Chapter 4: Reminiscing Memories
In the morning hours, R.J. and Mookie woke up to see the sunrise and thought it would be beautiful. They walked around the sand with the waves on their feet and feel relaxed. Cody, Gizmo, Chicken Joe and the Pen Guans came in and started to get to know them better.
"Hey, guys." said Cody.
"What's up, man?" Mookie said.
"We just came in to see you this morning." said Cody.
"So, does the Pen Guans tag along often, Joe?" asked Mookie.
"Yeah, they do." said Joe.
"Does it bother you most of the time?" asked R.J.
Joe laughs and said, "Nah, man. They treat like I'm their king, so it's cool."
The Pen Guans exclaimed and began to shake hands with R.J. and Mookie, then Mookie laughs nervously and said, "These little guys are really special to you, aren't they?"
Joe answers, "Both my hot-tub buddies and Cody are like distant brothers. I can speak their language. Mongo-coo-do pongo. Cool right?"
"Yeah. Really interesting." answered Mookie.
"You're their king?" asked R.J.
"Yeah, man." answered Joe.
"Wow! You must have power over them." said R.J.
"Like control power, kind of?" asked Joe.
"Pretty much." said Mookie.
"Not really. Just me, mellow and laid-back, as I am." said Joe.
"So, how did your mom die, exactly?" asked Gizmo.
"My step mom's former co-worker fired him for almost killing a 16-year-old emo penguin because he states that he's allergic to nuts. That dude ran over my mom by a busy interstate. It's stupidity written all over it." said R.J.
"If I was that 16-year old dude, I'd give that dude a big what-for." said Gizmo.
"So, do you have any memories of your mom?" asked Cody.
R.J. sighed and said, "There are so many experiences in my life that I shared with my foster mom with my brothers. We always do everything together, like surfing, skateboarding, rollerblading, basketball, go on vacation, head to amusement parks, painting, dancing- she's one heck of a break-dancer, everything we do together, it brings us closer together. When we have problems, we always come to her for everything, even if she really understands. She adopted us for almost 7 years and, overtime, it just felt like something in our lives are special and I'm lucky to share them with everyone. Man, I miss her so much, you know?"
Cody, Joe, The Pen Guans and Gizmo were very moved and emotional about R.J.'s story.
"Dude, that story really got me going, man." said Cody, tearfully.
"Does it? How come?" asked Mookie.
Cody sniffled and said, "I know just how you feel. 2 months ago, my mom died of a heart attack back in Shiverpool. I guess I never saw it coming while I was in Pen Gu. I was comforted around my friends and they've been there for me. They finally understood me after hearing about my mom's death. I was lucky to have friends standing beside me." He pauses, then sighs heavily and wiped his eyes.
"You just gotta think positive. These things happen sometimes. You can't really blame yourself for that situation to happen. The bright side about it is when you die, you get to see them again." said Gizmo.
"If it was very comforting for us, we wouldn't be punk'd like those MTV dudes." said Mookie.
Everyone laughed and then Cody said, "Even that wouldn't be a little strange."
"Being a little humorous helps make the pain go away and think of all the funny stuff. I do that most of the time and it always makes me and everyone else feels better after that." said Gizmo.
"When we came here, we actually thought everyone was like family to us. With you guys, I finally feel like we actually fit in here." Mookie said.
"Well, you gonna love it here. No matter what, we're always going to be here for you." said Cody.
"Thanks, guys." said Mookie.
Joe looks at the Pen Guans and said, "Can we form a group hug? Because I'm start to get a little choked up with that story, man."
Everyone stood up and formed a group hug because they're sharing a brotherhood bond between them. Skywalker, Big Z, Lani, Buster and Frankie came over and saw Cody, Mookie, The Pen Guans, Chicken Joe and R.J. forming a group hug.
"That's so sweet, man." said Frankie.
"I knew they were gonna come here!" exclaimed Mookie.
Everyone laughed and greeted them good morning to them. R.J. said, "I'm pretty sure you guys are like family to us. Hope you take care of us."
"We will. Always. Want to head down to Pen Gu to see surfers surf the waves in the morning?" asked Z.
"Let's go!" exclaimed Mookie.
"Did I ever tell you, I love Pen Gu Island already?" asked R.J.
"I hope these Pen Guans won't harm us." said Skywalker.
Joe chuckles softly and said, "Like I said, they're cool, right, guys?"
The Pen Guans exclaimed happily and started dancing around them. The R.J. said, "I think we made our point."
Everyone walked down to Pen Gu and they saw Mike along with Tatushi Kobayashi and Rory Nubbins heading over.
"What's up, guys?" greeted Cody.
"Hello, Cody-san." greeted Tatushi, as he bowed down to them.
"This is how you guys do it in Japan?" Mookie asks.
"Pretty much. It represents honor, respect, loyalty, friendship and dignity. My ancestors have passed this greeting down for generations and still do it today." explained Tatushi.
"Nice. That makes us feel welcomed." Frankie said.
"So, how's it going?" asked Rory.
"We're getting along great." Mookie said.
"Wonderful. We love having you guys here and hope to get to know us more." said Mike.
"Count on it." said R.J.
Everyone headed down towards the beach when Skywalker, Buster and Frankie asked Mike.
"Mikey, do you still like us?" asked Buster.
Mike turns around and said, "Of course I like you. Why wouldn't I like you? You guys are like family."
"Thanks, that's all we needed to know." said Skywalker.
"Just remember, whatever you need or whoever you want to talk to, come to me, Cody, Lani, Big Z, Joe, whomever. We're all here for you." said Mike.
"Thanks, dude." said Frankie.
"Let's head down to the beach for some surf-watching." said Skywalker.
As everyone walked down to the beach, R.J., Skywalker, Frankie, Mookie and Buster felt as if they have a new family in Pen Gu Island and that they're gonna be here a long time.
