Chapter Seven
Tanzer looked up, and saw something bright behind him. It was headlights, softened from the fog and mist that had arisen from the sea. His poor body was exhausted, so he closed his eyes and curled back up. The packs straps ruffled in the wind, the sign creaking.
The vehicle rolled to a slow stop about 20 feet from the bus sign, and it's brakes hissed loudly. The little boy looked upwards at the noise, his facial fur matted with his tears. It was a large, brightly colored bus; loud music emenated from within from a huge stereo system. Someone was yelling inside over the music.
-------------------------------------------
"STOP! STOP THE BUS!!" Gonzo was screaming, as he clambered over the seats. He saw the small blue lump, and knew what or who it was.
"I'm STOPPING Gonzo! Calm yourself down!" Clifford yelled out, as the bus rolled to an unsteady stop.
Gonzo nearly ripped the door lever off, as he slammed the double doors open. He leapt out of the bus, and started to walk to where the little blue alien was. He calmed himself down a million marks as he got closer.
"Tanzer?" His voice was a mere whisper, as he kneeled down beside the small boy. Reaching out his hand, he gently stroked the boy's head, a soft smile crossing his face. "Are you okay?"
Tanzer looked up, his eyes slightly reddened; and he coughed softly, nodding. Gonzo reached forward and picked up the small boy in his arms, hugging him tightly.
"Tanzer! Oh...you're okay!" He turned back towards the bus, a huge smile on his face. "Tanzer's alright guys!"
"D-Daddy...you didn't come..." The little boy's voice was a small murmur, to Gonzo's ear. "...you missed them..."
"I know I did. And I'm so sorry! I never knew you were coming. My brother...he never told me about this and...and I shouldn't have waited. I should have realized something was different." Gonzo hugged Tanzer, as he walked onto the bus with the little boy in his arms.
A chorus of hello's and hugs came for Tanzer as Gonzo got onto the bus.
"Hey there, little dude!"
"Great another weirdo....I mean, hi there sweetie!"
"We're so happy to finally meet you, little fellow!"
"Glad to have you in the crew, little man!"
"Are we there yet? Oh hey! It's the little blue dude!"
The sweet words settled down as Gonzo and Tanzer settled down in the bus seat. Rizzo smiled as he sat in the seat across the aisle from them. Tanzer leaned over and settled his head on Gonzo's chest, listening softly to his Father's heartbeat. As the bus rolled down the long road back to Manhattan, everyone settled down for sleep. Tanzer was asleep, with Gonzo's arms around him. The little alien snored softly, as the waning moonlight poured inside the bus.
"This feels familiar, very familiar, Almost unreal, yet, it's too soon to feel yet. Close to my soul, and yet so close to me. We're going to go back there someday. Sun rises, night falls, sometimes the sky calls. Is that a song there, and do we belong there? I've never been there, but you know the way. We're going to go back there someday. Come and go with me, it's more fun to share, We'll both be completely at home in midair.
We're flyin', not walkin', on featherless wings. We can hold onto young like invisible strings.
There's not a word yet for old family who've just met. Part heaven, part space, or have you found your place? We can just visit, but we plan to stay. We're going to go back there someday. We're going to go back there someday."
Gonzo was singing softly, to Tanzer as he slept in his arms. Tanzer yawned, and curled up tighter against Gonzo's chest, and he smiled.
"I must send them a postcard, thanking them for him..." He murmured to himself, as the bus chugged along in the dark night.
Welcome to the Muppet Central Forum!
Jim Henson Idea Man
Back to the Rock Season 2
Bear arrives on Disney+
Sam and Friends Book
