Chapter 14 [Three Weeks Later]
Break ended. Students harkened to Campus' call. Classes resumed. Bookstore profited. Library already checked first reserves out.
And where Nerves frazzled, Escape was sought….
[Coffee Bean]
Gwen tapped Pen against Table's hard surface. Details gelled together. The "Convention Break" fit in with Plans and Preparations. I'm ahead in my assignments. At least, labs won't be piling up while we're gone. Her eyes engaged Habit's ritual. They sought out Reassurance yet again.
And again, Ring's sparkle carried Commitment's soothing influence.
"It's going to be okay, Gwen. Peter's got a one track mind. It's all on you." Harry took Coffee's draught from his mug. Tests had tired him out. OsCorp beckoned during class break. "I wish I was going with you all. How's Mrs. Parker handling it?"
"I'm sure she'll be all right, Harry." Liz Allan spooned some chili into her mouth. "Maybe they'll see some fall color up there. That fair's supposed to be great. Think your father can give you the weekend off? I have next weekend. I'd like to see everything up there." Hand rubbed his arm in Hint's service.
"Dad should be good with that. Can you leave Mark for the weekend? You know how he gets." Harry winced. Anxiety curled Frown on itself. "Don't get me wrong. I'd love to go. I was just thinking about him."
"That's all right, Harry. He'll just have to understand it's for a couple of days." Liz shrugged. She wanted a couple of days to herself up north. She knew they'd have to drive all night. "We can talk while we're driving."
"I got plane tickets and a rental car out of Albany. That'll be more time for us to enjoy up there." Satisfaction's smile spread across his face. He waved to Kelly. "Speaking of town and event, our resident expert approaches! Take up some booth!"
"Thanks, Harry. Don't mind if I do!" Cheer brightened Kelly's face. She slid in beside Gwen. "Besides, I have great news about Mrs. Parker. I'd like Peter to be here too for it." She motioned toward Counter.
"Mr. P will be here soon enough." Gwen mused on Kelly's point. Her Dad's and Aunt May's calls alleviated Concern's hold on them. Visit with the Duboises and their neighbors proved a great success. Aunt May, in fact, couldn't stop chatting with those long-lost friends. "How's your family, Miss Kell?"
"They're great! They're getting set for the fair. I think Peter's aunt is going over with them tomorrow." Kelly took Coffee's draught from her mug. She saw Peter approaching them with Tray in hand. "I think we have an aspiring waiter amongst us!"
Peter rolled his eyes. "Not as a main deal. As a future home activity, yeah definitely." He set everything down. "Chili cheeseburger and fries for a certain person here." He set Gwen's plate down in front of her. "Regular cheeseburger, fries and coffee for me."
"Mmm…you do know your cue. Don't you?" Gwen rubbed his hand. She bit into the burger. "Mmm! Yeah, it's definitely a keeper." Teasing twinkled in her eyes. She pushed all the way down to Seat's end.
"The burger or your Pickle Picking Prince?" Harry coughed. He was happy for them of course. Still, he couldn't resist getting a good-natured jab in either.
"Why both of course! Where am I going to find a guy who knows me like this?" Gwen patted the seat next to herself. "Slide on in, Peter."
"Harry…" Liz glared at him. "We're all doing great. There are people around if you'd want to do something like that?" Disapproval's Head Shake added emphasis to said point. Amor's spell had deepened its hold on Harry and her that summer. He'd added light to her dark days dealing with Administration's stewing and Mark's anger.
"It's okay, Liz. I know Harry's happy for us." Shrug let Harry's barbs flow off of Peter's shoulders. "We're happy. You're happy. We'll work on getting Kelly happy. Everyone's happy." Burger bite sealed that notion.
Kelly smiled. "I'm just happy watching you two together, Peter. Thanks for thinking of me though. Don't worry. Folks are out there. As Gwen says, that pepper picking Prince is hanging around for me to pick somewhere. I just got to find him."
"That's the spirit! And you have us to amuse you in the meantime." Gwen drank again from her coffee. "So, do we have a plan for tomorrow?"
"I'd go tonight if I didn't think my Mom and the family would read me the riot act for it. Let's get a great night's sleep. We leave about five? That way, we get some breakfast and do the long haul. Besides." Kelly grinned. "MacLindy's will still be open. That chili burger's got my name on it!"
"You mean our names, Gal!" Gwen interjected. She liked her current burger well enough. That burger upstate knocked Current Model out of the park. "And I'm sure Mrs. R'll have that awful awful ready for our Brown Eyed Boy here."
Chuckle escaped Peter's mouth. "I know good milkshakes. What can I say?"
"You should after getting enough freeze headaches, Pete." Sass' sauce added to Harry's latest jab. Eyes rolled ever so slightly.
"That is good, Harry. You haven't lived though until you tried one of Aunt May's root beer floats." Peter smiled at that Dessert Divine. Memoria reminded him of Summer Days sitting with Uncle Ben. Each savored that treat. "Uncle Ben was addicted to them." He sank back into Booth's cushions. Satisfaction spread Smile across his face.
"Well now! Looks like that a nugget I'll definitely need to mine! Dad loves those too. I never got that old knack." Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Rest assured. With Aunt May and me on the job, we've got you taken care of, Mr. P. So, 5 tomorrow okay for you?"
Peter nodded. "I'm set with the Bugle. Jolly Jonah hit the roof when he heard about it. That's normal. Maybe I can use the couch? That'll make our departure all the smoother. I just need to pack my bag. Harry, I've got the money for the rest of our bills."
"Sure glad those extra assignments are paying off, Pete. See? I know you're going to pay up. Dad and I are okay with that." Harry sipped on his coffee.
"I know of a great place right off of 87. They make fabulous pancakes, waffles, omelets. They also have great prices. We can fill the gas tank too," Kelly offered.
"That sounds good. We'll treat for breakfast. Maybe help with the gas?" Gwen offered.
"It's a date! Well, let's enjoy. Then, we can get set for tomorrow." Sigh escaped Kelly's lips. "I miss sitting with you guys in class. I wish you all had a humanities elective. We could do Literature or Poetry." She shrugged.
"I have to take a class thataways. Meantime, we have lots of time to catch up." Gwen glanced at Peter and Kelly. It would be quite the drive up north.
Meantime, they could enjoy….