Chapter 10: Band-Aid

Bluey and Bingo sat on a bench outside a small office at Bluey’s school. Bluey was silent, trying to listen to what Bandit and Calypso discussed beyond the door.

“Ughh. Blueyy. Didn’t school end? Why are we at your school?”

“Calypso wants to talk to dad…”

“Ok! Hey, this place is really cool! Wow, look at that!-”

“It’s not fair…” Bluey mumbled.

“Huh?” Bingo stopped looking around.

“Oh, uh. Nice hair!” Bluey pointed at a painting of a horse. It was incredibly detailed, probably made by Calypso herself. “Ooooh, it is nice, but that’s a mane!” Bluey knew this, but she didn’t stop Bingo. “Did you know they make painter brushes out of their manes?” “Oh really?” “Yeah! Missy told me that. Apparently they are like… really soft.” Bingo smiled. Bluey was surprised by that fact.

“I want to try painting sometime! It looks fun.” Bingo looked at the other paintings hanging around the classroom, mainly focusing on the brightest, most colorful ones made by the kids. “Oooh! I could show you sometime!” Bluey stood up from her seat.

Bandit opened the door and walked backward out of it. “Yeah, thanks for letting me know. Have a good one.” Bluey’s mood changed immediately. She almost forgot what they were there for.

“Hey, guys. You ready to go?” Bluey didn’t answer. “Yep!” Bingo hopped up and walked out. Bluey followed behind, timidly.

The car was silent.

“Hey… Calypso told me what happened…”

“She did? What did she say?”

“She said you started a small fight.” This got Bingo’s attention.

“Oh, yeah… I guess I did. But they were being so difficult! I found the magic apple. They could've found another! There were lots of foods that might've been magic. I was the magic dog! They were... not." Bluey noticed Bandit looking at her through the rearview mirror, slightly concerned.

“Look, you can’t go bossing around other kids. They might not want to play the same way as you.”

“But it was my game! They said they wanted to play. What’s the problem?”

“Noo. Their opinions are important too when it comes to the rules, Bluey.” Bandit’s voice was more firm.

“But… I-”

“Bluey. Christine. Heeler. No buts! It’s okay. Just try to learn from it. OK? Calypso said this is normal behavior and you’ll get some one-on-one talks with her during school about how you feel…”

Bluey was OK with this at first, but then she realized something. “Wait, does that mean I won’t get to play sometimes!?”

“Maybe, but it’s important because-”

“HMP.” Bluey crossed her arms and mumbled under her breath, “Mom would’ve understood…”

…

Bandit said nothing. His gaze was locked on the road, not even peeking into the backseat.

Bluey looked at Bingo nervously, practically begging for her help. All Bingo could do was shrug.

“Um… Dad… I’m”

“You’re grounded… for one week.”

Bluey was surprised. She’s never been grounded before. “No tablet, TV, or sweets…” Bluey and Bingo gasped. “You need to stop and think about what you could’ve done better.”

“UGHHH!” Bluey yelled, turning in her seat toward the window. She was breathing quickly, and a tear rolled down her cheek. From there, it was a silent ride home.

…

When the heelers got home, they remained silent. Bandit went in first and held the door for the girls.

“Ok Bluey… Go get your tablet, please…” Bandit hated doing this. With every fiber of his being, he’d rather let her continue normally if he knew she’d surely learn.

But he wasn’t sure.

Bluey didn’t say anything. She only walked away towards Bandit’s room. She grabbed her tablet and turned it on… until Bandit yelled her name again. “Ugh. Finee!” Bluey yelled back.

She reluctantly gave Bandit the tablet.

“Thank you, Bluey. I’ll give it back at the end of the week.”

Bluey just crossed her arms.

“Hey… I love you, kiddo…” Bluey looked up with a sour expression. “I know you hate me a lot right now… but you’ll understand once you’re older.” Bluey was dissatisfied with this, but she did feel bad that he knew exactly how she felt.

- Later that day-

Bingo sat on the couch watching TV.

“Hey, Bingo. You wanna have a tea party with me and Polly?” Bluey crept around the corner to ask.

“Not right now, thanks. A new episode of Cat Squad is on!”

“Aww… really?”

“Yeah! It’s really cool too. There’s a pink and gold cat with wings!”

“Ohh-” Bluey’s voice quivered.

"Come on Bluey!" Bingo patted the seat next to her.

"I can't... remember? It hasn't even been that long..."

"Oh... I'm sorry... Can I join the tea party after this episode?"

"I guess..." Bluey walked away with her arms hanging low. Bingo felt bad but quickly forgot when a loud sound from the TV caught her attention.

…

"I can't believe the queen couldn't make it to our tea party." Bluey was holding the back of a plushie to make it look like it was talking.

"I know right Polly? Truly unbelievable."

“I do say… even the dancing bird made it!” Bluey grabbed the back of Chattermax, getting ready to puppeteer them. Unfortunately, this activated the loud toy, and it started playing an obnoxious song.

"AHH, not now, Chattermax! Ugh... where's the off– Right. No off button." She rolled her eyes.

"Mum! Can you take out the batteries?" She yelled.

“Muuuum!

“M-”

…

"Right..." Bluey started crying.

"Mum..." She looked down at Chattermax in her hands, still dancing and playing music.

Her mind scattered. "How could something be so happy... when I'm so sad… What do I do? Where is everyone? I thought she was just sick. Why couldn’t I see her again?”

“Why?”

“WHY?” She grabbed her head with one arm, recoiling from her emotions. She threw Chattermax into the yard, finally stopping the music. The tears flowed. It was similar to before on the balcony. However, this time, there was a sharp reminder of reality. She laid on the floor in a fetal position.

…

“Bluey!?”

“Bingo!” Bluey quickly got up and tried wiping her face. “Are you ok!?” Bingo put a hand on her shoulder. “Yeah… I just… fell is all. I was holding Chattermax too.” Bluey sniffed, pointing at the broken toy. “Oh noo. I’m going to get a band-aid!” She ran away.

Bluey was glad she wasn’t alone, but seeing Bingo so concerned for her hurt, especially because the real issue couldn’t be fixed with a band-aid.

Bluey just laid on her back.

"She can't know... She'd feel smaller and weaker than a mouse it was brought up again..."

She closed her wet eyes, waiting for Bingo to rescue her.

-End of Chapter 10-