Zoe pulled up to the white and tan rambler and turned off the Jetta's engine. She massaged her cheeks, they ached from the smile that hadn't left her face since Rebecca asked her out. She'd been in a state of euphoria through the rest of her classes, not paying any attention to the lessons, but daydreaming about what she would wear and how beautiful Rebecca looked today.

Zoe hauled several bags of food along with a gallon of milk out of the trunk. She knew she should make two trips to carry all the food inside but didn't want to waste time when she could be out riding Rhyme. As she rounded the corner of the house, she saw something tall and hairy near the motion sensor. She jumped back, nearly dropping everything.

"Takota!" She yelled as she clutched her bags to keep them from crashing to the ground.

"Hey, Z." He stopped screwing a mount into the wall just under the motion sensor and laughed. "Didn't mean to startle you."

She took several deep breaths to calm down her racing heart. "What are you doing here and on a ladder without a spotter?"

"Setting up a game camera." He tapped the screwdriver against the green and tan camouflage box sitting on the rung of the ladder in front of him. Takota helping around the house wasn't unusual, especially after her dad fell ill. He claimed that he did the odd jobs because he felt like he needed to repay her mom for all the excellent meals he's stuffed into his mouth over the years. "I want a picture of Bigfoot," he said. "You know how much money we could make off that?"

Zoe rolled her eyes. "I told you it was probably the bulb going out, not some cryptid."

"There was nothing wrong with the bulb, but I changed it anyway. I also checked the power supply, and everything looks fine."

"Really, that's odd." She stared at the motion sensor and wondered for the hundredth time if she imagined last night's events.

"After we talked, I remembered there was a spare camera in the shed leftover from when mom was worried about poachers.  Now we will see what comes looking for Mrs. T's famous dinner scraps." Takota's eyes twinkled mischievously.

"You must be feeling better." His complexion was back to its usual dusky color, and he was moving faster than the last time she saw him.

"Much, and I'm starving."

"Ah, the real reason you're here," she teased.

Takota shrugged. "Can you blame me?"

"No. Mom's making fried chicken for dinner."

"My favorite." Takota went back to tightening the screw and said, "Hey, I almost forgot, nice job landing a date with Rebecca." He wiggled his eyebrows.

"How did you—"

"I'm all knowing. The sooner you realize that the easier it will be for you, my mortal friend."

Zoe laughed. "Sure, Takota, your psychic. Now tell me, Great One, what am I going to say next?"

He rubbed his temples. "The groceries are heavy, and you want me to shut up so you can go put them away."

Zoe adjusted her grip on the bags. "They aren't light. But I was going to say, now it's your turn to land a date with Mandy."

Takota shoulders sagged. "She doesn't even know I exist."

"Not true. In high school, you were a basketball player, and she was a cheerleader. I'm positive she remembers the game where you almost made your first basket but broke your nose instead."

He rubbed the small bump on his nose. "Thanks for reminding me."

"That's what friends are for. Now, I'm going inside before I drop these." Without waiting for a response, Zoe went into the house and made a beeline for the kitchen.

"Hi, baby girl," her dad hollered from his recliner in the living room.

"Hi, Dad."

"Would you please bring me a drink, bartenders' choice."

"Sure, I'll be there in a minute." She made quick work of putting the groceries away. Ice crackled as she poured a can of spicy V8 juice into a Coca-Cola glass and added a few dashes of tapatío into it—her dad's favorite beverage. She set the drink on the side table at his elbow and picked up his empty coffee mug. She scanned the area for his plate. "Did you eat lunch?"

He nodded. "Roast beef sandwich. You have a good day?"

The smile that hurt her face showed back up. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I did."

"What, did you receive an A on a paper?" He set his book down on his lap and picked up his juice.

Zoe laughed, not surprised he would think such a thing. "No, but I did land a date on Friday night."

He took a sip of his spicy beverage. She knew she added the right amount of spice when he smacked his lips together. "Good, but don't drink too much wine. And if you do, don't drive, call a cab or your mother; understood?"

"Of course."

The back door opened, and Takota walked into the living room. "Hey, Mr. T."

"Hi, Takota. What are you up to today?"

Takota played catch with his screwdriver. Each time he tossed it into the air Zoe held her breath, worried about the surrounding furniture—especially the glass coffee table. "I set-up a game camera to help figure out your animal problem."

Zoe glared at Takota, wishing she told him not to say anything about it in front of either of her parents.

"Raccoons again?" he asked.

Zoe felt herself squirm as his gaze drifted between her and Takota. She didn't want to lie, but the truth seemed like it would cause him distress and that was the last thing she wanted to do to him.

"We aren't sure. The motion sensor was freaking out last night and I couldn't see what set it off. I think it's the light bulb going out, but Takota's game camera should help us figure it out if that wasn't the problem."

Zoe could hear the sandpaper noise from her dad rubbing the stubble on his chin. "Let me know if you find anything."

"Will do, Mr. T," Takota said, catching his screwdriver between two fingers.

He opened his mouth as if he was going to say something more, and a loud, windy whistle, like a steam train, burst out of him. He coughed and gasped for air. The violence of it threatened to shatter Zoe's eardrums with its intensity and left her feeling helpless.

"Can I get you something, Dad?" Zoe asked.

He shook his head and waved them out of the room.

Takota held his hand out to Zoe. "Come on Z, let me link the camera to your cell phone so you'll be notified whenever it takes a picture."

Zoe didn't want to leave him but knew to respect his wishes. She reluctantly followed Takota outside.