Java Chip Frappe
Act Six
If Mordecai had a watch, he'd totally be checking the time by now. It had to be at least 5 or 6 in the evening. How much longer was Rye going to take? Sure they had moved around the park a little but this was getting ridiculous! Gardening should not take this much effort. By this time Rigby had fallen fast asleep beneath a shady tree and snored loud enough to wake the dead; it wasn't like the blue jay could blame him, this was pretty dull.
The sound of a cellular phone vibrating alerted Mordecai. He jerked out of his position, laying against the cart, and turned to Rye's direction. He was left to assume she had a phone, seeing as he and Rigby didn't have theirs on them.
The older female reached down into her jean pocket and pulled out her small black flip phone. With a single flick of her thumb the phone opened leaving her to tap the red button a single time. She pressed the earpiece against her ear and waited.
"Maggie?" She cocked a brow as she spoke, "Yeah, I know where she is."
Margaret? Rye was speaking to Margaret? Mordecai felt his body fling in her direction, in the hope of overhearing some of their conversation.
Rye shifted her weight to her left leg and waited a few moments. "Oh? Is she feeling okay?"
Was someone sick? The tall blue jay felt his heart rate rise, maybe Margaret was ill? He waited on end, watching every move Rye made.
"Ah, I see." She nodded her head once. "Sure. I'll tell her. Later." The landscapist then pulled her phone away from her ear. With a single tap she shut off the line and proceeded to shove her cell phone into her pocket.
"Is someone sick?" Mordecai didn't waste a second in asking.
A smirk moved across Rye's lips. She then placed both hands to her hips and lifted a brow. "What's it to you?" She said in a sly tone.
"Uh," He felt his face grow warm. "I was…uhh…was just worried. That's all."
"Sure, okay." Rye rolled her large brown eyes and passed by the taller male, making her way toward the small, white golf cart. "We have to get back."
Mordecai stepped toward the sleeping raccoon. With a single tap on the shoulder, the brown mammal began to stir. He groaned once or twice before sitting upward and rubbing his eyes. His eyes opened in a sluggish motion and he cleared his throat before speaking, "Are we still on the job?"
"Kind of," Mordecai felt a smile claim his features. "We just have to drive Rye back to the house."
"Cool, cool." Rigby pushed his small body off the grass.
"We have to find Heather first," Rye broke into the conversation, half of her body hanging out of the golf cart. "Turns out Eileen has come down with a cold, Hea has to take her shift tonight."
"She's sick?" Mordecai arched a brow. "Is she gonna be okay?"
"Oh sure," The older female nodded a single time. "I just have to get the news back to Hea, otherwise she'll be late."
"Hey," The tallest male glanced down at his shorter counterpart with a cheesy smile. "Maybe you should drop by Eileen's place and check on her, Rigby. She'd totally dig it."
"What?" The raccoon jerked backward a few steps. "You're nuts, man! Not cool!"
Mordecai allowed his head to shake from side to side as chuckles exited his mouth. He then pressed onward to the cart, ready to take the driver's seat. He allowed his lower half to hit the seat and placed his fingers around the stirring wheel. "Come on," He beckoned Rigby to follow. "Let's find Heather and end the day."
"Fine by me," Rigby's nose shot upward as he stepped toward the cart. "I'm ready for dinner."
XoXoX
Mordecai had to admit sunsets at the park were pretty. The mixture and blending of oranges, pinks, and reds were something only someone who stayed in the park over night could enjoy. He tried his best to be grateful for it, but after awhile of working hours at the park the sight did get a bit stale.
These were one of those evenings where he appercaited being out.
The cool spring air passed through his feathers and relaxed him. He kept his hands on the stirring wheel while his foot lightly tapped at the gas. The house was in sight; it was just a matter of time before they reached it. Perhaps sprucing up the park wasn't such a bad idea; after all, he was meeting a few cool chicks.
It had been a long while since he or Rigby had a lot of socializing with girls other than Margaret and Eileen. Not that anyone could replace those two. But being cool with other females wasn't a bad thing, was it? It didn't mean he was choosing one over the other, did it?
"Is that Muscle Man up there?"
Mordecai narrowed his eyes at the steps that led up to the house. Rigby's eyes hadn't failed him; Muscle Man and High-five Ghost were in fact sitting on the stairs, doing something. The tall bird applied more pressure to the gas, closing the distance between the cart and the house. Once within shouting range, he pressed on the brakes.
Rye stood up in her seat and called out to the two boys. "Hey!" She cupped her mouth with her right hand. "Have you two seen Heather?"
Muscle Man tore his attention away from the food he held in his hand long enough to glance up at Rye. He watched for a second before lifting his hotdog back to his mouth. He bit into the dog without mercy, cheese and bacon sticking to his cheeks.
"She's at the snack bar," High-five Ghost answered for his buddy.
"Yeah," Muscle Man managed to speak between chewing. "She's making some really good hotdog things."
Rye removed her hand from her mouth and whirled around to face both Mordecai and Rigby. Her eyes locked with Rigby's eyes first then shifted to his seconds after. Was she surprised? Both of her eyebrows had arched to the top of her forehead while her eyes dilated to a size Mordecai hadn't seen before.
She turned away from the boys and faced Muscle Man once again. "What do you mean she's making them?" She asked, her voice low and serious.
The short, green male lifted his arm to his chin and began to wipe his face with his forearm. He smeared the left over food on his face onto his limb before gasping for air after swallowing the food in his mouth. "I mean, she MADE this dog," He grunted, obviously growing frustrated with the trio.
"But…" Rye moved her index finger over her chin and hummed.
"What's the big deal?" Rigby flung his upper torso over the leg Rye kept inside the cart. "Doesn't she ALWAYS cook?"
"Yeah," Mordecai was quick to agree. "She's probably enjoying it."
Rye pulled back her right leg and took her seat back inside the vehicle. The look of worry and wonder never leaving her face. What was the matter? Wasn't the idea of Heather cooking a good thing? Girls worried way too much than they needed to.
"Let's find her."
That was all the confirmation he needed. After making sure everyone was seated, Mordecai put the vehicle in drive and pressed on the gas. There wasn't a second to waste, apparently. Rye's mood had changed so drastically, it was almost as if she were a different person. Was she really that concerned with her younger sister? What's the worst that could happen to her if she was cooking?
He wasn't sure but he was going to find out.
He knew his way around the park like the back of his hand; it took no time getting to the snack bar. At least it no time for him anyway, the look of worry only grew on Rye's face. Mordecai found himself pushing his foot on the gas a bit harder, the idea of having the worried elder sister wait wasn't something he thought was cool. The sooner he could show Rye Heather was safe, the better.
He put on the brakes right in front of the snack bar. He looked to his right to see the bar with the large 'OPEN' sign switched to the 'CLOSED' side. Right before anyone in the cart could move, Skips, Pops and Heather exited the employee's entrance.
Rye flew out of her seat and charged at her sister, the look of concern now changing to a relieved smile. "Heather," She said in a sweet tone, "Are you okay?"
The younger sibling cocked a brow in question. "Of course."
"Told you things would be cool." Rigby was second to leave the cart.
After a moment passed, Mordecai felt a familiar scent tickle his nostrils. Wait; was that bacon he was smelling? But it wasn't just the smell of bacon that made his mouth water; there was also a heavy scent of cheese that lingered in the air.
"What IS that smell?" Rigby had to have been thinking the same thing. "Is that BACON?"
"And cheese?" Mordecai finished for his smaller friend.
"Yes, yes." Pops shut his eyes and grinned. "Hea thought of the most delicious idea and made some really tasty dogs!"
"Are there anymore?" Rigby asked, jaw hanging wide open.
Skips jerked his thumb in the direction of the snack bar. "There should be a few in the back."
Without waiting for a response, Rigby fell to all fours and barged his way into the snack bar. The door slammed behind him, leaving the five men and women to themselves.
Mordecai turned to Heather, not able to hide his widening smile. "So what did you make?"
A light red flash appeared on her cheeks as she shut her eyes and shrugged her shoulders. "Its just a hotdog split in half, filled with cheese slices then wrapped in bacon." The red complexion on her face deepened in color. "Nothing big."
"She stuffed them in the broiler also!" Pops was quick to add.
"It smells great, man." Mordecai nodded his head once. "You gotta make that for our game nights, sometime. It'll be a big hit with all us guys."
"Whatever."
Just then the employee door swung open and out walked Rigby, hotdog in hand. Mordecai was left to assume that the raccoon had placed the dog in the microwave for a few quick seconds, due to the melting cheese that oozed out of the bun. Cheese-covered fingers wrapped around the dog as he lifted it to his mouth and took a large bite.
"Ah man," He said after a few seconds of happy chewing. "You even used the premo-dogs!"
"What?" Skips' stiffened before turning to Heather. "You used the premium hotdogs?"
The young pastry chef allowed her eyes to flutter open. "Of course," She said with pride laced in her pitch. "I'm not going to serve customers generic brand meat. That's an insult to me and them."
No! Ugh! This was awful! Before he could control his arm, his hand lifted up to his face and slapped his cheek. Why hadn't anyone told her before she began cooking that using the premium hotdogs were completely OFF limits unless Benson said so? "Benson is gonna have a cow!" He groaned as his wing slid off his face.
Skips crossed his muscular arms over his chest. "How many did we use?" He eyed Heather as he spoke.
"Uh," Heather lifted her index finger to her bottom lip. "I think there were two or three packages left."
Two or THREE? This was worse than he originally thought! It wasn't just the fact that she used the bacon, which was meant for special occasions but she also used almost all of the premium franks? The ones saved for once in a lifetime occasions? Oh and throw in the fact that someone who didn't even work here 'okayed' the whole operation.
Yeah, they had a lot of shouting to endure once Benson found out.
"This is NUTS!" Mordecai removed his hand from his face. "Benson's gonna kill us! All of us!"
"Wait, wait," Rye lifted both hands to settle the heated conversation. "He won't get too upset, right? Its just hotdogs."
Rigby took a long, hard swallow before speaking, "You don't know Benson." He was still enjoying his meal obviously.
"Dude!" Mordecai rushed at his bestie. "You're being hella calm for someone who's gonna get in a mess of trouble! We're ALL in a lot of trouble!"
"Hey," Rigby shrugged his little shoulders, "I'm not taking the heap for this, she," He nudged his snout in Heather's direction. "Is."
"Ugh!" The blue jay's arms flung into the air, "Don't you get it! We're all going to have to pay for this!"
"Oh my…" Pops' trademark smile faded.
This was worse than worse, they had a lot of yelling and scolding coming their way. He could hear it now, the sound of Benson's shouting voice vibrating through the house and park. Then he would dock the expense of the hotdogs from everyone's pay. Not cool, not cool at all!
"Who cares!"
Mordecai flinched. What the heck? Who would be stupid enough to say something like that in this situation?
Heather stood up straight, puffed out her chest and shut her eyes. With a deep and confident voice she spoke, "Their just hotdogs! If this 'Benson' guy is gonna throw a BF over it, then he can come and talk to me!"
The bird resisted the urge to facepalm again. Bold words coming from someone who had yet to battle the beast, this wasn't going to turn out well, he could feel it.
"Look," Skips unfolded his arms and looked each individual down. "We won't say anything to Benson. He'll have to find out on his own. It's the best way to avoid any trouble…for now."
That was a great 'band aid' idea, but what other choice did they have? Mordecai lifted his arm into the air and nodded. "Agreed, agreed?" He asked, looking at the people standing around him.
"Agreed."
After making a secret promise amongst each other, Rye stepped forward. She looked at her younger half as if a mental light bulb had gone off in her mind. With a quick snap of her fingers she spoke out, "Oh! Heather, I forgot to tell you!"
"What now?" Heather twitched.
"Maggie called," Rye said in a rushed voice. "She wants you to take Eileen's shift, she caught a flu!"
"WHAT?" The youngest girl flew backward with shock. "When?"
Rye jerked her chin up until she spotted the small digital clock that hung in the snack bar wall. She narrowed her eyes for a moment before turning back to her sis. "In an hour?" She released a few nervous giggles.
"An hour?" Heather's hands flew to her head. "But I'm all sweaty from working at the stove! That means I'll have to run home take a shower and get on my uniform!" The baker flew outward and took her sister by the arms; shaking her she asked in a frantic tone, "I need the car! There's no way I can run home and back in time!"
Rye reached down into her back pocket and pulled out her black car keys. "Here, now hurry!"
The smallest female ripped the keys from her elder's hands and spun around. She waved a single time at the men standing before her before dashing off toward the house. Her image soon faded from sight, leaving the group with one less female.
"What a day!" Pops was first to speak out after Heather's departure. "I am quite tired, aren't you all?"
"Yeah," Mordecai had to agree. "I'm beat."
"I guess I'm walking home." Rye sighed to herself.
"No worries," Mordecai flashed a smile her way. "I was supposed to with you anyway, remember?"
"Ah. I remember."
"Why don't you stay for awhile, Rye?" Pops asked in a cheery, excited voice. "You should rest before such a long walk back home!"
A small trickle of sweat dripped down the female's temple. "Its only about four blocks," She giggled. "I should be fine."
"Ah, stay will ya?" Skips managed to smile. "It's been a while since we've had company. Besides there are plenty of those bacon cheese dogs left."
She took in a deep breath through her nose and paused for a moment. Her eyes fell on each male before she finally relented and nodded her head. "Fine, but just for a bit."
"Grab some of those greasy dogs!" Rigby threw his free arm into the air. "We're gonna PAR-TAY!"
XoXoX
Spring nights weren't as comfortable as summer nights, but Mordecai couldn't complain. It could be worse; it could be winter, right? Ugh, why couldn't he just take one of the golf carts? Damn Benson and his tight, lame rules. Ah, at least there was someone to talk to at least for one way. And Rye seemed pretty cool, he didn't know her very well but she was worth talking to.
The cool air was refreshing after the warm day beneath the sun. He might as well enjoy it while it lasted, summer was right around the corner. Many summer nights had been spent with the window open and the fan blaring but they were pleasant memories. Hopefully this summer would be one of those memorable years.
They had stepped out of the house and into the street, their laughs and light energy still lingering from the episode in the house. It had been a few weeks since all the guys, minus Benson, had gotten together and celebrated. And the addition of Rye? It was nice. She kept quiet, unless spoken to, but she was enjoyable nonetheless. Maybe she needed more time before coming out of her shell, either way it was good night spent together.
"I can't believe its already 9!" Rye said as she stepped out into the sidewalk, the glow from the streetlights shining on her features.
Mordecai finished a round of laughter before replying, "I know! Ah, it's been awhile since we all hung out like that."
"All?" Rye lifted a brow.
"Expect for Benson," He was quick to correct himself. "We try to have game nights every week but we've been wrapped up in work lately." He explained, a few stray chuckles leaving his mouth. "We hafta do this again, with Benson."
Rye managed to smirk, her brow still arched in question. "Oh yeah? He joins in on he fun too?"
"He tries," Mordecai tore his eyes off the streetlight in front of him and looked to the ground. "He can loosen up if he wants."
"Sounds like we have two shells to crack," Rye continued to speak to him, her eyes never leaving him.
"Two?" Mordecai lifted a brow, his eyes still stuck to his moving feet.
"Yeah! Benson and Heather!" Rye bursted out into a fit of giggles, "They're both too stubborn to let loose!"
Three shells actually. Of course he wouldn't say it aloud, but he knew that Rye's shell also needed 'cracking'. Maybe she wasn't aware of it, but she was also shy too. That was written all over her glass-framed face. A few chuckles here and there were not enough to 'loosen up'. But was it a matter of being stubborn? He couldn't be sure, by her actions and attitude, Rye was anything but stubborn. At least when it came to anything but Heather's well-being.
"Yeah," He coughed, he would agree for now.
"Seems pretty fun," As she stepped forward, her right foot kicked a small stone that crossed her path. "Living with a bunch like that."
"Eh, believe it or not, there are times when it can be pretty lame."
"Oh yeah?" Her pitched changed as her interest peaked.
"Uh-huh."
What the heck? What was with the sudden awkward air between them? When did things become so one-sided and when did the one-word answers begin? Ugh, this was like talking to…to a stranger! Which was true, to a point but then again, it shouldn't be this way not after the day they had spent together!
He had to change the subject and fast. Maybe if he asked her a question that had a long answer, he'd waste more time listening and not talking. That would make time pass faster!
"So," He blurted out at once and turned to face her, "You support your two sisters?" Ah God, where did that come from?
"Yep," Rye said with a small nod.
"Must be hard." He cleared his throat after speaking. Geez, what a way to start the most awkward conversation ever!
"Heather helps with her job at the Coffee Shop though." Rye turned away from him, her focus on her future steps. "Ailea trying her best to find a job anywhere."
"Ailea," He began in a softer tone, "Is she the youngest?"
"Yeah."
And that was another thing, why did every conversation made with Rye have to contain something about her younger sisters? Why couldn't she just talk about herself once and while? It must be one of those 'girl' issues, the kind that only other girls knew about. What the heck was he supposed to do about it? He had no idea what to say next!
"I'm pretty dedicated to them."
He flinched. Oh damn, she was talking again. Was he supposed to respond or just let her ramble on?
"Ever since we left our parent's place, we've had it kind of hard." She inhaled a deep breath through her nose and released it in the form of a sigh. "I know Ailea wants to go back but Heather's pride comes in the way every time."
"She does seem that type." He managed a few words, quick to agree with the older female. Dare he go against what she was saying? Chicks didn't dig that kind of thing, right?
"So you've noticed?" Rye managed to break into a smile, finally able to turn his way.
"Kinda hard not to." Oh crap! Did he just insult Heather? Shoot, that was a no-no, wasn't it!
"I'll let it slide once but next time you won't be able to eat solid foods."
This was it, he was sure of it! Ugh, why did he have to say such stupid stuff when he was nervous? This was one of those rare times when he wished he had Rigby's confidence. Mordecai forced a smile while his brows hung heavy over his eyes. He released a few tense giggles before ducking back down between his shoulders.
Rye threw her head back and laughed. Wait, she was laughing? Oh gee, what did that mean? On minute she was defending her sister to the end, the next she was laughing at her younger sister's expense? It was official, girls were now more confusing than ever.
"Lighten up, Mordecai."
His tense and frozen muscles began to melt away. His shoulders relaxed and he was able to stand straight. The forced smile faded and he was left with a look of confusion stuck to his mug. Lighten up? That was it?
"Anyway," Rye turned away from the blue jay, looking forward into the darkness of the streets. "We're just trying to make ends meet right now. That's why this landscaping job is so important to me. It'll really help us out."
Mordecai gulped hard before attempting to speak again. "I know how it is. Rigby and I are broke twenty-four seven."
"I'm supposin' work at a park like that doesn't pay much."
"Nah, but we have a place to stay and food to eat."
"That's better than nothing right?"
"Hell yeah."
Well, it did beat living in an expensive apartment, paying rent and utilities every month if that's what she meant. Living with Pops might have its downside but it did cost a hell of a lot less than it would if he and Rigby were on their own. Whatever, beggars can't be choosers in any event.
"Having to pay all the utilities are killin' us," She repeated her sigh. "Not to mention I'm still paying off that damn 360."
Mordecai felt his heart nearly jump right out of his ribcage. Did this chick just say what he thought she said? No way! He jerked in her direction, halting his steps in the process. "360 as in Xbox360?"
Rye stopped about three steps after the male and turned her chin over her shoulder to face him. With a confused stare she responded, "Yeah, of course."
"Whoa!" His arms shot outward and his jaw dropped. "You have an Xbox? That's so awesome!"
Rye's facial features lightened and she managed to laugh. "It is a pretty cool console. I had to get it, after all Left 4 Dead is an exclusive on it."
Just when he thought his jaw couldn't drop and lower, it did. "Left 4 Dead?"
Rye laughter came to a slow stop and her expression once again returned to a puzzled stare. "Is there something wrong with that?"
Mordecai had to force his head from side to side. This was impossible! A chick playing a zombie game? It was just too crazy to be real. All the girls he knew never liked any of those games, so why was Rye different? She had to be lying, right?
"Dude!" Mordecai felt his body jolt forward, to catch up with the older woman. "You play L4D? That's so cool, Rigby and I haven't even played it yet!"
"Play it?" Rye snorted. "I own it." She added a wink to the end of her sentence.
"That is so COOL!" He said as he shook his balled fists. "You hafta bring it to the house, that way Rigby and I can try!"
Rye shifted her posture and lifted her right hand to her face. She cupped her chin and proceeded to hum to herself. "Hm, I don't know, it can be pretty hard for first-timers."
"Aw!" He gushed at the thought of battling zombies along side his best bud.
"Aaaaaand Heather and I are on 'advanced'." She presented a wicked smirk that spread across her freckled cheeks.
"Really?"
"It took some extreme training but yes." Rye removed her hand from her chin and placed it on her hip. "I suppose we can bring it by one of these days." She spoke as the evil grin on her face reduced to a sweet smile. "But you hafta be my partner first."
"Whuuuut?" Mordecai forced his arms over his chest. "Rigby will hate that."
Rye's bottom lip shot out. "Too bad."
"Ugh," He groaned in a playful manner. "Fine but just once then Rigby and I play all night long."
She shrugged her shoulders and chuckled. "Cool with me."
"It's a date."
Act End