Fan+Fiction+Waiting+For+Normal

=Waiting For Normal; Rick and Elliot's Story=

by Ashella Bailey
"When Elliot had first moved here, I thought I'd landed inside a New York City t.v show." Rick shouted from the back of Numbskull Dory's Pub. He sat talking to Addie for hours on end about Elliot. She was old enough to help him with the dishes now. But of course with no pay, and not for very long. But she liked coming up here every weekend. Rick talked and she'd listen to everything he'd say, even when he'd start talking about how "cute" Elliot was, which she thought was odd. She'd just finished gathering up some of the dishes still left on the table tops, when the pale peach wall phone rang loudly in her ear. Drying the suds and water off of his hands, Rick picked up the phone, with a charming "Hello." He'd always answered the phone this way when it might be an exectutive food critic on the other end. Addie heard slight excited talking on the other end of the line. Rick made his voice sound happy, but his face held a somber expression. After a few mintues of talking, Addie could tell Rick had been talking to Elliot, the way he comfortably said each word. Not usuing proper words like he had with some customer or a higher up exectutive coming to check out his pub. He let out a long sigh when he'd finally hung up the phone. By that time, Addie was done with all the dishes and had moved to the front to wash the windows. In his usual white apron, stained with splotches of some food he'd been cooking, Rick slowly made his way up to where Addie stood, watching out the front window as she washed it with a cloth.He stared out of the glass, looking at nothing in particular,as traffic passed them by. After a few mintues of his blank staring, Addie turned to him and looked at his face. He was gruff, with a slight five-o-clock shadow. He had deep brown eyes, and slightly long eyelashes and his eyebrows were bushy but in order. His dark hair was always pulled back in a white handkerchief reveling his forehead, slightly reddish. She guessed he might have been very handsome at one point, but with all of his work with the pub, and probably trying to handle the stress that took on, he'd stopped caring about his appearance. He stared blankly out of the glass door she'd just finished washing. She'd never seen him with this kind of expression;dull, maybe a hint of fear, but mostly just blankness. Something was wrong.

"Who was that on the phone?" she asked in her little girl manner she had always used when she talked to him. He sighed, as she moved to the table nearest to them and sat down. He turned in her direction, but his face was drawn to the floor. "Elliot..Elliot got offered a job back in New York." he said somberly. To Addie this sounded like fantastic news. She knew Elliot was always into office management. Working at the mini-mart was his "fallback job". She had to ask him what that meant, she did that a lot with Elliot. (He always used words she wasn't sure of.Part of her dyslexia.) He told her that he always had great plans for his future. Ever since he was in high school, Elliot wanted to be the boss of someone,which she could see him doing, because of the way he ran the mini-mart. It was always nice and clean, well organized, always well stocked. During his times of "job hunting" he called it, he'd given his resume to lots of companies. The one he'd wanted to work for was located in the Empire State Building in New York. Inside was a book company. He wanted to be the one who'd make up the schedules of when the books deadlines were, let the boss know what books were scheduled to be shipped and when, scheduling book signings. Well, he'd tried to get into that company and many others. Sadly, because of lack of experience, he was shot down. "Not even an intern job!" he'd said with anger. Another one for Webster's Dictionary,Addie thought. Somehow he ended up working in the mini-mart and meeting Rick and Soula. She thought now, since he was finally excepted to a company, Rick would be happy for him. Still his face held an irreplaceable sadness.

"Well, that's great!" she said beaming. Rick sighed placing a hand on the table, leaning his weight against it. "I know.. it is great for him. But... " "But?"she asked curiously. "..it means that he may have to move there, permanantly." His words hung in the air like a dead fly in a spiders web. Elliot would be leaving them..forever.

Addie spoke quietly, still trying to have a happy tone to her voice. Inside, she felt as if she would be losing Elliot the same way they all had lost Soula,expecting it soon,but trying to keep it out of their heads. "Well.. that's good, for him! We-we should throw a party!!" said Addie. Rick tried to hide the blank expression he'd had moments ago and tried to be happy for Elliot. The sign of a party had always made Rick joyful. He loved to cook for all of his friends and play music, and talk. It was a chance for him to be himself and not put on that formal act he always had when customers were around. He grabbed a pen and a piece of paper off of the counter and handed it to Addie. "Here kiddo, make a list for me and I'll go with ya' and get the stuff tomorrow." he smiled at her and she smiled back. She began frantically writing out all the supplies she'd need for the party, while Rick finished with the chores for the pub, both trying to keep the thought of Elliot's leaving away from their thoughts.

The morning of the party Addie woke at about 7:30, the way she always did during school. After her shower, and dressing herself, she tip toed quietly into Dwight and Hannah's room. Hannah was sleeping on her side,quiety snoring,and neatly laying on her side.Dwight on the other hand,was caught in a massive tangle of sheets,snoring loudly, and twitching his legs some,probably from a nightmare.SHe tapped his shoulder lightly with her finger. "Dwight! Hey, Dwight?" she whispered quietly.He awoke with drool sliding own from the corner of his mouth to his jawline. He grunted loudly as he lifted his head. His eyes slit open slightly, to adjust the lighting. "Yes Addie?" He said tiredly. "Rick and I are going to the store to get some stuff for Elliot's party, I'll be back sometime today okay?" He nodded and asked her quietly so that "The Little's"-what they referred to as Addie's sisters- wouldn't hear. "Do you need any money?" She blinked, wondering what exactly she would need money for. She clicked her index finger and thumb. "Yes, I do!" she said a little loudly. Dwight reached down and picked up a pair of his faded blue jeans from the floor. Pulling out a twenty dollar bill and a five, he handed it to her and turned over to sleep again. Rick's horn honked loudly as soon as she ran towards the door. Opening the heavy blue front door, she waved to him and shoved the money into her front pocket of her jeans. Sliding into the front seat of Rick's blue Toyota Corolla, she buckled herself in.There was a hanging car air freshener that makes the inside smell like golden honey and wild cherries, as it says so on the label. The seats are cushioned and comfortable and the heat vents are blowing air out to heat it all. Addie felt at home when she sat in Rick's truck. She really enjoyed the ways he kept himself. He'd changed this way for Elliot, who said he couldn't stand a slob. And in truth, that's what Rick admitted to being, but for Elliot's sake he changed. They both didn't speak for a while until the got onto the bridge heading towards the muliplex. Addie cracked the automatic window some and let the cold November breeze flow in. Looking out over the wall of the bridge, she could see the beautiful Cherokee park,it was like a nature perserve almost. Rick and Elliot loved to take her there as much as they could. They said it was one of the very few places in their city with unlimited beautyand that she deserved to see it. When she thought about Elliot and how much he talked about the very few sights worth seeing in their city, it made her realize why Elliot wanted to leave here so badly. Of course he loved all of his friends and family here, but he was a guy who wanted to see and experience the world,and that would require leaving this place. "So, how long is that list you have there?" Rick said finally breaking the silence. "Well, it has a good amount of things I know Elliot will love."She pulled out the list she kept in her pocket along with the 25 dollars Dwight had given her. "Well, just make sure there ain't no walnuts on that list.You shoulda seen em' kiddo. He took a bite of the chocolate at a party we went to once," He broke off his sentence with a loud chuckle closing his eyes slightly. "His face swelled up like a little pig!" Addie giggled a bit with him. After their laughing Rick's face changed to that somber expression like he had yesterday in the pub. Addie knew how much Rick would hate to see Elliot go. They'd spent every day they could with each other, since they started dating, doing something fun. Rick had a wife a few years before he met Elliot, and they were so happy with each other. Rick at the time, was just starting his pub in their town, and wasn't making much money. Eventually, poverty took its hold on them, and one day Rick woke to find his wife gone. This sent him into what Elliot called "depression". Another one for Webster's. And he hadn't done anything with his life after that. That is, until he met Elliot. He saved him. When Rick would talk to her while she helped him at the pub, that's what he'd always say under his breath,but she could always hear. "He saved me."

Addie layed all her supplies out on a table in Numbskull Dory's. She'd bought, wrapping paper, bows, balloons, streamers,cake mix, cups,plates, and a sign that read, "Good Luck!" in rainbow letters. She left Rick in the back, tending to the food. The smell of cake and pizza lingered in the air. It smelled the way it always had when Rick had a party.Although, the atmosphere, it didn't seem like there was about to be a fun party. It felt like something bad was about to happen.

Just a few hours after Addie had decorated the pub to look like anything but a pub, guest started showing up by the minutes. Elliot's friends, Rick's friends and some of his frequent customers.Even Jenny, Rick's waitress decided to show up. Sitting at a table in the front, waving to each guest that walked in, Addie thought about what exactly she'd use the money,Dwight gave her, for. What could she buy for Elliot that would make him remember her? Turning towards the back of the pub, she watched Rick as he talked to an older women. She wore red lipstick on her rather thin lips, burnt sienna colored hair, and wearing a red pansuit that stopped at her knees. The women nodded as he spoke, Rick's face rather serious. Addie guessed she was a resteraunt executive, here to check out the pub.

Elliot and Rick had always hated when the exectutive's came. "They ruin the layed back vibe the pub presents." Elliot says. Addie had always liked that about the pub. It was homey and safe, and you could talk about anything you wanted with no one judging you. Of course Addie could do that with Elliot all the time. It was one of the things she loved about him. She thought back in her mind when her and Elliot had first met. When Soula had first called her "Little Cookie" in the minimart, and Elliot treated her like she had lived there since she was born. It made her feel like she could trust them both. She had it! She knew exactly what Elliot could have to remember her by! She rushed over to Rick, who had just finished talking to the lady in red. She told him she would be right back. Rick told her that was fine and she ran out the front door of the pub. The women in red walked over to Rick once again, pointing in Addie's direction before she had left. "That your kid Rick?" she said bluntly. "No. She's Elliot's friend. She helps me out around here, real smart that one." He took a sip of his drink, a clearish brown liquid. "He don't pay her does he?"she turned to take a sip of her own drink, before she said,"There are laws against making a kid, young as her,work like that you know?" Rick turned to her fastly with an angered expression. His eyebrows were drawn downward. He slammed his drink on the counter, and many people jumped and looked to him when he did so. "What're insinuating LeAnne?!" He licked his lips before he spoke again. "Elliot's a good person, and he'd never be the way you think he is! Unlike you he has emotions and wouldn't up and be so shallow.He threw his drink to the floor, the glass shattering loudly so everyone at the party could hear. Once he turned to walk out to greet the other guests everyone fell silent. At the door stood Elliot, holding his brown suitcase. "What's going on here?" RIck looked as if he was going to say something, smiling slightly as he stared at Elliot, tears brimming his eyes. He turned, and ran out the back door. Elliot followed. Addie ran into the front glass door with the red lettering that read Numbskull Dory's. Her small yellow bag filled with Elliot's present. She smiled at it as she opened the door. Everyone was talking still, but slightly quieter and in a kind of whisper. "What's wrong?" she said quietly. Then, she noticed that Rick was not in the room. One women who was a good friend of Soula's gestured towards the back of the pub. Addie dashed quickly to the back pushing open the heavy gray door. Elliot was croutched on the ground in front of Rick,placing a hand on his shoulder. Rick's hands covered his face Around his eyes were red and slightly moist, showing he'd been crying. He opened his mouth to speak, but when he did so, nothing came out. Instead of the sound of his voice, his steady sobs were the only thing heard for about 8 minutes. Addie knelt down to Rick just as Elliot did, but on the opposite side of him. She broke the silence with, "What happened Rick? Why're you crying? Please tell me.." He turned his face upwards but kept his eyes locked on the ground."That women who you saw me with before you left, her name is LeAnne . She is my ex-wife. And.. every time she comes here, she has something to say about Elliot!!" he started to shout. Elliot placed his hand on Rick's shoulder calming him some. "Rick.. I don't care what she says about me. She can say whatever she wants, but no one's going to believe her word over your's. They know you much better than they know her,and they know me. She just likes to find things about me and turn them into something their not.She's jealous."His hand met Rick's and he pulled him to his feet as they stood. As Rick wiped the tears from his eyes he smiled as did Elliot. "Let's go enjoy this party, which this little Miss i hear had a heck of a time planning." He patted her head and the started to walk ahead of Addie. She understood. She finally understood why Elliot's leaving pained Rick so badly.LeAnne made RIck feel so terrible about his life, whenever she came here. Elliot was one of the only people who understood Rick as much as he did. That was hard for him. He'd never really liked to open up. Not even to his brothers. But, Elliot knew everything about him and comforted him a lot. She would always see Rick smile the most when he was with Elliot,and soon,he'd be leaving.Pushing back the tears and swallowing the large lump in her throat, Addie followed them. They all walked into the party, trying to smile a little as so not to harsh anymore moods. Someone had already sent LeAnne on her way, and cleaned up the broken glass from Rick's fit,which made Rick smile even more. Elliot and Rick picked up their drinks and moved to sit at the front table.Addie ran into the back to help Jenny, who had agreed to present the cake to Elliot at the party. Addie took the far right side while Jenny took the left. They walked carefully to the front and sat the cake on the table before the smiling couple. Elliot smacked one of his hands, a bit overexcitedly to his left cheek, his mouth gaping wide open in awe. "Wow!! What a beautiful cake! Thanks you guys!" Everyone laughed, they always did whenever Elliot made a joke. Without knowing it, Elliot always made people smile. He brings a light that makes everyone happy, whenever he's around. "Nothing can replace him, he's just too unique and special. He plays a big part in all of our lives, especially Rick's.." Addie thought. All of the everyone's eyes were no longer on Elliot and Rick, they were locked on Addie's face.. Without realizing,she had started to cry. She tried harder and harder to wipre to tears off of her face, but more just kept coming. She couldn't stop herself. Elliot was leaving, and it pained her as much as it did everyone else. Rick and Elliot stood and walked to her placing their hands on her shoulder as she sobbed. Elliot knelt beside her, trying to look at her tear stained face she kept turning away from his vision. "Hey, Little Cookie." Was all he said before she started sobbing. She fell into his shirt sobbing loudly and muffled in the cotten.That was what Soula had called her and it had always cheered her up with. This time, it just brought more tears. Elliot embraced her and everyone from the party gathered around them to try and soothe her. After a few mintues Elliot held Addie's shoulder's looking at her face. "Addie, I'm not going to be in New York forever." he said calmy. Now even Rick looked surprised. Elliot went on, as if he knew what they were all thinking. "Yeah, the company I'm going to be working for, is moving their franchise here. I'll only be there for a few short months to work out some details with them. Then they'll be starting to build some offices here." He smiled warmly at them. Elliot wasn't leaving forever. He'd be coming home! Addie was filled with joy as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Now everyone smiled. Elliot would be happy here. Doing what he loved and being with the people he loved.Squeals of happieness came from Addie and everyone around,after that everyone was nothing but smiles.

That night, the party had died down some. Everyone had left all except some of Rick's friends, including Jenny who had agreed to stay behind and help with cleanup. As Elliot, Rick and Addie drove on the highway to the airport, Elliot talked on and on about what he would be doing at his new job. Rick listened approvingly, smiling more than Addie had ever seen him. Once they arrived at the airport and Elliot's plane was called, he stared into Addie's eyes before she hugged him happily. "Oh yeah!! I forgot!" Addie exclaimed as she ran back to the truck. Pulling out her yellow bag she handed it to Elliot with a smile. He opened it to find about a month's worth of microwavable apple pies. He laughed as he said; "You remembered." Elliot and Soula had given Addie a free apple pie the day she moved to their corner. It was something they'd liked to eat, esspecialy when it was cold and Soula was too sore to cook. Rick embraced Elliot for a long while before the intercom spoke. "Flight 462 is now boarding." Elliot broke away with slight tears in his eyes, smiling.