Hard Times

Hearing Nate's question, Laura kept her back to him as she fought her tears. "Nothing," she managed. "Everything is fine." She grabbed some bowls from the cupboard and started setting the table. "Grab some glasses, would you?" 

Trying to move without him seeing, she swiped at her eyes. "Just, um, I checked on Garret and gave him a cold cloth for his head." She grabbed the pot of soup from the stove and carried it to the table to set it on a hot pad. "He doesn't want to eat, but you should prolly try to get him to eat something since he said he hasn't had anything all day. And did Rick send any flu meds home with you or him? He might need something to get that fever down." 

Setting spoons and napkins around, she suddenly smelled something close to burning. "Oh no." The garlic bread. Sprinting back to the oven, she opened it to find the loaf of garlic bread singed on all edges. It wasn't totally black yet, but the crust was ruined. And that's all it took. 

Tears streamed down her face as she shut off the oven and just leaned on the counter, trying to regain control. She never cried over burned food. Nate would know good and well it wasn't just the bread she was upset over, but she couldn't break down now, she just couldn't. Not when Maggie would walk in any second. 


Reese couldn't answer Angelica's question. He really didn't know if he was okay or not. He felt like he'd just been put through the wringer...ten times over. Kirk was good. Too good. And the Elite was done for. 

As Angelica embraced him, he pulled her down to sit on his lap and wrapped his arms around her tight. Resting his head on her shoulder, he sighed deeply. At least he had her. No matter what. No matter whether the Elite stood or fell, she'd be there for him, and he knew that. 

"What am I going to do without this place?" he asked softly. "What are any of us going to do? I can't help but think if I just would have done something different, this wouldn't have happened." 

He drew back just far enough to see her face. "Kirk's done here. He'll be turning in his report tomorrow. I... have to let everyone here know what's going on. I can't just let them think everything is fine, then be out of a job the next day."


Lane's eyes fell to his coffee as he listened. His sister was right. Just like always. Why couldn't he have just handled things differently all these years? 

He lifted his eyes and gave Angel a crooked grin. "I'd say that's about five cents worth...but thanks. You're right. I do need to talk to Travis and let him decide. I guess...I'm just afraid he'll walk away and not look back and I'll lose him."

He shrugged and took a sip of his coffee. "But that's my fault and no one else's." Cocking his head, he studied Angel's face. "I know you've offered to let me, or both of us, stay here. But...I got wind that finances aren't all that great. You're running out of room and... I don't know if I could feel right about being an extra burden."