Java Chip Frappe

Act Seven

Now that he knew where Rye and Heather's house was located it was much easier to find. This made the walk much shorter than it had been last night or at least it seemed that way. Although sleeping through the entire night was a different story; with the promise of playing the best zombie slasher still fresh in Mordecai's mind, it was hard to sleep!

Even if they hadn't set up a play date yet.

He was going to make a date today, for sure. He wasn't sure how many nights he could go without getting some good old fashion R.E.M sleep! Ugh, it was just too awesome! What else was he supposed to think about?

"Is this it?"

He flinched. The sound of Rigby's voice was always welcome even if he was a 'bit' distracted. Mordecai was sure that the smaller raccoon was just as excited about the game, the look on his face when he told the mammal about it, he could see the joy in his eyes. Of course even if Rigby didn't seem frightened just yet, Mordecai knew that a few midnight walks to the bathroom would ensue.

But it was worth it. Totally worth it.

The tall blue jay turned in Rigby's direction and nodded. The small one-story house they were now standing in front of was Rye's. Typical house, nothing special on the outside but of course that made it more difficult to tell apart from all the others. It was just his luck that the garage door was pulled open and the image of Rye standing in there was there to reassure him.

She stood beside her small black Volkswagen beetle, her back facing the outside world. She seemed to be doing something, perhaps she was gathering together the many bags of soil and fertilizer Benson in formed them about. That was their mission for the day after all; help Rye bring all those heavy bags to the park.

Ugh, this wasn't gonna be fun at all.

"Hey Rye!" Mordecai was first to call out.

The shorter female stiffened before whirling around to face the two boys. She flashed a pleasant smile while the sun's rays bounced beams off her glasses. Her hair was still wrapped in a tight bun that hung on the back of her head. She was obviously ready for work!

"Hey guys," She said with a single arm lifted. "I'm glad you're here, I don't think I could lift all this stuff by myself."

What did she mean by 'all this stuff'? Mordecai allowed his eyes to move from Rye down to the pile of assorted bags on the garage floor. Huge bags, surely weighing over six pounds a bag sat by the door, ready for delivery. There had to be more than ten, easy. What the heck? They didn't need that many bags, did they?

Geez.

"ALL OF THIS?" Rigby's jaw dropped.

"Wait," Mordecai lifted his arm. "If you just bought these, what are they doing outside the car?"

"Ah," Rye lifted her index finger to the bridge of her glasses. "I had them ordered and delivered here." She explained with a small smile. "Lowe's did it over night."

Rigby's shocked expression shifted to an angered one. "Why didn't you get them delivered to the park?"

Rye's eyebrows jerked to the top of her forehead and her mouth opened into a small 'o' shape. "I…uh…" A small pink flash appeared on her cheeks. "I didn't think of that…"

Rigby jerked his arm upward, his hand slapping the right side of his cheek. "Ugh! Leave it to a woman to-"

Mordecai felt his arm jerk outward, as if on cue and hit Rigby in the upper shoulder. This was a gesture that he had long grown used to doing, whether he knew he was doing it or not. Someone had to shut the young raccoon up once and awhile. He did have a habit of opening his big yap at the worst times. Benson could testify to that.

"Ow!" Rigby didn't bother turning to his taller friend and instead grabbed at his left shoulder.

"Anyway," Rye cleared her throat, wanting to change the subject fast. "Heather dropped off the car earlier this morning when she was taking her break, that way I could use it to move the soil to the park."

The blue jay was quick to cock a brow at the female's last statement. "Heather's still at work?"

"Yep," Rye nodded. "She's gonna be pooped when she gets home."

Rigby took a few steps toward the small Volkswagen and placed a single paw on the car's door. He jerked around to Rye and frowned. "This gonna take at least TWO trips! Laaaaaaaaaame."

"I know," Rye shook her head from side to side. "What else are ya gonna do?" She asked in a singsong tone before turning back to the pile of heavy bags. "Let's get started, the sooner the better."

Rigby pushed his body away from the black vehicle and made his way back to the taller bird. He then stepped on his tiptoes and cupped his hand to his mouth. In a small, harsh whisper he began to speak in secret to Mordecai, "Why couldn't Benson ask Skips to do this? This is weak."

"Probably because he hates us, dude." He replied without having to whisper.

"Gaaaaaah." The brown mammal threw his arms in the air.

With a single bag in her arms, Rye stepped towards the male duo with a forced smile. "Okay, I'll get started in the trunk," She said, pushing passed the boys and moved toward the car. "You two can load the backseat."

Let a girl lift heavy bags of dirt by herself? No way. Mordecai didn't consider himself the gentlemen Pops was but he wasn't about to let a girl get hurt on his watch. It hurt his morals and his employment status.

He turned with Rye and extended his arms out to the trunk's handle. He lifted the hood for her, allowing her to move the bag of soil into the back of the car. "I'll help you back here." He said with a smile.

"Oh?" Rye cocked a brow.

"Dude!" Rigby jerked backward in shock. "What the H? You're gonna make me do all the work up here?"

Mordecai's sweet smile shifted into a small scowl. He glared at his best bud while Rye turned away and went back for a second trip. While she stepped out of ear range, the blue bird hissed, "She's a chick, dude."

"Yeah?" Rigby crossed his furry arms over his chest. "So?"

He rolled his eyes. "Knock it off, Rigby."

"UGH!" The tiny male jerked away from his bestie, ready to give him the cold shoulder.

By this time Rye had come back to the trunk with a bag of fertilizer in hand. She bent forward in front of the trunk and placed the bag in the back. She then stood up straight and flashed a grin at Mordecai. "Thanks for the help."

He felt his heart jump. What the? What was with that? Why was she thanking him for something he had to do? He was getting paid to do this! He didn't need her to thank him. Instead of displaying his sudden change in heart rate, he shook his head from side to side and cracked a nervous smirk. "No prob."

He was quick to clear his throat, and tear his attention away from her and back to the task at hand. He moved over to the large bags and bent down. He slung the large bag over his shoulder and began making his way back to the car. Along the way he spotted Rigby, glancing over his shoulder, watching him.

Mordecai was sure to mouth the words 'get to work' before he continued to close the distance between himself and the car. The sound of Rigby's nails hitting the concrete floor let him know without looking that his best friend had begun working. Thank God for small miracles.

Removing the weight from his shoulder, Mordecai placed the dirt-filled bag in the trunk of the black Volkswagen. He made sure to push the bag toward the back of the trunk, leaving more space for more bags. As he pulled his torso out of the car, he saw a fourth bag hit the trunk's bottom. He looked to his left to see Rye bent down beside him. Without giving him a second glance, she pulled out and went for a fifth bag.

This was one determined chick.

The number of bags in the car grew. From six to eight then from nine to ten. The trunk was filled to what seemed to be the brim while the backseat was littered with plastic containers. Even if it took about five minutes it was work Mordecai didn't appreciate.

But making money was making money, wasn't it?

Mordecai looked from behind the car to see Rigby, shoving the door shut. He had pushed the last bag of soil into the backseat and quickly slammed the door, trying to make certain the door didn't pop back open. Ugh, a trick well learned from stacking many frozen meals in the freezer. Whatever, as long as the job got done.

"I'm glad you got this done before I got home."

The tall blue jay felt his eyes widen to the sound of Heather's voice. He turned his head to the sound of her voice and found himself staring at a very tired girl. Obvious bags under her eyes and untamed hair, she stood in the garage with a cargo-holder full of cups of coffee in hand.

"Hey!" Rye stepped passed both boys and greeted her sister with a wide smile. "How was work?"

"Long." Heather said in a low voice. "It'll be a miracle if I don't get fired, I was so tired I kept messing up orders." Her eyes then darted down to the cargo-holder. "Manager said I could take home the rejects."

"Aw, I'm sorry." Rye's features softened. "You were up all night."

Heather's shoulders bobbed up and down a single time. "Whatever." Her eyes then moved to Rigby and Mordecai. "Hey, you two want some coffee?"

Mordecai and Rigby jerked away from Heather and looked back to one another. Was she serious? She, Heather, was offering them refreshments? It was almost too impossible to believe! Where did that beast of a chef they had met forty-eight hours ago, go?

Rigby looked away from the bird and back to the younger female, "Sure."

"Cool," She said in a tired tone. She then began to walk to the garage door and without looking over her shoulder continued to speak. "Come on, I'll get you some straws."

"Oh." Rigby turned once again to Mordecai, this time with a look of utter shock. "What the? Is that really Heather?"

"Yeah," Mordecai lifted his wing to his forehead. "She must be tired or something."

The raccoon was first to follow after Heather. "Whatever! Come on, free coffee!"

The taller male nodded. "Right behind you."

He took a single step forward toward the garage door. Out of the corner of his eye Rye stood, ready to enter the kitchen along with Rigby and Heather. He watched her as she began stepping forward, ahead of him, only to see her foot stumble beneath her. She released a low gasp as she tried to regain her balance, whirling her arms back and forth. Her best effort was not enough to keep her from toppling sideways.

Without having to think twice, Mordecai lunged forward, extending his arms as he did so. It took about two more seconds for the older female to fall into his wings. The weight of Rye caused him to bent forward and release a small 'oof' but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. Her soft upper arms brushed against his feathers, causing an explosion of goosebumps to erupt all over his body.

And there it was again, that immense warmth. Where was it coming from? All that heat couldn't be coming from Rye; she didn't have a fever, did she? How could one person be so warm, it just wasn't natural!

"Oh geez," Rye's voice caused the goosebumps to reanimate. Just when he thought they had begun to fade.

A light scent wafted upward into his nostrils. It was a breezy floral scent that Mordecai could recall from smell by not by name. Damn, he knew what that smell was, he just couldn't think clearly. Especially not with a girl in his arms.

Soft, warm and smelling sweet? Ugh! She was too much of a tomboy to feel /smell like this!

She glanced up to him, her brown eyes locking with his dark ones. Her glasses had begun to fall off the bridge of her nose, leaving no glass barrier between them. "Good thing I didn't fall, I always have a bad habit of twisting my ankle!"

Is that what she was worried about? What the hell, man? The fact that she was hanging out of his arms didn't bother her? Geez, what was it with these girls! Girls always seemed to be a mystery and just when he thought he was beginning to understand Margaret, this happens. Gah!

"I can't tell you how many times I've sprained my poor ankles." Rye's voice caught him off guard once again. He watched her small pale hand as it moved to her nose and adjusted her glasses.

Why did she have to look at him like that? With that nervous, embarrassed smile and that little bead of sweat that rolled down her temple? Damn he hated to call it cute. Cute just wasn't a word in his verbal dictionary! Not unless he was being sarcastic at the expense of Rigby of course but still!

He had to change the subject, and fast. Staying in this position would only pose many a comment from his best friend if caught in the act.

"Uh, you okay?" He managed to speak, even if his voice sounded a bit horse.

"Oh!" Rye nodded a single time. "Yes."

She wasted no time in taking his hint. She pushed her abdomen out of his arms and stood up straight. As she stood, she moved her right hand to her face and pushed away a stray hair that had moved in front of her eyes. The weight now lifted from his wings, Mordecai retracted them. He allowed the stale air in his lungs to release in the form of a sigh and he slouched a bit in posture.

Rye cleared her throat, catching his attention once again. "Thank you."

"No problem," He refused to look at her.

"Come on then," Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as she turned around and began to make a beeline for the kitchen.

Wait, when did it get so hot in an opened door garage? It was if the heat gathered around his face. No, no, that didn't mean he was blushing did it? WHAT THE FRIKKIN' H, MAN? There was no way he was blushing! He wouldn't even acknowledge it, not like this. It was just to weird, man.

Just then Rigby's small torso appeared in the doorway of the garage/kitchen. "What are you waitin' for, Mordecai?"

"N-nothing!" He was quick to shoot the mammal a death glare.

"Come on," Rigby beckoned with a single paw, "Heather brought frappes!"

Frappes? Those cold blended coffee and mix mixes? The ones that were loaded with sugar and whipped cream? Not to mention that extra drizzle of either caramel or dark chocolate! Hell yeah! If there were frappes waiting in the kitchen, he wasn't going to stand around for too long!

Allowing the memories of the passed two seconds flee from his mind, Mordecai rushed his way into the kitchen. Heather stood at the counter as she divided the cups of coffee between everyone. She handed a rather large cup down to Rigby then headed his way with a second large cup.

Mordecai took the frosty plastic cup without hesitation and stared down at the mass mixture of cold blended coffee slush and melted whipped cream. Ah, he couldn't remember the last time he had a good frappe. Of course, this one had to be a few hours old but what the heck? Food was food, wasn't it?

"Its caramel." Heather said in a less than enthused voice.

Caramel, chocolate, coconut he didn't care! It was coffee, sugary and creamy, that's all that mattered! Even the fact that the whipped cream had all but melted away wasn't going to bring him down; this was the good stuff!

Only if Heather would tell him Margaret made it, then it would be perfect.

"Here's a straw." The baker was quick to hand him a large straw, just meant for drinking a thick frappe out of.

"Uh," Mordecai hesitated for a solid moment. "Thanks, Heather."

She shrugged a single time. It was apparent that she had no fight left in her today. So working had really tired her out? Working at a restaurant was a lot different from working at the park. Being on his feet all day taking orders from rude people was one thing Mordecai was grateful for not doing.

"I'mma hit the hay."

The taller blue bird watched as Heather turned her back to the group and without a second word, began her trot to the sleeping quarters of the small home. She took a single frappe along with her, why, Mordecai wasn't sure. If anything, coffee wouldn't put her to sleep but he wasn't going to argue.

"I feel bad," Rye spoke from the back of the kitchen. "If I had known it was going to take this much out of her, I wouldn't have told Maggie she could take Eileen's shift."

"Not much you can do about it now." Rigby muttered as he wrapped his lips around the straw that connected to his frosty drink.

Rye released a long sigh before nodded to agree. "True." She then turned her back to the counter and leaned her lower back against it. Placing her curled index knuckle to her lip she continued, "Doing the planting tomorrow is gonna kill her."

Before he could begin taking tiny sips from his coffee, Mordecai pulled the straw away from his face and looked to the lone female. "We're starting the planting tomorrow?"

Had the flowers even arrived yet?

"If God's willing," Rye glanced in his direction. "The QVC tracking number said it should be here first thing in the morning."

Rigby tore himself away from his straw and with droplets of coffee hanging off his fur he said, "That's express shipping all right!"

"Sure was fast." Mordecai hummed to himself.

"Uh huh."

Great. So the flowers and all the hard physical labor were gonna happen first thing in the morning? What a pleasant way to start off the day! It was as if he could feel his aching muscles already. Tomorrow was going to be a long day he knew that for sure.

He could only hope the premium hotdog incident stayed silent.

"So where's your 360?" Rigby's higher pitched voice caused Mordecai to turn his nose downward.

Oh yeah! There was a change of subject he was more than welcomed to hear. Ah, there was always that idea to keep him going through the day tomorrow. The thought of battling zombie horde after zombie horde! Ah, if only all the things he read about online could be true! Infected, special infected and the Tanks!

It. Was. Gonna. Be. Sweet.

Rye didn't say anything as she pushed her torso away from the counter. She then stepped out of the very small kitchen and made her way into the slightly large living area. A small loveseat couch sat against the back wall while a large, older style box television stood against the opposite wall. Just below the television cabinet sat the white console. It was one of the most glorious sights he had ever seen.

"Aw!" Rigby threw himself at the gaming console. "This so cool! How does it work?"

Rye dashed toward the raccoon and pulled his left arm backward, pulling away from the expensive device. "Be careful!" She hissed. "I don't want coffee all over my Xbox!"

"Geez, lady." Rigby was quick to pout. "I'll be careful."

"Wow," Mordecai was next to approach the gadget with wide eyes. "Its bigger than I thought."

"Where's the game?" The smaller brown mammal turned to face Rye along with a grin Mordecai had only seen when they had bought a new game. "I wanna try it out!"

The blue jay forced a glare. "Hey, no practicing, Rigby. You know we're gonna play the first time through together."

Of course that statement was a lie. But Mordecai wasn't going to tell Rigby anything about the game Rye and himself were going to play first, not until the night they all sat down to play of course. Any hit that Rye was going to be his first partner would send the feisty slacker into a frenzy.

"So when are we gonna have a game night?" Rigby said with a sparkle in his eyes.

Mordecai turned his attention to Rye, it was her game after all, and she should make the date. He watched was the older female flopped down on the small loveseat. She then began to stretch her arms outward and upward. A few quiet cracks later, she slouched into the couch.

"Well?" The raccoon asked, finding little effort to stay patient.

"Sometime after we get started on the landscaping." She said, closing her eyes and allowing her head to fall backward onto the headrest.

"Whuuuuut?" The two boys asked.

"It only makes sense," Rye moved her right hand to her face and slowly removed her glasses from her nose. "If you two start playing and really enjoy it then it'll take a truck to pull you away from it."

"You think we'll dig it that much?" Mordecai had to ask.

She moved her head up and cracked open a single eye. "I know you two will." She added a slick smile to the end of her sentence.

Mordecai turned to Rigby while the raccoon did the same. The two stared at one another while a pair of small smiles began to grow on their faces. Small smirks turned into full on ear-to-ear grins at the thought of staying awake all night with thee best zombie game ever created! As if on cue and as if they could read each other's minds, the two boys threw their arms into the air and began to, carefully, wave their hands back and forth.

"Watch the coffee." Rye giggled as she shut her open eye and returned her head to the headrest.

The boys then released a long and loud 'oooh', their classic victory call. There was no better situation for them to release a battle cry such as that. It was only a matter of time before they could release their victory dance and call for defeating the game for real. It was just a few days from now, right?

Act End