Chapter 111: Minor Misunderstanding

Zak's Point of View

I watched Alicia as she headed toward the area of the restaurant the restrooms were located, and tried to wrap my mind around what had just happened.

"Zak, sweetie, I'm so sorry if I pushed too hard..." I heard my mom say from her side of the booth.

I looked at her as I sat down across from her, and couldn't help but feel a little upset.

"Mom, I know you're just trying to get to know her, but I told you that she has social anxiety, and has a hard time talking about her past," I said.

"I know," my mother replied sheepishly.

"Then why did you ask her about it? There are plenty of other things you could of asked her! Her hobbies, what she likes to do for fun, anything else!" I replied, my voice raising in volume slightly.

I didn't want to be angry with her, but I had warned her prior to allowing her to "hijack" my date with Alicia, and she had already went against it. I had wanted tonight to be a good thing, a celebration of Alicia and I having met six months ago and having bonded so well. But now, Alicia was in the restroom, most likely upset, and I wasn't entirely sure why.

"I'm sorry sweetie...you're right..." my mom started, letting out a sigh. "I didn't mean to bring up painful memories for her...I just wanted to make sure that she's really into the paranormal...for her own reasons..." my mother finished.

"Oh great...so you don't think your son is capable of judging someone for himself, so you're doing it for me," I said in annoyance.

"Zachary...I'm just looking out for you," she said. "You haven't been with anyone in over two years...all because of what Shannon-" she continued, but I cut her off.

"Don't mention her name," I quietly said, my anger rising.

I watched as my mother reached across the table and put both of her hands over one of mine.

"I just want you to be happy," she said softly. "I've been so worried about you...I don't want you to spend your life alone," she added.

I sighed quietly as I rubbed my forehead with my free hand, my anger starting to dissipate. I knew she meant well, but it would have been nice if the night didn't turn out like it had.

"Do you want me to go check on her...? Talk to her?" My mother asked.

"No...I'll go talk to her," I said softly.

Almost as soon as I stood up from the booth, I was surprised to see Alicia walking back toward us.

Alicia's Point of View

When I had finally reached the restroom, I walked up to the nearest sink and turned on the faucet for cold water, and lightly splashed some on my face, and then looked at myself in the mirror.

Why did Emily look so upset?

"Emily...are you here?" I asked softly, glancing around the bathroom.

No response.

I sighed quietly, hating this part of the paranormal. The part where spirits can seemingly be there at one point, but then gone the next.

As I turned off the faucet and dried my hands with some paper towel, I tried to wrap my head around why Emily would have been upset, but I couldn't think of a single reason. The only logical explanation that came to me was that it was just because I had been talking about our parents death, and then hers.

At that realization, I suddenly felt like a fool. It seemed so obvious now, and I had let it affect me to the point that I had been afraid of Nancy's reaction if she had known the truth. Despite the fact that her son had been dealing with the paranormal for years.

God, you're such an idiot...

Despite the embarrassment coming over me, I was going to continue my "being confident" streak, and mentally informed my inner negativity demon that I was not going to hide in the restroom for the rest of dinner.

I checked my appearance once again in the mirror, adjusting my hair a bit, and then walked out of the restroom and headed back to our booth.

Just as I neared the booth, I saw Zak get up out of it, and he looked surprised to see me.

"Hey...are you okay?" He asked softly, and I nodded.

"I'm fine, I'm sorry about that," I said, looking at him and then at Nancy.

"No, I should be the one apologizing," Nancy said. "I'm sorry for asking you about something so personal, it was wrong of me," Nancy added.

I was relieved she seemed understanding of the situation, but I knew I had to be truthful.

I took my seat across from her in the booth again, and Zak sat down beside me, looking both partially relieved, but also confused.

"You don't need to apologize," I said, giving Nancy a reassuring look. "The truth is...I had an experience just then...before I left the table, and I was afraid if I reacted to it in front of you...that you would think I was crazy..." I explained, quietly.

"Oh, sweetheart, I would never think that," Nancy said.

I felt Zak rub my back a bit as he spoke too.

"Doll, I've been seeing spirits and all kinds of crazy shit for years. Why would she think you're a crazy if she's accepting of me?" Zak asked.

I couldn't help but chuckle slightly as I realized how silly I had been.

"I don't know...I guess because you're her son...and I'm just the new girl on the show, and who also happens to be dating you," I replied.

"Alicia," Nancy started, reaching over and gently taking one of my hands in hers. "I believe in the paranormal too, so you don't have to worry about that," Nancy said, giving me a reassuring look.

"Really?" I asked, softly. She didn't look like the type to believe in the paranormal, although, now that I thought about it, I don't think there really is a certain "look" to point out if someone is a believer or a skeptic.

"Really," Nancy said, smiling at me. "We don't need to go into details, but I know from Zak that you had a lot of trouble with people believing you when you were growing up. But I'm a believer too, I've had my own experiences. And even if I was a skeptic, I would never think you were crazy, dear," Nancy added.

I felt my eyes water a bit as immense relief flooded through me, and I smiled in response to her.

"Thank you...that means a lot to me," I replied, softly, and felt Zak move his hand down to hold my hand that was resting on my lap.

Nancy smiled in return.

"No need to thank me sweetheart," she said, pulling her hand back and she took out a small package of Kleenex from her purse and offered it to me.

I smiled again as I took one and gently dabbed my eyes.

"I'm sorry for this...I'm um...this is my first time dating anyone...so this is all new to me," I admitted, somewhat shyly.

"You've never dated anyone before my Zachary?" She asked, looking surprised.

I shook my head in response.

"Now THAT I am skeptical of! How could such a sweet, beautiful, girl like you, have remained single?" Nancy replied, and I couldn't help but laugh at her wording of being skeptical.

"I ask myself that every day," Zak said and I looked at him and smiled, my face flushing a bit.

"Oh, you're both so sweet," Nancy said, then suddenly she leaned back in her seat. "Here come our meals," she added.

I quickly dabbed my eyes again before putting the Kleenex aside, and made room for our plates as the waiter came up to our table.

As the waiter set down our meals, Zak leaned over toward me.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly, speaking near my ear.

I smiled reassuringly at him and nodded.

"I am now," I replied softly.

Zak smiled and kissed my cheek gently, lingering slightly before pulling back and sitting upright again and prepared to begin my meal.

I smiled brightly, thanking the waiter along with Zak and Nancy once he had set everything down, and then walked away.

I was so grateful that I had another person in my life that I didn't need to hide my paranormal experiences from.

Roughly ten minutes later...

As the three of us ate our meals, we enjoyed some more small talk, before Nancy asked Zak about our next investigation.

"So, where is your next lockdown?" Nancy asked.

"Tombstone, Arizona," Zak replied, pride in his voice.

"Oh, going back there again! I love when you do Western episodes," Nancy exclaimed excitedly, then looked at me. "Doesn't he look so handsome dressed up as a cowboy?" She added.

I smiled as Zak's face flushed, but he also had his "oh mom" look on his face again.

"Yes he does, I love the western episodes," I replied, looking at Zak and smiling at him.

"I'm not dressing up unless you do too, new rule," Zak said, causing Nancy and I to laugh.

"As a cowgirl? Sure, why not?" I said, not at all bothered with the idea, and Zak look playfully annoyed.

"Oh, so now you're okay with wearing costumes," Zak grumbled, and Nancy and I laughed.

"Just as long as you don't dress up as a horse," Nancy added.

Zak looked at her with confusion, and I did as well.

"Why in the world would I dress up as a horse?" Zak asked.

"I don't know, but you know how the 'ole saying goes: 'Save a horse, ride a cowboy'," Nancy replied, winking at me.

"Mom!" Zak exclaimed in shock, and sounded completely mortified.

Despite my cheeks blushing from embarrassment, I couldn't help but burst out laughing. Nancy didn't know of my virgin status, so I just went with it.

"Yee-haw!" I exclaimed, trying not to laugh.

Nancy burst out into her own laughter, and Zak looked like he was going to die of shock.

I laughed and leaned over and lightly kissed his cheek.

"You're going to be the death of me woman," Zak mumbled under his breath, and I could only laugh more.

Authors Note: And that's it for this update! I'm sorry it wasn't much, but I hope you still liked it. Way overdue lockdown coming soon. :)

Keep up the reviews!