Chapter 8: Not the Way We Wanted It

(Back in Kim’s Point of View)

The four of us chatted for hours as we ate out decedent dinners and desserts. Cloud and I retold precious memories of our past, and Reno and Tifa listened with sincere interest. Every time Cloud and I stopped talking, the two of them would beg us to tell them something else. At one point, Cloud got so sick of them that he actually told them to shut up. You usually won’t ever hear that come from Cloud’s mouth, ever.

“I think it’s time we stop the whole reminiscence on the past too,” I nodded slowly in agreement to Cloud’s sudden outburst. “Plus, Reno, you and I still have something to discuss. Remember?”
“Uhm,” Reno was thinking so hard that I swear you could smell wood burning. “Oh! The reunion idea for Elena, am I right?”
I stared blankly at him. I was dumbfounded by his utter stupidity.
“Yes Reno, the reunion…” I shook my head and sighed.
“What reunion?” Tifa asked, which startled me because I forgot she and Cloud were there entirely.
“Yeah we’re gunna plan a reunion,” Reno smiled. “’Cuz Elena needs to take time off work as soon as possible.”
“Mhm,” I nodded in agreement. “She needs the break. Her mind and body must be aching.”
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Cloud asked sounding unbelievably interested.
“We need to make a list so we can decide what places we have to choose from.”
“Oh I love making lists,” Tifa smiled. “I can do that!”
“Go for it, Roxy,” Reno laughed. “I sure as Hell don’t wanna get stuck doin’ it…”
“Lazy son of a-…”

Suddenly, Reno’s cell phone rang violently. He quickly grabbed it out of his jacket pocket.
“Hello?” he answered, trying to sound professional.
“Who is it, Reno?” I lipped to him. He responded by placing a finger over his lip.
“Mia? Is that you, babe? Why are you crying?”
The room quickly grew silent, and the three of us stared at Reno with anxiety.
“Say what?!” Reno bolted up out of his chair.
“What’s wrong, Reno, hey!” I grabbed onto his shoulder. “Reno!”
“Alright, I’m on my way,” Reno slammed his phone shut. “Damnit! It happened again…”
“What?!” I was growing impatient. “Tell me what’s going on!”
Cloud and Tifa stared at me in disbelief.
“I need to go,” Reno snapped. “Elena’s in the hospital again. Damnit… All for the same reason too! She keeps overexerting herself!”
“Oh Reno, I’m so sorry to hear that,” Tifa sighed. “Can I go with you to visit her?”
“Go ahead with Tifa, Reno,” Cloud stood up. “I’ll take Kim back to Vincent’s. Give her my blessings, okay?”
“Mine too,” I lightly smiled trying to cheer Reno up. “And drive safe, Reno…”
“Well, let’s go,” Reno said, and was quickly out the doors with Tifa.
“We should go too…” Cloud grabbed my hand and led me out to the parking lot.