“Hey Sunshine, think you can create something to relax us all with your plants?” Seb asks.
Thinking about his question, I probably could come up with something. “I guess so. What kind of stuff do you want?”
“Dunno. You’re the expert. Tea, lotion, something for your bath.”
Nodding, my mind latches onto the idea, working through options in my head. I hear Zander and Seb talking beside me, but I’m not paying attention. Zander squeezes my hand before leaving the room as Seb pulls me up and walks me to my bedroom.
“Tell me what you’ve come up with, Sunshine. Do we need anything from your shelves?” He asks, waving his hand towards my bookshelves of flowers, tinctures, and herbs.
“I’m thinking we need to get out of fight-or-flight mode, and we need something uplifting. I need to do some research first.”
“Cool. You do that and I’ll keep you company.”
Grabbing my laptop, I go back out to the couch corner and start researching while Seb watches an NBA game. Zander offers us sandwiches and veggies for lunch. I get absorbed in my work, ideas forming as I read and take notes. After deciding what I want, I place an order with my preferred store with express shipping. I have some items I need, but not everything.
Setting my laptop aside, I notice Zander and Seb are eating popcorn and watching another game. It was nice to concentrate on something for a while that wasn’t sad or negative. I let them know I’m calling Sarah before going to my room. Sarah answers right away. “Hi Summer. How are you?” She smiles.
“I had an interesting morning at the plantation,” I say, filling her in on the photographer.
“How are you feeling about that?”
“Not fazed. I was a little anxious when Zander pulled out his gun, but I think it was the gun and not the situation that caused it.”
“You've had another eventful week. It will take time to process it all. I’m not concerned about your reaction today. The photos will cease now, so that will be one less thing to be concerned about. How has your sleep been?”
“Not great. I’m taking my pills, but still having nightmares. I don’t know which is worse. Taking the pills and not waking up from the dreams or skipping the pills and waking up a bunch.”
“I can prescribe a stronger medication for you,” she offers.
“No. I don’t like taking the ones I have.”
“That is your decision, always. I suggest we revisit the idea in a few weeks if things haven’t improved. Will you be staying at Alex’s house this weekend or having one of your friends over?”
“No, to Alex’s place. I don’t have any plans for someone to stay here, but Seb is visiting, so we could sleep on the couch tonight.”
“That would be helpful if you're overtired.” We talk about midterms, and I fill her in on Seb’s idea of creating a stress reliever, which Sarah encourages.
I ask Seb to spend the night, and he happily agrees, so Zander invites Troy and Gabby over for pizza. We have a relaxing evening together, and I get a good night’s sleep holding Seb’s hand on the couch.
On Sunday, Holly and Gabby join me to make our costumes. Holly keeps the conversation light, and once Gabby gets into creative mode, her mood lightens as well. My costume is the most elaborate, so we switch around helping each other where we can. Gabby is a tremendous help with both costumes. Holly just had to cut out and iron some felt onto two shirts. The three of us decided on a more whimsical style of tree spirit, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it. Zander and I baked cookies and muffins this morning, so we have lots of snacks while we work at the table and island. Zander stays nearby, watching sports in the living room. It turns out to be a good day, and we finish just before dinner. I ask the girls to stay, but Holly is meeting up with Jaxon, so she gathers up her costumes and leaves. Troy is picking up Gabby, so Zander cooks the four of us burgers for supper while I make a pasta salad. We eat around the fire pit since Troy and Zander insist it’s cold outside. I have to chuckle at them. It’s still in the 70s.
Chapter 31
Summer
We get our midterms back at school this week. I’m pleasantly surprised I’ve gotten mostly As, even in AP Environmental Science. I got a B- in precalculus, which I’ll happily take since it still makes little sense to me. I made relaxation oil, a new blend for my bath, and lotion with oils and herbs that stimulate the vagus nerve. I gave a small sample to both Gabby and Seb. If it helps, I’ll make more.
Halloween falls on a Thursday this year. Seb and Gabby follow me home from school that day so we can carve pumpkins and get ready. Ceres was kind enough to work all evening, so we don’t have to stop at Finn and wait for Zander. Since everyone is going to the party tonight, we’ll put a bowl of candy out for any kids who stop by. The condo passes out candy in the foyer, not allowing people to walk through the building, so Gabby and Seb are all set.
I grab some waters while Seb and Gabby cover the dining table with garbage bags.
“So do you guys just usually do the jack-o’-lantern face or something more fancy?” I ask, carrying the pumpkins to the table. Seb left his huge pumpkin in the condo's foyer. He and Troy carved it last night, and Seb bought a regular sized one at the grocery store to carve tonight.
“I bought stencils we can use,” Seb replies, pulling a package out of his backpack. “There are some pretty cool ones in here.”
We look through them, and I choose a cat and moon. Seb picks a funny face while Gabby goes freestyle, wanting to do a bunch of cutout stars. I hand out some knives while Seb turns on a Halloween music mix, and we get to work. I ask them to throw their pumpkin seeds into a bowl to roast later.
Gabby and I finish first, so she helps me clean up and roast the pumpkin seeds. Then we go into the bathroom to start our makeup. I take a little longer with all the brown paint I need on my skin. Leaving her in the bathroom to change, I get into my brown clothes from my closet. I’ll leave the rest until it’s time to go.
