Pain

Eric's pace doesn't slow until he was stepping up onto his porch. His leg throbbed, warning him to take it easy, but he didn't care. Getting inside, he slams the door shut and sinks down to sit on his bed. Looking over at the mirror on the wall, he glares at it. 

For years he had fought the stigma of being a truck driver. For years he had fought against people thinking that all drivers were dumb or that they only took the job because there was nothing else. When he started out on the road, it was because he couldn't yet function well enough for anything else. Then it had gotten into his blood. He hadn't stayed with it because he was incapable of other jobs. He'd stayed with it because he knew it inside and out, it was good money and he was good at it. He was dang good at it! 

His fist slams down into the mattress. He felt so stupid. He'd opened himself wide for Stacy to see - multiple times, including just two nights ago. He had sat with her and shared with her openly about his past. She knew good and well that he already felt dumb the way it was. And today... today she'd thrown it right back at him. Why? Why had she done that? Did she really not care like he'd thought? Had she just been playing him? But for what purpose? 

Though still fuming, some of his anger was slowly dissolving into a more depressing level. Maybe he really was worthless. Maybe Stacy hadn't really meant it that she was grateful he was in Ashlee's life. Maybe she would prefer that he didn't influence her daughter at all. Maybe he really didn't have a place here like he'd thought. Maybe he did belong back on the road. 

It was quite a conclusion to come to - very far from Stacy's original comment. But in Eric's mind, it really was what it all boiled down to. Everything was connected. Whether Stacy had intended to hit him below the belt or not, she had. Whether she'd intended to hurt his feelings or not... she had. 

Growling, Eric stands up again. Feeling hurt was worse than feeling mad. He'd obviously opened himself up too far and let himself be too vulnerable. Trudging to the bathroom, he strips down and tries to check out his leg. Already, his thigh was swollen and purple. Tundra had done a great job. Eric felt like going out and just offering himself up as a punching bag today. 

Pulling his jeans back on, he tucks in his shirt again and heads back outside. With each step, the throbbing worsened. All he needed was some pain killers and a good hot bath tonight. That's all. And he'd be fine in the morning...

"Angel?" He taps on the door of her office and opens it slowly. Seeing her at her desk, he forces half a smile, trying to hide what was going on inside of him. "I, um... I got kicked a while ago." He gestures to his leg, knowing that she knew good and well it was the same one he'd injured before. "I'm okay but I was wondering if you had anything for the pain?"

Dylan ambles slowly from his bunkhouse, carrying a couple school books under his arm. After a morning of working in the barn, he was exhausted and a little bit nauseous too. But he knew he needed to get some school done - he was so far behind already. 

After getting settled back in his own bunkhouse again, he'd avoided too much contact with other people. Though no one seemed upset with him, there was still a little bit of tension that he hated. It was his own fault and he knew it - but he still hated it. He just wanted things to be normal again. But... they probably never would be now. 

Hunting for a good spot to sit in the sun, Dylan spots Dan over by the barn. Another person he'd been avoiding. Signing, he knows that he can't avoid Dan forever, and... there was something he needed to say to him anyway. 

Walking up to Dan slowly, he keeps his hands busy holding his books. Though still thin and rather pale, his eyes were finally bright again, proving he'd come a long way in the last couple weeks. Now it was depression that was knocking at the door. 

"Hey, Dan?" He didn't want to bother him. "Um... I just... I haven't seen you much and, well..." His eyes drift to the ground. "I just wanted to say thanks... for... well, you know. If it weren't for you, I might not be alive right now." 

"Mmmm, tonight?" Jason thinks a moment as he walks slowly. "Hadn't really thought about it. Maybe do something with you?"

Getting to the end of the hall, Jason suddenly realizes that Katie had cuddled into them as they'd walked, almost like she was searching for reassurance or something. Stopping before going out onto the main floor, Jason looks down at her, giving her shoulder a little rub. "Hey... are you okay?"


"Of course I'm enjoying my day off." Zach grins and accepts his soda, smiling even more. It was kinda fun to just be able to walk in and have her know what he wanted.

"I was wondering when you had off next.... thought maybe we could get together at the animal shelter... if you still wanted to do that?"