Harsh words

Mick gets on his feet as Wes stands, and he moves closer to Rosetta, knowing that in the morning words will be regretted.

Jason’s eyes narrow at Rosetta’s words. He understands what she’s really saying, but is appalled at their impact. As Katie’s eyes fill with tears, a pain hits him like a kick to the gut. The feeling is so severe that he almost cringes.

He turns to watch Katie leave, helpless. Swinging back around, he glares at Rosetta, then Austin, then back to Rosetta. “You two think you’ve got it all figured out…you think that harsh words will keep us under control and put us in our place. But all you manage to do is push us away. Hang this case for corrupting what was good. You used to know how to love, but you all have your heads stuck in the ground, pretending that if you keep us locked up, the Agency can’t touch us.” Jason shakes his head in disgust. “You keep going down this road. Go ahead. It’s exactly what the Agency wants – to tear us apart.” He fixes his gaze on Rosetta. “And you better pray that what you just said to your niece doesn’t push her away for good, because you would have lost something far more precious than you could imagine.”

Spinning around, he takes himself to the door, managing to get himself outside, despite the hindrance of his crutches. He lets the door slam shut behind him and hobbles off t he porch. Squinting in the dark, he looks around and calls out. “Katie?”


Austin stands stunned, staring at the door. He doesn’t know what to feel. He’s angry, hurt, embarrassed, sad…

Mick reaches out to lay a hand on Rosetta’s shoulder.

A tear trickles down Cindy’s cheek.