rudy, which muffin would you like before I walk off?"
"You know I love lemon, so sis. Can I have two?"
"No, sorry, bro. But I have a few friends I want to share with too."
"That's alright. I was just gonna save the second one for lunch."
"Ah."
"Later, sis."
"Later. Be safe, Rudy."
"You got it."
I worry about him. Especially after he wrote to me about a bully last year.
The bus stop for my school was close by. Standing there, as per usual, was Baby Bear, Telly, and Rosita.
"Hey guys! I brought muffins. You guys want one?"
"Muffins? What kind, señorita?"
"I got blueberry and lemon."
"Oh I'll take the blueberry."
"Me too."
"I would like the lemon, amiga."
"Here, blueberry for Telly."
"Haha, thanks."
"And bb for BB."
"Ah, clever. Thank you."
"And lemon for mi familia. Rosita."
"I'm a part of your family?"
"It feels like it."
"Si, that is so true."
I took a lemon one too.
"Amiga, I have to say this. You did an amazing thing for Allen yesterday."
"Even though it wasn't really him?"
"Si, you made him so happy. Allen and Gordan were so close that when Gordan died, a part of Allen died as well."
"I made you happy too."
"It was nice to see him."
"What happened?"
"Yeah. What did Telly and I miss?"
"Amigos I will show you the picture."
"Abby!"
Hmm? Gonigan is with Zoey? Whoa.
"Hey Zoey. Hey Gonigan."
"H-Hey."
"He couldn't find the bus stop so I showed him where it was."
"Ah. Well, while you're here, care for a muffin? I have Lemon and blueberry."
"Oh, the lemon one."
"Here, Zoey. Gonigan?"
"Sure, I'll take the blueberry one."
"Here."
"It was nice talking with you, Gonigan. I'll see you all at school."
"Later, Zoey."
Rosita had her phone out and was talking to BB and Telly. Good.
"You did that on purpose."
"What?"
"I know your game, Gonigan. You pretended that you needed to get to the bus stop so you could talk with her."
"Y-Yeah. I did."
"Awe, that is so sweet. You and her seemed to be getting along."
"Y-Yeah. She knows a lot about dancing. And not just ballet. She talked about hip hop, ballroom, freestyle, line, everything."
"Yeah?"
"Ye-Yeah. She is so smart."
"You really like her, don't you?"
"I do."
"Yay. I ship it."
"You could- duck!"
Gonigan pulled me down as we both hit the deck. I heard a crash noise and looked over to see BB fall over.
"oh no, BB, are you okay?"
"Yeah. A little dizzy. Thanks rosita. When did you turn pink?"
"Telly, take him and sit down on the curb."
"Got it."
Spinning around I saw Elmo with a baseball glove in hand.
"Dammit, I missed the new guy."
"Gonigan, are you okay?"
"Yeah. Thanks Abby."
"Come on. I need an ice pack. Got any?"
"Yeah, hold on. I have one with my lunch."
"You handle that. I got a bone to break."
"Calm down, Abby. Your eyes."
"Good!"
"Oh boy."
"You no good, good for nothing, tampon colored monster. I should beat you so far into the ground that Satan can't even save you."
I could feel my magic surge as I glared at the furry red monster.
"You might be full of hate, but the joy I spread amongst all my friends can't be easily beaten. Elmo, leave, now!"
"You aren't the boss of-"
"Bibbety bobbitty bye-bye."
I love that spell. He is gone. I know I sent him to school so I'll have to deal with him later but right now, I have a friend to help.
Bb was holding his head still but an ice pack was underneath his paw. Being pressed where he was hit.
"Alright, Bb. Gonigan, are you ready to play what use fo be my favorite game?"
"Nurse?"
"Yup. Come on, nurse Gonigan."
"Fine, I'll suit up."
With a flash, Gonigan had on a set of white scrubs. I had on a set of blue and a lab coat. A bag of medical supplies I purchased myself was now in my hand.
"Nurse Gonigan hold this light please."
"Okay."
I got down on my knees in front of Bb and Telly held his hand while Rosita kneeled on his other side.
"Bb, I need you to cover your left eye and look at this light with your right eye."
"Okay."
"Hmm... seems to be functioning properly. Do you see anything odd?"
"Black spots dancing around the light."
"Not a good sign, is it Abby?"
"Afraid it isn't, Telly. Bb, do the same thing but cover your right instead of your left."
"Black dots again."
"Do it with both."
He opened his eyes and stared at the light but his pupils kept getting bigger and then smaller.
"Gonigan, are you seeing this?"
"Yes. Looks like BB has a concussion."
"We have to get you home, Bb."
"Oh no, Honey Comb."
"My Pourage lovers meeting was today. Oh dang it."
"Telly, we'll take him home. Rosita, Gonigan, we'll be back. Don't try to start anything. And be aware of your surroundings."
"Keep us updated, señorita."
"Feel better soon, Bb. And keep a calm head, Abby. You work better when you're calm."
"Right, Gonigan. I'll try. Same goes to you though. You are a pretty powerful fairy as well."
"I know."
"Come on. I got your other side, Bb."
"Elmo has never done that before. He may call us names but he's never physically harmed us besides a push or shove. Why would he try to hurt me like this?"
"He became a dick. I thought that maybe there was a reason for it or something but nothing."
"Did his dad get deployed again, Telly?"
"Nope. But they won't talk about what's going on."
"Maybe I should go and see them. They might tell me something. Task at hand first, though. We need to get you home. Your mom is still a stay at home bear, right?"
"Yeah."
"Are you dizzy, babe?"
"Yeah. A little."
"As in it feels like you're rocking back and forth on a ship or like the room is realing around in a confusing circle?"
"Second one, Abby."
"Way worse than we thought. We gotta pick up the pace."
"Right there with you. Hang in there Honey Comb. We'll make sure you get home safely."
I have to call my mom and inform her of the situation after this.
Elmo apparently has never done something like this. And the Elmo I remember would never do something like this. They even said that he suddenly changed at the start of the year. Something is going on. And I plan on figuring it out.