Art by  donryu! Five more until the Final Frappuchino!

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Venti regretted his decision to call his mother. Why did he think it was a good idea to tell her of the day's events? "Mom, it's okay. He didn't ask me for any money or even a kidney transplant. Really, you watch way too much LOST."

"I'm just saying that it could be why he's trying to make contact with you, Reginald."

Venti hated how upset she sounded, but deep down in his mind he knew she would raise holy hell if he kept this news from her for a later date. He glanced over at Art, but the lion had his headphones on and the iPod turned up at a volume so he would be unable to hear the conversation. He loved the lion a little more every day. It was small gestures like that which meant more to him than any expensive gift.

"Mom, come on. Life is not a series of episodes on television." Life wasn't even a box of chocolates, no matter what Tom Hanks said in that horrible southern accent of his.

"Do not let your guard down around that man. He might be toying with you."

"Jesus, you make it sound like I'm thinking of moving to be with him for the rest of my life. I didn't even let him know where I lived, and I was only a short walk from home."

"Now, son, there's no need for using Christ's name in vain."

Venti was taken aback by the statement. "Since when do you care? You're not religious." Maybe his family had been replaced by Catholics. Or worse, Scientologists! Nah, they're not that well off, Venti thought.

His mother's hyenaish chuckle made him smile; it lifted the weight of the conversation some, which was a welcome relief. "Why take chances, though? If there is a Heaven, I wouldn't mind them singing the praises of my heathen son who had enough respect for religious figures like Jesus or Elvis Presley."

Venti shook his head briefly."That's why I love you, mom. You're always looking out for me. Though I think you're seriously going to Hell for claiming Elvis as a religious figure."

"You never saw the man in concert."

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