Chapter 10: Rick
"Mother, we're back home!" I asked as Karen and I came in soaking wet from the rain.
My mother looked at me despondently. Her eyes looked broken as if she had lost a piece of herself.
"Mother, what's wrong?" I ran up to her wondering if it was her illness causing a dizzy spell. "Is it your illness, Mother? Popuri, what happened?"
I looked over to Popuri who was sitting at the table and noticed she was crying. She was shivering, quietly sobbing, like she couldn't muster the will to cry even further. Her daughter, Mint, was looking at her mother with a confused look and soon tears began welling up in her eyes. Karen and I gave each other confused looks. What was going on here?
"Rick… Karen..." Mother said to us.
"Lillia, you're scaring us. What happened? Why is Popuri crying?" Karen asked hesitantly.
Mother looked at us with eyes of misery and absolute despair and said those dreadful words.
"He's dead."
Yesterday
Today was a good haul of eggs. The spring is always a pleasant season for the chickens. They are simple creatures just like me, probably why we get along so well. I was humming a little tune as I tended to the chickens. I carefully placed each egg in a basket, cleaned their nests and prepared to let them to graze outside. We left the windows open in the coop last night since the days were warm so it didn't smell so bad today. Otherwise, Karen would've most likely refused helping me today. She was still grumbling though.
"These smelly chickens better have laid some decent eggs or breakfast will switch from omelets to drumsticks," she said under her breath.
I had to sigh at her anger with the chickens. While she still detested the animals (when they weren't on her plate) she'd had gotten rather good at handling them. At least she had a soft spot for the chicks.
"Are you done with your side, Karen?" I asked.
"Yeah, yeah, it's all clean," she replied annoyed.
I smiled and began filling their feeding bins. Our eggs are praised across the countryside and we often win egg and chicken festivals. I've been taking care of all the chickens with exceptional care and while it's been a lot of work, it has been rewarding. I thought work would become more difficult with Popuri gone off with Kai, but honestly I never gave her much work to do in the first place so the most that changed was now my mother cleaned more often. When Karen I married she insisted on helping, but quickly learned she hated tending to chickens, so she started working at the Aja Winery. Not sure how I feel about a blatant alcoholic working at a winery, but she's only come home drunk… I've lost count. Granted from time to time she's willing to help with the easier tasks, like feeding or releasing the chickens.
"The shipment is coming today with the ducks right?" she asked.
"Yes! I've been doing reading up on ducks and I'm positively ready to raise them!"
To expand on our business we've decided start raising and selling ducks. Claire was especially excited about it, but honestly her farm has been doing extremely well for the past few years so the economy is improving vastly. Thanks to her, now everyone can improve. I still have to work hard though.
After filling each bin, I decided to clean up and take a break with Karen. We sat at our usual bench and relaxed for a bit, eating our breakfast. We watched the spring cherry blossoms flow through the wind, the sun shone gently over the town, the temperature was perfect so we saw many people walking around doing their daily chores.
"Achoo! Damn allergies," Karen sneezed. I suppose comes spring, comes allergies.
"Bless you."
"Mmm, thanks."
We sat in silence again eating our breakfast. Eating outside has always felt right to me. To feel the wind's embrace on our skins as we relaxed with our egg sandwiches. How I haven't gotten tired of eggs all these years, I have no clue, but I hope I never do. I'm not huge on change. Even though Karen and I are married not much has changed still. Kai and Popuri can travel the world or whatever, but Karen and I enjoy our lives here. Granted she did say we could try visiting the city once in awhile, but I'm not sure to be perfectly honest.
Eventually, we finished and got up to stretch our bodies before we went off our separates ways to relax around town. Work in the morning, play all day, that's farmer's way. Well, more like the small town mantra. There's always work to be done, but as of today there's no rush and we're pretty isolated here so, we're free to do as we please. Karen likes to take frequent dips in the hot springs, which she needs because of her tendency to drink. Usually, I would follow, but I wanted to head to the beach today.
I made my over to the beach waving to the occasional fellow villager before stopping at the steps and looking out over the horizon. I took off my shoes and began walking through the warm, grainy sands and sat down in one of the free beach chairs. I stared at the wide, open sea with not an entity in sight…
"Is that a dolphin fin? Popuri would probably say it's a mermaid," I said to myself absentmindedly.
I continued staring at the sea. I don't usually come to the beach, when I do I'm usually yelling at Kai and Popuri, so I kind of associate beaches with anger. Now that she is gone now, my stress levels have gone way down… maybe a bit too much. I've got Karen around, but I feel like I'm too relaxed. I should be working harder! Popuri going against my fervent wishes and marrying that Kai really anger me, but I guess over the years the anger mellowed out. Course I still hate the man, but he's the father of my niece, so he's almost redeemable.
"I wonder what it's like out there..."
The outside world never interested me that much. I've only left town a handful amount of times in my life. I've been to the city once in my life and occasionally I visit another town for a festival. There's my weekly visit to Forget-Me-Not Valley, but everyone my age visits there and I sell our chickens there. So, I'm not much of an experienced traveler. I've still got to say, the notion of seeing what's beyond the big blue sea does interest me sometimes.
"Ahhhh," I began to yawn. "I think I'll take a short nap, right here."
The sun touched my skin in such a pleasant way that it would be waste to not take a comforting nap. No work, no stress, no Popuri, ABSOLUTELY NO KAI, no father either though… I shouldn't think about annoying people right now. None of that is here, I can finally enjoy the beach in peace…
Thirty Minutes Later
"GOOD MORNING RICK!"
"AGHHHHH!"
I woke up with a start, jumping to my feet immediately, but I lost my balance falling face first into the sandy beach.
"That was a bit much don't you think?"
"It was just a good morning greeting, can't I say good morning to my own big brother!?"
Those voices were familiar. The childish, immature feminine voice was no doubt my younger, pink haired sister, Popuri. The other accented voice must belong to her husband and my arch nemesis, Kai.
What a joyous and unexpected reunion… You can't tell, but I'm brimming to the hair on my head with sarcasm.
"Ugh, it's you two. Did you get lost? It's not summer yet, it's still spring," I questioned. Why would they go against their code after all these years? Kai never comes to town in any season besides summer, he adores heat.
"Hey, now don't be mean, Rick. Say hello to your niece first!" Popuri chimed as she picked up the little girl behind her. "Now now, Mint, say hello to Uncle Rick!"
"Hiya!" My niece chimed with equal enthusiasm as her mother.
"Hello, little chickadee," I cooed. Mint is Kai and Popuri's 3-year-old daughter. She's a good girl who resembles Kai a lot, but inherited Popuri's pink hair and personality. If Popuri thought my adorable niece would stop my anger, she's obviously been in the sun too long.
"You still haven't answer my question..."
I looked them up and down. Popuri looked generally the same as she usually does, but since she's been traveling to hot places for years she's become rather tanned. Kai on the other hand was wearing a jacket despite the heat. It wasn't necessarily thick, but it was rather unnecessary. Other than he looked the same as well.
"We came a bit early because we found someone you've just got to meet!" Popuri exclaimed. "You're gonna owe me forever for this favor!"
My rage was building. It was bit earlier in the year than usual, but time for a scolding. I could already tell Kai was preparing our annual ritual: He sighs, He and Popuri attempt to alleviate my anger, enrages me even more, Kai facepalms and then he leaves me with Popuri to fight. You'd think we'd grow out of this, but now it's something akin to a tradition. Who could they possibly bring that I might care about?
"Well, if you look over at the boat, you'll recognize him… but first, please be calm about this. Remember your inside voice," Popuri proposed.
"Well, we're outside, so your plea has fallen on deaf ears. My outside voice will suffice."
I looked over at the boat that certainly was not here when I came to the beach. I can't believe I slept through the docking. It's the same model that Kai comes on every year, nothing special, but the person on it certainly was… not the good kind of special, sadly.
"Oi Rick, you're all grown up too, I see," said the man as he boarded the dock.
I stared at the man as he walked off the pier with a suitcase and backpack. He had orange hair similar to me and a bright smile. He looked young, but he was well into his forties yet he had a bright smile and youthful clothes. I know that look anywhere, it was my father, Rod.
"Father, you're back..." This was all I could say. I'm not sure if I was even happy or sad, just conflicted. I don't know how to feel about this at all. Today was supposed to be easy and relaxing, a nap on the beach. Course all this nonsense happens, my hatred of Kai has infected the sands bringing me misfortune. That has to be it.
"Yeah! He's back! It took a while to find him, but we did! Originally, Kai found him on Blessia Island, but didn't know who he was originally. After he told me about him we followed his trail like bloodhounds and eventually found him in Trieste Forest! I just had to drag him back home and tell him to stay with mom!"
I stared at Popuri with a blank expression, then towards Kai who just shrugged, then to my… father. It's been years since I last seen him. He left Mineral Town to find the cure for my mother's mysterious disease. Course he only sends a letter twice a year at most and has never visited since then.
"Yeah, I guess I'm back for a little bit," he smiled. "Gotta head back on the road to find the cure, Mineral Town is a bit out of the way from my course so I'll have to travel far again to get back to where I was. I thought I was close, but still no dice."
So, he's just going to say "Hi" and "Bye" after all these years. I've had enough, I'm too angry, I've never been this angry at someone before. My father was useless, he still can't cure mother. All I could see was red, the sun felt even hotter against my skin. I rolled up sleeves because I could feel the increased sweat everywhere. I glared directly at my father who was right in front of me. He didn't seem to notice my bloodlust, but Kai, my arch nemesis who knows me better than my father, had the sense to back up with Popuri and Mint. At that moment I let loose and punched my father in the face as hard as I could. I may look like a nerd or geek, but I do manual labor everyday, this was going to hurt both of us.
"Ha… ha… urgh..." I had released all my tension and nerves into that one punch. I had hurt my hand quite a bit actually and my father had fallen into the sand with a thud. He had a black eye and looked shocked.
"DADDY! What the heck, Rick!?"
"Glad I never got you that mad," Kai sighed. "I'll go get the doctor." Kai left the beach to head to the clinic.
Honestly, he should probably get Harris too since I just clocked my father. Hope my hand isn't broken.
"Rick… You're mad at me for leaving right?" He asked.
"Don't ask stupid questions, DAD!" I enunciated "dad" in a mocking tone.
"Son, you've become a young man, but you still don't understand what must be done for one's wife."
"Look what you know. You think you're right just because you're my father and older. We've been miserable and upset for years! Mom, is lonely and getting sicker every year, Popuri has eloped and for your information I HAVE A WIFE!"
I couldn't take it anymore. I had to walk away from this before I punched him again. My hand hurt, but it didn't feel broken. As I walking to the exit of the beach I spotted Karen with her arms crossed and looking pissed.
"I saw and heard the whole thing. Personally, I think your dad got what he deserved, but your hand looks like it hurts. Come on, lets treat it," Karen gave me a kind smile.
"Hehe, thanks Karen, you're always on my side."
"Well, not when it comes to Kai, he's not a bad guy you know."
"UGH!"
For the next few hours we relaxed in the woods to calm down as Karen treated my hand. Eventually, we came home, but before we went inside we could hear my parents talking inside the store.
"So you're leaving again!? Rod, I don't have forever, why won't you stay here with me?"
"I'm so sorry, Lillia. I haven't completed my goal. I don't have the right to be by your side yet."
"What's wrong with you!? The medicine I'm taking is good enough to stave off the illness, please just cease your travelings!"
"Lillia! I've spent all these years away from our family for you! I won't stop till I find the cure!"
"I see how it is then..." My mother looked despondent. "You do what you want with your life, but with my limited time alive, I'll live how I please." My mother slowly walked away and made her way upstairs. I think she was rushing and trying not to cry, but her illness prevented that. My father tried to help her, but she spurned him away. He looked at her with side eyes as she made her way up.
"You see Rick, that's my motivation. Your mother is worse off than when I left."
I can't believe he noticed me and Karen behind the door. I thought we were silent, but we stepped into the house nonetheless.
"You're wrong, dad."
"Yeah, Rod, what's your damage? Stay with Lillia!"
"You married Karen, Rick? Can't say I'm surprised. Sorry kiddos, but I have to leave tomorrow."
He walked upstairs as well as Karen and I looked at each other.
"If you ever leave me like your father, I'm not gonna be so forgiving like Lillia."
"I promise, I smiled at Karen and we went to bed as well.
Present Day
That morning my father left town. It was a stormy day, so rather than risk the seas he took the bus. Everyone was a bit somber, but we had to keep going. Popuri had insisted Kai try to convince him to come back home, so he went along with my father on the bus ride. If he didn't convince him by Echo Village, Kai would turn back. Karen and I went on about our normal chores till the afternoon when we went home to grab a bite to eat.
"Mother, we're back home!" I asked as Karen and I came in soaking wet from the rain.
My mother looked at me despondently. Her eyes looked broken as if she had lost a piece of herself.
"Mother, what's wrong?" I ran up to her wondering if it was her illness causing a dizzy spell. "Is it your illness, Mother? Popuri, what happened?"
I looked over to Popuri who was sitting at the table and noticed she was crying. She was shivering, quietly sobbing, like she couldn't muster the will to cry even further. Her daughter, Mint, was looking at her mother with a confused look and soon tears began welling up in her eyes. Karen and I gave each other confused looks. What was going on here?
"Rick… Karen..." Mother said to us.
"Lillia, you're scaring us. What happened? Why is Popuri crying?" Karen asked hesitantly.
Mother looked at us with eyes of misery and absolute despair and said those dreadful words.
"He's dead."
Karen looked visibly shaken, but I only had a slight reaction. It was either Kai or my father… Who would it be. Never liked much either, but never wished for their deaths.
"It's… your father… There was a crash due to the rain and the bus fell off the bridge. There were lots of injuries, but Kai is fine… your father on the other hand..."
She couldn't finish the sentence without crying. Popuri spoke up for her.
"Father drowned! He's dead!"
I looked towards my feet and after a few seconds a single tear fell. Have I gotten so angry and cruel that even the death of my father barely moves me? That is until Karen held my hand and looked me straight in the eyes.
As though her eyes unlocked mine, I began to cry for real. Ha, he was a jerk, but I'll miss him. I guess I'm glad Kai is okay, but… I won't end up like my father. You can't help your family if you're never there. I'll always be there for them, with my wife, Karen, by my side.
Author's Note
Honestly, not the biggest fan of Rick. Neither of his design or personality. Judging by other fanfics I've read others have the same feelings towards Rick as I do. This is also why the chapter took so long. I just don't like him much at all, but I'm sure he has his fans. Even though I'm not his fan, there's a lot more I wanted to write, but I may as well post this and put Rick on the docker for future editing. Next we have the final normal bachelor and then we can get into the more interesting characters!