Stay

Jason follows Katie’s lead and helps her with the groceries. Once she starts dinner, he feels a bit like a lame duck and finally just leaves her be, flopping down on the couch in the small living room. He flips on the tv and after several minutes finds a western movie to keep his mind occupied. Settling in, he pulls his feet up on the couch, the smells of supper keeping him awake.

Supper is enjoyed, and Jason compliments Katie’s cooking, not having realized how good she was at it. Once finished, both wind up on the couch in front of the tv, the darkness settling outside to bring in the night.

Jason yawns and glances at his watch. He was simply exhausted, but there was too much tension. He didn’t want to have nightmares, but he knew if he went to his room alone, they would come. He didn’t want Katie to have to get up and take care of him… and if she did, he didn’t want to be found in the position he’d been in last night.

He glances over to Katie, seeing the tiredness in her eyes. She was a trooper, no doubt, but she was human, and needed sleep eventually. Jason would need a good night in order for that to happen, and the only chance he had at that, was betting on the fact that he was more settled with her presence.

Making up his mind to act a bit impulsive, he grabs a blanket that’s lying over the couch armrest. Lying on his side he pulls his feet up onto the edge of the couch leaving space between his legs and the backrest, and throws the blanket out to spread as far as Katie. Without warning, he reaches over to pull Katie down behind his legs until her head is resting on his hip. “Now – I’m not going to go to my room because I don’t want to, and you’re not going to your room because I don’t want you to have to come running after me. So compromise, stay here, shut up and get some sleep.”


Mick laughs, and grasps Rosetta’s hand, letting her lead him from the barn. “Alright. You win.”