Chapter Ten:
Wanda finished her entire story and proceeded to break down in tears once again. This time though, the tears were not being felt on a sympathetic ear.
“Are you finished?” asked Marie after Wanda told her everything that was going on.
“Yeah,” sniffled Wanda.
“My dear you have got yourself a case of the pregnancy hormones. You should march yourself right home and tell your husband that you are having a baby. Listen to what he has to say about his past and then forgive him and move on. Maybe he should have told you he was serious with someone before, but honestly did you think he was a hermit crab all these years before he was with you?” lectured Marie.
“Well now who’s side are you on anyway?” asked Wanda becoming angry.
“Baby, this isn’t about whose side I’m on, this is about me trying to keep you from making the same mistake I made years ago. I ran away for a different reason, but I still ran away and its clear there was damage done but I’m working on fixing it. You will regret it if you don’t go home and talk to Rowlf!” responded Marie.
“Mama, you don’t understand, I don’t feel like I even know him anymore! How could he not tell me about this woman?” exclaimed Wanda.
“Look I don’t know why he didn’t tell you. Maybe it was painful because it probably didn’t end well if he didn’t even know about his daughter. And truth be told, if you don’t ever go home, you will be no better than this other woman was to him,” said Marie.
Wanda was silent. She knew her mother was right and she hated that. It was a low blow comparing her to Rowlf’s past love, but it was the truth.
“Ok hon, here’s the deal, because I know I owe you for a lot I’m going to let you stay here for a little while. But I hope you use your time to do some thinking about things. Clear your head so you can get back to Hensonville as soon as you can. Does that sound fair?” asked Marie.
“Yes Mama,” said Wanda.
“I’ll leave you alone for awhile then,” said Marie and left the room. It was tough for her to see her daughter this way and maybe she was too harsh, but she knew deep down that she had to fight for her daughter’s marriage because obviously Wanda wasn’t up to going to battle herself.
* * * * * *
Rowlf took a room at the Fuzzy Feet hotel as opposed to renting an apartment. He didn’t know how long he’d need it and it was a perfectly nice place to stay in the meantime. He dropped off the small amount of things he had packed up and then went to the address Annie had given him.
As he buzzed her apartment from the door downstairs he found himself feeling a little nervous. It was almost the same feeling he had when Wanda and he had first gone to the adoption agency.
Suddenly Rowlf remembered the adoption agency. Would they actually end up going through with it after all that had happened? He decided he’d better give them a call later. For now, he wanted to get to know his daughter.
“Who’s there?” came Annie’s voice over the intercom.
“It’s um, your father,” said Rowlf surprising himself at how easily the word “father” rolled off his tongue.
“Come on up,” said Annie as the door buzzed open for him.
She then let him into her apartment as he came up the stairs.
“Welcome! It’s not much right now, but it’s a home I guess,” said Annie.
“It’s nice,” said Rowlf.
“I’m glad you came,” said Annie.
“Me too,” said Rowlf.
They stood around in silence for a little bit.
“So, did you hear the one about the guy who walked into a bar? Doctor told him he should’ve ducked!” joked Annie.
Rowlf laughed. “You been studying Fozzie’s material?” he asked.
“Nah, I just know some really bad jokes,” said Annie laughing back.
They both relaxed and sat down and began to ask each other questions, a father and daughter finally connecting.
* * * * * *
Kermit was confused. If Rowlf knew Wanda was pregnant he certainly would have insisted on going after her. Wouldn’t he?
Kermit thought about it to himself. “Maybe there was a mix up at the doctor’s office. They weren’t going to try to have babies naturally,” he thought.
He tried to remember back to the day before that now seemed like ages ago. Was it really just yesterday that Annie showed up and everything spiraled out of control?
Kermit remembered Wanda fainting backstage and sending her off to the doctor. He remembered stalling for her when Rowlf was looking for her. What happened when he came backstage after he left Rowlf and Annie alone? Everyone was gossiping. And they were all outside of Piggy’s room where Wanda and Piggy were standing in the doorway.
That was it! If anyone else knew what was going on with Wanda, it had to be Piggy!
Kermit went to Piggy’s room. He realized she hadn’t even been after him for a kiss today. She was hiding something, he knew it.
He knocked on the door.
“Piggy?” he asked.
“What? Oh hello mon cherie. What can moi do for vous?” asked Piggy.
“I was just wondering if you knew anything about Wanda. She went to the doctor yesterday and then there was this big thing with Rowlf. I never found out if she was ok,” said Kermit.
“Oh, um, she is just fine, no problems at all,” said Piggy.
“Really? Because the reason I sent her to the doctor in the first place is because she had fainted backstage. She said she’d been feeling nauseous and having dizzy spells. I was kind of worried about her,” said Kermit.
“Oh Kermie, she’s just anemic, she can fix that, no big deal,” said Piggy clearing telling a horrible lie.
“You know Piggy, you look really lovely today,” said Kermit.
“You think so?” asked Piggy grateful Kermit was changing the subject.
“Yeah, you know I could just kiss you all over,” said Kermit.
“Oh my! Well why don’t vous come over here a little closer?” asked Piggy.
Kermit came in and took her arm and put little kisses from her hand up to her cheek. Piggy continued to fawn all over him as he did so. He kissed her cheek and was getting ready to kiss her on the lips when he stopped to ask her a question.
“Piggy?” he asked softly as he kissed all around her mouth.
“Yes my love?” asked Piggy.
“Wanda is pregnant isn’t she?” asked Kermit.
“Yes she is,” said Piggy. It took her a moment before she realized what had just happened.
“KERMIT! You devious frog, you tricked me! You know moi cannot resist your tender kisses!” exclaimed Piggy angrily.
“Don’t worry, I was looking for confirmation, the doctor’s office called here looking for her,” said Kermit.
“Oh, well then, why don’t we continue where we left off?” asked Piggy glad that she really hadn't blabbed the secret.
“I would love to but I have to figure this situation out,” said Kermit and quickly darted up and left the room.
“Kermie? Kermie? KERMIT? Oh MEN!” yelled Piggy and slammed her door.
* * * * * * *
Wanda felt as if she was all cried out. She ate dinner with Marie and then went back to Jazzmine’s hoping if she sang for awhile it would take her mind off of things.
She was just coming off stage for a break when she heard a familiar voice from behind her.
“Wanda?” said the female voice.
Wanda turned around.
“Felicia?” she said. She was face to face with her mother-in-law.
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Robin and Kermit's interaction was so sweet, and this whole chapter was just wonderful!
Wanda is someone who I think the Muppets could use. Its a cat, and a female, the perfect oposite of Rowlf. And hey, I still haven't seen Wanda playfully chase Rizzo around the Boarding House. Lol.
