Chapter Text
“She’s doing very well.” Cleo said. She was sitting across from Riff-Raff inside his shack. “This is her first day of kindergarten. There were a lot of tears and pleas of bringing her home, but you know my owner had to go to the store. We started her on some music lessons last week.”
“So she’s playing. I guess that means she’s okay with staying.” Wordsworth commented as he laid out some biscuits and fish with fresh milk.
“I wouldn’t go that far.” Cleo allowed. “After your last visit, she cried herself into a tantrum.”
“Oh no, I told her I had to go…” Wordsworth groaned.
“Stay strong, Wordsworth. You’ve got enough to worry about, like getting that car ready before mine and Cleo’s next date.” Riff-Raff advised.
“You got it, boss… never mind my loss.” He slinked off.
Cleo heard him gripe to the other two outside the shake. “Riff-Raff, you shouldn’t be so callous. Wordsworth really loves Gwen, you know.”
“Of course I do. That’s why I am trying to keep his mind off of her.” Riff-Raff said. “She’s a nice girl, Cleo, but we’re not a daycare. Wordsworth knew that from the first time we met her.”
“But then you took responsibility for her when that gang took her.” Cleo pointed out. “Can you understand why there’s so much confusion?”
“Wordsworth, what are you doin’?” Hector’s voice said.
Cleo and Riff-Raff both stood up in unison and both went to entrance of his plane shack. “What’s goin’ on?”
“Wordsworth packed up!” Hector said, looking shocked. “He said he had to go.”
“Go where?” Riff-Raff asked. “We’re the only family he’s got!”
“I knew you were going too far.” Cleo shook her head. “I bet he’s gone to my owner’s apartment.” She climbed down. “Hector, Mungo, come with me.”
“Hey, babe, I’ll come too.” Riff-Raff grabbed his cane. “If it’s my fault he’s gone, I need to make nice.”
“Good luck. You pushed him too far.” Cleo scowled, before dashing out of the junkyard. The others could catch up to her.
#
Wordsworth paced outside the music shop. From where he was he could hear the sound of a piano playing, and stopping, and playing again. In between, during the pauses, he heard the sound of Gwen’s adoptive mother gently correcting her posture or hand position.
“Wordsworth… you shouldn’t be here. If my owner sees you…” Cleo’s voice was not the most welcome, even if she was much nicer than Riff-Raff was being lately.
“Calm down. I’m leavin’ town. I just came to her to say I was goin’ away. It’s too hard, Cleo.” Wordsworth turned to Riff-Raff’s girlfriend. “I’m doin’ what’s best, you can handle the rest.”
Cleo shook her head, and pulled him by the arm away from the store. “Wordsworth, you can’t. She’d never understand. Besides, where would you go?”
Wordsworth pulled away. “I’m going, and there’s no way I’m slowing.”
“Wordsworth, you’re making a big mistake.” Riff-Raff’s voice said.
“What do you care? You’ve got two more servants. There, and there.” He points to Hector and Mungo. “I want more.”
“Hey, I ain’t no one’s servant! I just help him out sometimes.” Hector defended as Wordsworth knew he would. “and he’s helped us, too. Remember why we agreed to work with him in the first place.”
“I remember.” Wordsworth sighed heavily.
“Wordworf!” Gwen’s voice interrupted the group, and then her little arms were around his waist.
Wordsworth schooled his features to look less upset, as he stooped to let Gwen pet him. “Hey little one, is your lesson all done?”
“I no good pano.” Gwen said. “But new Mommy wike teach so wet her.”
“You’re getting much better.” Cleo said. She glanced over towards the store. “Looks like you two have a little bit of time to visit… but not much.”
“We’re not done talkin’ either.” Riff-Raff put in. “But I’ll give you some time.”
“It’s okay. I wasn’t planning to stay.” Wordsworth said. He gently led Gwen a bit from the store. “I’m going on a trip. This place is no longer hip.”
“I come wif you…” Gwen started to climb into his arms.
“No no no. You can’t go. Your new Mommy would be to sad, and that would be really bad. Cleo will take care of you.” Wordsworth said softly. He went to all fours, and sat on his haunches. It was something he only did for Gwen. “Listen, kid. What I did… I should’ve gotten you a home, and not let you roam. But don’t worry, I’ll hurry. When I come back, I’ll have lots of snacks.”
Gwen’s eyes filled with tears and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Wiff-Waff maked you go? I tells him no…”
“Riff-Raff is innocent of this one, Gwen.” Cleo said quietly. “Come on. Bush is looking for you.” She gave Wordsworth a withering stare. “Don’t worry, Wordsworth. She’ll be in good hands.”
Wordsworth watched Gwen and Cleo leave and return to the inside of the store. And then his line of sight was blocked by Riff-Raff. “I’m not coming back forget that, Jack.”
“Look, I know I’ve been hard on you for the last few months. I’m sorry. I’ve been trying to help you get over her. I thought you would just need distraction. It wasn’t that I didn’t care how you felt about her.” Riff-Raff said. “Maybe I just got too carried away…”
Wordsworth shook his head. “it’s over, Riff-Raff.” He turned and was only mildly surprised to see Hector and Mungo blocking his escape route. “This is getting out of hand. Can’t you see, I’m trying to disband?”
“Over a kid that wasn’t even supposed to stay with us permanently.” Hector said. “What happened to doin’ the right thing?”
“I did. I returned the kid.” Wordsworth pointed out. “But does that mean I can’t be sad? I miss her so bad.”
“Well, you can’t fight feelings like that. I know that for sure.” Riff-Raff said. “What if I could make it right for you again? Wouldja come back?”
Wordsworth looked his boss over. “What do you mean? Set the scene.”
“You just go back home and let me worry about the rest.” Riff-Raff said. “I promise, I’m gonna make it worth it for you.”
Wordsworth rubbed his chin. “It won’t hurt her…?”
“Of course not. I ain’t cruel.” Riff-Raff sounded offended. “You ain’t the only one who enjoyed her affection, y’know.” He turned. “I’ll see you at home.”
Wordsworth watched their leader go down the street in the opposite direction before turning to Hector and Mungo. “I’m not sure about his plan, man.”
“Don’t worry about it, Wordsworth. Let’s go home and get some rest.” Hector clapped him on the shoulder.
“and food.” Mungo chimed in.
“and food.” Hector agreed.