Temper

Receiving the beer from Jimmy and still looking in his eyes, Eli felt an odd twist in his gut. He stays put though, feeling maybe he needed this beer more than he thought. Taking a swig, he listens.

The news that Roth was Jimmy's son took Eli completely off guard. Now that he thought about it, he could see some resemblance, but their dispositions were so different, he never would have guessed. Shock fills his gaze. Scarlet had dated Jimmy's son. Roth. Scarlet had actually been in love with the same man who had put Ryan on her death bed. It had been a long time ago, but still... it wasn't a pleasant connection to make. Surely Scarlet knew about Roth shooting Ryan, yet she'd never said a word about her even knowing him?

Eli contains his temper and takes another sip of beer, forcing himself to stay and hear Jimmy out. He wasn't sure he believed Roth had ever been a nice guy, but the story of his mother's death did explain how a change might have occurred.

Having Jimmy join him on the same side of the bar, Eli is hesitant, but again forces himself to stay put, if just to finish off the beer he'd started. Though right about now, another shot of whiskey would have been nice.

Pictures of Roth and Scarlet flashed through Eli's mind. A new kind of pain reflects in his eyes as he hears of the abuse. Scarlet... this beautiful, intelligent, wonderful woman... how could someone ever dare to lay a finger on her? It was beyond Eli and his blood began to boil with an even greater hatred for Roth.

Jimmy's insights into Scarlet seemed to make the pieces fall into place. Her tough exterior. Her want to travel. And one puzzle piece in particular was now evident - it was that shy hesitance right below the surface that Eli had seen and questioned. Now he knew. A bad relationship had formed that bit of hesitance and now Eli understood. Ryan had been right - it had been from a bad experience.

Remaining silent as Jimmy finishes his explanation, Eli lets his eyes fall to his beer instead of the other man's eyes. He felt way too many things at once right now. He was angry... so angry at Roth. Not only because of Ryan, but now because of Scarlet too. Roth was a genuine scumbag and Eli's hate had grown tenfold. Taking another swig of beer he is still silent. There was also a feeling of something close to betrayal. It was obvious why Scarlet wouldn't have told him about Roth - it was probably painful for her. But Eli would have liked to have known... he didn't like finding out this way. Sure, he hadn't told her about Sasha either, but Sasha hadn't harmed Scarlet's family like Roth had harmed Eli's. And then there was Jimmy. He obviously wasn't to blame for his son's actions, but Eli now had a different perspective... and it was hard to see past that now when looking at Jimmy.

Only halfway through his beer, he leans his elbows on the bar and rubs his hands over his face, trying to keep his temper cool. He wanted to hit something awfully bad, but this time there was a warning to chill... acting without thinking on this one could have a very long list of consequences. "Gimme another shot of whiskey, Jimmy."


Justin's smile widens a little bit. There was something about this woman he liked. Spying an empty chair nearby, he retrieves it and sits right outside Sapphire's cubicle, rather than invading her space. "First of fall, your brother is doing fine and I truly believe that one of these days he'll be able to come home."

He wasn't sure if Scott's sister needed that reassurance or not, but he was willing to give it just in case. "I was just wondering if maybe you could briefly share a little bit about him from your perspective. Maybe what he was like growing up or in school? I'm trying to get the big picture and get to know the Scott that everybody else knows."