Lies

Hearing that Justin liked just about anything makes Beth smile. Knowing he would want her to cook for him more often would be nice. She could try more recipes and fine new stuff to try and make. Justin would be the perfect one to taste it for her and she new he wouldn't tell her it was good when it was not.

Looking away from Justin and taking a bit of her food Beth couldn't help the smile on her face. It felt nice to be sitting and having dinner with someone. Not to be alone at the table and let the was nice, and she hadn't realized how lonely it really had been till she has spend some time with anyone else.

"I'll have to keep looking through Mom's cookbook for the next meal to try than."

Glancing back up as Justin again Beth is silent for a moment. Thinking she tries to think if she had picked up anything new and nothing new really came to mind right away.

"I've gone through more pictures and set a lot a side for putting into farms or maybe even get stuff to start a scrapbook. Thats all thats been new really. Just trying to take baby steps to branching out."

Taking another bit of food and savoring it Beth really did enjoy the taste. From what she could remember it tastes just like her mom herself had made it and it but a little bit more of a smile on her face.

"I was thinking about maybe getting some paints or something and next time I go to see Sarah I would bring them and maybe get her to paint a little, or maybe I could paint her. I thought that might be something nice to do."

Beth had run across some old old pictures she had drawn when she had been much younger and they looked like they were done well. It had made her wonder if she could still paint just as good.

Giving a laugh and moving her own leg slightly against Alec's Ryan's eyes sparkled with a softness rarely seen. She felt good today, happy, calmer than normal and it was nice.

"Mmmmm...Ice cream sounds good. As long as we can put some whip cream on top too."

Moving a little bit Ryan stands and holds her hand out to Alec to help him up as well. Ice cream did sound like it would hit the spot tonight and Ryan wasn't going to let the idea go to wast.

Looking down at his glass of water and thinking for a long moment about Susanne's words Chuck's expression changes slightly. Though the smile was still on his lips his eyes had a small gloss to them now. His thoughts so far away reaching back into his mind where a scared past lied. One that had been forgiven and gotten over, but still left a little hurt when thought about.

"About fifteen years ago, I though I was in love. Found the woman of my dreams. She meant a lot to me and made me feel so wonderful. She accepted me for who I was, accepted Ana, and the business I had built. She loved the lord, and enjoyed going to church with us on Sundays. I'd always been a good judge of character, but love can be blind sometimes."

Letting out a long sigh Chuck looks up at Susanne and searches her face for a long moment. He was over Erica, he didn't have feelings for her anymore, he forgave her but still...it still stung to talk about it and relive everything that happened. He'd been so sure of himself back than, ready to give his life to this woman but than was betrayed, taken to be a fool.

"I was wrong though. After only a few months Erica was changing. The mask she wore was starting to ware off. When I wouldn't pursue singing and try to make it big it hit her wrong. My life revolved around Ana and making my home the best for her like she deserved. She's like a daughter to me, and family always comes first."

Pausing just a moment as the waiter came over Chuck smiled and gave his order before letting Susanne give her own. Asking for a refill on his drink and making sure Susanne was ok Chuck gave a smile across the table before starting his story again once they were a lone.

"Erica didn't like it much that I spent most my time with Ana, and she made horrible lies, about horrable things I must be doing to my niece to be spending so much time with her and be so close. I almost lost Ana, if it hadn't have been for my church family standing behind me I would have. So Erica walked out of my life, and I was left with a large scar."

Letting out another sigh Chuck looks down and than up at Susanne again. Searching her eyes he new what question would be next before she even had to ask it.

"So, your wondering why do I trust you? Your different Susanne, your not full of yourself or trying to doll yourself up to be perfect. You look good with your unruly hair as you do with it brushed nicely. You don't want someone else to fight your battles because you can stand up for yourself but still...you wouldn't mind having someone there to rescue you once and a while too. From the moment I saw you, you lite up the room, you lite up my heart again and every time after that its been the same. I can see God's love in your eyes, and I can see life in them. Your straight forward and don't try to mask anything. You are different and amazing. When I look at you, I don't see a plain Jain I see a lovely woman waiting to branch out if given the chance and love she deserves."

Chuck smiles again as his hand slides across the table his palm up offering his hand to Susanne so he could hold it. This time asking instead of just taking it. He's opened his heart up to her and told her probably wont of the deepest things about himself. He wondered now, how she would take it.

Looking up as Kip came into the room again Karla gave him a smile. It only had been a short while he'd been gone to take the phone call but she had missed him already. Scooting a little bit closer when he sat down Karla locks her fingers with his.

As the conversation continues between everyone she stays fairly quiet. Just listing and looking back and forth between everyone. She new enough about Kip's dad to understand everyone's concern, but she could see where Kip was coming from and the hope in his eyes as well.

When the conversation comes to an end, and Kip gets up to leave Karla can feel her own heart break for him. He wanted so bad to have a relationship with his father, and though his friends were trying to help, because they weren't standing behind him it hurt.

Once he was gone and looking to Twila for a moment Karla moves forward on the couch and stand giving a stretch. She new Twila wasnt being mean with what she called Kip.

"He's not a moron, he just...wants a relationship like most people have with there family so he's blinded by it. I think I'm going to pass on pizza and make sure he's ok. I'll catch you back at home."

Leaning the small room and grabbing her jacket on the way out Karla heads outside and looks down the street. Kip hadn't gotten far and she was thankful for that. Giving a little joge to catch up she lips her arm around Kips.

"I thought maybe you could use some company. It's a nice night out for a walk, and I've gotten lazy since Rin had been gone. So I might as well take this chance to get a little walk of my own in. Are you going to be ok?"

Then something happened once

Seeing Beth laugh too did Justin's heart good, and he grins at her, not teasing anymore, but not trying to ignore the humor either. Her comment of food brings him back down from the laughter and he shrugs, taking a bite of meatball. "Well, to be rightfully honest, I don't have a whole lot of favorites." He pauses. "Except cherry pie," he adds. "I'll eat most anything... but I guess food's never been a priority. Ma always gives me a bad time for not eating enough."

He grins again. "She's always leaned towards her Greek cooking, but I like anything from that to Chinese to Mexican to good old American to..." He holds up a forkful of spaghetti. "Italian. I guess I just never keep regular meals, come to think of it." He cocks his head a little, giving her something like a reassuring smile. "So I guess whatever you decide to cook will always be a winner."

For some reason, as soon as those words were out of his mouth, he felt heat crawling up the back of his neck. He complimented her all the time to help build her confidence - why was this time any different? His eyes lock with hers before he drops his gaze and concentrates on his food. "So, um... found any hobbies lately?"


Alec's smile widens as he hears Ryan's words. Wrapping his arms around her, he just hugs her tightly. He couldn't remember when he'd heard those words before, least of all from someone who actually meant it. So this is what it felt like.

Kissing the top of her head, he draws back a little so he can see her eyes. "Ya know... if someone would have told me a few years ago that I'd be here right now, feeling like I do... I would have reported them and had 'em shipped to the loony bin."

His foot moves to run up and down her lower leg. "I got some ice cream in the freezer... wanna share a bowl?"


Susanne grins back at Chuck and shakes her head. "I don't know what to ask," she admits. She stares into those dark, luring eyes and can feel herself falling into his gaze all over again. "If your eyes were a stream of those questions, it would last an eternity and I'd never reach the end no matter how fast I rowed."

She would have blushed again at her poetic words, but she meant them. Still resting her chin on her hand, she blinked slowly, though her eyes went back to his. "Yesterday you denied treating every woman like this. I still find that hard to believe." She cocks her head slightly, remembering the hint of lost love. "But if what you said was true..." Her voice becomes even softer. "Then something happened once that snuffed out a spark, because someone like you can't naturally keep that charm hidden."


The band was sitting around the living room of Erik and Theo's , hanging out for the evening. They'd had practice again earlier, and again, it had gone well. After a little more working with Kip, things really had improved, and now, a week later, the group was back to their laughing selves, no secrets and no awkward silences at practice.

Chattering and laughing, it was good down time to sit back, relax and be themselves for a while. Though they were with each other almost 24/7, no one seemed to tire of being together, and it was apparent that God was blessing them daily with the close-knit bonds.

Though Kip leaves the room when his cell phone rings, the chatter doesn't cease and some start talking about going out to a movie tonight, or pizza or maybe even both. Once Kip wanders back in though with a smile on his face, the conversations naturally quiet.

"It was my dad." Kip announces, seeing a few questioning glances. He flops down on the hand-me-down couch next to Karla again, enthusiasm in his voice. "He's planning a camping trip and he wanted me to go with him for the weekend!"

Erik blinks and looks to Russ, Twila, Kyle then back to Kip. He'd told Kip when he'd gotten the new phone not to give his dad the number. "How did he find you?"

"Oh, I sent him my number a few weeks ago."

Erik could strangle him, but he holds his tongue. "So a camping trip... this weekend? Seriously?"

"Uh-huh." Kip nods and grabs a pillow to hold on his lap, giving Karla a happy sidelong glance. "Since we're done recording and on a short break from the studio, it's perfect timing and everything."

Kyle can sense the tension in the others and he gives Alice a wary look before clearing his throat. "Where... is he going camping? Somewhere around here?"

"Naw - Wyoming. My uncle's got a cabin up there."

Erik tries not to pounce. "So there will be others there?"

"No, just Dad and me." Kip beams. "He really wants to spend time with me. I think me being gone from home and stuff, maybe he got thinking, ya know?"

Twila bites her lip as she sits on the floor and her eyes glance over to Karla, hoping she understood what was really going on like the others did. "Kip... you think that's a good idea?"

"Sure, why not?" Kip shrugs. "I think he's really changed his mind. He sounded different on the phone this time. He even apologized to me and everything."

It wasn't true. Erik could feel it in his gut that Kip's dad really hadn't changed. But how could he just out and say it without upsetting Kip? "How are you getting there?"

"I'll just drive up there there myself." Kip had been saving up, and being supported by the band helped. "I mean, I'm not doing anything else, and I figure it's worth it, right? It's right close to the southern border so it should only take about six hours."

"Mm." Erik doesn't agree or disagree with that one. It seemed an awfully long road trip for his friend to be taking alone, not to mention the whole other issue of Kip's dad. "Well, camping is always fun. Maybe your dad wouldn't mind some company and a few of us others could tag along or something."

Kip's eyes dim slightly as he looks at his older friend. He suddenly realized what was going on, and his smile fades. "I'll be fine by myself, thank you very much."

"I didn't say you wouldn't, Kip. I was just suggesting that-"

"That I bring my babysitters along with me," Kip retorts. "No, thank you. You didn't hear my dad on the phone, alright? I know he's changed. It's different this time, so forget about talking me out of it. I'm going and I'm gonna have a good time with my dad for once."

Erik opens his mouth then closes it again. There was nothing he could do.

Though Theo works hard at picking the chatter back up again, the atmosphere in the room had shifted and it wasn't quite as carefree anymore. Kip sits a bit sulkily, his hand finding Karla's, though he doesn't look at her directly. While the others still talk of supper and an activity for the evening, Kip stands. "I think I'm just gonna go back to Gram and Gramp's."

Russ' eyebrows rise. He'd just happened to give Kip a ride today. "Want me to drive you back?"

"Naw. I'll just... walk."

"But it'll take you-"

Kip throws him a glare then looks over his shoulder to give Karla an apologetic look. "I'll be fine, Russ. Thanks." He'd talk to Karla more later... but not here... not in front of anyone else. No one else understood.

As he walks out, Twila sighs and looks to Karla, whom she'd brought with her from Alice's. "Wanna stick around for pizza or are you gonna go after that moron?" She didn't intend it in a mean way... but Kip could be stubborn and sometimes just didn't think straight. They all loved him, but it was hard watching him run into the same brick wall over and over again. Maybe they could still convince him not to go camping with his dad.