What had Eric done to deserve someone like Stacy who was so understanding and gracious? He’d never know. “Thanks for believing in me. It means a lot.”
Even so, he still had some tough choices to make. Whether or not Stacy and Ashlee understood why he had to be on the road, being gone too much would eventually put much undo strain on their relationship. How was he supposed to find the balance?
He gave Stacy a squeeze before leaning in to plant a soft kiss on her cheek. “How did I survive this long without you around, hmm?”
Eli glanced over his shoulder as his sister walked away. He knew this must be hard on her…perhaps harder than he even realized. He’d often wondered about her feelings towards Alec. Had she ever really gotten over him? She’d sent him away more than once, told him, “no” flat-out, and had stuck with Tal, despite Alec’s interferences. But deep down…would one find she still had love for the man who had caused so much grief? Eli had known for some time, in his heart of hearts, that Ryan still had a certain love for Alec. Was it that love now, that made this so much more difficult? He could only wonder. And he wished the past had not been so marred by so many bad choices. He wished he would have known only the side of Alec that deserved friendship and respect. Perhaps he’d have better feelings how, had it been that way before.
As soon as he deemed it appropriate, Eli slipped away from the others and joined Ryan at the car. “Hey…” He came up slowly behind her. “You okay?”
The last thing Carson ever expected was to feel Misty take his hand. It was as if an electrical current surged all the way up his arm, and it took all he had not to jump in surprise. Was she…really touching him? He glanced down, almost thinking it had to be his imagination. But it was real. And oh, how much he wanted to just remember the way her touch felt. Was this a sign of a brighter future? Was it just a formal gesture in light of this tragedy? Did it mean nothing more than a public display of respect? Or…did it mean there was still a glimmer of hope?
Ever so gently, he returned a squeeze to her hand, and just continued to hold it. His arms ached to hold her. Hug her. His lips longed to kiss her. Those very feelings drove him near the brink of insanity nearly every day. Did she realize how much torture this was, to be so close, yet so far away?
Even so, he simply held her hand and forced his eyes forward to the last part of the service. He would ask nothing of her, and would not even speak to her unless she spoke first. Yes, it was torture. But he knew now that pushing only drove her further away. Silence and patience were the only things left now that he had to offer.
No one would hear his voice quake, or see his shoulders shake. He would not even blink. For he knew too well how to control his emotions. But even so, this day was too much, even for him. And the streams of tears made their way silently down his face – the only sign of his anguished heart.
As the brief service came to a close, Reese sighed and glanced at Angelica. “I had hoped I’d have Alec as an agent again one day,” he admitted. “I wanted so badly for him to succeed. I never can help but feel somewhat responsible. I know I shouldn’t, but I do. This is all just… such a waste.”
He fished his keys from his pocket. “I’m gonna let be whoever needs to stay, and go back to the office for a while. I have a feeling I’m going to need to prepare something I’ve been considering for a long time now.”
“Five days! This is unacceptable!” Medridge rapped his cane on his desk rather than swinging it at his unemotional agent. Five days ago, Garret had been scheduled to return to the estate. But he never had come. No word. No sign. He had simply vanished.
“I’m sorry, Sir. We started at Sonya’s estate, but quickly lost his trail. But his abandoned vehicle would make us lean towards the possibility that he was abducted.”
“But by whom?! Who would take him? Which of my enemies would dare take my right hand man without so much as a bargain for money or power? It doesn’t make any sense!”
The agent shifted his weight as he tried to come up with an answer. “Perhaps whoever it is, is trying to make you nervous. It feels like a power play to me, if I may say so, Sir. If they wanted to make a point, they would have killed Garret and sent you his body. But if they wanted a bargaining chip, they would hold him until they knew you were upset enough to buy him back.”
Medridge scoffed and sat down behind his desk. “And when we find them, they shall pay dearly for such an act of rebellion. Keep searching. But keep top agents here, and that includes Victoria. I do not want anyone thinking they can steal all the aces from my hand. No…no, they shall not.”
7/22/15
Comfort
Sitting down Ryan felt so uncomfortable being there. There were not many people but there were enough to make her wonder a little more why someone would still go to this length. She tried to stop her mind from thinking and just sit there. Listening, hearing the soft weeping, Carson's speech...it all her could not to laugh or stand up and tell people they needed to stop pretending he was dead. Death wasn't funny, it wasn't funny at all.
Taking about as much as she could Ryan finally got up and made her way to the car. She just couldn't take it anymore. A tear rolled down her cheek more from anger than sadness. Why did it have to be like this, why couldn't they just forgive Alec and move on.
Giving a small smile to Gage Sapphire nodded. She didn't mind if he sat with her at all and it was better than sitting alone. She would guess Scott would not be coming so at least her had someone there.
"Thanks for coming. I really wasn't looking forward to doing this alone."
Looking over and seeing Mackenzie Misty's heart hurt a little more. She new what she was going though but could only wonder if it was one hundred time worse for a young girl. Harder to understand, and accept.
Leaning over for just a moment Misty takes Mackenzie's hand in her own and gives it a small squeeze. She didn't say anything and she new it was not much, but maybe it would bring a little comfort to them both.
As Carson starts his bit he had to say Misty leans back over to her side and just listens as a few tears roll down her cheek. Alec really was gone and this was just the confirmation. It was hard to swallow, and if Misty new anything this was the part that started the healing, but it still didn't make it any better.
As Carson closed and came to sat down next to her, and Mackenzie she didn't feel awkward. This was not the time and place for that. She could feel how sad Carson really was and the small tear that maybe no one else noticed she did. This hard to be hard on him too, no matter the reason, the out come this was his family, his brother who had just passes away.
Without hesitation Misty takes Carson's hand in her own and gives it a reassuring squeeze. She wasn't putting anything more into it than should be, nor did she know what this meant for there future But Carson needed someone to right now, and he had no one. It was the least she could do.
As Eric puts his arms around her Stacy she snuggled in even closer. The warmth of a mans arms around her felt nice, it made her feel safe and protected, Eric was so good at all of those how could she not be happy.
"Ashlee told me about the conversation she had with you. I feel so silly being her mother and not knowing thats what was bothering her. If I had known I would of tried to help, but at least she did finally talking to you could her."
Running her hand up and down Eric's arm Stacy is silent for a long moment. She couldn't say she liked that Eric was gone for so long at a time but she new why he did it, and he did it for his family, and everyone else at the Ranch. She couldn't buck that, or even had a bad thing to say about it. It was really honorable he sacrificed so much for his family.
"I don't like when you have to go away, but I know why you do it and because of that Ashlee and I will always be here when you return. You're not running away, or trying to get away from us...your working. I think she and I both understand that now. I have all the faith in the world that you will always return to us."
Looking up at Eric Stacy smiles as the light from the moon dances shadows on across her face. What she and Eric had was special and she new that. Something about it was just different like nothing else she'd had before. It was not something she'd be giving up that easily at all.
Taking about as much as she could Ryan finally got up and made her way to the car. She just couldn't take it anymore. A tear rolled down her cheek more from anger than sadness. Why did it have to be like this, why couldn't they just forgive Alec and move on.
Giving a small smile to Gage Sapphire nodded. She didn't mind if he sat with her at all and it was better than sitting alone. She would guess Scott would not be coming so at least her had someone there.
"Thanks for coming. I really wasn't looking forward to doing this alone."
Looking over and seeing Mackenzie Misty's heart hurt a little more. She new what she was going though but could only wonder if it was one hundred time worse for a young girl. Harder to understand, and accept.
Leaning over for just a moment Misty takes Mackenzie's hand in her own and gives it a small squeeze. She didn't say anything and she new it was not much, but maybe it would bring a little comfort to them both.
As Carson starts his bit he had to say Misty leans back over to her side and just listens as a few tears roll down her cheek. Alec really was gone and this was just the confirmation. It was hard to swallow, and if Misty new anything this was the part that started the healing, but it still didn't make it any better.
As Carson closed and came to sat down next to her, and Mackenzie she didn't feel awkward. This was not the time and place for that. She could feel how sad Carson really was and the small tear that maybe no one else noticed she did. This hard to be hard on him too, no matter the reason, the out come this was his family, his brother who had just passes away.
Without hesitation Misty takes Carson's hand in her own and gives it a reassuring squeeze. She wasn't putting anything more into it than should be, nor did she know what this meant for there future But Carson needed someone to right now, and he had no one. It was the least she could do.
As Eric puts his arms around her Stacy she snuggled in even closer. The warmth of a mans arms around her felt nice, it made her feel safe and protected, Eric was so good at all of those how could she not be happy.
"Ashlee told me about the conversation she had with you. I feel so silly being her mother and not knowing thats what was bothering her. If I had known I would of tried to help, but at least she did finally talking to you could her."
Running her hand up and down Eric's arm Stacy is silent for a long moment. She couldn't say she liked that Eric was gone for so long at a time but she new why he did it, and he did it for his family, and everyone else at the Ranch. She couldn't buck that, or even had a bad thing to say about it. It was really honorable he sacrificed so much for his family.
"I don't like when you have to go away, but I know why you do it and because of that Ashlee and I will always be here when you return. You're not running away, or trying to get away from us...your working. I think she and I both understand that now. I have all the faith in the world that you will always return to us."
Looking up at Eric Stacy smiles as the light from the moon dances shadows on across her face. What she and Eric had was special and she new that. Something about it was just different like nothing else she'd had before. It was not something she'd be giving up that easily at all.
Sacrifice
Seeing Ryan, Eli couldn't help a bit of a smile. "You look nice." He meant it. It was rare that Ryan would dress up for any occasion, but when she did, she always looked good.
The ride to the cemetery was quiet, and Eli left Ryan with her own thoughts, and himself with his own. There wasn't much to say anyway... a part of their life had ended, and they would move on. It's just the way the world worked.
Once at the cemetery, Eli walked with his sister to where there were chairs set up for just a small gathering. There weren't a whole lot of people there...which wasn't surprising. Alec hadn't really had a broad social life aside from close family and a few friends. That was about it, in addition to a handful of Elite agents who came more out of respect than friendship.
Arriving with Misty, Jason's heart still hurt. More for her than anyone, and he wished he could just make it all better. He wished all the pain would just go away. Why did things like this have to happen? And why now? Not that any time would have been good, but with all Misty had ever been through, it just felt even more unfair.
He gave Misty an encouraging nod before they headed to where the other people where, and found them both seats. Maybe things had been strained between them, but he chose to sit next to her anyway - as the friend he would always try to be. There was a strange tension because of Carson's presence, but it couldn't be helped, and no one would forfeit being there just to avoid that awkwardness - Jason included.
Mackenzie settled in near Misty, daring to throw her a couple glances, though a smile didn't appear. She missed seeing Misty and hadn't seen her at all lately. She'd been told what had happened, and knew now there would be no baby brother or sister. It had hurt, and now she'd lost her uncle, too.
Her gaze dropped, and she paid little attention when Justin sat next to her. Some girls her age might rely on him for a hug or a shoulder to rest her head on. But she would remain reserved and withdrawn - it was the way she'd taught herself to survive.
"Hey." Gage had quietly come up behind Sapphire to lay a hand on her shoulder. This whole atmosphere felt strange to him. Many people were here not because they'd been close to Alec, but simply because they respected his last act. For Gage, it was a little of both. He hadn't been great friends with Alec, but they'd gotten along okay as of late, and Gage would never forget that it was Alec who had gotten him his job in the first place. Alec had had a good heart, despite his many mistakes.
Gage's hand slid down to find Sapphire's. "Figured I'd sit with you, if that's okay..."
“...I guess it’s only natural that I’d be asked to say a few words.” Carson hooked his hands in his pockets as his eyes lowered to the small marker in the fresh, green grass. Though the sun was shining and a light breeze blew, there seemed to be little peace.
“Problem is…I really don’t know what to say. I was up half the night and yet I find myself lacking the right words.” He looked back up and caught a few glances of those who were there. Dani…Misty…Eli and Ryan…Justin.
“Alec and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye.” A slight grin emerged. “But we were brothers. Maybe I only recently started to appreciate that. And…I’m sorry I didn’t appreciate it sooner, because he was a good man. He struggled like the rest of us. Maybe more in some ways. But in the end, he followed his heart. Maybe it was foolhardy. But he acted out of love.”
Carson’s gaze lingered on Misty for but a short moment before he moved on. “I wish I knew if I could take comfort, knowing I’d see Alec again. Knowing he was at peace. But I gotta be honest…I don’t know either of those. And I feel partly to blame. I was introduced to God by people who weren’t willing to give up on me when I was struggling. I discovered the most important things in life through them. Yet I neglected to encourage my brother in such a way.”
Though his emotions churned, he controlled them well, not allowing his voice to waver. “I don’t know where he was with the Lord, and all I can do is hope that he was met with mercy when he died. But I can’t dwell on the unanswered questions. All I can do is know that Alec’s death was not in vain. He gave his life because he valued others more than himself. That kind of act can’t save a person’s soul. But it can bring some small comfort to know that at the very least, his courage will live on through the rest of us. He wouldn’t have wanted us to think of him in misery, but in happiness and gratefulness for who he was to all of us. I think we can all take something from his sacrifice…those we love are more important than life itself.”
It didn’t seem to be enough, but it’s all Carson had. Letting it go at that, he moved to the side to allow the minister to take over. He walked a few steps and scanned the chairs to find Mackenzie’s hopeful eyes. The empty seat was right next to Misty…but it was the only logical place for him to sit. He’d do his best not to make her uncomfortable.
Slipping in to the empty space, he put his arm around Mackenzie to give her a little squeeze. And to his left was Misty…and it took all he had not to at least look at her. But as he gazed ahead at the minister, a silent tear rolled down his cheek. Oh, how he hurt.
"Mmm...yeah, everything's okay." Eric looked to Stacy and offered a tired smile. "Other than being plum tuckered out," he admitted.
Shifting around a little, he let Stacy tuck in closer next to him so he could put his arm around her. "Just thinking, is all. Didn't used to bother me... the long runs, I mean. Being gone a month at a time wasn't anything. But now..." He sighed. "Now I'm not sure it's what I should be doing. But it's good money - money this ranch needs. But knowing how Ashlee feels...I don't want to be gone so much that I lose what I've got with her..." He paused and glanced down to Stacy's face. "...or with you, for that matter... I just...don't know where to go from here."
The ride to the cemetery was quiet, and Eli left Ryan with her own thoughts, and himself with his own. There wasn't much to say anyway... a part of their life had ended, and they would move on. It's just the way the world worked.
Once at the cemetery, Eli walked with his sister to where there were chairs set up for just a small gathering. There weren't a whole lot of people there...which wasn't surprising. Alec hadn't really had a broad social life aside from close family and a few friends. That was about it, in addition to a handful of Elite agents who came more out of respect than friendship.
Arriving with Misty, Jason's heart still hurt. More for her than anyone, and he wished he could just make it all better. He wished all the pain would just go away. Why did things like this have to happen? And why now? Not that any time would have been good, but with all Misty had ever been through, it just felt even more unfair.
He gave Misty an encouraging nod before they headed to where the other people where, and found them both seats. Maybe things had been strained between them, but he chose to sit next to her anyway - as the friend he would always try to be. There was a strange tension because of Carson's presence, but it couldn't be helped, and no one would forfeit being there just to avoid that awkwardness - Jason included.
Mackenzie settled in near Misty, daring to throw her a couple glances, though a smile didn't appear. She missed seeing Misty and hadn't seen her at all lately. She'd been told what had happened, and knew now there would be no baby brother or sister. It had hurt, and now she'd lost her uncle, too.
Her gaze dropped, and she paid little attention when Justin sat next to her. Some girls her age might rely on him for a hug or a shoulder to rest her head on. But she would remain reserved and withdrawn - it was the way she'd taught herself to survive.
"Hey." Gage had quietly come up behind Sapphire to lay a hand on her shoulder. This whole atmosphere felt strange to him. Many people were here not because they'd been close to Alec, but simply because they respected his last act. For Gage, it was a little of both. He hadn't been great friends with Alec, but they'd gotten along okay as of late, and Gage would never forget that it was Alec who had gotten him his job in the first place. Alec had had a good heart, despite his many mistakes.
Gage's hand slid down to find Sapphire's. "Figured I'd sit with you, if that's okay..."
“...I guess it’s only natural that I’d be asked to say a few words.” Carson hooked his hands in his pockets as his eyes lowered to the small marker in the fresh, green grass. Though the sun was shining and a light breeze blew, there seemed to be little peace.
“Problem is…I really don’t know what to say. I was up half the night and yet I find myself lacking the right words.” He looked back up and caught a few glances of those who were there. Dani…Misty…Eli and Ryan…Justin.
“Alec and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye.” A slight grin emerged. “But we were brothers. Maybe I only recently started to appreciate that. And…I’m sorry I didn’t appreciate it sooner, because he was a good man. He struggled like the rest of us. Maybe more in some ways. But in the end, he followed his heart. Maybe it was foolhardy. But he acted out of love.”
Carson’s gaze lingered on Misty for but a short moment before he moved on. “I wish I knew if I could take comfort, knowing I’d see Alec again. Knowing he was at peace. But I gotta be honest…I don’t know either of those. And I feel partly to blame. I was introduced to God by people who weren’t willing to give up on me when I was struggling. I discovered the most important things in life through them. Yet I neglected to encourage my brother in such a way.”
Though his emotions churned, he controlled them well, not allowing his voice to waver. “I don’t know where he was with the Lord, and all I can do is hope that he was met with mercy when he died. But I can’t dwell on the unanswered questions. All I can do is know that Alec’s death was not in vain. He gave his life because he valued others more than himself. That kind of act can’t save a person’s soul. But it can bring some small comfort to know that at the very least, his courage will live on through the rest of us. He wouldn’t have wanted us to think of him in misery, but in happiness and gratefulness for who he was to all of us. I think we can all take something from his sacrifice…those we love are more important than life itself.”
It didn’t seem to be enough, but it’s all Carson had. Letting it go at that, he moved to the side to allow the minister to take over. He walked a few steps and scanned the chairs to find Mackenzie’s hopeful eyes. The empty seat was right next to Misty…but it was the only logical place for him to sit. He’d do his best not to make her uncomfortable.
Slipping in to the empty space, he put his arm around Mackenzie to give her a little squeeze. And to his left was Misty…and it took all he had not to at least look at her. But as he gazed ahead at the minister, a silent tear rolled down his cheek. Oh, how he hurt.
"Mmm...yeah, everything's okay." Eric looked to Stacy and offered a tired smile. "Other than being plum tuckered out," he admitted.
Shifting around a little, he let Stacy tuck in closer next to him so he could put his arm around her. "Just thinking, is all. Didn't used to bother me... the long runs, I mean. Being gone a month at a time wasn't anything. But now..." He sighed. "Now I'm not sure it's what I should be doing. But it's good money - money this ranch needs. But knowing how Ashlee feels...I don't want to be gone so much that I lose what I've got with her..." He paused and glanced down to Stacy's face. "...or with you, for that matter... I just...don't know where to go from here."
Thats Why
Standing in the bathroom Ryan looks in the mirror again. She'd never really liked dressing like this. Her hair done up, makeup, a dress on. She actually felt really uncomfortable. For more reason than one. Hadn't this whole thing with Alec being dead gone on long enough? Was this really a ploy to just cut him out of life forever.
Looking down at her phone again her eyes scan the reply from Alec. They just dont want us to be together, thats why...! Would her brother, the people she thought were friends really go this far to ensure that he stayed out of her life forever. It confused Ryan and hurt as well.
Should I just not go?
No you have to go. They don't know we are talking and if they did...who knows.
Giving a sigh Ryan new Alec had a point. She didn't like this, she didn't like pretending he was dead, but if no one thought she believed them, who knows what else they would try. She hated thinking that but if they went to this length one could only guess what else they would do.
Hearing Eli call her from down the hall Ryan lets out another sigh and heads out of the bathroom giving Zidan a pat on the head before exiting her room and heading twords Eli.
"Yeah, I'm as ready as I'll never be. Lets get this over with."
Sitting on her bed Misty just sat as tears rolled down her face. Why...why this after be so real. People had been back to see her, let her know that they had proof Alec really was dead she'd been silent for the most part through it all, and if she did speak it was only a few words at a time. She'd lost everything, her child, her husband, her relationship she was trying to work on, and now she lost the closest thing to a brother she'd had left. Her body hurt and she just wanted to lay down again, but she new she couldn't.
"Jas, I'm ready."
Misty's words were quiet, and yet held so much emotion. Her eyes were bloodshot and red. It was time to say good bye. Time to try and let go She'd already made the desition that after the ground had settled from burying Alec she was going to have a headstone for her baby next to him. Some might think it was silly but she felt it would be right and healthy. There would be no service for the child, but it would be there next to the Uncle who had cherished her so much without even knowing her yet.
Sitting in one of the chairs that had been set up Sapphire fiddled with the hem on the bottom of her dress jacket. It was a nice day out, but it didn't seem so nice. Alec, one of her friends, one of her only friends who got her quirks and didn't care was gone. There were so many "What ifs" that ran through her head and yet she new nothing could of changed the path Alec had chosen and now he was gone. Life would go on for her, but it would be hard, and the lose of a friend would leave a big hole, but maybe in time she could look back on the good times and smile hoping that maybe one day she'd see Alec again when she was called home.
Angelica stood with Reese a little bit away in some shade. Her heart was full of the sadness that washed over most of the Elite. The office had been quiet, dull, and almost like a ghost town over the last few days of work.
Though Alec had made mistakes, and betrayed many people he'd still been a friend at one point, and was trying to turn his life around. So this would be the day they would say good bye to there friend and lay him to rest. A task that was never an easy one and Angelica new it would be hard to Reese even if he didn't say it. Taking his hand in her own she gave it a small squeeze. She was there with him, and he was with her. They'd lean on each other.
After doing her rounds Stacy made her way to the barn hay layloft. She wasn't sure if Eric would be there or not after his abrupt exit to dinner. She wasn't sure what it was about but she did want to make sure he was ok.
Seeing his shadow as she walked up the ladder she couldn't help but smile. She always smile when she was around him. Tonight though something seemed to be bother him, to be weighing heavy on his mind. Easing down next to him and just letting her legs hang from the window she leaned in just a little bit twords him.
"When you left so fast at dinner I thought something might be wrong. Everything ok?"
Looking down at her phone again her eyes scan the reply from Alec. They just dont want us to be together, thats why...! Would her brother, the people she thought were friends really go this far to ensure that he stayed out of her life forever. It confused Ryan and hurt as well.
Should I just not go?
No you have to go. They don't know we are talking and if they did...who knows.
Giving a sigh Ryan new Alec had a point. She didn't like this, she didn't like pretending he was dead, but if no one thought she believed them, who knows what else they would try. She hated thinking that but if they went to this length one could only guess what else they would do.
Hearing Eli call her from down the hall Ryan lets out another sigh and heads out of the bathroom giving Zidan a pat on the head before exiting her room and heading twords Eli.
"Yeah, I'm as ready as I'll never be. Lets get this over with."
Sitting on her bed Misty just sat as tears rolled down her face. Why...why this after be so real. People had been back to see her, let her know that they had proof Alec really was dead she'd been silent for the most part through it all, and if she did speak it was only a few words at a time. She'd lost everything, her child, her husband, her relationship she was trying to work on, and now she lost the closest thing to a brother she'd had left. Her body hurt and she just wanted to lay down again, but she new she couldn't.
"Jas, I'm ready."
Misty's words were quiet, and yet held so much emotion. Her eyes were bloodshot and red. It was time to say good bye. Time to try and let go She'd already made the desition that after the ground had settled from burying Alec she was going to have a headstone for her baby next to him. Some might think it was silly but she felt it would be right and healthy. There would be no service for the child, but it would be there next to the Uncle who had cherished her so much without even knowing her yet.
Sitting in one of the chairs that had been set up Sapphire fiddled with the hem on the bottom of her dress jacket. It was a nice day out, but it didn't seem so nice. Alec, one of her friends, one of her only friends who got her quirks and didn't care was gone. There were so many "What ifs" that ran through her head and yet she new nothing could of changed the path Alec had chosen and now he was gone. Life would go on for her, but it would be hard, and the lose of a friend would leave a big hole, but maybe in time she could look back on the good times and smile hoping that maybe one day she'd see Alec again when she was called home.
Angelica stood with Reese a little bit away in some shade. Her heart was full of the sadness that washed over most of the Elite. The office had been quiet, dull, and almost like a ghost town over the last few days of work.
Though Alec had made mistakes, and betrayed many people he'd still been a friend at one point, and was trying to turn his life around. So this would be the day they would say good bye to there friend and lay him to rest. A task that was never an easy one and Angelica new it would be hard to Reese even if he didn't say it. Taking his hand in her own she gave it a small squeeze. She was there with him, and he was with her. They'd lean on each other.
After doing her rounds Stacy made her way to the barn hay layloft. She wasn't sure if Eric would be there or not after his abrupt exit to dinner. She wasn't sure what it was about but she did want to make sure he was ok.
Seeing his shadow as she walked up the ladder she couldn't help but smile. She always smile when she was around him. Tonight though something seemed to be bother him, to be weighing heavy on his mind. Easing down next to him and just letting her legs hang from the window she leaned in just a little bit twords him.
"When you left so fast at dinner I thought something might be wrong. Everything ok?"