Life's Lessons on Stress

  ~*~

  Zell and I checked our watches at the same time. We exchanged raised eyebrows and smiles before focusing back on our meal and the conversation regarding future plans for the booming pet shop.

  Quistis hadn’t come back from lunch with Zack.

  "Yo, Pop," Zell spoke up between bites of pot roast, "can we bum a ride to Zack’s? I guess it’s been rough today, so he probably forgot to come get us and our gear."

  I smiled at my half-eaten plate of food. I loved hearing Zell call my folks ‘Mom’ and ‘Pop’. Warm fuzzies attacked each and every time. Like clockwork.

  Dad nodded. "Sure, Zell. Not a problem. Did you want to go after dinner?"

  "Nah. I want some of Mom’s cream pie first."

  Warm fuzzies!

  Mom chuckled. "I’ll be sure to save you an extra helping, honey."

  "Sweet!"

  Dad motioned to me with a fork. "Where’s your friend Quistis? Isn’t she staying with you at Zack’s?"

  I nodded, sending Zell another sidelong glance. "They were having lunch at the pub," he said. "Talking about the station and stuff, so Zack’s probably giving her a tour or something."

  "Oh that’s nice," Mom answered. "Maybe she’ll know of some people looking to work at the station."

  I smiled. "Maybe. She already had a good idea about starting an Internship program."

  Dad nodded. "That is a good idea. I’ve been thinking of doing that same thing with an assistant for the clinic."

  "You want me to post a message on the clinic’s message board?"

  "Could you?"

  "Sure, Dad. No problem. Just tell me the details of the position and I’ll do it when I get back to Garden on Monday." I sent Zell a look. "Should I ask Zack if he wants me to do the same for the station?"

  Zell shrugged. "Wouldn’t hurt."

  We heard a duet of laughter and the ring of the side door bell as the door opened and closed. Zell and I smiled at each other.

  "Oh. That must be Zack and Quistis," Mom observed as she stood. "I’ll go see if they want some dinner." She left the dining room and headed for the living room.

  "What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?" Dad asked us.

  Zell sent me a slight sidelong smile as he pressed his knee against mine. "Zell and I were just going to hang out and walk around some." I met his eyes and smiled. "Maybe head over to the tomb by Deling City and do some adventuring and have a picnic?" He nodded, smile widening. I looked back over at Dad. "I don’t know about Quistis. Hadn’t had a chance to talk to her about it."

  Dad’s lips twitched. "You want me to take her around the clinic; give you two time to yourself?"

  I flushed. "Dad, you don’t have to do that. She can com--"

  "Kiddo, it’s not a problem. Maybe she and I can hash out some details about that Internship program she mentioned." Dad motioned at the two of us. "You two take the day. Enjoy yourselves."

  Zell tucked his calf behind my shin, a regular thing when sitting at a table, and lightly stroked my skin. Thrustaevis and warm fuzzies collided with my smile. "Thanks, Pop. We will." I looked over at him. "Why don’t we go pack a picnic right now? That way we can head off early tomorrow."

  "Sure."

  We stood and headed for the kitchen, Zell tucking an arm around my waist. Quistis, Mom, and Zack met us in the hall. "Hi, Quistis," I greeted with a somewhat silly smile. Zack smirked. "I hope you don’t mind, but Zell and I are going to--"

  "We’re ditchin’ ya," Zell interrupted. "Tomorrow we’re heading out for the Tomb of the Forgotten King, or whatever the hell it was called, and doin’ some adventuring. Knock yourself out with Mom and Pop and Zack. ‘Kay?"

  Quistis chuckled, passing us with a shake of her head. "Thanks. I will."

  "Have fun, though I’m sure Zell already has a few ideas," Zack offered.

  "Zackary Bryan," Mom scolded, and I heard the thwack of her hand on the back of his head.

  Zell smiled down at me with yet another infamous wiggle of his eyebrows. I giggled and poked him lightly in the ribs.