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[Junk XIII] Fancy Meeting You Here (K 6-4)
Kiddo,
That chair in Ollie's room? It was not made for pregnant ladies. Your lower back hurts. You excuse yourself for a bathroom break, to walk a bit, get some water. In the hallway, you run into the girl Aquafina. You know her because Hump told you about how pretty she was.
She doesn't know you. But she smiles when she sees your little belly. She gives you a nod, "Hey."
What do you do?
That chair in Ollie's room? It was not made for pregnant ladies. Your lower back hurts. You excuse yourself for a bathroom break, to walk a bit, get some water. In the hallway, you run into the girl Aquafina. You know her because Hump told you about how pretty she was.
She doesn't know you. But she smiles when she sees your little belly. She gives you a nod, "Hey."
What do you do?
Comments
"So what happened? Rinny looked real beat up... Were you guys travelling together?" I ask, casually.
Wait... Where's Jack? I didn't know him really well or anything, but he was always nice to me... I shift uncomfortably, and cautiously ask, "Did Jack... Y'know... Did they take him?"
She looks back up at you, "My trucks still there, I'm almost broke. I'm frakked." She shifts a bit, "I'm sorry, don't want to dump this on anybody, just... that was awful, Kiddo. Awful."
"I'm sorry sweetie... I didn't think it was that bad... Are you gunna be OK?"
VB comes out looking for you, Kiddo. She introduces herself to Aquafina, she's a little icy.
What do you do?
I lower my voice, "Aquafina... I'm sorry if this is awkward, and I know this will sound crazy, but I just spent the last two months dealing with crisis after crisis, and now the father of my child comes in out of the wastes acting like he didn't run away from us a month ago, to deal with his sordid history, with a woman that is — quite frankly — insane." I give her a level look, "please tell me I'm being paranoid, and that what he said about Jack convincing him to come up here and be with us is true..."
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 3, 2. Total: 7)
VB says sharply, "So, Rinnie was gonna stay away more till Jack told him he was an idiot?" Aquafina shrugs, not denying it.
I know she's being truthful... It doesn't change the fact that he bolted, or that he was going to do that stupid list alone — but... it means something. I take a composing breath, and nod. "Thank you, sweetie... I know it isn't much, but if you need help getting work to get back on your feet, let me know."
VB watches her go, then says quietly, "What do you want to do about Rinnie, Kiddo"
I look down at her, "I can't just turn it back on for him like that... Y'know? Like, if I could, I would; but I thought he was a man who would always be there for us... But he wasn't. If I let him in, and he gets close, and then leaves again — I don't wanna do that to you again. I don't wanna be the way I was when he left..."
I sigh, and bring a hand up to brush her cheek lightly, "I wanna take it slow. I wanna know he's here for the long haul, and that he's really here for us. I would like it if my baby girl could know her daddy..." I give her a little kiss, "but if he's going to break her heart, then I will never forgive him."
She looks past you, and says, "Well, frak... speak of the devil."
You turn around, because you were facing Ollie's room while talking in the hall. Rinso is walking up to you. He's walking, perfectly well. He's got that dopey grin on his face, like he has some great news. VB slides up to take your hand again.
What do you do?
It takes me a minute to realize that Stitch probably did her magic thiny with the brain ... He even looks better... I brush some of my hair behind my ear, and take a deep breath. "You seem better, Rinny," I offer, my voice a little softer now.
You can practically feel how much he wants to touch you, Kiddo. He asks, "Hey, can we go somewhere and talk?"
I guess I'll guide him over to the lift, and take him to our new home.
All the way to your new flat.
It's looking pretty good now, right? What's the first thing Rinso notices when you enter this place? He gives an appreciative whistle, "This is a great place you have. That's great."
He keeps looking at you, then over to VB. "Alright. I... I knew you'd be a little pissed that I went off to do the list on my own. But, it was like, I had to do it. And I didn't want to put you in the line of fire, right? I mean, what good would it do to fix all the drek I did if you got hurt? I mean, either of you..."
"Oh, don't drag me into this drek decision you made, Rinnie. You keep it focused on Kiddo. You and I, we'll settle up later." VB says it with the kind of sure fire that makes Rinso blink.
He barrels ahead, "I'm sorry. I didn't think I would make it worse, but now... I see that I did. I just. Frak, Kiddo, the way you looked at me that night, after I bared my soul to you both. I wasn't proud of what I did with Cherry! Why do you think I never talked about it? And why I left? I came back then. I came back this time, too. And if you'll let the whole Walmart thing go, and if you'll let me, then I'm here to stay."
He starts walking forward, towards you Kiddo, saying softly, "I got a job working at the infirmary. Stitch needs some help. Just... just tell me what I need to do to fix this. To fix us."
What do you do?
I open the door and show Rinso in. Everyone notices the window... We've always got it open, and it's such a beautiful view. I guide him into the lounge, and pull a couple chairs out — the comfy ones. Frak that shit they had up in the infirmary. I watch Rinso as he takes the tour, and don't comment when he compliments the place. Everyone compliments the place. I don't care. It's nice — so what?
So he frakked up, again. I'd be lying if I said I feel nothing for him... He hurt me, and I pushed him away — I'm not frakking stupid — but I'm just not eager to get hurt again. I'm leaning back in my chair with my arms crossed over my belly — protectively. I give Rinso a level look as he talks, making sure I hear all of it before saying anything at all. I won't stop him from coming to me if he wants.
How do we fix this? I sigh. Walmart... That was the breakout, and the dead son. I'm admittedly worried leaving that hanging could come back and haunt us — but what really worries me? Cherry, and that kid of hers. If anyone was going to put Rinso, or my baby, in danger, it would be her. The only way I know how to deal with her now, is to stay far the frak away from her...
I look Rinso in the eyes, and hold my hand out to him without standing up. "I panicked when I found that note you left, and the only thing I could think of doing was finding Cherry... She is frakking crazy. She broke when you left her, and I almost did too." I look over to Vee, "almost."
I return my gaze to Rinso, my expression grave, "Rinso — I found my Dad, broken and alone in the infirmary here. I found my Ma' frakked up by Branigans to the point where she thought Branigans was my dad — and I killed him in front of her. She's pregnant, and thought it was his child. People tried to kill her because of what Branigans made her do — and I lost my Gramma trying to keep her safe... I was shot twice, and almost blown up. You've missed a lot. If you want to be in my life, then I need you to make a choice: either we're in this together — full up, all the time, no matter what — or we're not."
I purse my lips, and raise my eyebrows, "I want you to know your baby, Rinso — but if you aren't here for her, then how is it really yours? If you aren't here for us when we need us, then how can we be there for you?"
"I... I can't believe I missed all of that, Kiddo." Rinso says finally, when he's sure you're done. "I'm here for her. I'm here for you, too. I love you, Kiddo. I've got nothing left to hide."
He sits back, and starts talking with his hands, "So, Jack took all the money I had for Snapple and he agreed to take it as payment for what I did to his daughter. I told Majesta about me and Twix. Twix was there, he didn't know. I tried to work things out with Tang and his gang, we got in a fight. They're all dead now." It all came out in a rush, like a confessional.
After he takes a breath, he says, "I've never NOT been yours. I love you two, I left to keep you safe. I'm back, to help make you happy. If you'll have me, then I want back in your life. I never... I never had a dad. I don't want our baby to grow up with that same feeling."
He tries to pulls you into a hug, unless you pull away.
I reflexively hold a hand out to stop him at first, when he reaches to touch me — I'm not entirely sure why — but I feel his chest rising and falling under my fingertips, and I slowly reach up to his cheek, pulling him down to kiss me.
I kiss him lightly, briefly, on the lips, and look into his eyes, "I'm sorry... I want to let you in Rinny, and I believe you're here for us — but I'm going to need a little bit of time to find you again, OK? Don't go away, and don't think I'm not here for you — I just want to take it slow, yeah?" I smile up at him, "I love you too... I'm glad you're back — I really am. I did miss you."
He stands up, "I'm gonna head out, see about finding some place to crash for now. I'll chck in with the Candies, see if they have anywhere I can rest my head. It's been a long day." He looks at VB, then, right at her. "Vee. I came back. I'll always come back. I know you'll get over this. If you want to talk, or you know, yell at me, that's fine. I missed you, too. I love, you VB." He heads out.
VB watches him go. When the door shuts, she's still watching that space where he was. She doesn't seem to register that she's crying. Its one of those eye-leaking cries, with no sniffing, just tears dripping down.
I smile, and gently rest my forehead against hers. "I love you, my little honeybee," I whisper, "you're my rock."
She takes a breath, but she's still looking in your eyes, "Rinnie was always after someone else. An I was just there for him. When we were little, it wasn't like I could run away." She laughs a bitter laugh at that, then continues, "And I was so used to it, that I forgot to notice it. But then, it was just you an me. And I've never felt so special, Kiddo. I feel important. I know you need me. It feels... really good."
She shakes her head, like she's trying to clear away these thoughts. She breaks eye contact, "I'm sorry. I don't need to make you emotional or anything. It's been a big day all around. Maybe I should, you know, go out for a run. Clear my head."
My eyes well up, and my smile falls into a frown. I want to say something — anything — to make this better. I don't want her to be jealous — I want her to be completely certain that she is the light in my life, and that I will always be there for her.
I need to make this better.
(Rolled: 2d6+2. Rolls: 6, 1. Total: 9)
OOC: How can I get Vee to believe she's never going to play second fiddle to anyone?
"It isn't fair of me to demand you prove that. It shouldn't even be a thing." VB says, her voice becoming a bit more steady. "I know you love him. And I kinda still do, too. I think. I don't. Drek, I don't even know what I think about him anymore. I've just been so caught up with being in love with you."
She steps closer to you, reaching up a hand to your neck, curling her thin fingers under your hair, on the skin, "We have shared so much, Kiddo. I've never let myself get this close to anyone. I didn't even think I was capable. I don't want to make you do anything different, okay? Just keep me close. And kiss me alot. I'll work it out."
You've already laid the groundwork for her to believe this. Rinso threw her off kilter, into old habits and feelings. She needed to hear this from you. She's really happy that you're drawing a bold line here. This will pass as long as you're true to your word and keep VB close.
... kiss.
I look over to the bed suggestively, "I know you said you wanted to go take a run, but I'm frakking exhausted. I just wanna curl up with my girls and take a nap — can you spare me a little time first, my little honeybee?"
Gods I love this woman.