11/22/10

Nothing inbetween!

Walking with Kip Karla didn't mind the silence much just letting Kip talk here and there. Even if it didn't make much sense she still just let him talk and get what he needed off his chest. Continuing to walk till they stopped again Karla turns to Kip a little bit giving a small nod of her head. She could see the look, the longing in his eyes.

"Nah, quitting not the answer. They just care about you is all and don't want to see you get hurt. Sometimes its hard for other to stand by and watch someone get hurt over and over again, they really have to see someone changed."

Giving Kip's hand a little squeeze she smiles to him her eyes giving a small twinkle. She new a lot about Kip and his dad. She also new people could change. Maybe he was changing and maybe this was Kip's chance to make up for lost time.

"I think it's great you might get to spend this time with you dad. Just don't let your guard down. I'm behind you thought on going to see him. I really do hope you have a nice time and he is changed."

Giving a little laugh as Danitza nuzzles Justin's hand Beth couldn't help but think she was cute and loved seeing how Justin and the dogs got along. Watching as he got up and took the two dogs outside Beth gives a smile before standing and clearing the table off and placing dishes into the dish washer.

Once done with that Beth makes her way into the living room and opens the bag of movies with a soft rustling noise. She really didn't know what she was in the mood for. Just reaching into the bag and just fishing around Beth pulls out a movie to see what one it was. Seeing it was a scary movie Beth thinks for a moment about putting it back in the bag but stops. Justin would be with her, was there really anything to fear?

Looking up from the couch as Justin comes in again Beth holds up the movie. There was a little bit of hesitance in her eyes but she wanted to do this.

"I got the movie and our pie is here waiting. So I am ready when you are."

Just watching Susanne from across table and feeling her hand slip into him Chuck looks down for a moment. Her skin was so soft against his, it felt so nice a contrast to what he thought his own felt like.

Looking up again and hearing Susanne's words it hit home for Chuck and his eyes showed sympathy. How anyone could not show love and affection twords Susanne was something he didn't understand. She was a very pretty woman, and any man should be lucky to have her.

Shifting a in the booth and sliding in next to Susanne Chuck softly puts an arm around her shoulder and pulls her into a hug. Not a tight one, or to close but a soft friendly one it just seemed like something he had to do.

"Yeah, It can be a hard time to try and open up letting yourself take the risk. But I can assure you, I am not going anywhere unless you ask me too. I am who I am, I have no secrets, and nothing I would hide. I am an open book willing to give answers when asked."

Taking his arm from around her Chuck didn't want to make Susanne uncomfortable by leaving it there for to long. Reaching across the table Chuck grabs his drink and takes a sip before giving Susanne a glace. He wanted to make sure she was ok with him sitting here. If now he'd gladly move back to the other side.

"How about we take things slow since your leery. We don't have to put a title on us right away. Were just friends....till your ready, or till you get to know me better. I won't change anything I do, and I'll keep asking you to lunch and dinner, but there is nothing official not yet anyways. That way you can feel me out, and not have to worry about anything else in between. I'm willing to work with you on this one Susanne, as long as your not telling me to go away forever."

Terrifying

Noting the change in Chuck's eyes and tone, Susanne was almost sorry she'd asked. She really did want to know what had happened though... she wanted to understand him more and find another piece to the mysterious puzzle.

As she listens, she nods a little, assuring she was paying attention. Though her hands fidget with her water glass, her eyes remain on him. Hearing that Erica wasn't who Chuck had first thought made Susanne's heart hurt just a little. It was something like that she was so afraid of - finding someone and giving them her heart, only to find out later they weren't who she'd thought.

Interrupted by the waiter, she places her order but quickly turns her attention back to Chuck. Learning just what Erica had done and the lies she'd told, Susanne's eyes show sympathy. What a horrible, horrible thing for someone to do. "Oh, Chuck..." Her voice was soft and caring. "I'm so sorry." Now it was obvious why he wouldn't have dared choose another woman all these years. If it had been her, Susanne was pretty sure she would have vowed never to love again.

The strange thing was, after that bad experience and after all these years, out of the blue, he'd chosen her? Why? Why did he want to form a relationship, let alone so quickly? Why would he rush into this after everything he'd gone through? And her, of all people. He didn't even know her. Surely there were plenty of other women who would catch his eye more than she...who were better suited for him.

She opens her mouth to question him, but it seemed he'd already read her mind. Almost stunned by his words, she can only listen and soak in all he says. Somehow, for some reason, he really did see more in her than anyone else. The things he'd observed... what went on inside of her... he was right. Sometimes she did want someone to protect her, even if she was capable on her own. She did try to be true to herself and not wear a mask. She did want to branch out so badly and be loved. He had seen further into her in two days' time than others who had known her all her life.

Quite unexpectedly, tears spring into her eyes and she looks down to see his hand. She hesitates at first, then slowly slides her hand over to meet his, her fingertips coming to rest on his palm. Still looking down, a tear rolls down her cheek. "No one's ever said they thought I was pretty. No one's ever said any of those things to me before." She'd craved words like those for years, but no one had ever been there to offer them.

She swallows hard and sniffs, feeling a might silly, but unable to help it that her emotions were all topsy-turvy. "When... when I was a little girl, I remember trying so hard to get my dad's attention. I knew he loved me, and he was a good man. But when all I wanted was for him to say I was pretty or... or just give me a hug when something went wrong... it just..." She shrugs. "...Never happened." Her toughness had formed long before she'd joined TJY.

Her gaze remains glued to the table, now unable to look up at Chuck. "In school, I was always the one without a date. My friends would always convince me to go to the dances anyway and try to socialize... I got used to sitting in the corner alone. And after that..." Another tear falls and she wipes it away with the back of her other hand. "...No man ever took notice of me. I... I figured I was being selfish and... and I needed to just accept the fact that I'd... I'd always be alone."

Her fingers tremble slightly in his grasp and she finally finds the courage to look up at him again. her voice is but a whisper now. "Being with you is terrifying." Her eyes glisten with all of her mixed feelings. "You make me feel like a princess but... but that's what scares me. I'm afraid I'll let myself like it too much and get used to it, only to have it end. And then I'll be alone again but even more lonely because I'll have tasted what I've always really wanted."


Kip isn't surprised when Karla joins him. He lets her link arms with him, though his hands stay tucked in his pockets and his eyes remain on the sidewalk. Her question makes him shrug. "I dunno."

A few more steps and he sighs. "Yeah... I'm always okay." Again, he falls quiet for the length of one block. Eventually, he takes his hand from his pocket and intertwines his fingers with hers. "If it's not one thing with me, it's another, isn't it? First I'm doing a lousy job with the band and so we figure out my problem with all that. Now that that's going right, they're all against me again just because I want to see my dad. Maybe I shoulda just quit when I had the chance. At least then I wouldn't have them all breathing down my neck all the time."


"I bet painting would be a good hobby for you," Justin agrees. "Someone told me once that there's a little bit of an artist in all of us." He quirks an eyebrow. "I think I'm the exception. All I can draw are stick figures and you don't want to see what I make out of modeling clay." He grins teasingly. "Thankfully, the only artwork my job requires is paint splotches."

Finishing up the meal, Justin cleans his plate - evidence that he'd told the truth that he liked Beth's cooking. With a full stomach and good conversation, he was feeling a little more relaxed too, and enjoying the evening.

"Don't forget you get to choose which movie to watch from the ones I brought."

A cold, wet nose on his hand makes him look down quickly and he smirks at Danitza before scratching her head. "Was I talking to you? Hmm? Do you think I'd let you pick a movie? I'd be watching 101 Dalmatians twenty-four/seven if that was the case."

Clueless, but sensing her master's good mood, Danitza wags her tail and nuzzles into his hand, licking his fingers.

"Naw, now, come on. I told you to stay in the living room."

She looks up at him and gives a quiet little whine.

"Well why didn't you say so?" Justin stands up and stretches, glancing to Beth. "I gotta take her out. I'll just be a minute." He ends up taking both dogs out on their leashes but it doesn't take long before he's back inside, slipping his shoes off again and having the dogs lie down in the living room once more.