S.C.

JUNE 12TH, 2011

"So you're really leaving huh?" Rigby asked a little concerned.

"No, no, I'm just visiting my cousin," I said while packing my bags. I knew Rigby would be a little upset at me leaving. After all, we're not usually apart that much. "Aww, are you gonna miss me?" I teased.

"Well yeah man. It's going to be boring without you here."

"What about Eileen? She can give you company."

Rigby nodded and smiled slyly, "Yeah, me and her could have some fun…"

"Look, just whatever you two do in here, keep my bed out of it," I joked.

"You don't think I'd actually do that, do you?"

"I guess not."

"Exactly," Rigby said. "At least not to your knowledge…" he mumbled.

"I heard that!"

I couldn't thank Benson enough for this. I haven't seen my cousin in a long time. His name's Keith. Last time I saw him he lived in a small house in a quiet town, with huge farmland:

Beautiful place.

I left around noon, which would have me arrive at SC around 6 or 7 o'clock pm. I said goodbye to everyone at the park and told them I'd be back soon. Pops needed extra assurance to know I'd be back. (He was very emotional when I left. You know…)

Once I left, I only had one wish: Just hope this vacation can calm things a bit. Just make me forget.

[xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

As I boarded the train and took my seat, breathed a sigh of relief and plugged in my headphones. I had planned to listen to some upbeat music during my trip, but I found myself playing those really somber songs you listen to on a rainy day. One of them…I don't know it just seemed to hit close for some reason.

["I Won't Give Up" By Jason Mraz]

When I look into your eyes

It's like watching the night sky

Or a beautiful sunrise

There's so much they hold

And just like them old stars

I see that you've come so far

To be right where you are

How old is your soul?

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space

To do some navigating

I'll be here patiently waiting

To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn

Some even fall to the earth

We've got a lot to learn

God knows we're worth it

No: I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily

I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make

Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use

The tools and gifts we got, yeah, we got a lot at stake

And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend

For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn

We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in

I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not, and who I am

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up, still looking up.

I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up)

God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)

We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved)

God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it)

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

There was something about that song that just didn't make sense as to how it could relate to me. Margaret and I have nothing to do with each other. There is no more repairing, no more waiting.

Maybe that song, didn't relate to Margaret and I. Maybe it related to me and someone else.

But I wasn't about to go thinking about that. I'm here for a vacation and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

As I got off the train, I took a cab and headed to his house. It took only a few minutes to get there. (Good thing, since I felt completely worn out.)

His house was one story with a big fairly well kept garden. I rung the doorbell.

Keith answered the door. He looks almost like me, just that he had his spiky hair shaved down and had a beard.

"Mordecai?"

"Hey man," I greeted him with a bro hug. He was wearing a white tee shirt and blue jeans.

"Come in, make yourself at home."

I followed him in. His house was small and well kept. It was pretty much a guy pad.

To the corner of my eye, I saw a bug on the on the wall.

"Still having a bug problem Keith?" I asked. Last I saw him, the house was infested with bugs and he had to get the whole place fumigated. There was some kind of nest near his house and that's what caused it. I can see there are still some roaming around. Keith and I took a seat on the sofa.

"No, that one's different," Keith responded.

"How so?

"I'll give you the quick version: I did something bad to this lady, who was actually a witch and she cursed me with these bugs for eternity."

I guess the strangeness doesn't just limit to the park.

"Are they bad?"

"Surprisingly, no. Actually, they are really nice. For example: Bugs! Get my cousin some water please."

A few bugs started to fix a glass of water from the kitchen and flew it too me.

"Don't worry, they keep themselves clean," Keith reassured me.

"I hope so." I took a sip.

"The only problem with them, is that they communicate by using a very high pitched beeping sound. Bugs! Say 'hi' to Mordecai."

A very high pitched beep filled my ears. It was so loud I felt I had to leave the house. Keith looked just fine though.

"I've gotten used to it. I kind of think of them now as my little pets."

"Pets? You're not going to try and kill them?"

The bugs beeped again.

"Mordecai, don't say thing like that. It scares them."

"Sorry bugs…" I said.

Another beep.

"Yeah, that going to take some getting used to." I said.

"Well you can take a nap in the guest room if you want. I can fix you some good southern cooking when you wake up."

"Thanks."

"No problem man."

Yep, this is just what I needed.

Author's Note: Keith is a temporary character in the story. He knows about Mordecai's friends at the park and all the crazy stuff he gets himself into. Also, a thanks to reviewer horserider3573 who mentioned the song used in the chapter in their review.