Respected

Scotty? Jason quirks an eyebrow. When had that nickname started?

He rubs Katie's hand thoughtfully with his own for a moment, receiving her words quietly. But an irritation is sparked, despite the good intentions.

"Why does everybody think me spilling my guts is the answer all the time?” Jason shakes his head a little as he frowns. “You’re so matter-of-fact just like everybody else. ‘It’ll be okay.’ ‘Just give it time.’ ‘We’re all rooting for you.’” A slight scowl forms. “Is everybody that stupid to think that’s all it takes?”

Jason lets go of her hand to crumple up his sandwich wrapper, dropping his eyes to the table. He was beginning to feel his barrier now, and recognized that look in Katie’s eye that begged him to open back up again. But he ignores it for the moment. “What more am I supposed to give? Or be doing? I haven’t even been here a full day and already I feel like I’d rather be back behind bars just so people stop treating me with kid gloves.” He thumbs out the door. “Even Scott seems to think I’m something to be avoided.”


Wyatt reaches the front door and is about to push it open, when he hears the voices from the other table. Turning his head, he sees Aerith start to struggle with the rougher bunch.

He grits his teeth with anger as she’s pulled onto one of the guy’s lap. It’s obvious from the look on her face that she didn’t want that to be happening, and the man was much too strong for her. Riffraff like that didn’t belong in here.

Spinning around, Wyatt stalks over to the table, a glare on his face. “Women are to be respected around here boys,” he growls. “Or did your mamas never teach you that?”

Reaching out, Wyatt grabs the one man’s wrist, bending it back in such away that he knew it would cause sharp pain. As Aerith is let go, he shoves her back out of the way, his grip remaining on the other man. “I think she told you to let her go.”


Cindy just can’t get over how perfect everything is. On her own feet again, she leans into Wes as she looks out on the back yard. “It’s all simply gorgeous,” she breathes. A little laugh of excitement escapes. “Does this mean we can start moving in?”