Time to update! Sorry for the delay but when I went back and read this chapter after I first wrote it I thought it was garbage so I redid it. So here is a new and hopefully improved chapter!
Chapter 21
Sitting on the back porch of the Muppet Boarding House, Kermit took a few moments to savour the peace and quiet. Times like this were very few and far between so Kermit always made sure he enjoyed them thoroughly.
Having just seen Robin off to school with Sweetums, Kermit had decided to come onto the porch to enjoy his coffee and the lovely autumn morning. As Kermit sipped at his cup he unfurled the morning newspaper and began to read. Scooter had also headed off to school and Miss Piggy had gone to her singing lesson. That just left Fozzie, Gonzo, Rowlf and the Electric Mayhem at the house. All were in the kitchen at the moment as the Swedish Chef prepared their breakfast.
Kermit heard the telephone ring and Fozzie answer it, who then hand the call over to Janice. Kermit had a sneaking suspicion he knew who it was and Janice’s delighted squeal a moment later confirmed it. He heard a small commotion in the kitchen and got up to look through the back door to see what was happening.
“Good news guys?” Kermit asked happily. Doctor Teeth, Zoot and Animal had gathered around Janice on the telephone and were all trying to talk at the same time. Fozzie came over to the door and spoke to Kermit through the fly screen.
“Kermit! It’s Floyd!” exclaimed Fozzie. “Guess what? He can come home today!”
“Now that is excellent!” Kermit said. “It’ll be good to have Floyd back again.”
“It sure will Kermit.” agreed Gonzo as Janice hung up the telephone and the Electric Mayhem grabbed each other for a hug.
“So when does Floyd come home?” asked Rowlf.
“As soon as we get to the hospital!” answered Doctor Teeth. “He says all the paperwork is signed, he’s ready to be sprung! Let’s go!”
“LET’S GO! LET’S GO!” yelled Animal jumping around excitedly as Zoot kept a firm grip on his chain. The Electric Mayhem ran from the kitchen, through the living room with Doctor Teeth only pausing briefly to scoop up the bus keys from the coffee table and out the door to their bus.
Kermit laughed as he watched the band race out, shaking his head as he sat back down again.Considering that it was going to get extremely exciting, not to mention noisy, before too much longer, Kermit felt he had better enjoy his lovely quiet morning while he still could. Kermit heard the Electric Mayhem’s bus start as he began to drink his coffee. ‘It’s funny how just one person being gone makes such a huge difference.’ Kermit thought as he heard the bus start again. “Now wait a minute.” murmured Kermit to himself looking up, didn’t he hear the bus start a moment ago? The sound of the bus starting came once again and Kermit stood up as Fozzie came to the back door.
“Kermit? I think we better go outside.” said Fozzie. Kermit nodded his agreement, gulped down the remainder of his coffee before coming back inside off the porch. Kermit handed his coffee cup to the Swedish Chef before heading through the house with Fozzie. Reaching the front porch Kermit and Fozzie joined Rowlf and Gonzo who were already there.
“What’s going on?” asked Kermit.
“Don’t know.” replied Rowlf. “Seems they can’t get the bus started.”
The group on the front porch could see Doctor Teeth had his head under the bonnet of the bus checking the engine with Janice standing anxiously next to him. Zoot was in the driver’s seat and Animal was still chained behind his drum kit, straining to escape.
“Okay Zoot! Give it one more try!” yelled Doctor Teeth. Zoot turned the key in the ignition and the bus gave a starting roar then spluttered and stopped dead again. Doctor Teeth shook his head in disgust and put the bonnet back down.
“Well, I haven’t the foggiest!” he sighed as he motioned Zoot to get out of the driver’s seat. “Looks like I’ll need to call Antonio at the mechanics. Of all the times for this to happen!” he snapped as Kermit, Fozzie, Gonzo and Rowlf approached him.
“Bus won’t start huh?” asked Kermit.
Doctor Teeth just looked at Kermit then shook his head with another sigh.
“Um, do you want me to go get Floyd?” ventured Fozzie timidly. Doctor Teeth brightened up at Fozzie’s offer. “Would ya? It’d be so positively excellent if you could!” he responded.
“No problem!” exclaimed Fozzie. “I’ll go right away!” Fozzie ran back into the house, went to the kitchen and took the Studebaker keys off the hook on the fridge door where he kept them. Fozzie then ran back through the house and outside again where he met Kermit.
“Fozzie, will you take Janice with you please?” Kermit asked.
“Of course I will!” Fozzie replied with a smile. He hurried over to where he parked the Studebaker, unlocked the passenger side door and held it open for Janice to get in before heading around to the driver’s side and getting in himself. ‘Hope the Studebaker starts!’ Kermit couldn’t help thinking. Fortunately the Studebaker started first go and Fozzie pulled away from the kerb and headed down the road, honking his horn as they left.
“Bye!” called Kermit as he waved. Turning back to Doctor Teeth he asked “What do you want to do with the bus?”
“Oh leave it there for the moment.” Doctor Teeth replied. “I’ll just go call Antonio first and then I’ll have Sweetums push it down to the garage.”
“Doctor Teeth, I’ll take Animal for a walk while we’re waiting for Floyd to come back.” said Zoot. “He’ll be too excited to take anywhere when Floyd gets home.”
“No problem! See you soon!” called Doctor Teeth as Zoot and Animal headed off together, then he, Kermit, Gonzo and Rowlf headed back inside to wait.
Sitting on the edge of his bed, Floyd was fully dressed in the new suit Janice gave him and waiting for the Electric Mayhem to turn up. He had called them almost an hour ago, eager to go home and was now getting rather impatient. ‘You’d think they’d be here already! Where on earth are they?’ The door to the room opened and Nurse Ben walked in, holding a couple of letters.
“Haven’t we got rid of you yet?” Ben asked with a huge smile on his face “What are you still doing here?”
Floyd grinned back. “Just waitin’ for my chariot to freedom!” he answered. “Don’t know where they are!”
“Oh they’re probably just stuck in traffic. It’s murder out there this time of the morning, especially in the parking area!” said Ben. “Now you’re sure you’ve packed everything you brought in?”
“Yeah, my pyjamas, robe and slippers are in the bag, as is my brush, comb and toothbrush. Plus I packed my magazines, jigsaw puzzle and the get well cards.” confirmed Floyd.
Ben nodded. “That’s good. I have two letters to give you. The first is a referral to the outpatient clinic, which you need to attend in 1 weeks’ time for a check-up,” Ben said as he handed the letter to Floyd, “and the other is your discharge summary.”
“What’s a discharge summary?” asked Floyd as he took the proffered letter.
“It’s basically a run-down of why you were admitted in the first place, what treatment you received, any drugs we gave you plus instructions on you follow-up care. You give it to your family doctor.” explained Ben, as a knock came at the door.
‘Finally!’ “Come in!” called Floyd and the door opened. To his complete amazement it was Fozzie Bear who walked in.
“Wocka! Wocka! Wocka!” shouted Fozzie with a huge smile. Both Floyd and Ben stared with their mouths open at Fozzie’s entrance.
“Oh rully Fozzie!” said Janice giving Fozzie a playful shove as she hurried past him and over to Floyd. Janice threw her arms around Floyd, who pulled her tightly to him.
“Hello honey!” exclaimed Janice happily as she kissed Floyd on the lips.
“Hey Mama!” said Floyd. Looking at Fozzie over Janice’s shoulder Floyd smiled at him and called “Hey Foz!”
“Hello Floyd. I’m here to take you home.” announced Fozzie happily.
Floyd was a little taken aback. “Take me home?” he asked “But, where’s Doctor Teeth?”
“Oh, like the bus broke down.” explained Janice. “They don’t know how long they’ll be stuck so Fozzie offered to come get you.” She said, smiling kindly at Fozzie.
“That is unless you want to stay here a little longer?” chimed in Ben with his own smile.
“No way man! Fozzie, you get me outta here!” Floyd declared. Ben, Janice and Fozzie all laughed at him and Floyd shook his head. “Just wait there all of you. I’ll be straight back.” Ben said and left the room.
“So Floyd tell me, how are you feeling?” asked Fozzie.
“Pretty good Foz. I just get tired real easily at the moment.” Replied Floyd as Ben came back into the room pushing a wheelchair.
“Alright Floyd, you’re all set to go. So jump in and I’ll take you to the exit.” said Ben. Floyd stared at the wheelchair for a moment and then back to Ben. “Hospital policy Floyd.” Ben explained. “All patients are taken to the exit in a wheelchair.” Floyd looked at Janice, who merely nodded. Knowing she was not going to put up with any of his arguments Floyd sighed, lowered himself off the bed and went and sat down in the chair with another sigh as Fozzie picked up Floyd’s bag plus the balloons Floyd was going to give Robin. Janice picked up his right hand to hold as Ben started pushing the wheelchair and steered him out of the room, down the corridor and into the elevator, with Janice walking by his side and Fozzie following. Once the elevator had reached the floor the entrance was on Ben pushed the wheelchair through the foyer of the hospital and out to the cark park where Fozzie had parked the Studebaker. At the car Fozzie ran around to the passenger door, unlocked it and place Floyd’s belongings on the seat before closing the door again. Fozzie then unlocked and opened the back seat passenger door to let Floyd and Janice sit together.
Floyd climbed out of the wheelchair and turned to Ben. “Ben, my man, thanks for looking after me so good!” he said extending his hand. Ben took it and smiled “It’s been my pleasure Floyd. Please don’t take this the wrong way but I hope I don’t see you again anytime soon!”
“Hey, the feeling’s mutual! Believe me!” exclaimed Floyd with a laugh. Floyd eased himself into the back passenger seat of the Studebaker and slid over as Fozzie headed around to the driver’s side and got in himself. Janice then turned to Ben herself.
“Like, thank you so much for everything you did for Floyd.” Janice said kindly.
“No problem at all.” said Ben. “Just make sure he behaves himself!”
“Oh I will! Believe me!” said Janice, as she climbed into the back seat to join Floyd and pulled the door shut. As she linked her arms through Floyd’s Fozzie started the engine.
“Okay Floyd let’s go home!” said Fozzie happily.
“I hear ya talking Foz!” agreed Floyd. As Fozzie drove away from the hospital he blew the horn and the group waved to Ben who watched them drive off. Ben waved back himself before entering the hospital again to go back to work.
Zoot and Animal were returning from their walk and were three blocks away from the boarding house when Fozzie drove by in the Studebaker. Animal had heard the car coming and had turned his head to watch for it.
“CAR!” Animal yelled and took off after it, dragging Zoot behind him.
“Animal! Heel!” shouted Zoot desperately as Animal chased the car down the street.
At the boarding house Kermit, Gonzo and Rowlf were sitting in the lounge room waiting for Fozzie’s return while the Swedish Chef was cooking. Doctor Teeth was on the phone to mechanics, getting the low-down on what was wrong with their bus after Sweetums had pushed it there. After listening to everything, Doctor Teeth shook his head.
“Well, just go ahead and fix it Antonio. We need that bus. Okay thanks. Later!” said Doctor Teeth as he hung up the phone.
“So what’s the problem Doctor Teeth?” asked Kermit.
“Oh Antonio said there’s a tiny hole in the bus’s carburetor which was allowing too much gas to into the engine. That’s why we couldn’t start it. Oh well, these things happen.” explained Doctor Teeth with a sigh.
“Well don’t worry that Doctor Teeth. I think things are about to start looking up!” said Rowlf happily as he glanced out the window. A moment later there was a rhythmic beeping of a car horn as Fozzie pulled the Studebaker into the drive. Kermit, Doctor Teeth, Gonzo and Rowlf hurried out the front door and down to meet the Studebaker as Fozzie turned off the engine.
Doctor Teeth opened the back passenger door to first let out Janice and then extended an arm in to help Floyd out.
“Floyd man! You are a site for sore eyes!” Doctor Teeth exclaimed before wrapping his arms around him for a hug. “Don’t do it again!” he ordered.
Floyd chuckled at Doctor Teeth “I promise. I haven’t changed my mind since the night after my surgery!” Floyd assured him.
Kermit then stepped forward and extended both his flippers and took Floyd’s hands. “Floyd, you’ve been missed. It’s wonderful to have you home again.”
“Thanks green stuff!” said Floyd, feeling himself turn red at the attention “I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to be home.” Rowlf and Gonzo both went up to Floyd to welcome him home while Janice, smiling happily, stood to one side and Fozzie got the bag and balloons of the front seat of the Studebaker. Just then a familiar shout was heard behind the group and they turned around.
“Well, look who’s comin’!” said Doctor Teeth affectionately. The group laughed at the site of Animal racing up the street with Zoot being pulled along behind.
“CAR!” roared Animal continuously when he suddenly spotted who was standing near the car. Animal froze and stared for a moment before bellowing at the top of his lungs “FLOYD HOME! FLOYD HOME!” jumping about excitedly the whole time.
Floyd walked slowly over to Animal with a huge grin on his face. “C’mon, heel Animal!” he ordered.
“Heel! Heel! Heel!” repeated Animal who finally stood still. Floyd continued to grin as he rubbed Animal’s head. “Been good?” Floyd asked him.
“Been good!” Animal repeated excitedly and started to jump again.
“Animal! Be cool!” warned Doctor Teeth. “Floyd isn’t up for much excitement at the moment!”
Animal managed to calm himself down again and laughed as Floyd turned to Zoot.
“Keepin’ you fit is he?” Floyd asked his friend, who was doubled over and puffing.
“Oh Floyd, he’s all yours! I’ve had enough!” exclaimed Zoot as he embraced Floyd.
“Well since we’re all together again, let’s go inside!” suggested Kermit as Doctor Teeth turned to Fozzie. “Here Fozzie, let me give you a hand with those.” Doctor Teeth said taking Floyd’s bag off him. “Hey, thanks once again for going to get Floyd for us. I really appreciate it. We all do.”
“Hey, no problem!” said Fozzie. “I was just happy to be able to help you twice now!”
As the residents entered the boarding house, Floyd and Janice hung back. Janice snuggled up to Floyd and rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s wonderful to have you back honey.” She murmured before gently kissing his cheek. “How do you feel, rully?”
Floyd sighed. “Not quite 100%, but I definitely feel better than I was.” He answered before chuckling quietly. “And how are you feeling now Mama?” he asked.
Janice lifted her head and looked at him. She knew what he meant, how was she feeling after telling him about what her mother had put her through as a teenager when Granny died? Floyd and Janice had discussed everything, from how her mother finally turned up 1 week later to discover Janice had not been lying; her mother was dead and her daughter was now in foster care to the fight Janice and her mother had had a short time ago where Janice threw her mother’s actions back in her face, which ultimately was the trigger of Janice’s fears. Janice nodded a few times before answering quietly. “Better. Very much better.”
Floyd drew Janice’s face to his lips and kissed her tenderly on the forehead. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear Mama.” he whispered. Just then Doctor Teeth’s voice came from the front door.
“Hey Floyd, where are ya?” he called “You oughta see the spread the Swedish Chef has put on for you!”
“I’m comin’ man!” Floyd called back as he grabbed Janice’s hand. “Finally! Some real food!”
Janice shook her head. “Like, why do I get the feeling I’m rully going to have my hands full for the next few weeks?” she asked as she and Floyd entered the house.
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