Time Marches On…

"Fraaank!"

Seriously? I swear he must be doing that on purpose.

"Your boss is on the horn! Says he needs you to cover for somebody who called in sick."

"Thank you, Larson," I called over my shoulder. "Let him know that I'll be right over!"

"'Kay!"

"Growr?"

I put down the carving tools that I had. "Sorry, Growlie. I have to go back to work for a few hours." I pat him on the head, "I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?" He leaned into the touch and barked once. I chuckled and looked at the wardrobe I had been commissioned to build. The wardrobe itself was built, and I managed to finish the outline of the two Kingdra, but I still had all of the finer details to carve in, as well as varnishing the surface.

Running the numbers in my head, I let out a sigh as I stood up, "Looks like it'll be another all-nighter if I want to stay on schedule with this project." I only had four more days before I needed to deliver this wardrobe to my client. I walked over and pulled my construction uniform off its hanger.

Buttoning my shirt and hiking up my tobi trousers, I fastened my belt and grabbed my hardhat off the nightstand. Putting it on, I grabbed my jika-tabi and waved goodbye to Growlie again before closing the door. Out in the hallway, I pulled both of them on and fastened the clasps before I reached for my key and locked the apartment. I ran down the stairs and hurried on my way to the construction site.

It had been a long time since Jessie and I had arrived at this town. With time, experience and three guidebooks on carpentry, I've become somewhat of a fixer to these people, with the occasional design request; well-known locally, but probably not anywhere else. I got a promotion at my job; I now work directly on the construction of the buildings themselves. It was more difficult physically, but I grew into it. My shifts were slightly more flexible than other workers since my boss understood that I had my carpentry as well, as long as I got my 40 hours in during the week. However, sometimes situations like this arose where I was called in to cover for somebody since I either had my hours dispersed thinly over the week or worked a double-shift to give myself more time during the day to work on a project.

I haven't heard much from Jessie ever since she moved to a condominium about four months ago. From watching the news, I learned that she was promoted from just interviewing people off-camera to live stories. She took to it like a Goldeen to water. She became famous at the station for being the most daring and athletic reporter. If there was a story that required getting footage of a robbery, chase, or anything of that nature, she was the one they went to. Sometimes, she'd have Wobbuffet or Yanmega hold the camera to record if the cameraman couldn't keep up with her. Really, it's understandable. I know from personal experience that nothing can outrun Jessie and that she is stubborn to the bone when she is after something.

Having been promoted to live stories, she was actually chosen from several reporters to be deployed to represent our town's news station and do live interviews at the Sinnoh Pokémon League, which was shown on all the TVs in town. Heavens, was that awkward. Because, wherever there's a Pokémon League, the short twerp is bound to be there. And Jessie had to interview each of the winning trainers after each round since the one where the top 16 were determined. Since the twerp made it to the top four, she had to interview him three times. Three! And it wasn't exactly a friendly atmosphere on camera. The two of them were glaring daggers at each other underneath a thin veil of professionalism. I learned later that Jessie passed it off as "Getting into the spirit of the competition".

The only good thing about this event was that it meant that the twerp would move on to some other region where there was a Pokémon League. Hopefully, we'll never have to see any of those kids again.

With Meowth… I don't know what's happened. I haven't had any more visions since I helped Rio out of his doubt. I can only assume that it means that I'm no longer needed in the other world, and that everything worked out for the best. I don't know what Rio was doing alone, but I can only hope that the two of them are back together again.

I ran into the construction yard and jumped over a girder on the ground to report in, when a bright light shone right in my face, the entire courtyard was lit up. I shielded my eyes, but ran to a more defendable position behind a cement mixer.

I heard several voices shout, "SURPRISE!"

My eyes adjusting, I looked from my hidin- strategic location and saw the other workers, the super and a few of my customers. Confused, I stepped out from behind the mixer.

"Er, what is this?"

Thomas walked forward, "Your birthday party! Don't tell me you forgot!"

I thought about it, counting off the months and days since I arrived. Had it really been that long? When I arrived at today's date, I felt somewhat embarrassed, "Okay, I won't. But why are you all throwing this party for me? Not that I don't appreciate it!" I quickly added in that last part because I didn't want to seem ungrateful.

In fact… I don't recall telling anyone when my birthday was…

"Well," the super said, "aside from showing our appreciation for your work, both us and the town folk, that reporter lady came in and told us."

Thomas snickered and said, "She said, and I quote, 'It'll probably completely slip that moron's mind. Just wait; I'll bet he never sees it coming.'" Then he laughed out loud, "Wa-ha-ha! Looks like she was right! You did forget!" I'm pretty sure I was blushing now.

The super elbowed Thomas and said, "But that's beside the point; you're here, so let's party!"

"But I have-"

"But nothing!" Thomas threw his arm over my shoulders and led me forward, "You work too hard! It's your birthday! Relax and have some fun!"

Unable to pull away, I decided to play along. They led me to a table with a cake on it and everyone gathered around. I sat on the work bench and looked at the candles. Since it was my 21st birthday, there were also a few bottles of champagne on the table. (AN: There were varying opinions on how old Jessie and James are, so I'm going with 21 and 20 at the time that Meowth left.)

I thought about what to wish for. Things were going well, as far as I was concerned, so I simply wished for a better tomorrow for the three of us; Jessie, myself and Meowth. I blew out the candles and everybody let out a cheer. One of them popped the champagne open and poured everyone a glass. One of the women handed her son a cup of apple juice instead. I reached for a glass of champagne and took a small sip. As soon as it hit my tongue, I fought hard to not spit it out. I didn't want to be rude so I swallowed it and forced a smile as it burned down my throat. When everyone started talking with each other, I discretely threw the rest over my shoulder.

We ate the cake and I talked with everyone for a short while, politely refusing another glass of champagne because I still needed to work on that wardrobe later; it wouldn't be good to get drunk. When it came time for presents, I got a gift basket from my boss, some new carpentry tools from Thomas, and various gifts from my customers. The boy (Arnie, I believe?) walked forward last, shyly holding something behind his back. I remembered the project his mother asked for; a ¼ scale wooden Poochyena with wheels on its legs.

He held his hands out and offered me a wooden duckling. The edges were rough and the bill was slightly misaligned. I got down on one knee and took it. He said, "When I grow up, I wanna make things! Just like James!"

I smiled and ruffled his hair, "You're on your way. Just keep practicing!"

After another short while, I managed to convince everyone that I still had work to do if I wanted to deliver on my most recent design. I thanked them for the party and the gifts before making my way back to my apartment. I set my gifts on the counter to figure out where to put them later and set the duckling on my nightstand. I was filled with some sense of pride.

Someone wants to be like me… Given the path that I took to get here, that might make him reconsider… Still, it's nice to be appreciated.

Patting Growlie on the head and scratching behind his ears, I sat down and got back to work on carving the first Kingdra's eye.

Sorry for the painfully short chapter, but my final exam is next week. After that I can devote more time to this… between summer school… Help. :(