~*~*~
“Ready?”
I looked over my right shoulder at Zell as I nodded. “Let's go.”
Zell pushed the wheelchair forward--the one stipulation Dr. Kadowaki had in letting me go hang out with my parents on the beach.
“She's going to let you go to the inauguration ball, right?”
“I don't know. She says it depends on if I'm still having dizzy spells.”
Zell released a quick breath. “It's gonna totally suck if you can't go.”
I smiled. “It won't be that bad.”
“Nah. I guess not. I mean, I could always grab a boombox and go hang out at the infirmary. It's just, well, I've been takin' dance lessons. I wanted to show off.”
I twisted carefully in the chair as Zell pushed it along the main corridor to the front gate. “Dance lessons? Really?”
Zell grinned. “Yeah. I kinda made a fool of myself at my ball. I didn't want to do the same thing with you.”
My heart melted as I gave him a mushy expression and an, “Aw. That's so sweet.”
His ears pinked--I thought it looked so cute--and he chuckled. “Hey. Anything for my girl.”
I reached up and touched his cheek--I had mushy moments and touchy-feely escapades all the time... almost. “Thanks, Zell. You didn't have to, but thanks.”
Zell's ears actually darkened to red as he winked. “Sure. Now hold on. I wanna see how fast this thing can go.”
I giggled and turned around, gripping the arms of the chair. “Ready.”
So Zell and I squealed and “vroom”ed down the halls--not necessarily in that order--gathering shouts and hollers and laughs as we went. I have no idea how Zell got the chair to go that fast, nor how he propped himself up behind so that he didn't have to run along with it, but I didn't care. We were having a blast, I was going to do my best to go to the inauguration ball the next week, Zell wanted to dance with me, and we were on our way to play with my parents. Any fantasies and fairytales I had ever previously had in all my years of watching him had been completely and utterly blown away. My venture had not only gained me a best friend, it had gained me a new life. A new perspective. A 'new smile'. Which of course is totally the poetic/romantic way of looking at it.
Zell “screeeeeech”ed the chair to a halt by the front gate and then lifted the entire thing up and over, accompanied of course by my squeals of “Zell! What are you doing?” To which he replied, “Showing off.” with the most adorable grin I had ever seen. Then we were off again, wheeling carefully down the stairs before letting the gravity of the hill outside Garden do its work and pull us the rest of the way toward the beach.
Zell was a great driver.
Mom and Dad had the picnic blanket and chairs all set up. They greeted us with waves and shouts of “You made it!”
Zell parked the wheelchair on the edge of the sand and then came around to gather me up in his arms with an “Up ya go.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled before placing a kiss on his cheek. “Just because,” I told him when he gave me a questioning look.
He grinned. “Dude. That rocks.”
I giggled and then gave a slight cringe at a throb of my head. I grimaced while muttering “Oh go away.”
Zell chuckled. “Damn straight.”
Dad stood and headed toward us. He had dressed in his favorite pair of dark green and yellow shorts and wore a T-shirt with the name of our pet shop. “How are you doing today, hon?”
“Wonderful,” I said with a genuine smile, and I finally noticed that one of my hands was absently stroking the back of Zell's neck while playing with his hair. I flushed lava and forced it to stop, never once looking away from my dad. “Did you and Mom have fun last night?”
“As luck would have it, the hotel had a night of dancing. We must have been out until 3 am.”
Zell whistled. “Way to go, Pop.”
Dad laughed as he fell into step beside us. “When you're up and around on your own power, hon, I recommend it. It was great fun, and the food was wonderful.”
I smiled and nodded before looking at Zell. “You think we could?”
“A night of food and dancing with the best looking girl in Garden?” Zell twisted up his face in thought. “Gee. Let me think.”
I giggled. “It would be totally awesome if you and Mom could come. We'll let you know when we’re planning on going so that you can get away.”
Dad nodded and rubbed my back. “Sounds wonderful, hon, but why don't you and Zell take an evening for yourself first. Especially since your first date didn't quite work out the way you'd hoped.”
My mouth dropped open. “He told you about that?”
Dad laughed. “Of course, hon. I asked.”
“Oh.”
Dad noticed my sidelong glance to Zell before I lowered my gaze to the toes of my shoes. “Sally, you didn't do anything wrong. Why would you be nervous about Zell telling me what happened?”
“I-I don't know. Because we fell asleep, maybe?” I cast him a glance.
Dad smiled. “And you figured I'd think what?”
I shrugged. “It sounds kind of, I don't know.”
Dad chuckled and tousled my hair. “Sally, I know you well enough to know you wouldn't do what you think I would think.”
Zell caught my gaze and whispered, “I told you so.”
I pushed at the side of his head with a gentle touch and a smile. “Oh be quiet you.”
We arrived at the collection of beach loungers. “Come on, Zell,” Dad said as he motioned to the lounger saved for me. “Leave her to the girl talk while we go toss the ball around.”
Zell slowly crouched and placed me within the chair--I still can't believe how graceful he is!--straightening after giving me a quick kiss on the cheek and a gentle tug on my ponytail. Then he jogged after my dad, cute as a button in his aqua shorts and white T-shirt. I hunkered down into my chair with a deep sigh as I watched him.
Mom reached over to squeeze my hand. “Dad told me,” she said softly. “When did he ask?”
I looked over at my mom with a full smile. “He didn't. I did. Almost a week ago.”
She cupped my chin with her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Good girl.”
I flushed and looked back over at Zell and Dad once she lowered her hand. I sighed again. “He's so sweet, Mom. I mean, I always knew he was, but he really is.”
“Now that you've had a chance to get to know him, you see him as a lot more three dimensional?”
I nodded, giving a slight giggle when Zell kept motioning for my dad to “Go long” while adjusting his hold on the football. “But it's more than that, Mom. A lot more.” I released a slow breath. “Even though we've only been 'dating' for a week, I feel like I've known him for ages.”
“Sally, in a way you have,” Mom reminded. “You know his favorite food, his favorite music, his teaching schedule, his enemies, his habits. Honey, you know him better than anyone, except for his mother.”
“I guess,” I said softly.
Mom chuckled and reached an arm around my shoulders. “Zell's a doll, honey.”
I sent her a sheepish smile. “I know.”
“Yo, Meg! Check it out!” Zell called.
Mom and I looked over at the pair of boys in time to watch Zell throw a beautiful pass, which my dad caught.
“Ohhh yeaaahhh!” Zell exulted. “And the crowd goes wild!”
Mom and I laughed as we vigorously clapped. Zell and Dad both took a bow and then exchanged an ‘air-five’ before resuming their game.
I crossed my arms with yet another slow sigh. Then my smile slowly wavered to a serious expression. I looked over at Mom. “Mom, I don’t want to do this again. Remember when I was 16 and we talked about ‘dating’? I told you I didn’t want to because I didn’t think I could handle the break-up.” I shook my head and moved my gaze back to Zell. “I haven’t changed my mind about that, and I wouldn’t have told Zell how I felt about him unless I thought I felt more than just a cr
ush.”
She caressed my cheek. “Honey, I still believe the decision to not actively ‘date’ is a good one, especially for you. You’re so sensitive that it would have done more damage than good.” Mom encircled my shoulders with an arm. “Keep enjoying your friendship and your feelings. Talk to him. Let him find out who you are while you find out more about who he is. If you’re meant to be together, it’ll happen when you’re ready.” Mom smiled. “Although I don’t think you need to worry about anything. From what Zell has told me, this is his first serious relationship.”
I blinked. “Really?”
Mom nodded. “He’s eager enough to make friends with everyone, as you know, but the kind of friendship he has with you....” Her smile softened. “Zell said it’s the first time he’s even wanted to move further.” She touched my nose. “And look at you. You’re nineteen and you’ve never been seriously interested in anyone but Zell. You’re taking the proper steps, honey. Just relax in that. All right?”
“Meg! Catch!”
I looked up and over just as Zell passed the football. It was a beautiful pass, as usual, and luckily I caught it just as gracefully. I grinned, lifting the ball high in the air as Zell sounded several shrill whistles. Then he began chanting “Pass! Pass! Pass!” I giggled and hurled the ball to the best of my limited capacity. Zell caught it and immediately passed it to Dad.
I looked over at Mom. “Okay, Mom. I’ll take Zell’s advice, and yours, and take it as it goes.”