Chapter 8: Minor Trouble

Ezra was awoken from his sleep by a knock on the door.

"Time to wake up." he heard Tua's voice on the otherside of the door.

"It's so early though." Ezra groaned. "It's only," he glanced at the clock, "6:45."

"I know but I have to be at the office at 7:30." Tua said. "And you can't stay here by yourself."

Ezra let out a deep sigh before getting out of bed and started to get ready.

He was really glad that all his pants were long enough to cover his whole legs. He didn't exactly want to flash around his cybernetic.

After he finished getting dressed Tua meet him in the hallway.

"Ready to go?" Tua asked.

"What about breakfast?" Ezra asked.

"We are late enough as it is." Tua responded, handing him a bagel. "You can eat on the way or when we get there."

Ezra held onto the bagel as he followed closely behind the Minister of Lothal as she hurried down the street towards her office.

"Minister, here is all the paper work that needs to be done today." the Minister's assistant said as Tua and Ezra walked into the office. She handed Tua a stack of datapads.

"Thank you." Tua said as she walked towards her desk and took her seat. "Ezra you can sit in that chair by the corner."

"Okay ma'am." Ezra responded, layering on the politeness since they were at her workplace.

He sat down and started to eat his bagel. He glanced out the window as he did.

"Here," Tua spoke, handing Ezra a datapad.

Ezra took it with a questioning look.

"It's a classic children's novel." Tua explained. "About the reading level of a ten year old, so you should be able to handle it to help improve your reading skills."

Ezra made a face, which Tua didn't notice as she was busy starting her work.

"If you have trouble with a word or don't know what it means you can ask." Tua finished.

Ezra sighed and looked at the words on the screen. "Bfg? Is that even a word?"

Tua sighed, "It's an acronym B.F.G. It stands for Big Friendly Giant."

"Oh," Ezra stated before he started reading the story. Pausing every so often to ask Tua about a word, which she answered any questions.

There was a buzz signaling someone was at the door.

"Come in," Tua said, barely looking up.

The door opened and in walked two Imperial officers. Ezra unfortunately recognized them. These two particular officers really didn't like him. He just hoped they wouldn't notice him.

"Aresko and Grint, what brings you here?" Tua asked.

"The weekly report, Minister." Aresko answered.

"Ok then," Tua replied. "Get on with it."

"Over the past week, the theft rate has gone down." Aresko started.

"One of the local street rats seems to have gone missing." Grint laughed.

Ezra growled in his seat, unfortunately, that drew their attention.

"Why, that's the street rat." Aresko declared with shock. "What's he doing in your office? Is he trying to steal something?" His hand went to his blaster.

"Enough," Tua snapped. "I will not have you insulting my new charge."

"New charge?" Aresko asked in shock.

"Ezra is under my care now. I will not have you insinuating he's up to no good." Tua snapped. "Now finish your report then get out."

"Right," Aresko muttered. They nervously finished their report before shuffling out.

Thanks," Ezra murmured after the Aresko and Grint left. "For defending me."

"I guess it's sort of my in my job description of being your care giver." Tua smiled.

Ezra smiled in return before returning to his story.

After about another hour Tua sighed and turned in her chair towards him.

"You up for lunch?" Tua asked.

"Yeah," Ezra replied, handing over the datapad.

"Come on, I know a good place." Tua smiled.

Ezra followed the Minister out of her office and they started to walk down the street to head wherever it was she was taking them.

They stopped at a diner. Ezra recognized the place. "Here we are." Tua said. She entered the building, Ezra following behind her.

"Hello Minister," the waitress greeted. "Table for," she looked behind Tua and spotted Ezra, who was half hiding behind her. "Two?"

"Yes, thank you." Tua replied.

The waitress led them over to a table and set a menu in front of them both.

Ezra scanned over the menu, sounding out several of words in his head.

"Do you know what you want?" the waitress came by. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"I'll have Meiloorun tea." Tua ordered.

"And for you?"the waitress asked Ezra.

"Um, lemonade?" Ezra asked.

"Okay," the waitress answered. "Are you ready to order or should I come back."

"I think we need more time." Tua answered.

Ezra continued to study the menu.

"Do you know what you want?" Tua asked.

"No Ma'am." Ezra answered.

"How about a bantha burger?" Tua suggested.

"Okay," Ezra conceded.

The waitress came back soon and took their orders.

"Were you able to read the menu alright?" Tua asked after the waitress left.

"Some words were a bit hard." Ezra admitted. "But I guess I managed."

"Well I guess that means you're improving." Tua smiled.

"Yeah I guess." Ezra replied.

"Is something bothering you?" Tua asked.

"Just memories." Ezra answered. "That's all."

"May I ask?" Tua asked.

Ezra sighed. "My parents used to take me here."

"Whatever happened to them?" Tua asked.

"I don't feel like talking about it." Ezra replied with a light glare. There was an punctured silence that stayed even as they ate.

"Well, we need to head back to the office." Tua lightly spoke, setting some credits for the bill on the table.

"Alright," Ezra responded.

Back in the office Ezra just sat quietly in the corner reading the story until it was time to go home.