Unanswered

Jason feels Katie coming before he hears her, but he doesn’t move. He’d like to stand up, look her in the eye and be strong about this whole thing, but he couldn’t even do that.

He gives a shrug, but knows he owes Katie more than that. Finally he nods. “No, don’t stay. Get home and get some rest.” He quiets his tone for her. “I’ll be fine. These guys won’t let me get away with not taking care of myself, let alone Camryn.”

He yanks up a tall blade of grass to shred with his fingers, taking his frustration out on something. “It’s over…we’re good to go… I’ve screwed everything up again, so… might as well just move on, right? You should leave with Scott before anything else happens to keep you here.”

Rising to his feet, he gives Katie’s shoulder a pat and heads back to the tent to get some dry clothes on.

Scott stands and waits for Katie, wishing there were more he could do to help.


Carson sifts through the mail on his table, seeing yet another letter that he didn’t want to open. He knew what it held…he knew what would be asked… He hated himself for not responding, but he couldn’t. Not with the way things were now. What did he have to show? Nothing. What did he have to offer? Nothing. The one person he longed to see again, and he was screwing that up too. How could he respond? He couldn't live up to what he should be able to. It had been over two months now and he knew if he didn't do something, he would lose them for good all over again. How could he be afraid of such a little thing?

Muttering to himself, he heads to the door. He’d already made several phone calls this morning with no luck. There was only one thing left to do, and it would be humiliating, but he had to do it.

Not fifteen minutes later, the bell at Mom and Pop’s is ringing. Carson ambles to the counter and waves a greeting to Mabel, forcing half a smile and trying to convince himself that Misty had been right about these people.