Unexpected Reunion

By: Jaha Canon

I didn't really intend to write more to this story. I wrote "Will you be ok?" back in September after moving to Japan. I was away from all of my supports that I had counted on and thinking how these people might have relied on me, as well.

I was inspired to write this suddenly because I will be flying back to the US to visit for two weeks this month- so I wanted to write a reunion of sorts.

Anyway, this takes place months after the other chapter.

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Eddy is not unshakable, although he might pretend to be, but when your childhood friend who has spent his entire life surrounding himself with structure, schedules, and planning calls you one day at 11 am asking you to pick him up at the airport in 3 hours... well, that's worrisome.

Ed was also anxious. He stood watching the flight numbers on the screen to see if there was any sort of change in the arrival time.

Ed and Eddy arrived at the airport about a half an hour early- uncharacteristic punctuality that would have made Edd proud.

'What happened?' they wondered.

It was a Thursday. A work day. Not a national holiday. Would those jerks he works for give him vacation time?

Was this worth both Ed and Eddy stepping out of their respective jobs for the rest of the day- of course.

The status of Edd's flight finally changed to "landed."

They were not prepared for what they saw.

Edd walked through the gate. He looked exhausted. He looked uncertain. He wore his work clothes, but his tie was crooked, the top button was undone, and the shirt looked a little more wrinkly than Edd would have usually permitted.

"Hey..." Eddy greeted, feeling anxious. Ed followed and could only look concerned.

Edd smiled crookedly. "Hey guys."

"So what's going on?" asked Eddy, "Why aren't you at work?"

Edd smiled with uncertainty, "I left."

"You left?" Ed repeated.

"Yes. I went to the airport, purchased a plane ticket, and left. I didn't call into work or anything." Edd said in a tone that was so monotone, it was creepy.

"Who -are- you?" Eddy said quietly without thinking.

"I don't know, Eddy." Edd replied, his voice trembled. "I just can't work there anymore. I couldn't even bring myself to give them a two weeks notice."

Ed stepped forward and grabbed Edd into a bear hug. "You'll get another job, Double D. You're so super smart."

Edd sighed into Ed's shoulder, "Thanks, Ed, but no place is going to want to hire me with that on my resume."

An idea popped into Eddy's head, he grabbed Edd by his arm and pulled him out of Ed's embrace. "Come on!"

"Eddy... what...?"

Edd sat in the chair that Eddy gestured to and Eddy sat across from them. Ed sat next to Edd.

"Call them." Eddy said.

Edd looked like a deer in headlights. "-Call- them? What could I possibly say?"

"Tell them you had to move away suddenly. Your dear friend who is like a brother to you has suffered a terrible injury and now he's not quite right in the head." He gestured towards Ed, who was grinning proudly. "He can't count on his family to help him and you don't feel right leaving him on his own- the poor lump!"

"Yup... poor me!" Ed chimed in.

"I can't lie to them." Edd said, although he was pulling out his phone. "But it's worth a try to call."

"Come on," urged Eddy, "give a good excuse. None of this breakdown stuff."

Edd shook as he dialed the number.

"Yes... umm... hello sir. It's Eddward- yes, I am sorry for not coming into work tod- yes, I mean no, I didn't call in. And about that, sir- ah yes, why I did this. Well, the.... reason.... is...."

Edd, visibly shaking and sweating looked at Eddy and Ed. Eddy was mouthing "say it".

"Mydearfriendgotintoanaccident!" he blurted out quickly. "Umm... yes.... my friend got into an accident and now he's...."

Noticing that Edd was stuck, Ed leaned towards the phone and yelled as loudly as he could, "I AM SANTA'S EVIL FORMER ELF, TWINKLES, HERE TO EAT YOUR LIVER FOR PROTEIN! RAAAWR!"

Eddy, stifling laughter, also leaned in closer to the phone, joined in. "EDDWARD, he's out of control! Do something!"

Edd, easily falling into the familiarity of the situation from their younger years, yelled, "You stop that THIS instant or no pudding skin for you, mister!"

On that cue, Ed went silent and leaned away from the phone snickering.

"Sorry about that." Edd said back into the phone, feeling a little more confident "Yes, he's become quite a handful after the... accident. I didn't feel comfortable about being so far away during this time- I do realize I should've called in advance." He nodded at whatever he was hearing. "Yes.... umm... well, I think my friend might continue to need my assistance, so I don't know when I will be able to come back. I know the proper thing would be to write a two weeks notice and...."

"I don't know what to say, Eddward," the voice over the phone says, "you're a definite loss to our company and you're going to be very difficult to replace. Are you sure we can't make you reconsider?"

Edd face paled. Eddy, somehow knowing what Edd was hearing, began shaking his head rapidly.

Edd stared at Eddy, obviously not knowing what to do for what seemed to have been way too long.

"Ah, yes, I'm still here." Edd said. "Erm... yes... no.... sorry, there's nothing I can do about this situation. I hope that we're still on good terms. Thank you for all of your guidance, support, and understanding and I am sorry I was not able to approach this in a more professional manner. Yes. Thank you. Thank you."

Edd closed his phone. His friends watched him waiting and his expression felt changeless, as if it were made of concrete.

Then suddenly it all broke out.

Edd started laughing. Not a chuckle, but a completely uncontrolled fit of laughter filled with relief and joy.

Ed and Eddy were surprised, but joined in a little.

"You're a free man now, Double D." Eddy said with a smile.

Edd smiled at Eddy, then at Ed. "Thanks guys, I really owe you one."

"Nah, it was nothing." Ed replied.

Edd laughed again. He leaned his head back and brought his arms up over his eyes. "I guess I'm starting the job hunt again..."

"That stuff is no problem for you..." Eddy reassured. "If Ed and I can get hired in this town, you definitely can, too."

Edd beamed, "You guys are the greatest."

"Pssh," said Eddy with an eyeroll, "tell us something we don't know. Come on, let's go. A roommate of mine moved out recently and we were looking for someone to move in."

"Awww..." said Ed, disappointed.

"You lived with him for YEARS. It's -MY- turn to live with some sort of organization." Eddy said. "Just don't color coordinate my socks this time."

Edd chuckled and, with his friends, exited the airport.