Foggy Mind

Turning his head to look at Rosetta, Mick smiles. He loved the way she thought... her big heart... her strong faith. "Yeah... He's let us all on some pretty wild adventures, hasn't He." 

Rolling onto his side, he puts his arm around her and snuggles in close, sighing deeply as he closes his eyes. "I love you," he whispers. "Thanks for all you do." 

The next day, Justin finds himself busy with errands, work, then heading to North Springs for the evening. Arriving to Misty's, he joins her and Alec for a very nice meal, getting to know them both, and quietly observing them and their behavior and reactions. Eventually, as the meal comes to a close, Justin finally brings up Mackenzie in particular, knowing that it was time to get down to the whole purpose of this visit.

"I'm not sure how much you both are aware of Mackenzie's story." He nods to Misty. "You probably know most of it." His eyes glance to Alec. "What about you?"

Alec shrugs. "I know her mom died and she was in an orphanage and was stubborn about meeting her dad - Carson, that is, and he didn't want much to do with her. And now she's with that other family. That's all I know." He'd never dared ask Carson about it, and he and Misty hadn't really discussed the issue, other than wanting to help the girl.

"Okay." Justin nods. "Well, the first part's right. But she was adopted before Ken and Jeanette by another couple. The man abused her... in many different ways."

Alec could feel a strange sort of churning in his gut. Justin needn't say more - he could imagine. And he didn't like it. He'd hurt plenty of people in his life - women included. But a littler girl? It made him sick.

Justin purses his lips grimly. "Once he was found out, Mackenzie was placed back in the system and then adopted by her current family. Since then, she has been just as insistent as ever to see her biological father. Now that..." He clears his throat, trying to remain respectful around Misty. "Now that she's not allowed to see him because of his choice in lifestyle, her rebelliousness has just worsened to the point where Ken and Jeanette are afraid they can't handle her anymore."

"How come they don't want her seeing Carson? Just because he's got another woman?"

"No... it's more than that." Justin tries not to smile. Alec really had no idea why Mackenzie would be kept from that situation. "It's the example Carson's setting and the influence he'd have on her. Her parents aren't comfortable being unsure what kind of man he is right now."

"Oh." Alec still wasn't sure he understood all that but he'd take Justin's word for it. "You think bringing her here will actually help?"

"I do. And the reason is, I saw her here the other day and she obviously trusts you both. She may not say so, but this is where she wanted to come. She knew Carson wasn't here, but she knew you were here, Misty. And she obviously likes her uncle as well."

Alec wasn't sure why that put another strange little feeling into him... but it wasn't in his stomach - it was in his heart.

Justin takes a sip of his iced tea, gathering his thoughts. "After all that Mackenzie has been through, she has a very difficult time trusting people beyond the surface. Her mom was taken from her, she was treated okay but not great at the orphanage, she was adopted by someone she thought she could trust and he just abused her... when she finally got to see her real father, that was taken away from her too. I understand Ken and Jeanette's frustrations, but I understand Mackenzie's side too. She's having a difficult time adjusting to her new family and while some people might say that this is giving in to her rebelliousness, I think it is a wise move to allow her the time to see both of you. This is a safe environment that I believe she should be allowed to be in - within reason of course."

He goes on to explain Mackenzie's mood swings and angry outbursts, advising how to handle her - to be gentle but firm and not give in to her every whim. There were times she'd become physical as well, and restraint might be needed. Hopefully not, but it was a possibility and Justin wanted both Misty and Alec to be aware.

"...so... really, that's about all I can say. She's a very hurt and confused little girl. But I believe love is the answer. Do you think you both are prepared to have her come visit? It'll be up to you if you ever want to have her overnight - that's something you can discuss with Ken and Jeanette, though I would suggest just a couple hours on visits to start out."

"Helloooo." Sandy waves a hand in front of Jason's face as they sit opposite each other at the small table near the snack bar after having just finished one game of bowling. 

"Hmm?"

Rusty elbows him. "Wake up."

"I'm awake." Jason elbows him back. "Can't a guy think?" 

"No." Will shakes his head from where he sat next to Sandy. "No, that's definitely not a good thing. A guy should not think at all." 

Rusty shrugs. "He's right. Women don't believe we think anyway, so we might as well not try.

Sandy rolls her eyes before sipping from her straw and drinking some more of her lemonade. "You guys are hopeless." 

Jason grins and finishes off his french fries before taking a swig of his pop. "Sorry. My mind's been foggy all day." It had been, too. Ever since yesterday's lunch with Katie. He'd finished off the work day, spent the evening with Misty, and had told her about the strange conversation. She seemed to understand how it might be hard for him and he appreciated that. He was glad that she wasn't upset or taking it the wrong way that he was uneasy being around Katie right now. It was just... hard. Finishing off the evening on the couch with her had gotten his mind off other problems though, and a bit of good kissing and cuddling had sent him off into a good night's sleep. Today though, back at work, seeing Katie around... it had just set his mind thinking again and had made concentrating difficult. Knowing Misty had dinner plans tonight with Alec and Justin though, he'd opted to take his friends up on their offer to go bowling. He knew he could have sat in on the discussion about Mackenzie if he'd wanted to - Misty wouldn't mind. But he wanted to give her and Alec a chance to talk it through with Justin alone - it just seemed right. So bowling it was.

"Oh, so that's why you're such a bad partner tonight." Rusty smirks. "It's the foggy brain's fault."

"Hey don't give him too bad a time," Sandy warns. "Will and I like winning." 

Jason's eyes narrow and he gives Rusty a sidelong glance. "I think the fog is lifting. We are so gonna cream them our next game."

To: Katie

From: Hunter

Hey Sunshine. Missing u today. Ive been

kept busy with all sorts of interesting 

stuff. Cleaning tack, washing horses, more 

work on the shed... Im not sure if I like 

being off crutches or not... hehe jk. 

Hows ur day been? Anything exciting or 

still stuck with paperwork?