Note: I am so sorry for taking a long time to write! I've been busy with so many things. I hope you can forgive me. Here's the next chapter. I also made some small corrections to Chapters 5 and 7. If it's possible, please review. Thank you to qt-angel for helping me.
Chapter 8. Flowers for Mom
Sunday Morning
It was Sunday, and like every other Sunday of the year, Elliot and his family would go to church. Elliot had found a new church, closer to his home; however he missed the old priest. The priest at this church was great as well, yet Elliot barely knew him; he didn't have enough time to have the same conversations with the new priest.
Munch was the one who dropped Elliot and Dickie off at church, and picked them up. On the way to Elliot's house, they hit traffic. While they were waiting for the traffic to clear up, Munch whistled to himself, and Elliot just played with his fingers. Dickie sat in the car, staring blankly out the window. His focus blurred as he found himself in deep thought. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone: his mom. Her expression was crestfallen, and glistened as the sun shone off her tears-stricken face. Dickie thought about it. He had never seen his mother this sad before.
He was about to tell his dad, but Munch saw his chance to move forward, and drove off, away from Kathy. Dickie wondered if he should tell his dad now; he did say that Dickie could talk to him about anything. He remembered that his dad was willing to take his place this afternoon to play with Dickie's friends. Dickie thought if he told his dad now, Elliot would not focus on acting like Dickie. Dickie finally decided to tell his dad when he gets home. Meanwhile, while his dad is playing with his friends, Dickie decided to try to think of a way to make his mom happy again; he hated to see his mom sad.
Sunday AfternoonThat afternoon, Rick's mom drove up to Elliot's home to pick Dickie (Elliot) up. Elliot was already waiting in the front yard as Dickie stood in the doorway of the front door. Dickie watched as his father ran to his friends. Dickie now longed that he was the one opening the car door and joining his friends. Maybe this wish wasn't all that great.
Dickie watched as Rick's mother drove off with his friends and his dad. When they were gone, Dickie went back into the house. Any kid would have seized this opportunity to have fun home alone, expect Dickie had other things on his mind. His mom's sad expression still lingered in his mind, and he wanted some way to make her happy. Dickie sat on the sofa and started thinking.
After a while, he heard a knock on the front door, and got up. He wondered who it could be, as he walked to the door; he wasn't expecting anyone. Dickie checked to see who was outside and saw Fin.
"Hi, Fin," Dickie said, as he opened the door for Fin.
"Hi," Fin said, walking inside and looking around. "Is your dad home?"
"No, he had to take my place. He's with my friends," Dickie said, as he closed the door.
"Okay," Fin said, and paused for a moment. "Say, Dickie, I was wondering if you want to join me on checking up on a lead on the case."
"Me?" Dickie asked.
"Yeah. You don't have to do anything. You can just stay in the car if you want. I'll do all the talking," Fin said.
"Um, isn't Munch your partner? Why not ask him?" Dickie asked.
"He's not into . . . my method of investigating," Fin said.
Dickie thought over what Fin said.
"Wait, we're not doing anything illegal, are we?" Dickie asked.
"Dickie," Fin said, putting his arm around Dickie's shoulder. "Did you ever want to something neat, but not illegal, however, some other people might disapprove of your methods?"
"Yeah," Dickie said, after thinking it over and smiled.
"Let me tell you something, that feeling is still the same when you're an adult," Fin said, and smiled. "So, what do you say? Want to come?"
Dickie thought over the idea. Maybe a drive will help him think of a way to cheer up his mom.
"Okay," Dickie finally said.
"Great. You go get your things. I'll be waiting in the car," Fin said.
"So, what's up?" Fin finally asked Dickie.
The drive was pretty quiet. Dickie was busy thinking about his mom, while Fin was concentrating on getting out of traffic.
"What?" Dickie asked, looking at Fin.
"You got that same look as your father," Fin said, laughing a little. "The look that means there's something on your mind. So, what's bothering you?"
"Nothing . . . well, you see, I saw my Mom today, and she looked sad," Dickie said. "I want to make her happy, but I don't know how."
"I see. All right. That's cool that you're thinking about your mom," Fin said. "Well, there are many different ways to cheer her up. You can talk to her, write something to her, even buy something for her."
"Would buying something really make her happy?" Dickie asked. Fin laughed.
"I'm not the right guy to ask about that," Fin said. "But I'm good for asking about suggestions."
"Oh," Dickie said. "What should I buy for her?"
"I'm afraid you have to figure that part yourself. Don't worry; you're a smart kid, you'll think of something," Fin said. "I do have some advice, though."
"What?" Dickie asked.
"Don't buy anything too cheap or too expensive," Fin said. "The trick is to find something in the middle. Got that?"
Dickie nodded back.
"Cool. Oh, and don't max out your dad's credit cards," Fin said. "Or he'll really get mad."
Dickie and Fin didn't say that much after that, as Dickie was deciding on the prefect present for his mom.
They soon reached their destination, and got out of the car. Fin then looked across the street and saw a group of people that dressed like street gangsters. However, Dickie was looking in the opposite direction. He saw something while Fin was parking the car: a flower shop. Girls like flowers. Maybe his mom would like flowers too.
"All right, I'll be across the street, talking to the people over there," Fin said. He then saw Dickie looking the other way. "Hey. What are you looking at?"
"Huh? Sorry," Dickie said, turning around to face Fin. "I saw a flower shop. I thought maybe I can buy some flowers for my Mom."
"Now that's sweet. See? I said you'll think of something," Fin said, smiling at Dickie. "Tell you what, you go buy the flowers, while I'll have a nice chat with the people across the street. How about we meet back here in about 20 minutes?"
"Okay, thanks," Dickie said, and walked over to the flower shop.
Fin watched Dickie, until he was out of sight. He then turned to face the gangsters.
"Hey! Yo, punks!" Fin called out, walking across the street.
Dickie looked at all the flowers. There were so many different colors, shapes, and types. It was going to be difficult picking out the right flowers for his mom.
"Hello. May I help you?" a guy's voice asked.
Dickie turned to see a guy that looked like the type of guy that Maureen or Kathleen will go crazy over. He was tall and well-build. The guy had short brown hair with wavy bangs, and gray eyes. He wore a nametag with the name 'Kevin' written on it.
"Uh . . . I'm looking for flowers to give . . . my Mom," Dickie said. He wondered if he should have said 'wife,' instead of 'mom,' but it didn't matter now.
"I see. Is there anything in particular you were looking for?" Kevin asked.
"Um . . .no. I just want to look around. I want to pick out the flowers by myself," Dickie said.
"All right then. If you need any help, I'll be other there," Kevin said, and walked to a different row of flowers.
Dickie went back looking at the flowers. He wanted flowers that look nice, but smell nice too. He remembered one time he was spying . . . err, watching his older sisters put perfume on. So girls must like things that smell nice too.
After checking over some flowers, Dickie had an idea which flowers he wanted to buy. He then called Kevin over to ask him a question.
"Um, what are these?" Dickie asked, showing Kevin the flowers in which he was interested.
"Those are Double Delight roses," Kevin said.
"I see," Dickie said, and smelled the roses. "I think I want to buy these roses."
"Very good. How many do you want?" Kevin asked.
Dickie thought it over, and told Kevin how many roses he wanted. Kevin told him the price, and Dickie brought the flowers.
After he got the flowers, Dickie walked to Fin's car, with a small bouquet of Double Delight roses. He met Fin at the car.
"Hey, Dickie," Fin said. He saw the roses and smiled. "I see you got the flowers."
"Yeah. They're Double Delight roses," Dickie said.
"Nice choice. I'm sure your mom will love them," Fin said, smiling.
"How about you?" Dickie asked.
"What?" Fin asked.
"With your . . . investigation?" Dickie asked.
"Oh, that! Yeah, I'm done," Fin said. "Ready to go home?"
"Um, if you don't mind . . . I want to give these flowers to my Mom," Dickie said. "Can we stop by my Mom's house?"
"Sure. Not a problem," Fin said. "It's the least I can do, since I dragged you out here."
"Thanks," Dickie said, as they got in Fin's car.
"Hey, Fin," Dickie said, as Fin stopped a few feet away from Kathy's house. "You drive cooler than my Mom or Dad."
"Really? Why do you say that?" Fin asked.
"Because they never do the cool stuff when they drive like you do," Dickie said.
"Why, thanks, Dickie," Fin said, smiling a little. "Just don't tell your parents about my . . . cool style of driving. Okay?"
Dickie nodded back.
"Good. If you need me, I'll be waiting in the car," Fin said.
"Okay, thanks," Dickie said, as he got out of the car.
Dickie walked up to the front door and took a deep breath. He hoped this would work. He knocked at the front door, and waited. No one answered. Dickie tried again, and still, no one answered. Dickie guessed no one was at home. Now what? Maybe he could leave the flowers here with a note. That could work. Dickie remembered that his dad carried a small notepad and pencil in his coat pocket, and started looking for them.
"Elliot?" his mother's voice said behind him.
Dickie turned around to see his mom and his sisters. They were carrying groceries.
"Hi . . ." Dickie said.
"Hi, Dad," Maureen said.
"Hi," Dickie said. He was smiling a little on the inside. It was kind of cool being taller than his sisters. He then remembered why he was here. Dickie handled his mom the flowers. "These are for you."
Kathy looked at the roses, then at Elliot (Dickie). She then handed the groceries she was holding to Elizabeth.
"Would you please put these away inside?" Kathy asked girls, politely.
Maureen, Kathleen, and Elizabeth reluctantly agreed, and went inside with the groceries. When they were gone, Kathy took the roses and sighed.
"Do you really think this will fix things?" Kathy asked, as she sat down on the front steps.
"Fix what?" Dickie asked, truly confused, as he sat down next to her.
"Everything," Kathy said and sighed. "Do you think flowers will solve our problems?"
"No," Dickie replied.
"Then what's with the flowers?" Kathy asked.
"I saw you today, when I was coming home, and you looked sad," Dickie said. "I thought flowers would make you happy."
"You brought flowers just to cheer me up?" Kathy asked, somewhat surprised.
"Yes," Dickie said.
"Well, they are beautiful. So how have you been?" Kathy asked.
"Fine, fine, I guess," Dickie answered, as he glanced back a little to see his mom's house better. The house seemed different since that night he made the wish. Maybe because he was in his dad's body the house seemed different. He missed his room. He hoped his room was still the same. He also hoped his sisters haven't stole anything of his.
"How's Dickie?" Kathy asked, bringing Dickie's attention back to her.
"I . . . he's fine," Dickie said and smiled. Inside, he wanted so much to wrap his arms around his mother and tell her everything, yet this was his and his father's little secret.
"Everything's good at work?" Kathy asked, looking at Dickie.
Dickie stared, "Yeah, yeah, everything's good."
Kathy just nodded back.
"Mo—Kathy, why were you sad?" Dickie asked.
"Oh, that," Kathy said, and sighed. "It's just . . . it's been stressful having to raising four kids on your own and all the problems that come along with it."
"Maybe I can help," Dickie said, innocently. Kathy responded with a humorless laugh.
"If only it were that simple," Kathy said and sighed again. "I'm sorry, but . . . I don't think you can help."
"But I want to!" Dickie said, forgetting that he was in his dad's body. "Why not?"
"It's just . . ." Kathy said. "I don't know where to begin."
"I know . . . I did some dumb things in the past," Dickie said, trying to think of the right words his dad would say. "I also know that I did things that made you mad. I don't want you to be mad. I want you to be happy again, like when you . . . we were together. When . . . we were a family."
Kathy stared at Elliot (Dickie). He sounded so sincere. She hasn't seen this side of him for a long time.
"I just don't know," Kathy said. "Let me think about it."
"Okay," Dickie said, getting the feeling that he should let his mom think in private. "I'll . . . go now."
"Elliot," Kathy said, stopping Dickie. "Thank you for the flowers."
Before Dickie could respond, Kathy kissed Elliot (Dickie). However, Kathy thought she was really kissing Elliot, so that's the way she kissed. So after the kiss, Dickie was really confused.
"This is really thoughtful and sweet of you," Kathy said, as they stood up. "Maybe we can work something out."
Dickie could only nod back.
"I'll see you later this week with Dickie, okay? Bye," Kathy said, and walked back inside with the roses.
Dickie, still looking stunned, walked back to Fin's car.
"How did it go?" Fin asked.
"I guess . . . okay," Dickie said, as he sat down.
"She liked the flowers?" Fin asked. Dickie nodded back, still looking shocked. "Then what's the matter with you?"
"Mom . . . kissed me," Dickie said.
"Is there a problem with that?" Fin asked.
"I think she kissed me . . . the same way she kisses Dad," Dickie said. Fin soon understood what Dickie was saying, and started laughing. Dickie gave Fin a strange look.
"Sorry, it's just my own . . .taste in humor," Fin said. "How about I take you home now?"
Dickie nodded, as Fin started the car.
"Dickie! I'm back!" Elliot said, as he entered his home; however he didn't see Dickie. Elliot waited, but he didn't hear a response from Dickie.
"Dickie? Dickie?" Elliot called out, looking around.
Elliot heard the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. He then headed to the source of the sound.
"Dickie? It that you?" Elliot asked as he knocked on the bathroom door.
The water stopped. "Dickie?" Elliot called out again.
"Yeah?" Dickie's voice seeped out from behind the door.
"Oh good, just making sure," Elliot let out a sigh.
"How was it?" Dickie asked, popping his head out of the bathroom.
"How was what?" Elliot replied, absent-minded.
"Playing with my friends!"
"Oh, it was good, I guess. It reminded me of my childhood," Elliot said, and smiled. "I have to admit that it was fun playing as a kid again."
"That's . . . great," Dickie said, as the memory of what his mother did still haunted him. What would his dad think about it? "Um, wait right there, Dad."
Dickie closed the door again, and Elliot heard the water running again. Elliot had a feeling that something was bothering Dickie.
"Dickie, are you all right?" Elliot asked, as he knocked on the bathroom door.
Dickie didn't answer.
"Dickie?" Elliot asked again.
"Yeah, Dad, I'm fine." Dickie replied. However Elliot noticed that Dickie's voice sounded nervous. Elliot decided to leave Dickie alone for a while; he had a fatherly feeling that Dickie will talk, when he feels comfortable enough to discuss his problem. Elliot walked back into the living room and sat down.
Elliot leaned back into the sofa and curled his feet underneath him as he waited. It wasn't long before Dickie came out of the bathroom and sat next to him.
"Dad…" Dickie began.
Elliot turned to face him.
"Dad, I gave Mom flowers today," Dickie revealed.
"You what . . .?" Elliot asked, trying to make sense of what Dickie said.
"I saw Mom today, and she looked sad," Dickie said. "I've never seen Momlike that. When you left, I thought of ways to make her better. Then-"
Dickie paused. Should he tell his dad how he got the flowers?
"Dickie," Elliot asked. "Where did you get the flowers?"
Dickie was silent.
"Did you get them from a neighbor's yard?" Elliot asked, remembering how Dickie once gave Kathy flowers for Mother's day, only to find out that he picked them out of the neighbor's yard.
"No," Dickie said.
"Then where-" Elliot started, the realized something. "Dickie, how did you get to Mom's house?"
"Well, I-"
"Dickie . . ."
"Fin came over, and asked me to join him on an investigation," Dickie finally revealed.
"He what?" Elliot asked. "What did he do?"
"I don't know. I saw a flower shop and thought that flowers will make Mom happy," Dickie said. "So I bought flowers to give to her, while Fin did his own investigation."
'Fin's going to kill me if I told the Captain where he gets his information,' Elliot thought, then turned his attention back to Dickie. "So Fin drove you to Mom's house?"
Dickie nodded back.
"She liked the flowers," Dickie said and smiled. His smile faded when he remembered what happened next. Elliot noticed this.
"Dickie, what happened?" Elliot asked. Dickie remained silent. "Come on. I'm your father."
Elliot sighed.
"Please?" Elliot finally asked.
"She kissed me," Dickie mumbled, but Elliot heard it.
"What's wrong with that?" Elliot asked, confused.
"No, Dad . . ." Dickie said. "Mom thought you gave her the flowers, so she kissed me, thinking it was you."
Elliot then realized what happened to Dickie.
"Oh my . . ." Elliot said. "Dickie, are you okay?"
"I don't know," Dickie said.
"But you didn't . . . you know . . . like it?" Elliot asked, hoping nothing abnormal happened.
"What? No! Ew!" Dickie said. "That's gross!"
Elliot couldn't help himself but laugh in response.
'Good, I don't need to make an appointment with Huang,' Elliot thought, as Dickie looked at him, confused.
"What's so funny, Dad?" Dickie asked, sounding almost hurt. "Even Fin thought it was funny. It's not funny to me."
"No, no," Elliot said, finally collecting himself. "I'm just glad, that nothing bad happened."
"Oh," Dickie said, still a little lost.
"Dickie," Elliot said.
"Yeah?"
"What you did, giving Mom flowers just to cheer her up, that's very thoughtful of you," Elliot said, and smiled. "I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, Dad," Dickie said, and smiled back.