𝖣𝖠𝖱𝖤 𝖳𝖮 𝖡𝖤 𝖣𝖨𝖥𝖥𝖤𝖱𝖤𝖭𝖳
(𝖡𝗒 𝖭𝖾𝗎𝗋𝗈𝖥𝖺𝖻𝗎𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗌) 𝗉𝗍. 13
But instead of the joy
Chip had anticipated,
a flicker of discomfort
crossed Plankton's face.
Plankton's antennae
flattened as he looked
at the picture, his
expression unreadable.
"What's wrong, Dad?"
Chip asked, his
excitement fading as
he saw the tension in
his father's eye, for
Plankton's hand tightened
around the drawing, his
mouth a thin line.
"It's not a super power,"
Plankton said, his voice
sharp. "It's a disorder."
He threw the paper to the
ground. "It's not
something for you to
make a game out of."
Chip's eyes widened in
shock. "But, I thought...
you said it made you
special," he stuttered.
"Special?" Plankton's
voice grew louder, his
body tensing up. "I can't go
to the store without
flapping my hands. I can't
even look people in the
eye. That's not special,
Chip. I'm not your little
project." Chip's smile
disappeared, his eyes
filling with confusion. "I just
wanted to make you
feel better," he said, his
voice small.
"Well, it doesn't!" Plankton
snapped, his antennae
quivering. "It doesn't change
anything! You don't get to
just decide it's a super power
because you want it to be!"
Chip's eyes filled with tears as
he stared at his dad, who was
now sitting up in bed, his voice
rising with every word. "It's
not a game, Chip. It's my life!"
Karen awoke and sat up in bed,
concern etched on her face at
the commotion.
"Sheldon," she
said, her voice
calm, "what's
going on?"
Plankton took a deep
breath, trying to
regain his composure.
"He's making fun
of me," he said,
his voice quivering.
"I'm not making fun
of you, Dad," Chip said,
his eyes wide with fear.
"I just wanted to
make you hap–"
But Plankton's anger can't
be stopped. "I don't need
you to make it into
something it's not!"
he interrupted, his antennae
quivering with rage. "It's
not cute or heroic! It's
exhausting, confusing, and
often painful!"
Karen stood up. "What
happened?" She asks,
looking at them.
"I just made him a
drawing," Chip said, his
voice shaking. "To make
him feel better." He hands
it to her, and she looked at
it as understanding dawns
on her features.
"Plankton he didn't mean
to make fun," she said,
picking up the crumpled
paper. "He's trying to
understand and support you.
But I can see how it might
have upset you." Chip looks
confused. "But..."
"I know, honey," Karen cuts
in gently. "But let's remember,
your dad's had a hard time with
this his whole life. He's not used
to people trying to make
it seem... glamorous. It's just
his reality, not a costume
he can take off. Yet I know you
meant well." She turns to
Plankton, her voice firm but
kind. "Honey, I know you're
upset, but you have to understand
Chip's just trying to connect
and show his love in his
own way. He's still learning."
Plankton's antennae stop
quivering, and he sighs. "I
know, Karen," he says. "But it's
NOT a toy, it's NOT A GAME!"
Karen nods, setting
the drawing down on the
dresser. "I know, sweetie,"
she says softly. "But let's
talk to Chip abou–"
But Plankton's anger isn't
abating. "Why can't he ju—"
Karen cuts him off. "Let's not
do this, okay?" she says, her
tone firm but gentle. "Let's
not fight."
But Plankton can't let it
go. "It's not fair!" he says,
his body tense but shaky.
"I have to deal with this
every day, and now you
want me to pretend it's
never been anything but
positive?" He felt his ears
ringing and Karen knew
the look of overstimulation
well. But he's not quite
done with anger yet.
"Dad," Chip says, his voice
small. "I didn't mean to make
yo--" "I SAID ENOUGH!" Plankton
shouts, and Karen knew that a
seizure's edge was near. The
overwhelming emotion was
too much for him to handle,
his headache likely growing
by the second.
The room grew tense,
his antennae quivering with
frustration. He stood up,
his body shaking slightly,
his eye unfocused. "I DON'T
LIKE IT!" he yelled. Karen saw
the first signs of a seizure
starting to form as his breaths
quickened. "Plankton, you outta
sit down," Karen urged, knowing
what stress can do.
Sure enough, his
body jerked, and
he stumbled slightly.
Chip's eyes grew wide
in terror as he saw his
dad's knees give way.
Karen rushed over
to Plankton, knowing
his seizures like the
back of her hand,
lowering Plankton
gently to the floor.
Plankton's eye rolls
back into his head,
his limbs jerking
uncontrollably as he
was gripped by the
seizure.
Chip watched,
his heart racing.
This was the second
time he'd seen this, and
it was just as terrifying.
"It's okay, honey," she
whispered to Chip. "This
is what we talked about.
Remember? Stay calm,
don't touch him, and
it'll be over soon."
Chip nodded, his eyes
fixed on his father.
Karen quickly
moved any sharp
objects out of the way,
then she knelt beside
Plankton, her hand
steadying his head, her
voice calm and soothing.
"It's okay," she murmured.
"I'm here." Chip felt guilty
as his father's body
shook violently.
Chip felt his throat
tighten as he watched,
his heart racing. He knew
he had to be strong for
his dad. He took a deep
breath and whispered,
"I'm sorry," hoping the
words would penetrate
the chaos of Plankton's
mind. "It's all my fa-"
But he's cut off by his
mother's firm voice. "Chip,
now is not the time," Karen
says, her eyes never leaving
Plankton's convulsing
form. "This is NOT your
fault. Just stay calm and
keep talking to him. It'll
help him feel safe."
Chip nods, his voice
steadying as he watches
his dad's body contort.
He speaks softly, his words
meant to soothe. "Dad," he
whispers, "I love you. It's
okay, you're okay."