"Cloud,tell me how many times you've seen this episode of Ghost in the Shell."
"Five." the young man grunted. "Five times."
"Cloud."
"The episode," he repeated. "I've seen it five times."
"I understand," the girl beside him replied hurriedly. "but don't you think that's a bit much?" Cloud sighed quickly.
"No, Tifa."
"Cloud," Tifa persisted. "on the fourth?"
"Huh?"
"The fourth of July, Cloud."
"Oh." Tifa rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Aren't we taking the kids to go see fireworks?"
"Who?"
Cloud, fireworks."
"Oh," Cloud sniffed. "we are?"
"Yes,Cloud."
"Oh,okay." Tifa shook her head and crossed her legs.
"We're borrowing Barret's truck, remember?" she asked.
"Hm."
"Cloud?"
"Yes, I do." Cloud responded quietly. His eyes darted around the room quickly. "To go to the meadow."
"Thank god," Tifa remarked. "that you remember something." Cloud was motionless.
"I do." he agreed, gazing at the television longingly for a moment, then at Tifa, who looked away. "We bringing food?" Cloud asked her. "Is Yuff-are Vincent and Yuffie coming too?"
"I hope so," Tifa bit her lip. "not sure though."
"Food?" Cloud said softly.
"Yeah." Tifa nodded at the floor. "sandwiches and pears." Cloud snickered, his lips curling for a moment. He looked at Tifa with evil chagrin and held out his hand.
"Shall I give you dis pear?" he joked, making Tifa giggle. She reveled in her friend's display of remark. Cloud so rarely laughed or even smiled, but when he did, it was genuine. Tifa regained herself after the Sephiroth impersonation and put her hands on her lap. Cloud too, had regained his composure and dazed lazily at the television again. His monotonous expression almost sent Tifa over the edge. Cloud tapped his foot once, the only movement either of them shared for awhile. Credits soon flew past their eyes.
"Cloud," Tifa said finally. "It's over."
"Hm."
"Cloud. The show."
"Yeah,right." Cloud tapped the TV off and stood, smoothing his vest and collar. He looked at Tifa expectantly. "We going?" Tifa rose up beside him.
"Guess so, if you can get Denzel and Marlene I can go make the food up." she suggested. Cloud nodded and headed upstairs to fetch the pair of orphans.
As he made his way into the room, he observed Denzel overlooking Marlene as she squinted over a book. The older boy was encouraging her to pronounce a word. Cloud smiled softly before entering, wherein the children rushed to greet him. Cloud looked down at them gently.
"We're leaving to go see fireworks at the meadow," he told them, making Marlene squeal in delight. Denzel too, was awash with joy, though with less effeminacy. The kids raced downstairs and pulled on their sneakers with rapid excitement. Cloud heard Tifa conversing with them before they rushed outside to meet the couple by the truck. Cloud made his way into the kitchen, where he watched Tifa crafting sandwiches on the counter.
"Cloud, do you have to observe everything I do?" the young woman asked with mild annoyance. Cloud bowed his head and moved towards her.
"No," he said with in an accusatory tone, as though he had been disciplined. Tifa chuckled.
"The kids are waiting outside."
"I know, I heard."
"What?"
"I saw them go." Tifa nodded, placing the edibles in baggies before putting them in a rucksack for Cloud to carry. He shouldered the weight without emotion.
"Here, let's go." she said, slightly tapping Cloud's forearm. Cloud followed her out of Seventh Heaven and into the warm summer street. He jumped into the passenger seat of the truck as Tifa unlocked it. Behind him, Marlene rested her head on Denzel's shoulder restfully, feeling sleep as the night began around them. The trip would take an hour or so, and she wanted to have enough energy for when her and Denzel would scamper around the tall meadow grasses. Tifa entered the freeway and traveled east for awhile. Soon, the emptiness of the country greeted them. Cloud was silent, though highly observant as the road lessened. Tifa wasn't about to let him preach her for being reckless while they were off the beaten path. Tifa was a sure driver, and a tough one at that.