After Childhood

Faith, Trust, And Too Much Dust

"Thanks for showing up, Zoey."
"Thanks for having me, Elmo. I'm sorry about what happened Thursday."
"Eh, he's mad. Can't say I blame Gonigan for being mean to me after how I treated him and Abby."
"He'll have to forgive you at some point. Abby wouldn't want him to hold a grudge like this."
"Yeah, well, when she comes back he might forgive me. I mean BB took the bulk of a lot of my abuse. I don't know why they resented BB so much."
"They did, didn't they. And BB forgave you."
"And I still feel bad for what happened. Hey look, Rosita's mom and dad. Where is Rosita?"
"Go ask them."
"Come with me, Zoe?"
"Say it like you use to."
"I don't think I can do the voice anymore."
"Come on."
"Fine... will... ouch... will Zoey come with Elmo to say hi to people?"
"Yes. And so will Rocco."
"Ouch. My throat hurts. You still have Rocco?"
"Yeah. Look, he's not alive, sure, but he's my throwing rock now. He has real purpose."
"Ah. Rocco the throwing rock pal. Catchy. Hey, Rosa. Hello, Richardo. How are both doing this evening?"
"Fine, Elmo. I do apologize, but Rosita caught some flu last night. She asked us to come in her place."
"Oh no, Rosa. Is Rosita alright?"
"She is doing as good as she can, señor Elmo."
"W-Well alright. You guys are welcome. I'm sure the hell I put your daughter through was hard to watch."
"It was. But I get it. We've all been through something like that. Not as bad as yours mind you."
"How's the job search been going with the handicap situation, Richardo?"
"I got a job last month. Since I can't be in the Military anymore and I was discharged after this fiasco, they sent me to work at that natural grocer's place. I enjoy it there."
"Glad to hear it."
"We also got our house completely accessible for him."
"Right we also did that."
"Nice to hear you're doing okay."
"Elmo. Abby's family is here."
"Huh? Oh boy. You two enjoy yourselves. My mom and dad are over there with Chris. Helping him surve food."
"Alright. Gracias, Elmo."
"Si, gracias, Elmo."
"Vamanos, Riccardo."
Hmm.
"Something tells me Rosita didn't tell her parents much about what's been going on."
"She was really trying to believe that this all wasn't real."
"Ah. Mr. Cadabby. Mrs. Cadabby. Hello. Hey, Rudy. It's been a while since I've seen you. How have you been?"
"What did you do to my sister?"
"Uh... huh?"
"My sister left because of you! I just got her back home and now she's gone again and it has something to do with you. Now what did you do to my sister!"
"I'll take him this way."
"Thank you, love. Walk with me a moment, Elmo?"
"O-Okay, ma'am."
Rudy has never lashed out at anyone. Not even that bully I faught with last year.
"Elmo."
"Huh? Sorry."
"I see you are becoming very distraught over all of this."
"I've never seen your son lash out at anyone like that."
"Yes well, this situation has brought out the worst in him. He adores his sister. And I am afraid to tell him why she did what she did."
"I'm sorry... about all of this."
"Elmo Monster. Are you crying?"
"Yes. I-I didn't plan for any of this to happen. I didn't want to cause anyone pain. I didn't want your daughter to see me like this, I didn't want anyone to suffer... why did this happen to me, Belinda?"
"Oh, honey."
"I just hate all of this so much."
"I know. I get it."
"You do?"
"Oh yes. Well, somewhat. I can only imagine the pain you went through, but she's saved our family from a similar fiasco when she was just an infant. This is something she does. I never thought it would get like this. You know, she did catch the guy."
"What?"
"She did. He died this morning."
"Who was it?"
"A blue monster by the name of Harry. She changed tactics. She looked at all the old monsters who got booted from Sesame Street while it was still airing. Grover had a family and was raising them. Rosevelt Franklin, well, he died. There were a few others that even I didn't recognize character wise. But Harry was the one sending people out. After you, his next target was Telly.
"I remember Harry. What the hell?... Well... why is Abby not back yet?"
"She's... giving herself to the pool of magic."
"What?"
"She is no longer my daughter. She is pure magic. I've tried with the few friends of hers that would let me."
"Tried what?"
"If she feels the contact of someone she adores, she'll come back. Or, at least, if enough people that adore her come into contact with her, she'll come back."
"Wh-Who's tried?"
"Rosita, Zoey, Gonigan, and my family."
"Why can't I try?"
"I don't know if she has the same adoration for you that she use to."
"But I still adore her."
"Elmo, this can kill you."
"Yeah? Well nothing I haven't heard before."
"Go tell your parents."
"Nope. They'll try to stop me. I'm doing this if you'll let me."
"I will not take another women's child from-"
"Away we will go. Bibbety bobbety boo."
"Ah!"
Ow. That hurt. Where are we?
"You idiot. Don't move."
"What? Why?"
"You aren't on any ground. All fairies can fly. Even the halfies like Gonigan and Blog."
"So why am I up here?"
"Me. You crazy young man."
"So where is she?"
"Right there. Now remember. Every memory good or bad will play as you walk. By the time you touch her, hopefully she'll come back. Focus on all your good memories. Don't break when you find the bad ones. If you live through this, I will make sure you get grounded."
"One thing at a time."
She was right. As I took my first step, the first memory of me meeting Abby played. I could see Big Bird and Snuffy clear as day as they introduced this small pink fuzzy thing with wings and a fluffy wand.
She didn't tell me that she would launch a bad memory in return. I thought it would play later on.
I guess it's a test of willingness as well as adoration. Even if she doesn't like me back after all of this, she's still my friend, and we need her here.
With each step, I was hit with another memory of her and I. Playing tag, hearing about her fairytale school while she was suppose to be in school, sleepovers, cookie making with Alan, Chris, and my parents. And so much more.
But I didn't expect her to turn into dust as I touched her.
"What just happened?"
"It was too late."
"She's gone?"
"Yup."
"Why are you so calm about this?"
"I'll cry once I'm out of here-"
Hmm? The ground is breaking. Wait a minute. She might of broken it as she fell. Is this Abby's sign to me? I mean only she's strong enough to break through her mom's magic.
If she's still dead set on keeping me safe and I jump into the lake of magic... I'll die. Unless she helps me. That is a longshot. But better to die trying than to not try at all.
"Belinda?"
"What?"
"Tell my parents I love them."
I hope this works.