Pick and Panic

It was the start of another lovely weekend in the town of Domino. For Yugi and his friends, it was a time of rest and relaxation. Their activities included playing Duel Monsters, going to the arcade, or shopping at the mall. Sometimes they would even go to the Secret Garden and meet up with their friends from the other worlds while they were hanging out.

The weekend was also the best time for Emily to make her homemade desserts for her friends. She had an idea for a new recipe she wanted to try and decided to go to the Secret Garden. It was convenient for her because the fruits and vegetables there were tasty and she could take as much as she would need. It actually seemed convenient to all of her friends. Now instead of going to the supermarket, they could help themselves to the food in the Garden and it was free. At least, they could take as much fruit and vegetables as they wanted. They still had to go shopping for meat and dairy products.

She came outside with a wooden basket and a leather bag and heard Yugi's voice. "Good morning, Emily." She turned around. "Off to the Secret Garden again?"

"You bet," she answered. "It's the best place for me to get the food I need for my baked goods."

"Do you need help," he offered. "Would you like me to come with you?"

Emily didn't really need help, but she gladly accepted his offer mostly because it meant spending time with him.

Yugi followed her and wondered, "So what are you getting today?"

"Lemons and strawberries," she answered. "I came up with an idea of adding blended strawberries into lemon pie."

"That sounds tasty," Yugi commented.

"When it's finished, would you like to come over and try some," Emily offered. Yugi nodded.

When they came to the Secret Garden, Yugi and Emily took separate paths. Yugi went to the strawberry patch and began picking strawberries and putting them in the basket. As much as Emily liked climbing trees, she decided to just fly to the top of the tree and pick the lemons. Another convenient thing about the Secret Garden was that the food that grew here was always ripe and wouldn't spoil. Also, the trees and shrubs would produce more food every time the heroes would return.

After filling the parcels, Yugi and Emily met up at the door to their world. He showed her the contents in the basket. "Do you think this is enough?"

She looked at the many strawberries and replied, "Yeah, I think so. If there are any left over, I can eat them for a snack." She opened the door and said, "I'll probably come back later to get more fruit to store in my refrigerator. You know, for snacks and lunches and whatnot."

"I should probably take some home too," Yugi figured.

They stopped at their houses, but noticed a hazel car on the curb. Emily recognized it and groaned, "Oh, no."

Yugi recognized it too. "Emily, isn't that your dad's car?"

Then she remembered. "I didn't lock the door before I left." She took the basket of strawberries from Yugi. "Wait here for me." Yugi nodded in understanding. He knew too well that he wasn't well liked by Emily's father. She opened the door to her house. "Hello?"

"Hey," a man's voice responded. It was her father. "Surprised to see me?"

She was surprised, but not pleasantly. Robert and Emily didn't part on good terms the last they saw each other. It had also been several months since he last visited. Robert still called Emily often and sent her a little extra spending money in case she needed it though she had a job. "When did you get here?"

"A few minutes ago," Robert answered. "I noticed your door was open, so I hope you don't mind me letting myself in."

"You know that's actually considered trespassing," Emily remarked.

"I called you last week to let you know I was coming," he reminded her. "Don't you remember?"

He did let her know. How could she forget? "Sorry, Dad. I've just been really busy."

"Well, I can understand," he replied, "with work and school and living here by yourself." He noticed her parcels and asked. "What have you got there?"

Emily turns around and answers, "I was going to bake something for my friends, so I went out to get a few ingredients."

Robert frowned bitterly, thinking she was talking about Yugi. "Are you still seeing that boy?"

"I am," she immediately answered. "Yugi is my friend and he'll always be my friend. What do you have against him anyway?"

He sighs and answers, "Emily, I just think you could do better. Now I'm sure when your mom was alive, she probably liked Yugi. But she wasn't always the best judge of character." He pauses, then continues, "She and I were okay for a little while, but then we had problems and it just didn't last." He looks directly at his daughter and asks, "You understand what I'm saying, don't you?"

For all Emily cared, Robert was telling her he would never approve of Yugi and Emily being friends or being in love with each other. Still, part of her wanted to believe that her dad was just looking out for her. Just to give him the satisfaction, she nods. She also looks at his wrist, seeing the scar of his cut.

Robert follows her gaze. "I guess you're still mad at me about this, aren't you?"

"That's not what's bothering me," Emily answered. "I just don't understand why you can't try to get to know Yugi. Why do you have to be so prejudiced towards him?"

"I'm not being prejudiced," Robert protested. "I'm just saying, you need someone who's smart and resourceful, and is able to provide for you."

"I know what to look for in a man," Emily argued. "And I know Yugi better than you do. Maybe if you could give him a chance, you'll understand why he's special to me."

But Robert didn't want to give Yugi a chance. For all he cared, Yugi was a bad example and undeserving of his trust. "Emily, I know you can take care of yourself, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm your dad and I know what's best for you. I'll always be your dad. And no matter how much Yugi means to you, I can guarantee you that things won't last long like they did between me and your mom." He loosens up and approaches Emily to hug her. "I love you. You know that, right?"

"I know you do," she answered, hugging him back. "But not for me."

"Of course I love you for you," he argued. "You may think I don't, but I do." He ruffles her hair and begins his way out the door. "You take care, baby, and I'll see you soon, all right?"

She nods and tells him, "Be safe on your way home."

"Thanks, Em." Robert steps outside and closes the door. As he approaches his car, he sees Yugi smiling nervously and waving at him. Robert just frowns at him and gets in his car.