Saturday morning found the Tragers around the breakfast table eating their traditional pancake and scrambled egg breakfast.

"So, how was your date last night, Jessi," Nicole asked.

"It was hard to dance at first, but then I watched the others and copied them," Jessi said. "I got better with practice."

"I had trouble learning to dance. Josh taught me," Kyle said.

"I wouldn't call what you do 'dancing', but you can certainly copy well," Josh observed.

"So how was Raymond? How did the two of you get along?" Nicole asked. "First dates can be really awkward sometimes."

"I think he likes me," Jessi smiled. Lori raised an eyebrow at this. Jessi continued, "He said I had 'amazing talents' after I fixed his arm."

"You fixed his arm?" Nicole asked with a concerned look.

Jessi explained, "He had some inflammation in his shoulder from being knocked down and straining to throw the football. I moved some of it out and increased the blood flow. That took away the pain and increased the rate of healing. It should be better today."

"Jessi, you have to be careful about doing things like that," Kyle cautioned. "What did he think you were doing?"

"I told him that it was a massage," Jessi said. "He said I was good at massage."

"So, do you think you will be going out with him again?" Nicole asked, glancing at Kyle out of the corner of her eye.

"Yes, he already asked me. We are going to the movies next week. They have a 'bye' week and the team isn't playing."

Kyle looked down at his pancakes and pushed a bite around with his fork. He frowned slightly.

Jessi looked at him, "Is something wrong, Kyle?"

"No," Kyle said. "I'm just trying to figure out if I have room for another bite of your pancakes." He looked at her and smiled. She frowned and looked puzzled.

Jessi knew that I wasn't being honest. When I had first started living with the Tragers I found the subject of lies very confusing. People tell each other lies all the time, some of them serious violations of trust, others little 'white lies' that help people get along without unnecessarily hurting each other's feelings. I could not lie to Jessi, not even 'white lies' without her knowing.

Nicole watched this, and then turned to Josh, "You went out with Katie. How did that go?"

"Katie is nice and I like her, but she isn't Andy. She knows I feel that way and that's awkward," Josh shook his head. "I feel like I'm cheating on Andy but she keeps telling me to go out with Katie." He sighed, "The two of them talk with each other. I think they are plotting against me. Speaking of that, the three of us have arranged for a game of G-force this morning. It's really hard to schedule with school and the time difference. I have to go log on now." He got up and hurried for his room.

Stephen said to Jessi, "I've looked at those light industrial suites you sent me. They all look good to me. If you still want to rent one for your computer system, we should go out and look at them and see which one you like."

"Yes, our project is waiting until we can get the computer network. It would be good to have some workshop space for other projects too," Jessi said.

"We should probably ask Foss to look at it too," Kyle added. "I'll call him."

Jessi looked at Kyle and asked, hesitantly, "Are we going to the Latnok office today?"

"We're supposed to, I promised some people that I would help them today," Kyle said. "Is there something wrong?"

"It's different with Brian there," Jessi admitted. "It makes me feel awkward."

Nicole assured her, "Jessi, you don't have to be worried about Brian. He can't make you do anything you don't want to. That time is over. You live here."

"Thank you, Nicole." Jessi looked at Kyle and said, "If you want, I'll drive."

Kyle smiled at her, "I'd like that."

Jessi smiled in return and they got up and left the room together.

Nicole looked at Lori, "I saw that look you gave Jessi. Is there something we need to talk about?"

Lori shook her head, "No, I think it's just a 'sister' thing. If I need to call in the professional, I will."

"You know you can," Nicole reminder her.

"I do," Lori assured her. "Well, I have homework and a performance in two weeks so I better get busy." She went up to her room.

"Is there something wrong?" Stephen looked puzzled.

Nicole laughed. "Sometimes I envy you, sitting there eating your pancakes, oblivious to all the tensions and interactions."

"That's why I married a professional."