#this is also absolutely not canon for g.r.

[nevalizona]

2). Fall Schedule.

Pardon any errors.

Erick sat at his desk thinking about the weekend. Gracie went to a nightclub, and of course, he had to go too. He, for once, isn't cursing her for spending the weekend doing something so energetic and worldly. He actually enjoyed watching her dance, even if it was with Darren. Her hips swaying, watching her bump and grind, was thrilling. Normally, he'd be pissy about it. He will never get to experience that with her. He's not the kind of guy to go out dancing and even if he was to go, he wouldn't dance with her, especially not like that. So often, when he would leave the nightclub after watching her, feeling so dejected and sometimes downright depressed because he knows he will never be the kind of guy she wants. He's not fun. He's never been fun. He tried to force those thoughts out of his head. He didn't want to think about all the ways that made him lesser as a man, instead he'd rather think about her sensual dancing and how he wished he could experience that, if even only for a moment.

"Hey, Erick." His co-worker, Genevieve Rivera, greeted him shyly as she stood at the entrance of his cubicle. She had a warm smile and rosy cheeks. Erick himself felt a little giddy when she was around. But Genevieve is just too shy for him. He has always liked a confident woman. Genevieve can go for long periods without leaving her house. That's something Erick cannot understand and really doesn't know how to combat.

"Gen! How was your weekend?" Erick asked, immediately being friendly and kind.

Genevieve's cheeks reddened a little as she looked down at her hands.

"Uh, well, this weekend one of the stations, can't remember which one, was playing this docu-series on the decades and this one was focusing on the 60s and there was an episode on Vietnam and everything that happened there. Made me think of you, though, because that's one of the wars you've told me about." She said sheepishly.

Erick smiled smally.

"Yeah! That was just awful, huh? I can't pretend to be an expert on it, but I have read a bit and watched even more. I think I know the series you're talking about! Is the 70s next?"

"Uh huh! I must admit, I got a little choked up near the end of the 60s. With all the bad that happened near the end, I couldn't help but just… almost long for the good the stuff the moon brought." Genevieve explained, barely looking at Erick as she talked.

"Yeah, what a hopeful end to such a shitty decade. I mean- there was a lot of good but… I'm going to start rambling, and I know I'll bore you."

"You won't bore me at all. I love listening to you talk. What did you do this weekend?"

Erick looked at her for a few moments, thinking about what he wanted to say. He obviously can't tell her he went to a nightclub. That just isn't in his character. What can he say? For some reason, he was blanking on anything he could say.

"Uh- just went to breakfast with my sister. Nothing special. Did you end up hanging out with your friend from the book club you go to?" Erick asked, glad that he could move the attention away from him.

Immediately, Genevieve's cheeks reddened, and she looked away from him and toyed with her necklace anxiously.

"Something came up. So I spent the weekend alone."

"Genevieve."

"I know. I know. I promise I'm going to get out of the house this week, really."

"It's autumn now. There's so much to do. How about you and I go to a bookstore and get some coffee." Erick couldn't believe he just asked that outright. Talking to women he was attracted to has always been difficult.

Her eyes widened for a moment before she nodded her head quickly.

"That sounds great, Erick!"

Erick smiled back at her, heart pounding in his chest. He kept wanting to pinch himself, calm down a little so he wouldn't make a fool out of himself.

"We'll solidify our plans when it's closer to the weekend."

"Great! I'll talk to you later!" She exclaimed, hurrying off in the direction of her cubicle. As soon as she was gone, Erick sat back in his chair and sighed, rubbing his face.

He likes Genevieve enough. She's attractive. He's always thought so. Pretty brown eyes that look soft and friendly. Her nose takes up too much of her face, but he always thought that was just the cutest thing. Her body was right down his alley. Fat but not afraid to still dress nice. She may not be as big as Gracie, but he has always enjoyed a full figured woman. That's something Claudia never had going for her. Always too thin, never much to grab onto. If only Genevieve was just a bit more confident. She'd be perfect for him. His dream woman, in fact. She has always appreciated everything he's ever said to her, and he does the same for her. But her inability to go out into the world, be dependent on herself, just bothers the hell out of him. He never wants to be responsible for his partner in the same way a parent is responsible for their children.

He doesn't want to ask her if she's got some fresh air recently. Make sure she's not holed up in her house for days at a time. He doesn't want to ask her if she's eating right or eating at all. Has she moved around, or has she just laid in bed all day? He cares an awful lot about Genevieve, but he gets why she's 42 and single. Erick immediately felt bad for the thought. No one deserves to be alone just because they're obviously mentally ill. She needs help. Agoraphobia and anxiety have taken over her life. His precious Gracie is bipolar with severe bouts of anxiousness. He should be more understanding than he has the tendency to be.