Cramped

Carson remains standing behind the counter, just listening and not interrupting. It was obvious Katie needed to talk, so he let her, not caring how long it took. He pretty much knew all there was to know about her and Jason and how they'd lost their connection. That's where his knowledge ended though - anything that had happened after that was news to him. 

Leaning to rest his elbows on the counter, he turns his head to study Katie's face. What she was talking about really bothered her and he could see it. What he didn't expect was the question it all led up to. 

Lifting his eyebrows, it takes him a moment to respond. And when he does, a dry chuckle escapes. "Figured I was a good person to ask, ay?" He gives her a quick grin though, letting her know it was okay. Who else could she ask? And she felt badly enough the way it was, he wouldn't tease her.

Sighing, he shakes his head. "There's lots of things, I guess. Little things." He thinks about himself and all the times he'd tried to hide his actions. "Not being around like usual... going off without notice... forgetting things... lying... sometimes being moody." 

Growing just a little uncomfortable, he shifts his weight and scratches at a water stain on the counter with his thumbnail. Finally looking at Katie again, he purses his lips. "Jason never struck me as the kind of man to go cheating on you. But if you think he is, maybe you should ask him." He cocks his head. "Sounds like you've spent enough time with this Hunter guy that Jason could be having the same doubts about you. I know you're not cheating on Jason... but spending time alone with another fella probably isn't gonna solve things. It just makes you look guilty too." 

He shrugs. "Jason might just be having fun hanging out with his buddies. There's nothing wrong with that. If he was spending all that time with just Sandy, then I'd wonder but... I really don't know, Katie. Why don't you ask him about it?"

"I don't mind picking you up," Cindy assures. "I was thinking about going to Mom and Pop's, and I'd feel bad if I let you walk." 

Kaylee bounces a little in Trey's arm, murmuring incoherently while finding an interesting seam in his shirt to play with. 

"Or you could borrow my pickup," Con offers. He had a feeling Trey didn't like being dependent on others for rides, and didn't mind if he wanted to take his truck. He didn't trust Trey a hundred percent, but he was willing anyway. 

"No...no..." Jared shakes his head, not wanting the doctor, and not able to remember anything else - or not wanting to. 

Closing his eyes tight, he leans back in his pillow, trying to obey Grace and keep breathing, though it was difficult for a few moments until the panic begins to subside. His hands start to cramp from holding the sheets so tightly.

"I... it..." He swallows hard. Opening his eyes again he stares at Grace. "I didn't expect to... to remember that." He sucks in his breath, still trembling. It had happened so fast... the accident. But now he remembered the sheer terror that had shot through his veins as for that split second he had seen the oncoming vehicle. And the pain. His unconsciousness had been almost instantaneous, but there had been a moment of incredible pain. His fear had been like no other, and he had known he would surely die. 

Sweat trickles down the side of his face, but gradually his pulse begins to slow. His eyes focus on Grace again and he manages a pitiful little laugh. "I can't... I can't let go." He looks down at his hands, unable to uncurl his fingers.

Dylan smirks and rolls his eyes, taking the cue to take his turn. Setting down his red ball, he eyes the hole for a moment before putting. The ball shoots quickly across the green track, hitting the wall to zig-zag to the far end before bouncing lightly off the far wall and dropping neatly into the hole. 

Eric's mouth hangs open. "Are you kidding me?"

Dylan turns around and puts the club up across his shoulders. "What?"

"What do you mean what?" Eric quirks an eyebrow at him. "I thought you said you weren't any good at this."

"I never said that." The corner of Dylan's mouth upturns just slightly. 

"Uh-huh." Eric shake his head and looks over at Stacy. "I think we got a bluffer on our hands. You and I don't stand a chance now." 

Zach can't help his laugh and he shakes his head, finding Beth's reaction cute. "Yeah... yeah, I did mean it as a date I guess, so I'm glad you said yes." 

Grinning, he shrugs. "I don't know where to take you though." He laughs again. "You'll have to help me pick."

Cheating

Katie can't help but smile. Carson was almost close to her like Con, she looked up to him. Even if some people couldn't see past his past she could, and she new he had changed his ways. What mattered was the here and now and he'd give his life to God. It gave Katie hope that anyone could change as long as they were willing too.

   "I don't know if I should explain the short version or the long..long...long version."

Knowing that maybe Carson didn't have all the time in the world and though it was slow now that didn't mean it would be slow a few minutes for now she would give him the short version. Going into explanation about there connection, and how Jason had been having with his friends and how she had found a friend in Hunter. It had always been easy to talk with Carson maybe because he had no judgment to give anyone but only help and understanding. 

   "...So He hangs out with his friends once or twice a week and Sandy is always there too. I met her she seems nice but...just the smile the come to his face when he sees her or texts her...I just...He looks so happy. Do you think...I mean...what...what are the signs someone is cheating on you?"

Looking down at Kaylee as she comes over Trey gives a small smile to her before bending down to be eye to eye. His sister made his heart thump, and now that the walls had been broken it made it beat so much differently. There was a love there, and a yurning to protect. It mad Trey slightly sad to think they would be leaving soon and who new when he would see them again. 

   "How about a hug first?"

Wrapping his arms around Kaylee he gives her a big hug and picks her up at the same time. Holding her close for several moments before finally letting go and just holding her on his side giving her a kiss on the nose. 

Looking back to his mother Trey gives a small nod. He had pretty much all the time in the world right now. Nothing really held him back or kept him from planning anything. He might as well enjoy it while he could. The money he had saved up wouldn't last forever and he had to find a job sooner or later witch would limit his time greatly. 

   "Tomorrow for lunch sounds good. Umm...if you don't want to pick me up I can talk to where ever. I don't mind mind."

Trey had been use to having his own car but here he did not so walking would have to work just as good. Not that he hated it to much. The weather was nice out and as long as it wasn't raining he was fine with it. It made him kind of feel like he had independence too witch was a nice feeling.

Seeing Jared's face almost go white Grace stands up and move closer to him. Gently laying a hand on his shoulder. She softly called his name and asked if he was ok but getting no response it made her worry. She wasn't sure what was going on a hundred percent but she could feel her own heart race.

   "Jared...Jared...what is it?"

Hearing that he remembered getting hit Grace sits down on the bed again her keeps her hand on his arm. The fear that played in his eyes made her worried but she wanted to stay close, she didn't want him to lose reality or think he was along. Did he remember anything else? 

   "Do...do you remember anything else? Should I fetch the Dr?"

Grace would of told him even this was a good start to remember but how scared he looks kept her from doing so at least now. She would wait till he calmed, till he was more stable, till the shock would ware off. To much to soon could be dangerous and she new it. The last thing she wanted was to push him over the edge.

   "Breath Jared, keep breathing ok!"

Holding her putter and purple ball Ashlee looks to Dylan and gives a grin. This mini golf place looked like fun. It was dark but everything was lit up nicely. There were trees, and water falls, plastic animles to make the setting look like a real jungle it was better that she could of imagined.

   "You think we should let them go first so they can try and get a jump on us?"

Ashlee gives a laugh before turning to her mom and gesturing for her to stop up to the hole and make her first turn. She liked teasing her and Eric maybe because he new they could take it but it was fun and a little friendly competition never hurt anyone.

Shaking her head and smiling at her daughter Stacy new this was going to be bad. She hadn't played mini golf for a long time and even when she did, she was never very good at it. Stepping up to the hole and setting her green ball down she stands ready. Giving the ball a tap it going down the turf and hits the wall before heading for the hole and coming to a top.

   "Look...its rigged already."

Ashlee gives a laugh before looking to Dylan and giving him a nod. He could go first she didn't mind at all. Who knows maybe he was better than he thought anyways.

Beth continues to smile as Zach talks about making his day off fun. She really had, had a nice time too. It was fun to hang out with him and just have a good time. It was much better than spending the time inside doing nothing. Zach didn't seem to mind the times when she was quiet either, witch was nice and it made her feel comfortable.

As Zach asks about doing dinner sometime Beth searches his face. Something about the way he asked was different. It was almost like it was more than just a friend thing but she wasnt sure. Maybe she was looking into to it a little to much. She been to lunch with him though...so why not say yes? She liked being around him and spending time with him.

   "I'm not one hundred percent sure but... As you asking me on a date? If you are...than...yes...if not your not...forget I even asked and yes anyways."

Beth couldn't help but laugh as she new how toung tired she was sounding. She couldn't back track now least she sound even sillyer than she already did.

Panic

Carson barely heard the bell on the door and when Katie starts rattling off numbers, his eyes stayed focused on his paper. When he looks up though, he was grinning. "Hey, Kat." 

Leaning on the counter, he cocks his head, trying to read her face. Was she here on Elite business? Was he in trouble? No... no it didn't look like it. Was something wrong? Maybe. She didn't look very happy. 

"I've always got time for you. What's up?"

Having Trey suddenly appear, Cindy's eyes fill with hope. Con almost laughs, since they'd just been talking about him. Seeing how Trey interacted with Kaylee, he smiles. 

Kaylee squeals and points at her brother. "Trey!" 

Cindy smiles up at her son, so happy that he was still willing to talk to her. And he wanted to do lunch again? That was even better. Her smile widens. "I'd love to. I'm leaving in another day or two... how about lunch tomorrow? I can come pick you up..." 

Con was glad to see them interacting so well. It was a sign of hope for something better. Leaning down close to Kaylee's ear, he whispers something to her. She looks around for a moment then slides down off his knee to trot over to Trey. Holding her arms in the air she looks up at him. "Up! Up!" 

Jared grins. "Then I'll just have to find a good job that pays enough so I can afford you."

Taking a sip of orange juice this time, the taste makes his tongue tingle. And for no more than a split second, he was sitting at a kitchen table. 

Almost dropping the cup, his smile fades and his eyes stare off into space as his mind tries desperately not to lose the image. A kitchen... a woman... blonde... Wait, there was something more... he was leaving? A porch... a car... bending to pick up something off the street? Then he...

Jared sucks in a quick breath, starting to shake in a panic attack. He'd seen it. He'd seen the bus. Right before he'd.... He gives a little jump as the violent, painful memory flashes through his mind. It was the most frightening thing he'd ever experienced. 

Terror was in his gaze as he finally looks back to Grace. His face was pale and his hands were gripping the bedsheets so tightly that his knuckles were white. Still trembling, he swallows hard, feeling as though his heart was going to beat right out of his chest. "The accident," he whimpers. "I... I remember... getting hit..."

Eric laughs and shakes his head at Stacy. "I have a feeling we don't stand a chance against those two."

As their food arrives, conversation pauses for a prayer then everyone digging in to their food. Everything was cooked very well, each dish tasting oh so good.

The evening was very enjoyable, and by the time the plates were empty, everyone was stuffed. It didn't stop them from still wanting to play miniature golf though, so it wasn't long before they were at the course, staring at hole number one.

Eric puts the score card and little pencil in his shirt pocket and gestures to the others. "Okay, you guys figure out who's going first."

"Mmm... lunch, animal shelter, ice cream, antiques... and all with a friend." Zach grins, giving Beth a sidelong glance. Sitting on the sidewalk bench with her, they'd just been resting their feet and watching passersby. "Thanks for making my boring day off work not so boring, Beth."

He really had had a good time today. Beth was sweet and fun and had a good sense of humor... He could tell there was a more sheltered side of her - a side that had shyness and hesitance in it. But it hadn't hindered their fun, and it really had been a whole lot better than staying home and doing nothing today.

Shifting a little to see her better, his grin turns into one a little more crooked. "You, um... on one of your nights off next week... I mean... would you want to do dinner sometime?"

Talk

Letting out another long sigh Katie sat on the pouch step with her one knee up to her chest as she watched the rain drops. No Jason today he had called off work and Katie guessed to hang with his friends, no Hunter either he was off doing his own thing. So it was just Katie and the rain and her own thoughts.

Some days were good, and some days were bad. There were moment's when Katie found hope, hope that things would Jason would be ok. She loved him, and somewhere she new he loved her too. There was hope that things would work out. But than the days of hope were followed with the ones that had none. Where Hunter's words would come back to haunt her. She would never think Jason would do something like that to her...but everything pointed to that. Was he slipping away? Was she losing him? Katie wondered if someone else could give her some insight.

...Pulling outside of Mom and Pop's Katie quickly makes her way inside doing her best to stay at least a little dry. Opening the door the little bell tingles and Katie spots Carson at the counter. Coming over and sitting down on the stool Katie is quiet for a second before giving a small grin.

   "5...8...63...9...and..Heya Carson."

Katie new she was being a little annoying but she also new that Carson might find a little humor in it. She was trying to get his attachen while he was deep in thought anyways. Not to mention she new that he wouldn't be messed up that easy.

Why she had come here to talk was simple Carson was one of her friends and there was one simple question she wanted to ask and with Carson's background she new she could with out offending him.

   "You got a moment we can talk?"

Coming up from down below Trey slips into the break room to grab a candy bar and pop from the vending mashean. Exiting Trey scan's the cubicles his eyes landing on where his mother and sister sat. He's been meaning to call her again so they could have lunch or something again before she left but he'd forgotten day after day. Now that she was here though...was it to late?

   "Hey there Squirt."

Trey reaches out and brushes Kaylee's cheek with his finger before backing away to continue to let Con play with his sister. Looking to Cindy Trey gives a little smirk. Something inside hoped he wasn't to late and there was still time to spend with them before she left.

   "I...know your busy right now but I was wondering if before...you guys left if you wanted to have lunch again or...or...something?"

Grace can't help but laugh again. Aside from Jared's eyes she liked his sense of humor as well. He was funny, and she enjoyed hearing the humor. It was refreshing and nice to see he had that still even if sometimes it brought color to her cheeks.

Seeing the look on Jared's face as he takes a sip of the grapefruit juice Grace can't help but bring a hand to her mouth and give a laugh. Taking that juice away and playing something else in the spot she gives a nod.

   "I've never been a fan of grapefruit juice myself."

Shaking her head a little bit Grace was pleased to see she was able to flirt with Jared too. At least it wouldn't be a one way street that way. 

   "Ha, Cook for you full time huh? I don't know in that case I might have to start charging you something."

Ashlee gives a laugh as she takes a sip of her Pop. It was good to see the humor going around even Dylan's though it was dry maybe that was just him. 

  "Ok, I can take Dylan and mom can take Eric sounds good to me."

Stacy take another shake of her head. Seeing the smile on Ashlee's face was worth everything and seeing Dylan coming out of his shell a little more was pleasing to her too.

   "I dont know the teams might still be uneavan because I am not that great too but I will gladly be on Eric's team."