Through The Ups & Downs
Couple; HarrisonXAddilyn
Rating; Mature
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD or any songs I might use!
4) Until Further Notice
Harrison had been home for a month, and Thanksgiving had just passed. It was an excellent night with a lot of food too. There was turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, broccoli with cheese on it, rolls of bread and butter, cranberry sauce, etc. It was a quiet family dinner with Harrison's mom, dad, little brother, and his grandparents on his mother's side; Grammy Grace(Gothi), also known as just Gram and Grampy William or just Gramps. The set from his father's had passed away a few years ago. First, it was his Grandmother Lily in 2011, then his Grandfather Marcus the following year.
When the dinner portion of Thanksgiving was over, it came to desserts, and Harrison's friends came over with a few goodies to add to the pies and cakes they would enjoy. There was pumpkin, apple, banana cream pies, a red velvet cake, then some cookies and brownies. At this time is when Harrison's family and old school friends got to meet Trevor Vollan, Harrison's battle buddy and also Olivia Holgerson and Chelsea Boggs, all members of the Fury Fire unit. This was when everyone understood that there were different levels of teams that Harrison was a part of. Harrison, Syrus, Dexter, and Trevor explained that they were part of Sky Striker Company which broke down into two platoons; Cloud Glider and Wind Rider, Harrison being on Wind Rider.
Breaking down further, two squads made a platoon, and Harrison was part of the Darkwing Squadron, and the smallest of the teams was a unit. Harrison, Dexter, Trevor, Olivia, Chelsea, and Syrus made up the Fury Fury one. Yes, Thanksgiving had been fun and immediately following that event was the first drill weekend the soldiers had to attend. Thankfully, it hadn't been much of a challenge because the officers just wanted to run through the rules of how Friday, Saturday, and Sunday would go for them. It would be a lot like Basic with waking up early for an hour or two of exercising, then breakfast and marching practice, after that they would focus on a particular area to train.
Now, it was the start of December 2014 and Harrison was working part time at Berkys, he might as well since there was nothing military related to do and Harrison was still waiting to find out their stationing orders. Harrison was working for Berkys from 4 am to 2 pm; he would come home pretty tired, but he was a shift supervisor, so he had to be there at least ten hours to make sure things ran smoothly. Calvin was usually in for lunch rush at 12:30 pm and he'd work through until the place closed at 12 am, or sometimes he would leave around 9 pm, and Harrison would return to close up for him at midnight.
Harrison was working four days a week; Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays gave Harrison time to spend with his family and friends after school was out. Everything was going great, Harrison loved this arrangement because he wasn't sitting around bored all day, he had some days to himself, he made time for everyone, and if he needed to bail at all for army work, Calvin had a back up in place. Harrison was grateful for that; everything was perfect in his life right now.
For Addilyn, she wanted desperately to tell Harrison how she felt about him, but thus far they hadn't had a minute to themselves. Everyone was trying to spend as much time with Harrison as they could before he got his station assignments. Plus, Addilyn was afraid Harrison wouldn't feel the same and only saw her as a friend. It was a complicated process to think about because it could go both ways. If Addy revealed her feelings and Harrison felt the same, great, they could probably be together. However, on the other side of things, Harrison could say they are only friends, and then it becomes awkward from there. Addy didn't know what to do about it all.
Tonight everyone was supposed to be going out to dinner, but it was 4:17 pm and Harrison wasn't home from work which he was expected to be at 2:30 pm, that is the latest he ever gets home. All of them were at the Haddock Household, they'd tried to message him a few times, but there was no answer.
"I wonder what could be taking him? It's past four, that means he's been working for over twelve hours," Viviana mentioned.
"Perhaps we should call the store?" Hailey offered.
"Maybe it's just jam-packed at the moment, and he can't leave?" Syrus wondered.
"Spencer, try calling Berkys and finding out what's going on," Viviana insisted calmly. Spencer nodded as he got his phone out and dialed the place, waiting for an answer.
"Berkys, this is Sierra. Can I help you?" came a sweet voice.
"Uh, hi. I'm looking for Harrison Haddock," Spencer asked.
"Boss, phone for you!" the girl, Sierra called.
"Tell whoever is on the phone I'll be right there and get back on your position please," Harrison shouted back.
"He'll be right with you," Sierra stated as the phone was placed down and more noise could be heard. After a few moments, it got lifted again. "This is Harrison," he answered.
"Son, it's Dad. Is everything okay over there, you've been at work over twelve hours," Spencer said
"Calvin's wife went into labor around 1:30 pm, and he had to leave, I said I'd cover him until the next shift supervisor comes in at 6:30 pm, I won't be leaving until then," Harrison replied.
"Are ya busy? Maybe we can come see you, eat dinner there?" Spencer asked.
"It's not busy right now, could pick up around dinner. You won't see much of me. I'm the only manager on right now and helping everyone out. I gotta go, see ya later," Harrison stated, then he hung up. Spencer put the phone away and sighed.
"I guess Calvin's wife went into labor, so Harrison is covering until 6:30 when the next supervisor comes in. He said he's not busy, but we likely won't see much of him if we come," Spencer explained.
"I say we go!" Addilyn suggested. With the others in agreement, they grabbed their things and loaded up in cars, then headed into town so they could get to Berkys.
(Berkys; 4:32 pm)
Pulling into the parking lot, they all got out and headed in the main doors to see a few calm diners enjoying their food, then everyone behind the counter. It appeared that Harrison was working with a crew of 5 people, plus himself. Standing at the front register was a girl with caramel brown hair and amber eyes, she wore a bright smile on her face.
"Hi, welcome to Berkys. Will you be dining in this evening?" the woman asked, her name tag said, Brittany.
"Yes," Viviana nodded. After that, they all placed their orders and got their drinks while waiting for the food to be done. A few times they saw Harrison rushing around to help the front end and drive-thru.
"Bossman, I need you for a void!" called one of the cashiers.
"Gonna have to give me a minute, Britt! Drive-thru is getting slammed," Harrison calls back.
"Poor guy," Chelsea frowned, "Stuck doing all this by himself,"
Around 4:45 pm, things began to quiet down as Harrison made it over to the section his family and friends were sitting in. Harrison was wearing black pants and a dark gray long sleeve shirt with the tag that said 'Harrison' with 'Asst. Manager', he plopped down in a chair by the window with his eyes closed.
"Long day?" Syrus asked curiously.
"Ugh," Harrison groaned.
"What's with the tag? Thought you were shift supervisor?" Regina wondered.
"Got promoted before Cal left. There are a few things only managers can do and since he's gonna be out a week or so, made sense to give me the position to run the place in his absence," Harrison informed.
"Well, congratulations, son," Viviana smiled. "You look exhausted,"
"I've been up since 3:15 this morning, working since 4, still working until 6:30. Sorry about missing the dinner plans," Harrison sighed.
"Shit happens," Trevor shrugged.
"Harrison, my headset died with a car at the box! Can you take it while I find another one?!" called one of the crew members.
"Make it fast. I've told you guys a hundred times to keep a spare battery in your pocket, so this doesn't happen!" Harrison put the headset on that was around his neck before, and he pressed the number one button. "Thank you for choosing Berkys, can I interest you a combo this evening?" Harrison stood up and went to the second front register and logged into to while tapping more buttons and replying when he needed to.
It started to get busy again, and Harrison was showing signs of fatigue. At 5:10 pm, Harrison hadn't been seen much since 4:50 pm but Calvin turned up and saw how crazy it was.
"Where's Harrison?" Calvin asked as he got behind the counter.
"Haven't seen him, Cal, he went to the bathroom five minutes ago," Sierra replied.
"I just came out of there, and he wasn't looking so good but said he was alright," replied one of the guys while wiping his hands.
"I'll go check on him; he's likely over worked. Keep working, hold it down for now," Calvin informed as the employees nodded and then he turned to head to the bathrooms and walked in.
"What do you think is going on?" Addilyn asked.
"I don't know. We haven't seen Harrison in twenty minutes, and one of those workers said he didn't look so good in the bathroom. Should one of us go in too?" Dexter wondered.
"Let's just hang back for now until we know more," Trevor informed.
(Ten Minutes Pass)
The men's room door opened and Calvin came out with Harrison being supported by him to walk. Trevor and Syrus went over to help out.
"Harrison, you alright man?" Syrus asked.
"He's okay, just overworked and needs to rest. It's been so busy today that he hasn't taken a break or eaten; it's making him sick. Go on and get him home, I'll stay and keep working. It turns out my wife was just having false labor pains." Calvin said as he handed Harrison over to them.
"Come on, bro. Let's get you back to your house. I'll drive your truck for you," Dexter offered. Harrison forced himself to move to the computer and clock out, then Calvin handed him a Powerade and a small bag of food.
"Take it easy, Harrison and why don't you take tomorrow off too? You earned it after today," Calvin told him.
"Thanks, Cal. I got inventory and food order done for you, and the schedule just needs a final look over. The rest is all stocking and closing procedures," Harrison informed.
"Don't worry about anything here, Harrison. Get home and sleep," Calvin demanded.
"Aye, aye sir," Harrison gave a small smile and saluted. Syrus and Dexter helped Harrison to his truck out back; then Dexter hopped in the driver's seat.
"We'll meet you there," Spencer said as Dexter nodded and started Harrison's truck, then headed to the Haddock Household with the others following.
(Haddock Residence)
Returning to the Haddock House, Harrison was out first with Seth's help. Everyone entered the home, and Harrison took a hot shower, then changed out of his uniform and into something comfortable. After that, he ate his food and started to feel better.
"How are you doing, son?" Viviana inquired.
"Gave a scare earlier," Addilyn mentioned next.
"Sorry. I didn't think I was that tired or that it had been so long since I ate something," Harrison admitted.
"Maybe start carrying a granola bar on you for a midday snack?" Hailey suggested.
"Might do that. Thanks, Hailey. No, seriously, I'm okay now. Just got overwhelmed with the new position," Harrison stated as he threw his trash away then sat back down on the couch next to Addy. In the silence of the room, Harrison's cell phone rang as he pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the caller ID, seeing the name as Lt. Belmore.
"Who is it, Harrison?" Olivia asked.
"Belmore," Harrison replied as he pressed the answer button and put it to his ear. "Evening, Lieutenant Belmore. How are you?" he greeted and the room stayed quiet. "I'm doing alright, just got off work myself. Well, the side job I do. To what do I owe the pleasure of the call, sir?" he replied then was quiet to listen. After five minutes, Harrison closed his eyes. "I understand. I have the rest of Fury Fire with me, so I'll tell them," he stated then hung up a moment later.
"Stationing orders finalized?" Trevor asked, and Harrison nodded.
"Yeah, the final details aren't being released until the company is together, we're going to meet next week at the base, but I do know where we're going," Harrison informed.
"Care to share?" Syrus inquired.
"Off island," Harrison enlightened.
"Are we talking off island deployment to war or just another military base?" Chelsea wondered with worry.
"Overseas to the United States of America, I believe it's Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. I don't have a time frame for how long, when we leave, or what we're going there for, " Harrison told them as he put his phone away. It was evident they were going far away but for an extended period without reason so far or a departure date. Harrison assumed they would get the final details next week when they reported to Fort Fury for a briefing on the matter. All Harrison and the others of the Fury Fire Unit knew for sure was that these were their orders until further notice.