Begging

Ariel remains standing and doesn't move even when Trey leans in close. She keeps herself from cringing at the smell of alcohol and simply listens. His words weren't making any sense at all, proving just how much he'd been drinking. Yet it wasn't the words that Ariel listened to.

With each of his slurred words, her expression becomes more and more sorrowful. What she saw before her was the same hurt little boy she'd seen earlier today. Oh how hurt he looked. And it broke her heart. She knew this drunkenness was wrong. She knew his attitude had been wrong and choices he'd made were his own. He was at fault for many things. But that didn't mean he didn't deserve a chance. A chance at acceptance. A chance at love. Anyone's love.

"You're not a bad guy," she responds softly. "And you can trust that because I'm an awfully good judge of character."

Reaching up, she cradles the side of his face with her palm. "I don't want to lose you, Trey. Not like this. Won't you please come in? We can go sit in the kitchen and there won't be anybody else watching or listening, okay?" Her thumb caresses his cheek. "Please?"