Trust

After their unlikely friendship had begun, Chris frequently visited Rick's house, much to Rick’s annoyance.

“Hey, what’re you doing?” Chris asked while hovering over his shoulder.

Rick sighed while grabbing his pen.

“Looking for a new job, I guess.”

Chris laughed.

“Hey, hey, don’t laugh right in my ear, idiot.”

Chris smiled, amused.

“I already have one kid I’m taking care of; I really don’t need another,” Rick smirked.

“Hey!” Chris shouted, insulted.

“By the way, where is the shrimp?” Chris questioned.

“The huh?” Rick scratched his head in annoyance.

“Maru,” Chris replied.

“Oh, Sena and Abbey took her to the park,” Rick replied, checking the clock.

“I think they’ll be back soon.”

Chris nodded.

“Any luck finding anything?”

Rick grinned, annoyed.

“Not if you keep bothering me.”

Chris looked at his watch.

“Ah crap, I have to go; tell them I said hi!” Chris exclaimed as he turned towards the door.

“By the way, I heard the school in this town is hiring.” He said as he walked out.

Rick lifted his head.

“Huh?”

But the door closed.

Rick sighed as he got up to fix himself a glass of water. He checked his phone to see what school was nearby.

“Elementary?” He clicked the link to the school’s website.

*

“Science teacher?” Sena asked, cocking her head.

Rick smiled widely.

“You want to be a science teacher?” Sena repeated as she sat on the couch.

“Yeah, I mean not to brag or anything, but science was my best subject.”

Sena looked at Abbey.

“What’s the pay like?” Abbey asked as she leaned against the counter.

“It’s alright, I guess, about as good as it gets,” Rick answered.

“Do you think you could do it, you know, with Maru and all-”

Before Abbey could continue, Rick turned around with a sheepish grin on his face.

“Woah, hey, I don’t like that look, Summers,” Abbey said, giving an annoyed smile.

“Well,” Rick began.

“I was hoping two of my wonderful friends could maybe watch her during the day,” Rick said as he quickly spun his chair away.

Sena and Abbey looked at each other.

“Rick,” Sena began.

“We could certainly do it, but not if we have plans.”

Rick spun himself toward them.

“I have Chris, too.” He replied.

“You seriously trust that hyena-sounding numbskull?” Abbey huffed as she placed her hands on her hips.

“Hey-” However, before he could continue, Maru chimed in.

“I can watch myself.” She said sheepishly, swinging her legs.

The three adults turned their attention toward her.

“No, you can’t.” They said in unison.

Maru puffed her cheeks in annoyance and folded her arms.

“Anyway, if there are days you guys, or Chris, can’t do it, worst-case scenario, I’ll just get a babysitter, I guess.”

Sena and Abbey exchanged looks, then turned back toward Rick.

“Fine.” They nodded their heads.

"Great!" Rick smiled happily, humming as he continued to fill out his application.