As Laurie listed out some of the things that she actually loved about her, Cass couldnât help but place a hand against her heart as she truly was touched by what she was hearing. This wasnât anything completely new, not at the slightest, but to say that she didnât feel a bit teary-eyed would be a complete understatement. âAnd I love how strong you are, how patient and understanding you are and especially how well you deal with me and my spazzy antics.â Cass replied, warmly smiling at Laurie. Game night with Hiro was the best, and the cage owner was looking forward for the next one they have. Hopefully soon. Real soon. âOh, it was me!â She giggled. âIt was a close call on multiple occasions, but I was able to whip it out and beat him in the end! Hiro may be my nephew, but there was noway I was going to go easy on him!â Cass bragged, obviously in a jokingly manner. In truth, Baymax won most rounds somehow, but she couldnât mention the robot just yet. âThatâs nice. What did you two watch?â She asked, only to sigh and nod. âTell me about it. Sometimes I still see Hiro as a little boy, even though he never actually was a normal little boy.â
Going on and taking a vacation was one of the very last things on Cassâs mind. It wasnât that she didnât want to take one, oh heavens no! If she could, she would, but there was just so much that was going on in her life and just the thought of going off on her own without Hiro? It just didnât sit right to her. Even if she were to take Hiro along with her, the cafe owner wouldnât even know where to go to first as it has been a very long time since she left for vacation. She didnât even have Hiro and Tadashi living with her the last time she had one. Oh. Tadashi. The expression within her face deepened. How can she go on one now when knowing that Tadashi wasnât around anymore? âI donât knowâŠâ The cafe owner trailed off with a tone of uncertainty. The suggestion of going somewhere with Hiro before school began for him again was rather tempting, butâ âHiro has never left Carthay before, so I donât know how well he would take it if I randomly suggest for us to go somewhere.â Cass stated. âAnd even if I do decide to take a vacation, where would we go anyways? Certainly not somewhere very fair like another country.â
âDonât make me cry,â Laurie warned, now placing a hand over her heart. She appreciated Cassâ friendship so much, and she knew the feeling was mutual... but it was touching to hear those words coming directly from her mouth. âYou deal with mine, Iâll deal with yours,â she chuckled. Laurie struggled to deal with her own spazziness sometimes. Like when she was cooking, and the knife ended up going into the oven with the pan, and she used two cups of flour too many. If her mind was elsewhere, she was a lost cause. âWell, you canât! If you let them win, youâre not teaching them anything. Everyone needs to learn how to be better and how to lose with grace.â When her children were younger, she mightâve let them have a win or two, but they were just so cute when they got excited. It beat out her competitiveness. âSheâs The Man! Hard to believe that movie is over ten years old. I hadnât seen it in awhile, but I didnât think Molly would turn it down, so it was an easy choice.â She smiled talking about her daughter, that night --- it was such a simple thing, eating ice cream and watching a movie together, but it was a memory she would cherish forever. No little moments had been taken for granted since sheâd become a mother. âI donât think that mindset ever goes away. They could be fifty years old and youâd still want to protect them.â
Noticing the look on Cassâ face, Laurie wondered if there was more to it than the excuses she brought up, but if she wanted to tell her, she would. So she didnât ask. âA staycation?â She offered, shrugging one of her shoulders. âIâm not sure. Sometimes the planning can be more stressful than the trip is relaxing.â That was something she had to admit, she was better off herself unwinding in the comfort of her own home with a good book... or heading off on a beach day trip. âIt was only a suggestion,â she said after a moment. âI just worry about you, I worry that youâre not taking enough time for yourself. Especially if youâre feeling a little drained. I know you have a lot of responsibilities, but donât forget that your own well-being is one of those responsibilities. You canât take care of other people if you arenât taking care of yourself as well.â
