10 Chapters! Woo-hoo!

2 Weeks Later.

[Mordecai's POV]

I've decided to stop the whole video diary. Ever since the whole thing with my Dad I haven't really felt like making entries. I didn't have the energy to do it. I haven't had the energy to do much except whatever it was I had to do at work. Speaking of work, today, Rigby and I were cleaning out the fountain when he started asking me questions.

"Hey Mordecai?" he asked.

"What's up dude?"

"I know you said that you kept quiet about the whole depression thing because of your Dad, but like, you could have easily told us about it here. Your Dad isn't ever around the park, why didn't you talk to someone earlier? Was there like, another reason why you kept quiet?" he asked. I thought for a moment.

"That's a tough question to answer, Rigby. Truth be told, I'm not really sure. I guess there wasn't a reason to it so much as it was a feeling I had, that kept me from speaking. I guess I felt like it wasn't worth it, trying to articulate my feelings. Plus I knew it'd just make everyone around me feel sad for me. And all of you were always usually so happy, I didn't want to disrupt that. I guess I wanted to keep that happy aura around me even though thing's weren't right in my mind. But it never really kept me from lying awake in bed until the early hours of the morning, trying to decipher my feelings in my mind. Trying to reflect on what's happened in my life. I guess I've always just overthought it." I explained.

"So is that like, also why you're depressed?" he asked.

"Sorta. I'm not really sure. Most people don't know it, or even reject the idea, but people can be depressed for no clear reason. It's a mental disorder, really. And most mental disorders usually happen to random people for no real reason. It just happens. People just have the disorders. It's weird." I elaborated.

"Oh, okay." said Rigby, satisfied with his answer. Just then, my cell phone started ringing. It was my Mom.

"Hey Mom, what's going on?" I asked.

"Oohh, I have good news Mordy!" she said. This ought to be good, she seemed excited.

"I finally got your Dad to come around- well, sort of. He said he'd be willing to meet up and talk out your differences! We organized a little getaway! Starting tomorrow, you, your father, Aunt Betty and Uncle Tim, and Grandma and Grandpa will be spending the next two weeks down the shore! You guys will be able to reconnect and get them all to finally recognize your disorder once and for all!"

Fuck.

"I, uh, well.." I stammered.

"Isn't that great, honey?" she said, trying to get a positive reaction out of me.

"Well, uh, not really Mom!" I said, starting to get frustrated.

"Why not hun?"

"You know how stubborn Dad's side of the family can be! They're gonna drive me insane! I can't just leave work and go do this." I explained.

"Sorry, Mordy. Dad and I already rented out the shore house. Everything's already organized. Dad's picking you up tomorrow morning." she said.

"Why didn't you tell me about this like a week in advance?" I said, alarmingly.

"Well, I would have, but your Dad wouldn't agree to anything until earlier today. Sorry, sweetie." she said sympathetically.

"How am I supposed to get off work for two weeks out of the blue?" asked Mordecai.

"Tell your boss that your Great Uncle Jeremiah passed away."

"Mom, I don't have a Great Uncle Jeremiah!" I told her.

"He doesn't need to know that. And I'll be willing to lie, this one time, if your boss needs to cross check."

I sighed. Looks like there was no getting out of this.

"Ugh... alright Mom, I'll do it."

"Don't worry Mordy, the two weeks will be over before you know it! And just think about how good it'll be for the family!" she said.

"I know Mom. I gotta go, Rigby and I are cleaning the fountain." I said as I hung up.

"What's up dude?" asked Rigby.

"I have to go on a "Family Shore Retreat" with my Dad and my Aunt and Uncle and Grandparents; who by the way, are all extremely mentalist. Like, my Dad is mentalist towards people with mental disorders and disabilities; my Grandparents and the like are mentalist towards freaking everything! Not to mention ableist!"

"That's rough, buddy. How long you gonna be away?"

"Two weeks, and I leave tomorrow morning! My mom told me to lie about a family death to get out of work. Truth be told, I don't think I ever expected her to tell me to do that." I told him.

"I'm sorry man, I wish I could help." he said, sympathetically. "Hey, Dig Champs Marathon after work?"

I smirked at that. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Later that Day.

Before I got around to Dig Champs with Rigby, I had to tell Benson about my "family tragedy." I walked into his office to find him neck deep in paper work, stressed as ever. This might be painful.

"Hey, uh, Bens-"

"Unless somebody died or Mr. Maellard's outside ready to give me a promotion, I don't wanna hear it." he said quickly.

"Uh, actually Benson, someone did die... someone in my family." I told him. Benson unclicked his pen and put it down. He looked at me with the utmost sympathy. I guess he was someone who had serious respect for the dead.

"What? Who died, are you okay?" he asked.

"My, uh... Great Uncle Jeremiah.." I decided I may as well spin him a little tale. I was lying about the whole thing anyway. "..He was a World War 2 veteran. He was 101 years old. He was, uh.. really funny. Great sense of humor. He was a really positive impact on my early childhood." I told him.

"Oh Mordecai, I'm so sorry to hear this. When is the funeral?"

"The funeral is the day after tomorrow, in, uh... Nebraska."

"Nebraska?" he asked.

"Yeah, he lived in Omaha. I'm supposed to fly out there tomorrow with my parents, so.. I'm gonna need at least two weeks off." I said.

"Hmm, Mordecai, you know you've already used all your days off and sick days as well."

"I know, Benson, but he was like, a really huge impact on me.. I uh, need to be with my family and stuff." I said. Benson sighed.

"Tell you what, I'll let you do this, but I'm gonna need to dock your pay check by half for the two weeks you'll be away." he said.

"That's fair. Thanks Benson!" I said as I rushed out.

"Feel better, Mordecai!" he called out as I made my leave.

I joined Rigby on the couch and picked up a controller.

"So, did Benson buy the whole Great Uncle thing?" asked Rigby.

"Yeah, surprisingly. Turns out he has mad respect for the death of loved ones or some junk like that." I replied.

"Niccceee! Anyway, I call player one."

"Aw what? But I'm always player one. And player two sucks!" I exclaimed.

"Heheheh, you snooze you loose bro!" he chuckled as we started the first of many games that night.

The Next Morning

Rigby woke up as I was packing my things for the next two weeks.

"Morning dude, when you getting out of here?" he asked, groggily.

"15 minutes. My Dad is picking me up."

"Damn. In that case, I wanna give you something to take with you." he said as we went fishing around in the closet.

"What is it?" I asked. He came out of the closet and handed me a blank flask. I shook it around; there was fluid inside. I opened the cap and smelled it. It was potent.

"Dude, what the hell is this?" I asked him.

"Gin. Just in case your family gets on his ass." he said. I looked at him blankly.

"You're a good friend, Rigby." I said. Just then, a loud honk rang out from outside.

"Is that him?" asked Rigby as he peered out the window. There was an old station wagon parked outside the house.

"Yep." I said as I unscrewed the flask and took a swig. I wasn't big on drinking but I figured I'd make an acception. I grabbed my bag and said goodbye to Rigby and the rest of the park crew. I climbed into the shotgun seat of the car. My Dad was uneasy.

"Eheheh, heeyyyy Dad..." I said, awkwardly.

"Good morning, Mordecai." he said, damn near monotone.

It was gonna be a long ride to the coast.