246 32 Fourteen

"Ya didn't know?" Chris asked as he took a seat on one of the stools in the kitchenette. "How would I?" Rick frowned. "I didn't work there very long," he paused. "The h.e.l.l would he be doing in a place like that anyway..." Chris let out a sigh, placing a hand on his chin. "Beats me." He took a look at his phone. "Nervous?" Rick looked up at him. "Why would I be?" Chris shrugged. "Just wonderin'." Rick looked down. "Well...it's been fourteen years," He paused. "I guess...I'm just a bit nervous." He admitted. "Why?" Rick gave him a look. "The h.e.l.l do ya mean why?" Chris grinned. "B-because..." Rick looked down, blus.h.i.+ng. "What if he grew taller than me," he paused. "Or, what if..." Chris c.o.c.ker his head. "Nothin', never mind." He sighed. "Quit bein' so nosy, Christ." Chris chuckled. "You're right, my bad." Rick looked towards his bedroom door. "'Sides," He began. "Wonder he'll think of Maru." Chris nodded. "I see." He said.

The next couple of days flew by. "Yo," Chris greeted, stepping into the door. "Happy birthday, old man." He smiled. Rick laughed. "Thanks, but I'm not nearly as old as you." Chris chuckled. "Be nice to your seniors, ya punk." Chris looked over at the clock on the wall. "What time did the instructions say...?" Rick took the paper out of his pants pocket. "Around the evening." Chris gave a nod. "You sure you don't mind watching Maru?" Chris nodded. "'Course, Why would I?" Rick smiled. "Dunno, just checkin'." Suddenly, Maru ran out from the bedroom. "Rick!" She cried. The men turned their attention towards her. "Look, it's done!" She held up two bracelets triumphantly. "They look awesome kiddo." He smiled. Chris nodded. "Nice job, shrimp!" Maru beamed, handing him the bracelets. "This one is yours," she pointed toward the green one. "And this," she said, pointing at the purple one. "Is..." she frowned. "Norio's?" Maru quickly nodded. "Mm!" Rick smiled, patting her on the head. Maru gave him a hug. "Happy birthday, Rick!" Rick looked at Chris. Chris gave him a look. Then, Rick knelt down on a knee, and embraced Maru. "You're a great kid, Maru." Maru blushed. "Thank you so much." He smiled as he hugged her. "Mm!" She smiled, as he got up.

As Rick was leaving, Maru quickly ran over. "Tell him I said hi!" She said. Rick gave a nod. "Roger!" He smiled. "Bye bye!" She said, as she and Chris waved. As Rick shut the door, he let out a sigh, and walked toward his cab.

"Tsk, he forgot the instructions." Chris said, picking up the paper. "Hm?" He stared at it for a good second. "I shouldn't..." He looked around. Then he quickly opened it up. He scanned the paper. "Why does this address sound so famili" he paused. "Wait...that's," He gave a loud sigh. "Yees.h.!.+ Not this s.h.i.+t again!" He cried angrily. Maru opened the door. "What's wrong...?" She asked, wiping her eyes. "Ah...Maru," Chris looked at her. "Wanna take a ride...?"