Life's Lessons on Stress

by Nona Mae King

  ~*~

  My computer chirped with notification of an incoming message over the secure web-cam. I clicked the accept at the ID: TOP_DAWG.

  I smiled as Marshal's face came up. "Hi, Marshal."

  Marshal was sitting back in his chair with his feet on his desk and his hands behind his head. "Hey, Sally. Good going on the report. Nice."

  I flushed. "Thanks."

  "Sure." He sat up and motioned to me. "What you reported about that Brock guy--the foreman?--that got me thinking. Can you give me any info about how the locals reacted to you two? Was it like this foreman?"

  "Actually, I just told Seifer and Fujin about that. The people were kind of close-mouthed when Zell and I were dressed in uniform. I don't get why, though. I don't remember Garden ever doing anything to them."

  "And when you were in plain clothes?"

  My flush returned. "Well, when Zell and I were in plain clothes we--" I cleared my throat "--we acted a lot different, too, so the people talked to us about things. Festivals. The best places to see. The flower fields. Places for sale. Things like that." I smiled and did a soft giggle. "They love to gossip like Zell does. It was so much fun to listen."

  Marshal laughed. "I bet. Dincht loves talking as much as Selphie. You listening to him is just going to make it worse."

  "Marshal," I scolded.

  Marshal laughed harder.

  "Marshal," I complained. "I'm going to hang up on you."

  He waved his hand as he stanched the laughter and released a few long and deep breaths. "Sorry."

  "Yeah right."

  "Really, Sally. Anyway, about Winhill, so you and Zell dinking around like a couple really got them to open up?"

  I nodded. "Yeah. It was so awesome. There are a lot of nice people around there. Especially the reception clerk at the inn. He's a sweetie." Too bad Zell and I didn't trust ourselves enough to make use of the tree-fort. That would've been fun. "Too bad you have to go on a mission. It would be a really nice place to go on a vacation."

  Marshal absently nodded, and I recognized the thoughtful look on his face.

  I slightly smiled. "I better get back to work, Marshal. You can buzz me again if you have more questions."

  "Huh? Oh! Right." He smiled. "Thanks a lot, Sally. I appreciate it."

  "You're welcome."

  Marshal logged off and I shook my head with another smile and a soft giggle. What a goofus. But I liked him all the more for it.