Sometimes Things Fall Apart

Chapter Fifteen

       The first two days were relatively uneventful. Occasionally, Rick and Morty would be laughing extremely loudly, working on a machine in the garage. Other times, Rick would yell at Morty, calling him names. I would peek out the window to make sure they were okay, but Morty never walked away. He just stood by his grandfather, helping him. Nothing could make him leave right now. He seemed happier, finally having Rick back to himself.

       Today I had decided to do some yard work, but it was absolutely sweltering out. I had tossed my lab coat back inside, but that didn't help. So I threw on a tank top and capris, wondering how the hell Rick wears jeans, a sweater, and a lab coat together on a day like this. I continued pulling weeds from the front garden before I decided enough was enough. I threw my trowel down and ran back inside the house, digging through my summer drawer.

        Inside, I found my favorite crop top and my shortest pair of shorts. "Who cares what they think? I'm not gonna die of heat exhaustion because I'm too damn self conscious to stay cool." I pulled my hair into a bun, trying to keep as much of it off of my back as humanly possible, and changed my outfit. "Seriously, if this doesn't work, I'm locking myself in the freezer."

       I ran back outside with a new bottle of water, checking the clock on my way out. "Damn, it's already noon?"

       Back outside, I had managed to stay relatively cooler as I continued plucking weeds from the earth, finding small bushes in the midst of it all. "I wonder what you could be?" I didn't pull them out, excited at the fact that I now didn't have to plant anything myself.

-x-

       It took almost two hours, the unrelenting heat beating down on me, but I had managed to weed the entire front garden.

        I stood up to admire my work when I heard extremely loud laughter from the house behind my own. I stood on my toes, trying to see over the fence dividing our yards, and saw a couple of kids playing in a pool. "That sounds like fun."
       Immediately, I got an idea. I brushed the dirt off of myself before I raced across the street, knocking on the front door to the Smith's house. Jerry answered, looking like he was literally melting. "Come on in, (F/N)." I followed him into the living room to find the entire family sitting on the couch, surrounded by an army of fans. Summer and Morty had shorts and t-shirts on, Beth was wearing a sun dress, and both Rick and Jerry were wearing their normal clothes.

        "Alright," all heads turned to face me, "how are you two not dying?" I pointed to both Rick and Jerry, watching as they both shrugged. Everybody but Rick turned back to the tv. He was staring at me. "What?"
        I looked down at my outfit, then back to Rick. "What'd you expect? It's hot!"

         Rick muttered "Hell yeah it is" before his attention was reluctantly pulled to the tv. I rolled my eyes, smiling, before addressing the family. "It is an outrageously hot day out. So, if you'd like to join me later, I'm going out to buy a pool, maybe have a small get together? I haven't seen most of you in a while..." I held my hands behind my back, watching as everybody's gaze was directed back to me. Happy grins were everywhere and I laughed, "I guess it sounds like a plan. Morty, Summer? Do you two want to come with me and help pick a pool?"

        Summer shot right out of her seat, squealing, "WHOO! Pool party!" Morty seemed more reluctant, but Rick sent him a look, mouthing something I didn't catch. Pretty quickly he stood and followed Summer and I out the door. "We'll be back soon!"

         "Be careful, guys!" Beth was such a sweetheart. "I gotta grab my purse before we go. One sec!" I ran into the house, grabbing it off the table, and booked it back out the door.

       Once I made it outside, the three of us piled into my truck and I began heading to town. "So, I don't care how big the pool is. You guys can pick it out if you want. But Summer?" She gave a small response in acknowledgment, "I'm gonna need your help picking drinks and stuff. I have a grill, so we'll have a barbecue, but I need help with everything else." She danced around in the passenger seat, "This is gonna be so much fun!"

-x-

        As soon as we had gotten to the store, Summer raced inside, dragging Morty and I behind her. She ran down the pool aisle, "I've been looking at this one for the longest time." She pointed to one in particular and I read the description.

       "Six feet deep, comes with lights, ladder, and tarp. Fits eleven." I took a quick glance at the price, "I hope whoever's money this is doesn't notice the amount I'm spending suddenly." I quietly joked before I grabbed the massive box, struggling as Summer and Morty helped me toss it into a cart. Summer looked absolutely shocked to see that I had actually agreed. I just laughed at her expression. "Alright, now a few snacks."

       Half an hour later, we had a cart full of chips, drinks, and sweet treats. We quickly paid and loaded my truck up, taking off in the direction of home.

-x-

       Around two hours later, the pool had been set up and was nearly full of water. I had the hose running from the side of my house while Beth and Jerry let me use theirs, dragging the hose across the street as it pumped more water into the pool. "I'm pretty sure that's somehow illegal, but I'm also pretty sure I don't care."

       Summer and Morty helped me set up the food on a folding table outside. We were glad today wasn't windy. "Alright you two, go ahead and go get ready. Come over whenever you're finished. Thanks for helping out! I'll be inside getting ready if I'm not out here when you come back."

       I began to put up lights around my yard, in case it got dark out while we were still outside. "H-Hey, (F/N)?" I froze, "Yea, Morty?"

       "I'm r-really sorry about what I said. You know, the... the whole weak thing?" I nodded, of course I knew. "It's fine, Morty."
       "No it's not. I don't hate you. I just... I was mad because Rick was always with you. I thought you were stealing him from me. He wouldn't t-take me on any more adventures. But I asked him about it, the other day when you told him to spend more time with us? He told me I hurt you. I didn't mean to. And the other day, he got mad at me because I told him to stop spending so much time over here. I called you dumb again, because you've stolen him for almost a month, and he got so mad. I didn't th-think he cared that much. But he does. He cares about you. He's never done that before. He doesn't normally care for anybody but himself. And then you showed up." He hugged me, "I'm sorry. Plea-Please don't be mad at me."

       I laid my hand on his head, "Don't worry little bro. I'll always be here." I smiled, "Now go get ready. I have to go change. Remember, I'll be upstairs if I'm not out here when you get back.

        I ran inside, heading upstairs to find my bathing suit. "Does he really care?"