“Today. Macy was talking about disappointment and how sometimes people have to accept things that make them sad. Then, she said that she was very sorry, but she wasn’t going to be able to play with Raj again. She said that sometimes shows get cancelled and that if she could, she’d still talk to Raj every day, but that she can’t.” He stared at the floor, sighing again. “Raj is going to miss Macy. Macy explains things really well so that Raj understands them.”
I suddenly realized that Macy really was a friend of Raj’s…at least in his mind. Those who watched her truly did think of her as a friend and a teacher. She made a difference in the lives of the children who watched her and, as unlikely as it seemed, a gargoyle like Raj.
“Yes, she does explain things really well, doesn’t she?” I said, softly. “And she’s been very helpful, hasn’t she? Raven’s sorry for scolding you, Raj. Raven knows how much Raj really likes Macy.”
“But Raven said she’s just pretending. Does that mean Macy lied to Raj?” Raj asked.
I stroked his head. “No, Macy didn’t lie to Raj. Raven made a mistake. There are some shows that are like plays, but Macy’s Playhouse wasn’t one of them.” I grabbed my laptop off the table and sat back on the sofa. “Let Raven check on something.”
I brought up a search engine and typed in Macy’s Playhouse. Sure enough, it had been cancelled and wouldn’t be on any longer, but I spotted a link that brought a huge smile across my face.
“Raj, Raven has some good news. Even though Macy’s Playhouse has been cancelled, Macy’s going to start a show on WorldVid! It starts next week. It won’t be the same as Macy’s Playhouse, but she says it’s supposed to be similar!”
WorldVid was a site where anybody could upload videos and have their own channel. For the most part, it was free. I kept a close watch when Raj was on there—there were too many videos out there that, not only were inappropriate, but could scare the hell out of him.
Raj perked up. “Macy will talk to Raj again?”
I nodded. “And Raj will be able to leave a thank you in the comments for her—Raven will help Raj type it out.”
Raj let out a happy hrumph. “Raj loves his friend Macy. Raj tries to remember what she teaches him.”
“I know,” I said, thinking that sometimes, shows and stories were lifelines for people. Sometimes a fictional character could be as important as a “real” person—sometimes even more. And Raj was right. We could learn a lot from books and movies and TV shows. We could learn compassion and sharing, and we could learn how important it was to have friends who we considered part of our family.
“Okay, let’s go for a walk,” I said. “And then we’ll order pizza and tonight Raven and Kipa will watch a show with Raj, and Raj can tell Raven and Kipa all about who his friends are. Okay? Now get Raj’s leash, please.”
As we headed out for a walk in the park next to the house, Raj seemed much happier, and I felt a little humbled…Sometimes it took a loving gargoyle to see the value in something as simple as a TV show.