Post by K.I.S.S. on Aug 28, 2015 22:11:31 GMT -6
Arkansas, land of Bill Clinton, Wal-Mart and “Forty Minutes of Hell,” isn’t known for welcoming outsiders sometimes. As an old two-tone black and silver Ford Explorer rolls up to a two-story ranch style house with an old rust bucket pick-up in front of it, Bethany Kenyon can’t help but think Arkansas gets a bad rap. She drives up just behind the truck and shuts off her engine, wondering for a second if this was such a good idea. The address had come from her boyfriend’s cell phone, a move he had made voluntarily to prove to her there were no secret numbers or text messages to be worried about. Bethany had been shocked when he’d suggested it to her, it had never crossed her mind to invade his privacy like that no matter what worries were suggested even in her own mind. She takes in the scene and sighs. What would Brody think if he knew she were here?
Bethany Kenyon: Come on, Bethany, this wasn’t that bad an idea...
She opens the driver’s side door and steps out of the vehicle. As she closes the door, hope and worry collide in her mind. Would the occupant or occupants of the house be friendly or hostile to her presence? They do shoot people on sight sometimes in these parts and Bethany knew, the last time contact had been made it had not ended well. She walks up to the door and knocks, waiting for the worst while hoping for the best.
When the door to the house opened the woman would be well known to Bethany and to others. She looked about back to normal but she still had a cast on her left forearm from the second surgery. She wore a wide smile as she opened the door, looking back over her shoulder and speaking to someone who was in the living room unseen by Bethany outside.
Jayni: You just get the damn equipment ready. We need to go and get with the others for practice. I need to test out this new cast.
When the woman looked back her eyes widened. Truth be told she looked like she had seen a ghost. The color drained from her face and then her look of shock turned into one of complete and utter horror and she lifted a hand to her mouth in terror.
Jayni: .....He killed himself didn't he?
Why else would she be here? Other than to tell his friend, he finally took the final step they all knew he'd take one day. Bethany shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: No, he… I found him out at the beach house we have, trying to surf in the Gulf and camping on the back porch. I got him to come back home.
For a time the woman stared at the other woman who stood across from her and then motioned with her head and turned to walk back into the house. The interior was simple, but elegant. Once they got past the entry hallway and into the large living room a man looked up and his eyes narrowed dangerously.
Jayni's brother: Did you people not get the message, she's not involved anymore!
Jayni lifted a hand irritatedly and spun around on her heels to face Beth and the look in her eyes was a bit challenging, not angry but the look may be clear. Jealousy.
Jayni: I assume you're here because you need help with something. What can i do for you?
There was no hostility in her voice or posture, but the jealousy was clear, enough.
Bethany Kenyon: I’m sorry, I…
Swallowing hard, Bethany tries not to let the other voice get to her.
Bethany Kenyon: Was it always every night?
For a time Jayni said nothing. Just stared at her through the one little auburn lock that always seemed to tumble into her eyes.
Jayni: Was what exactly?
This could mean so many different things and she wasn't about to say something when it could be taken so many different ways.
Bethany Kenyon: The screaming.
That caused her face to blank, but before she could answer her brother chimed in.
Jayni's brother: Since the first damn day that son of a bitch walked into her life.
Jayni shot him a look then.
Jayni: It's not his fault that old employee of his became a psycho bitch! Dammit, stop blaming him!
She then looked back at Bethany and nodded.
Jayni: Every night. He'd wake up screaming and i would… get him something to drink and sit in bed with him. it was a long time before he could be convinced he wasn't… still in some shed. i never understood, but that's where he thinks he is… chained up on some concrete slab in a shed somewhere.
Jayni's brother: Maybe he's just crazy?
Bethany nods slowly.
Bethany Kenyon: Joshua…
Her hand squeezes momentarily into a fist.
Bethany Kenyon: He thinks he cheated on me… with my baby sister. So now he’s waiting for the bomb to go off again. He was getting better but…
Jayni: Joshua.
Jayni narrowed her eyes a moment as she thought.
Jayni: Big guy… beard… looks like something out of deliverance?
She'd get to the cheating, but she wanted… no, needed to understand.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: That was him, yes, had the Japanese girlfriend, the Samoan bodyguards with the other little Asian girl and the cult followers.
Jayni: We heard stories. But it seemed… it couldn't be true.
Beth may notice her brother was listening now. He was pretending to pack, but he was frozen, listening.
Jayni: Was it all part of some big soap opera and he's just crazy, Beth? ...Or did they really do the things we heard? The beatings… the torture… trying to turn him into some kind of heartless monster to be part of them?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: It was real.
Jayni: I want to tell...
Jayni then shook her head and grit her teeth. She wouldn't admit it.
Jayni: You're here because you don't know how to hold it all together aren't you? The screaming had gotten better, he was getting better and now....after your sister, he's withdrawing again. Let me guess, drinking heavily at night again? Barely talking, or even when he does, it's forced and you can tell? Like he's trying too hard?
Bethany nods sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: I wanna know… if you know… what I’m doing wrong? He was slowly getting better, especially after he got to see the beach house. He doesn’t scream at all there, he’s almost… peaceful.
Trailing off, she looks away in shame.
Bethany Kenyon: I think he’d cut back on the pills and the drinking some but… it’s back…
Jayni: The beach… .Ah. He adores water, always has. Said it was the one thing they couldn't take from him.
Jayni finally sits down in a chair in the center of the room and motions for Beth to sit.
Jayni: He's not regressing. I got to know him… very well over the months we were together Bethany. Oh… not like that, though not for lack of trying.
Jayni wouldn't meet the murderous gaze of her brother at this revelation she just stared at Beth.
Jayni: And do you know why it never happened?
Bethany shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: No.
Jayni: You. I was great, for a diversion, but i wasn't you.
Her brother made a little angry snort but she continued to ignore him.
Jayni: If he's screaming again… I can almost guarantee you, that it's because he is seeing you in his place. If i know him as well as i think i do, he thinks he betrayed you in a fundamental way. Sex is nothing to someone like him, he feels be betrayed his Anchor. The one thing that kept a piece of him alive. But we both know who truly is trying to do that, don't we, Bethany? The one person who is ripping his very soul to shreds.....and by proxy, your own.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Ash…
Jayni: You know, i watched as you tried to save that bitch Aerynn… and in the end, she ruined four lives.
Jayni lifted her arm to show Bethany.
Jayni: Me, your sister’s Boyfriend, Carrie will never truly be the same when it comes to trusting you… and she drove a wedge between you and Ashley… So, i guess we finally come to the question you are truly here for.
Jayni leaned forward then and looked into Beth's eyes.
Jayni: History is repeating itself. A rabid dog is in front of you Bethany. It's about to sink it's teeth into the man who loves you. The man who i think you are now in love with… A dog that's about to rip about your relationship. A dog that's about to bite you and your friend Jeszika. Are you gonna try and calm it down again… or will you learn from your mistakes and realize that sometimes… it truly is humane… to put it down?
Bethany Kenyon: I’m sorry…
Jayni: Sorry?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I was an arrogant fool and thought I could… reach her.
Jayni: It is not arrogant to want to hang on to someone who you once cared for greatly Bethany. It shows you have a good heart, but sometimes, you must know when enough, is enough. And i think, for you, putting him through this hell, is enough.
Bethany Kenyon: Ash never did like him…
Jayni: And you… you are sure you want him?
There was a faint little speculation in her eyes now, she tried hard to keep it out, but as innocent as this girl was, it was hard to hide much from showing in her eyes or on her face.
Bethany Kenyon: I love him.
Jayni: Well, you can't blame a girl for trying.
Jayni offered a faint little grin and then looked over at the door then back at Beth.
Jayni: Did you find what you needed?
Bethany nods slowly.
Bethany Kenyon: I just… one more question…
Jayni: Pink and Lacy.
Jayni offered another little grin. She knew, from talking to Brody, about Bethany, before him, being more lesbian than bi, and wanted to mess with her.
Bethany manages a snicker.
Bethany Kenyon: Do you hate me for it?
This took her back. Whatever she was expecting, this wasn't it. A little purse of her lips and she clicked her teeth and then looked over at her brother and chuckled. This was gonna kill him.
Jayni: I will answer, if you answer a question for me?
Bethany nods.
Jayni: I heard stories. Watched some old videos involving your friend so… I can ask someone now. Is he is good as i think he is?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I didn’t know they made movies… but, he’s the best I’ve had… granted, I haven’t had that many…
Jayni nodded softly and her brother looked like he was gonna have a coronary in the corner. Jayni just chuckled.
Jayni: Not movies, per se, but she was all but passed out a few times and i can tell you, no man had ever done that to me.
Jayni chuckles softly and then shakes her head softly.
Jayni: No, I don't hate you Beth. You are better for him. When he used to play for us at night he used to sing about you, all for you. It was simple...
Jayni's brother is the one who actually spoke the words. He didn't even look up. Didn't have to.
Jayni's brother: I'm in love with an Angel, who's afraid of the light. Her halo is broken, but there's fight in her eyes.
Jayni nodded and smiled.
Jayni: And i can agree with that. Her halo is broken, but there's fight in her eyes. Just take care of him Beth, and yourself and… fight.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: He beat himself up over what happened to you… I have to admit, I did too. Thank you, Jayni…
Six hours later, Bethany pulls into her driveway, Brody Montgomery sitting in chair in front of the doorway, seemingly waiting for her. Bethany turns off the car and sits in her seat for a second, a million thoughts racing through her head simultaneously. What would he say if she told him where she’d just been to? What would he say if he found out later and she didn’t tell him? Which was worse? A moment later, she nods and opens the door, exiting her Explorer.
Bethany Kenyon: Hey…
Brody stands up to meet her and nods as she moves in closer.
Brody Montgomery: Hey.
Bethany walks up and kisses him as they move inside to the living room.
Brody Montgomery: So, how was your drive?
Bethany shrugs as the two sit down on the couch.
Bethany Kenyon: Not bad, Arkansas’s pretty much how I remember it.
Brody starts to nod but stops when he realizes what she’s just said.
Brody Montgomery: Arkansas?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Arkansas…
He sits back, looking slightly taken aback, hoping beyond hope that he’s wrong about what is in Arkansas.
Brody Montgomery: Arkansas… as in…
Bethany nods before he can get the words out of his mouth.
Bethany Kenyon: As in, yes, I went to see Jayni. I got her address from your phone when you asked me to look to prove to me things I already knew. I went to ask her… what I’m doing wrong…
Brody stares at her intently, seemingly for years, as if unable to truly comprehend what has just been said or how to properly respond to it.
Brody Montgomery: How did…
Bethany manages a nervous smile.
Bethany Kenyon: Jayni was friendly and open.
Brody nods slowly, the shock showing through no matter how hard he tries to hide it.
Bethany Kenyon: Her brother wasn’t, especially since the whole conversation was about you. I mean, Aerynn and Ash came up a couple of times but it was in connection to you. I wanted to know if the nightmares had always happened and she wanted to know… things that would you stretch your collar and definitely made her brother uncomfortable.
Brody nods slowly, not sure if he wants to know the answer to the question currently burning a hole through his head.
Brody Montgomery: What did you tell her?
Bethany shrugs.
Bethany Kenyon: The truth, which REALLY made her brother kind of…
She pauses before nodding, almost looking amused.
Bethany Kenyon: I don’t know if it was shame or just hearing about two women talking about somebody’s prowess that wasn’t his…
She trails off again, nodding to him so she doesn’t have to say it out loud.
Bethany Kenyon: You get the idea.
Brody nods in return.
Brody Montgomery: I do.
She takes her hand and puts it on his.
Bethany Kenyon: Are you… angry with me?
Brody can’t shake his head fast enough, visibly shocked that she even asked.
Brody Montgomery: No… and thank you for telling me.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I didn’t want to hide anything from you. Secrets can kill sometimes.
He nods, leaning over and taking her into his arms.
Brody Montgomery: I’m happy you feel you can tell me these things. It’s good for you to have someone like that since before, it tended to lead places you didn’t want to go.
Bethany sighs heavily.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s why I don’t have any guns in the house anymore. It used to lead to that road where I’d get really blind drunk, high, get even more drunk and then…
She shakes her head, sad and ashamed.
Bethany Kenyon: It was in my mouth, I don’t know what I was thinking.
Brody embraces her tightly.
Brody Montgomery: You weren’t… and if it were up to me, you’d never find yourself in that situation again.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I’ve stopped myself a couple of times because of that. I’d get to thinking, do I really want this and is it worth the look of disapproval Brody will give me when I get home?
Brody Montgomery: I don’t want to stop you from doing something you really wanna do, Bethy.
She smiles up at him.
Bethany Kenyon: I know, that’s why I ask myself if I really want it. Usually, the answer is no…
She goes quiet for a second, both of them looking at their feet.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s funny, the way we all reacted to coke that way. Nikki thought it was ok, especially if it was only once in a while. I liked it, assuming it would be like when you have a beer, one or two then you’re done. Jezzy loves the stuff and admits she loves it too much and Ash thought it was the second coming.
Brody nods.
Brody Montgomery: I know it’s a bit hypocritical of me to say that to you.
Bethany hugs him.
Bethany Kenyon: You just don’t want me ending up like Jezzy and Carrie, or God forbid, the way Billy was.
Brody nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I love you, Brody, you haven’t forced me to do anything against my will. If I made changes, they were because I knew I needed to for you and for me.
Brody looks on at her for a second, utterly shocked that the words have come out of her mouth. He sits there for a second, simultaneously waiting for the punchline or for the other shoe to drop. Bethany simply leans against him, expecting nothing from him in return. After a moment, realization sets in and he kisses the top of her head.
Brody Montgomery: I love you, too, Bethy.
She looks up in shock now as well, having not expected him to give that answer. She sits up and the two kiss lovingly, allowing the moment to fulfill all meanings the word.
Two days later…
Bethany and Brody roll down the road with Alice Cooper playing on the sound system. It was car borrowed from the same guy who had made the flight from New Orleans to Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Jonas Starr. It had been his plane and now his black Ford Mustang they were riding in. It was a little ostentatious for Bethany’s tastes, but it was either this or hope they didn’t get a clunker from the local rental agencies and she trusted Jonas way more than she did rental places.
Brody Montgomery: Are you sure about this?
Bethany can’t help but smile as they drive through the Tennessee backcountry.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s just a cookout…
Brody nods slowly.
Brody Montgomery: I know but…
Bethany sighs, half-worried and half-exasperated.
Bethany Kenyon: Are you worried they’ll all look at you funny?
Brody shakes his head.
Brody Montgomery: No.
She nods slightly, hoping she can build this up properly for him.
Bethany Kenyon: Are you worried about Sentinel pulling a fast one on us?
Brody can’t shake his head fast enough.
Brody Montgomery: Good God, no.
She nods again.
Bethany Kenyon: Is it me?
Brody starts to answer but catches himself. How should he answer this? How do you tell someone that you aren’t worried about that but that you are at the same time without making it turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy of the first order?
Brody Montgomery: I…
Bethany nods sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: You don’t trust me?
Brody’s eyes go wide.
Brody Montgomery: Of course, I trust you! That’s not…
Bethany nods slowly.
Bethany Kenyon: You still think you did it so…
As Brody starts to nod, they find the place, a large, ranch-style brick house set far from the main road with a massive yard. Already the scents are reaching the pair from around back along with the sounds of revelry and what-not that happen when large groups get together. They get about halfway down the drive when the front door opens and Sentinel himself comes out on the covered porch. Bethany parks the borrowed car and she and Brody step out of the vehicle.
Bethany Kenyon: Hi!
Sentinel: Hey...glad you two made it all right. These back roads can get a little complicated for visitors.
He inclines his head in Brody’s direction with a grin.
Sentinel: Glad you made the trip too, man.
Brody nods to Bethany.
Brody Montgomery: She can be quite… persuasive.
Bethany grins sheepishly.
Bethany Kenyon: I just said you needed to get out more often…
She pauses to nod in acknowledgement to Sentinel.
Bethany Kenyon: And I did get lost once or twice…
Sentinel: Don’t look at it as getting lost, look at it as adventuring.
He motions the two inside, leading them through the living room and down the hall to the dining room to the sliding glass door leading to the large deck in the rear of the house. Looks like the tales told in the past weren’t fabrications in any form; the furniture is definitely hand-made from the couch to the table. Opening the door to the deck not only lets in the noise of those gathered but a mixture of amazing smells. It looks as though Talon is tending the grill for the moment while Zachariah Blood and Rayne are off to the side chatting quietly amongst themselves. The Dead Men are tossing horseshoes out in the middle of the yard while Cheyenne watches from her swing set off to the side of the workshop further back on the property.
Sentinel turns to the two as they step outside, gesturing to the cooler set up on the bench.
Sentinel: Grab a drink, you two. There’s harder stuff in the house if you want.
Brody looks inside and almost laughs.
Brody Montgomery: Oh Lord…
Bethany frowns slightly at the tone in his voice.
Bethany Kenyon: What?
Brody picks up a mason jar and shows it to her.
Brody Montgomery: Their famous homemade sweet tea.
Bethany’s eyes go wide.
Bethany Kenyon: Gimme one!
Brody does as requested and Bethany wastes little time in popping the beverage open and sampling the jar’s contents.
Bethany Kenyon: God, it tastes like Mama’s!
Brody nods, smirking with amusement.
Brody Montgomery: That’s a good thing, Dorian.
Sentinel: It’s a staple, man. Can’t take the south outta the boy and all that shit…
He grabs up jar himself, his filled with a few slices of lemon, and twists off the top. There’s quiet for a bit as the moment is savored, but when Sentinel is sure that everyone’s attention is elsewhere, save for that of Brody, Bethany and perhaps Talon, he takes on a more serious tone. His right hand flexes slightly under the brace and wrapping, as if eager for something.
Sentinel: Monday is probably going to get ugly. Everyone wants to make a statement...ourselves included.
Bethany nods almost sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: I know, especially since Ash seems hellbent on…
She trails off for a second, shaking her head.
Bethany Kenyon: I don’t know what she’s hellbent and I wish I did.
Sentinel: Would it really matter if you did? Would it make what she’s saying and doing hurt any less if she gave some half-assed justification for it? I think that’s where the ultimate problem lies, you know.
Brody nods.
Brody Montgomery: See, I told you it was her problem and not yours.
Bethany Kenyon: You also still think you actually did it.
Brody shrugs, looking slightly ashamed even as he tries to hide it.
Brody Montgomery: You know how I’ve been…
Sentinel: What’s done is done, Brody. There’s no sense kicking your own ass about what’s happened in the past. Can’t change it now, only how you react to it and whether you let it change you.
He puts a hand on his once-enemy’s shoulder.
Sentinel: That’s why Ashley and Vince are the dangers that they are right now: all the shit they’re pulling? They feel like it’s their right to do it, like this shit is their God-given duty. But that means something else that they haven’t figured out yet. It means that their eyes are off the prize.
Bethany Kenyon: It also means it’s your God-given right to a boot in that cheating bastard’s ass! It’s a fucking sacrilege what he’s doing to that belt!
Sentinel: No one hates that more than I do, Bethany. Every day that he holds that title is a fucking affront to how much ass we busted to earn it ourselves.
Coming over from the grill at that point, Talon joins the conversation while leaning in against Sentinel. Those expecting tension between her and Brody from past transgressions are doomed to disappointment. She takes his hand briefly, then Bethany’s, before speaking.
Talon: You can thank Olivier in part for that. Vince Jones is walking with unbroken hands because Olivier wants his main event and because he wants to test Sentinel’s resolve. We don’t like it any more than you do, but it is what it is.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I wonder which one of them actually stole it, Vince, his brother, his agent or that screaming harpy that calls herself his girlfriend despite all the evidence to the contrary.
Sentinel: It doesn’t matter. Every last one of them are going to pay for it, from Vince on down. I’m not a man of God, but I’ll damned if I won’t judge them myself.
Bethany raises her mason jar.
Bethany Kenyon: May God bless your holy endeavor.
Raising his and tapping it to Bethany’s, they drink to that.
Sentinel: I won’t be doing it alone. My goal is putting Jones down like a dog. As for Reno, Jasmine and whoever else, the rest of the Unforgiven are more than capable of handling them.
Bethany glances around, taking the whole scene in.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s beautiful here and they sure look like they can handle whatever comes down the pike.
Looking around some more, she nods at the furniture and swing set.
Bethany Kenyon: Did you make all of this?
Sentinel: Most of it. Not the swing set unfortunately, and I only added to the deck. But the workshop and 90% of the furniture was made at my father’s old shop.
There’s a certain amount of pride as he says that, which is warranted all considered. Bethany nods, taking the time to really look at almost every piece.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s gorgeous.
Brody can’t but chuckle.
Brody Montgomery: I told you he was good at it.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: You did, yes.
Sentinel: You guys let me know when you get a place. I’ll put together some stuff for you.
Bethany doesn’t miss a beat.
Bethany Kenyon: Can you imagine what he could do with the beach house? I mean, what Nik had done with the fire pit and all was nice but…
Brody ponders this for a second.
Brody Montgomery: You don’t think the color would be off-putting?
Bethany laughs so hard she almost drops her jar.
Bethany Kenyon: You mean he’d be afraid of a little pink?
Brody Montgomery: That’s not “a little” pink.
Bethany shrugs.
Bethany Kenyon: So we let Nikki and Jezzy get a little girly with it, what’s wrong with that? At the time there were only the four of us in Arsenal who were gonna be using it. You seem to like it well enough, Mister.
Sentinel: ...pink furniture?
A dark brow raises as he looks between the pair.
Bethany chuckles.
Bethany Kenyon: The outside of the house is pink so Nikki bought plastic chairs and painted them to match.
Sentinel: I guess as long as she didn’t put in for flamingos too…
Bethany laughs again.
Bethany Kenyon: Not yet anyway.
Brody shakes his head.
Brody Montgomery: It’s amazing, Man, you walk in and you’ve just seen pink all over the outside and on the dual staircases and all of a sudden, there’s pink plastic patio furniture everywhere!
Sentinel: I’d almost question my manhood just walking THROUGH something like that. Almost.
Bethany shakes her head, trying to stifle laughter again.
Bethany Kenyon: He tends to sleep on the back porch just so he doesn’t have to walk through it.
Brody Montgomery: I do not! I sleep back there so I can hear the water…
Bethany nods knowingly, tapping her jar to his shoulder.
Bethany Kenyon: Face it, Mister Montgomery, you hang out in Girly Town.
Sentinel: Good thing you brought him here, then. There’s enough testosterone out there in the yard to last him a few months at least...even in the Candy Land you got him staying in right now.
Bethany Kenyon: My house in New Orleans isn’t pink, it’s actually kinda small compared to some others but, it’s cozy and it’s home. The beach house, well ok, it’s Candy Land.
All four laugh at that with Talon reaching for a bottle of Coca-Cola from the cooler, taking a long drink.
Talon: We girls have to make a place our own, though, don’t we? We’re usually kind enough to leave the men-folk one room that’s all theirs to ruin…
Sentinel: ...so that’s what you call it?
Talon: What would YOU call it?
Sentinel: Wishful thinking.
Bethany Kenyon: So no big play room?
Brody Montgomery: Hey, you guys bought a whole house on the beach to be the playroom!
Bethany shrugs.
Bethany Kenyon: I did admit, it’s Candy Land, right? You guys should come down there sometime.
Talon: Been awhile since we’ve been to the beach. Might take you up on that.
Bethany smiles brightly.
Bethany Kenyon: If Nik’s there, her dog would spend the whole time following around your little girl like he was guarding her, while waiting to see if she’d play with him and drop any food. He’s funny that way, even if he is huge.
Brody shakes his head.
Brody Montgomery: Cain looks like Scooby-Dum on steroids.
Sentinel: She’d love that, I’m sure. Her birthday is coming up soon and we’re considering getting her a dog of her own to grow up with her.
Talon: A breed that’ll get big is my vote.
Bethany Kenyon: Cain’s a Great Dane, and a love bug. He started so small, you’d have never believed he’d grow up to be what he is.
Talon: They’re lovely creatures.
She turns after that, then slips away to head back to the grill. The meat needs turning apparently. Sentinel remains with the others for the time being, watching the Dead Men carousing down below about whether a point was scored on the recent toss with a chuckle.
Sentinel: I’m about to go down there and show them how it’s done…
Bethany Kenyon: The little one’ll be cheering on her daddy then?
Sentinel: If I know her, she’ll be wanting to try herself. She doesn’t believe in boundaries. She’ll help me work on the truck as quickly as she’ll play with dolls.
Bethany visibly melts.
Bethany Kenyon: Aw…
Brody, looking suddenly nervous, shakes his head.
Brody Montgomery: Here we go…
Bethany crosses her arms, playfully.
Bethany Kenyon: I do NOT have “baby rabies!”
Brody Montgomery: If you say so…
Lifting a brow at the mention of ‘baby rabies’, Sentinel shakes his head slowly.
Sentinel: Yeah, we’ll see about that when Eric gets here…
Brody Montgomery: Donavan?
Sentinel motions affirmatively.
Brody Montgomery: I heard about his brother, I’ll have to give my condolences.
As Sentinel nods his approval, Bethany frowns, the thought now driving her crazy.
Bethany Kenyon: Why will we see when he gets here?
Sentinel: He’s bringing his son with him...a little older than Cheyenne. I think I have a picture…
He digs out his wallet and sifts through a few things within before he comes up with a picture which he shows to Bethany.
Bethany Kenyon: Aaaw!
Brody nods knowingly.
Brody Montgomery: Uh-huh…
Bethany shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: So I like kids, sue me.
Sentinel: Baby rabies.
Bethany nods to Brody.
Bethany Kenyon: There are those who would argue I have one, he’s just not little.
Sentinel: Hey, to each their own. I don’t judge. But if I’m you, Brody, I’m planning NOW… not later.
Brody Montgomery: Don’t give her ideas…
Bethany smirks.
Bethany Kenyon: Too late!
They all share a laugh again knowing it won’t be the last of the evening.
An hour later, Bethany gets a text and excuses herself to a spot off to the side of the yard. She reads her message and then fires up her camera.
Bethany Kenyon: Hi, Ash…
She glances back behind her at the cookout going on.
Bethany Kenyon: I wish you were here…
Sighing heavily, Bethany looks at her feet.
Bethany Kenyon: I think that a lot lately. I wish you were here, I wish we were still…
She looks back at the group again.
Bethany Kenyon: I never better dealed you, Ash. Yes, I worked a couple of jobs that you didn’t,but...
Another sigh as she looks into the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: Why can’t that be us, Ash? Why do we have to go into a match where I know I can count on my partner and ask you if you can count on yours? I know i can, I trust mine…
She swallows and shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: It makes me sad to actually have to ask you, straight out, when was the last time you could say that?
She starts to say something else but stops herself. Taking a deep breath, she glances at her feet and then stares into the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: I love you, Ashley, please don’t make me…
Trailing off again, she just shakes her head and turns off the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: Come on, Bethany, this wasn’t that bad an idea...
She opens the driver’s side door and steps out of the vehicle. As she closes the door, hope and worry collide in her mind. Would the occupant or occupants of the house be friendly or hostile to her presence? They do shoot people on sight sometimes in these parts and Bethany knew, the last time contact had been made it had not ended well. She walks up to the door and knocks, waiting for the worst while hoping for the best.
When the door to the house opened the woman would be well known to Bethany and to others. She looked about back to normal but she still had a cast on her left forearm from the second surgery. She wore a wide smile as she opened the door, looking back over her shoulder and speaking to someone who was in the living room unseen by Bethany outside.
Jayni: You just get the damn equipment ready. We need to go and get with the others for practice. I need to test out this new cast.
When the woman looked back her eyes widened. Truth be told she looked like she had seen a ghost. The color drained from her face and then her look of shock turned into one of complete and utter horror and she lifted a hand to her mouth in terror.
Jayni: .....He killed himself didn't he?
Why else would she be here? Other than to tell his friend, he finally took the final step they all knew he'd take one day. Bethany shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: No, he… I found him out at the beach house we have, trying to surf in the Gulf and camping on the back porch. I got him to come back home.
For a time the woman stared at the other woman who stood across from her and then motioned with her head and turned to walk back into the house. The interior was simple, but elegant. Once they got past the entry hallway and into the large living room a man looked up and his eyes narrowed dangerously.
Jayni's brother: Did you people not get the message, she's not involved anymore!
Jayni lifted a hand irritatedly and spun around on her heels to face Beth and the look in her eyes was a bit challenging, not angry but the look may be clear. Jealousy.
Jayni: I assume you're here because you need help with something. What can i do for you?
There was no hostility in her voice or posture, but the jealousy was clear, enough.
Bethany Kenyon: I’m sorry, I…
Swallowing hard, Bethany tries not to let the other voice get to her.
Bethany Kenyon: Was it always every night?
For a time Jayni said nothing. Just stared at her through the one little auburn lock that always seemed to tumble into her eyes.
Jayni: Was what exactly?
This could mean so many different things and she wasn't about to say something when it could be taken so many different ways.
Bethany Kenyon: The screaming.
That caused her face to blank, but before she could answer her brother chimed in.
Jayni's brother: Since the first damn day that son of a bitch walked into her life.
Jayni shot him a look then.
Jayni: It's not his fault that old employee of his became a psycho bitch! Dammit, stop blaming him!
She then looked back at Bethany and nodded.
Jayni: Every night. He'd wake up screaming and i would… get him something to drink and sit in bed with him. it was a long time before he could be convinced he wasn't… still in some shed. i never understood, but that's where he thinks he is… chained up on some concrete slab in a shed somewhere.
Jayni's brother: Maybe he's just crazy?
Bethany nods slowly.
Bethany Kenyon: Joshua…
Her hand squeezes momentarily into a fist.
Bethany Kenyon: He thinks he cheated on me… with my baby sister. So now he’s waiting for the bomb to go off again. He was getting better but…
Jayni: Joshua.
Jayni narrowed her eyes a moment as she thought.
Jayni: Big guy… beard… looks like something out of deliverance?
She'd get to the cheating, but she wanted… no, needed to understand.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: That was him, yes, had the Japanese girlfriend, the Samoan bodyguards with the other little Asian girl and the cult followers.
Jayni: We heard stories. But it seemed… it couldn't be true.
Beth may notice her brother was listening now. He was pretending to pack, but he was frozen, listening.
Jayni: Was it all part of some big soap opera and he's just crazy, Beth? ...Or did they really do the things we heard? The beatings… the torture… trying to turn him into some kind of heartless monster to be part of them?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: It was real.
Jayni: I want to tell...
Jayni then shook her head and grit her teeth. She wouldn't admit it.
Jayni: You're here because you don't know how to hold it all together aren't you? The screaming had gotten better, he was getting better and now....after your sister, he's withdrawing again. Let me guess, drinking heavily at night again? Barely talking, or even when he does, it's forced and you can tell? Like he's trying too hard?
Bethany nods sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: I wanna know… if you know… what I’m doing wrong? He was slowly getting better, especially after he got to see the beach house. He doesn’t scream at all there, he’s almost… peaceful.
Trailing off, she looks away in shame.
Bethany Kenyon: I think he’d cut back on the pills and the drinking some but… it’s back…
Jayni: The beach… .Ah. He adores water, always has. Said it was the one thing they couldn't take from him.
Jayni finally sits down in a chair in the center of the room and motions for Beth to sit.
Jayni: He's not regressing. I got to know him… very well over the months we were together Bethany. Oh… not like that, though not for lack of trying.
Jayni wouldn't meet the murderous gaze of her brother at this revelation she just stared at Beth.
Jayni: And do you know why it never happened?
Bethany shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: No.
Jayni: You. I was great, for a diversion, but i wasn't you.
Her brother made a little angry snort but she continued to ignore him.
Jayni: If he's screaming again… I can almost guarantee you, that it's because he is seeing you in his place. If i know him as well as i think i do, he thinks he betrayed you in a fundamental way. Sex is nothing to someone like him, he feels be betrayed his Anchor. The one thing that kept a piece of him alive. But we both know who truly is trying to do that, don't we, Bethany? The one person who is ripping his very soul to shreds.....and by proxy, your own.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Ash…
Jayni: You know, i watched as you tried to save that bitch Aerynn… and in the end, she ruined four lives.
Jayni lifted her arm to show Bethany.
Jayni: Me, your sister’s Boyfriend, Carrie will never truly be the same when it comes to trusting you… and she drove a wedge between you and Ashley… So, i guess we finally come to the question you are truly here for.
Jayni leaned forward then and looked into Beth's eyes.
Jayni: History is repeating itself. A rabid dog is in front of you Bethany. It's about to sink it's teeth into the man who loves you. The man who i think you are now in love with… A dog that's about to rip about your relationship. A dog that's about to bite you and your friend Jeszika. Are you gonna try and calm it down again… or will you learn from your mistakes and realize that sometimes… it truly is humane… to put it down?
Bethany Kenyon: I’m sorry…
Jayni: Sorry?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I was an arrogant fool and thought I could… reach her.
Jayni: It is not arrogant to want to hang on to someone who you once cared for greatly Bethany. It shows you have a good heart, but sometimes, you must know when enough, is enough. And i think, for you, putting him through this hell, is enough.
Bethany Kenyon: Ash never did like him…
Jayni: And you… you are sure you want him?
There was a faint little speculation in her eyes now, she tried hard to keep it out, but as innocent as this girl was, it was hard to hide much from showing in her eyes or on her face.
Bethany Kenyon: I love him.
Jayni: Well, you can't blame a girl for trying.
Jayni offered a faint little grin and then looked over at the door then back at Beth.
Jayni: Did you find what you needed?
Bethany nods slowly.
Bethany Kenyon: I just… one more question…
Jayni: Pink and Lacy.
Jayni offered another little grin. She knew, from talking to Brody, about Bethany, before him, being more lesbian than bi, and wanted to mess with her.
Bethany manages a snicker.
Bethany Kenyon: Do you hate me for it?
This took her back. Whatever she was expecting, this wasn't it. A little purse of her lips and she clicked her teeth and then looked over at her brother and chuckled. This was gonna kill him.
Jayni: I will answer, if you answer a question for me?
Bethany nods.
Jayni: I heard stories. Watched some old videos involving your friend so… I can ask someone now. Is he is good as i think he is?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I didn’t know they made movies… but, he’s the best I’ve had… granted, I haven’t had that many…
Jayni nodded softly and her brother looked like he was gonna have a coronary in the corner. Jayni just chuckled.
Jayni: Not movies, per se, but she was all but passed out a few times and i can tell you, no man had ever done that to me.
Jayni chuckles softly and then shakes her head softly.
Jayni: No, I don't hate you Beth. You are better for him. When he used to play for us at night he used to sing about you, all for you. It was simple...
Jayni's brother is the one who actually spoke the words. He didn't even look up. Didn't have to.
Jayni's brother: I'm in love with an Angel, who's afraid of the light. Her halo is broken, but there's fight in her eyes.
Jayni nodded and smiled.
Jayni: And i can agree with that. Her halo is broken, but there's fight in her eyes. Just take care of him Beth, and yourself and… fight.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: He beat himself up over what happened to you… I have to admit, I did too. Thank you, Jayni…
Six hours later, Bethany pulls into her driveway, Brody Montgomery sitting in chair in front of the doorway, seemingly waiting for her. Bethany turns off the car and sits in her seat for a second, a million thoughts racing through her head simultaneously. What would he say if she told him where she’d just been to? What would he say if he found out later and she didn’t tell him? Which was worse? A moment later, she nods and opens the door, exiting her Explorer.
Bethany Kenyon: Hey…
Brody stands up to meet her and nods as she moves in closer.
Brody Montgomery: Hey.
Bethany walks up and kisses him as they move inside to the living room.
Brody Montgomery: So, how was your drive?
Bethany shrugs as the two sit down on the couch.
Bethany Kenyon: Not bad, Arkansas’s pretty much how I remember it.
Brody starts to nod but stops when he realizes what she’s just said.
Brody Montgomery: Arkansas?
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: Arkansas…
He sits back, looking slightly taken aback, hoping beyond hope that he’s wrong about what is in Arkansas.
Brody Montgomery: Arkansas… as in…
Bethany nods before he can get the words out of his mouth.
Bethany Kenyon: As in, yes, I went to see Jayni. I got her address from your phone when you asked me to look to prove to me things I already knew. I went to ask her… what I’m doing wrong…
Brody stares at her intently, seemingly for years, as if unable to truly comprehend what has just been said or how to properly respond to it.
Brody Montgomery: How did…
Bethany manages a nervous smile.
Bethany Kenyon: Jayni was friendly and open.
Brody nods slowly, the shock showing through no matter how hard he tries to hide it.
Bethany Kenyon: Her brother wasn’t, especially since the whole conversation was about you. I mean, Aerynn and Ash came up a couple of times but it was in connection to you. I wanted to know if the nightmares had always happened and she wanted to know… things that would you stretch your collar and definitely made her brother uncomfortable.
Brody nods slowly, not sure if he wants to know the answer to the question currently burning a hole through his head.
Brody Montgomery: What did you tell her?
Bethany shrugs.
Bethany Kenyon: The truth, which REALLY made her brother kind of…
She pauses before nodding, almost looking amused.
Bethany Kenyon: I don’t know if it was shame or just hearing about two women talking about somebody’s prowess that wasn’t his…
She trails off again, nodding to him so she doesn’t have to say it out loud.
Bethany Kenyon: You get the idea.
Brody nods in return.
Brody Montgomery: I do.
She takes her hand and puts it on his.
Bethany Kenyon: Are you… angry with me?
Brody can’t shake his head fast enough, visibly shocked that she even asked.
Brody Montgomery: No… and thank you for telling me.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I didn’t want to hide anything from you. Secrets can kill sometimes.
He nods, leaning over and taking her into his arms.
Brody Montgomery: I’m happy you feel you can tell me these things. It’s good for you to have someone like that since before, it tended to lead places you didn’t want to go.
Bethany sighs heavily.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s why I don’t have any guns in the house anymore. It used to lead to that road where I’d get really blind drunk, high, get even more drunk and then…
She shakes her head, sad and ashamed.
Bethany Kenyon: It was in my mouth, I don’t know what I was thinking.
Brody embraces her tightly.
Brody Montgomery: You weren’t… and if it were up to me, you’d never find yourself in that situation again.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I’ve stopped myself a couple of times because of that. I’d get to thinking, do I really want this and is it worth the look of disapproval Brody will give me when I get home?
Brody Montgomery: I don’t want to stop you from doing something you really wanna do, Bethy.
She smiles up at him.
Bethany Kenyon: I know, that’s why I ask myself if I really want it. Usually, the answer is no…
She goes quiet for a second, both of them looking at their feet.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s funny, the way we all reacted to coke that way. Nikki thought it was ok, especially if it was only once in a while. I liked it, assuming it would be like when you have a beer, one or two then you’re done. Jezzy loves the stuff and admits she loves it too much and Ash thought it was the second coming.
Brody nods.
Brody Montgomery: I know it’s a bit hypocritical of me to say that to you.
Bethany hugs him.
Bethany Kenyon: You just don’t want me ending up like Jezzy and Carrie, or God forbid, the way Billy was.
Brody nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I love you, Brody, you haven’t forced me to do anything against my will. If I made changes, they were because I knew I needed to for you and for me.
Brody looks on at her for a second, utterly shocked that the words have come out of her mouth. He sits there for a second, simultaneously waiting for the punchline or for the other shoe to drop. Bethany simply leans against him, expecting nothing from him in return. After a moment, realization sets in and he kisses the top of her head.
Brody Montgomery: I love you, too, Bethy.
She looks up in shock now as well, having not expected him to give that answer. She sits up and the two kiss lovingly, allowing the moment to fulfill all meanings the word.
Two days later…
Bethany and Brody roll down the road with Alice Cooper playing on the sound system. It was car borrowed from the same guy who had made the flight from New Orleans to Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Jonas Starr. It had been his plane and now his black Ford Mustang they were riding in. It was a little ostentatious for Bethany’s tastes, but it was either this or hope they didn’t get a clunker from the local rental agencies and she trusted Jonas way more than she did rental places.
Brody Montgomery: Are you sure about this?
Bethany can’t help but smile as they drive through the Tennessee backcountry.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s just a cookout…
Brody nods slowly.
Brody Montgomery: I know but…
Bethany sighs, half-worried and half-exasperated.
Bethany Kenyon: Are you worried they’ll all look at you funny?
Brody shakes his head.
Brody Montgomery: No.
She nods slightly, hoping she can build this up properly for him.
Bethany Kenyon: Are you worried about Sentinel pulling a fast one on us?
Brody can’t shake his head fast enough.
Brody Montgomery: Good God, no.
She nods again.
Bethany Kenyon: Is it me?
Brody starts to answer but catches himself. How should he answer this? How do you tell someone that you aren’t worried about that but that you are at the same time without making it turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy of the first order?
Brody Montgomery: I…
Bethany nods sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: You don’t trust me?
Brody’s eyes go wide.
Brody Montgomery: Of course, I trust you! That’s not…
Bethany nods slowly.
Bethany Kenyon: You still think you did it so…
As Brody starts to nod, they find the place, a large, ranch-style brick house set far from the main road with a massive yard. Already the scents are reaching the pair from around back along with the sounds of revelry and what-not that happen when large groups get together. They get about halfway down the drive when the front door opens and Sentinel himself comes out on the covered porch. Bethany parks the borrowed car and she and Brody step out of the vehicle.
Bethany Kenyon: Hi!
Sentinel: Hey...glad you two made it all right. These back roads can get a little complicated for visitors.
He inclines his head in Brody’s direction with a grin.
Sentinel: Glad you made the trip too, man.
Brody nods to Bethany.
Brody Montgomery: She can be quite… persuasive.
Bethany grins sheepishly.
Bethany Kenyon: I just said you needed to get out more often…
She pauses to nod in acknowledgement to Sentinel.
Bethany Kenyon: And I did get lost once or twice…
Sentinel: Don’t look at it as getting lost, look at it as adventuring.
He motions the two inside, leading them through the living room and down the hall to the dining room to the sliding glass door leading to the large deck in the rear of the house. Looks like the tales told in the past weren’t fabrications in any form; the furniture is definitely hand-made from the couch to the table. Opening the door to the deck not only lets in the noise of those gathered but a mixture of amazing smells. It looks as though Talon is tending the grill for the moment while Zachariah Blood and Rayne are off to the side chatting quietly amongst themselves. The Dead Men are tossing horseshoes out in the middle of the yard while Cheyenne watches from her swing set off to the side of the workshop further back on the property.
Sentinel turns to the two as they step outside, gesturing to the cooler set up on the bench.
Sentinel: Grab a drink, you two. There’s harder stuff in the house if you want.
Brody looks inside and almost laughs.
Brody Montgomery: Oh Lord…
Bethany frowns slightly at the tone in his voice.
Bethany Kenyon: What?
Brody picks up a mason jar and shows it to her.
Brody Montgomery: Their famous homemade sweet tea.
Bethany’s eyes go wide.
Bethany Kenyon: Gimme one!
Brody does as requested and Bethany wastes little time in popping the beverage open and sampling the jar’s contents.
Bethany Kenyon: God, it tastes like Mama’s!
Brody nods, smirking with amusement.
Brody Montgomery: That’s a good thing, Dorian.
Sentinel: It’s a staple, man. Can’t take the south outta the boy and all that shit…
He grabs up jar himself, his filled with a few slices of lemon, and twists off the top. There’s quiet for a bit as the moment is savored, but when Sentinel is sure that everyone’s attention is elsewhere, save for that of Brody, Bethany and perhaps Talon, he takes on a more serious tone. His right hand flexes slightly under the brace and wrapping, as if eager for something.
Sentinel: Monday is probably going to get ugly. Everyone wants to make a statement...ourselves included.
Bethany nods almost sadly.
Bethany Kenyon: I know, especially since Ash seems hellbent on…
She trails off for a second, shaking her head.
Bethany Kenyon: I don’t know what she’s hellbent and I wish I did.
Sentinel: Would it really matter if you did? Would it make what she’s saying and doing hurt any less if she gave some half-assed justification for it? I think that’s where the ultimate problem lies, you know.
Brody nods.
Brody Montgomery: See, I told you it was her problem and not yours.
Bethany Kenyon: You also still think you actually did it.
Brody shrugs, looking slightly ashamed even as he tries to hide it.
Brody Montgomery: You know how I’ve been…
Sentinel: What’s done is done, Brody. There’s no sense kicking your own ass about what’s happened in the past. Can’t change it now, only how you react to it and whether you let it change you.
He puts a hand on his once-enemy’s shoulder.
Sentinel: That’s why Ashley and Vince are the dangers that they are right now: all the shit they’re pulling? They feel like it’s their right to do it, like this shit is their God-given duty. But that means something else that they haven’t figured out yet. It means that their eyes are off the prize.
Bethany Kenyon: It also means it’s your God-given right to a boot in that cheating bastard’s ass! It’s a fucking sacrilege what he’s doing to that belt!
Sentinel: No one hates that more than I do, Bethany. Every day that he holds that title is a fucking affront to how much ass we busted to earn it ourselves.
Coming over from the grill at that point, Talon joins the conversation while leaning in against Sentinel. Those expecting tension between her and Brody from past transgressions are doomed to disappointment. She takes his hand briefly, then Bethany’s, before speaking.
Talon: You can thank Olivier in part for that. Vince Jones is walking with unbroken hands because Olivier wants his main event and because he wants to test Sentinel’s resolve. We don’t like it any more than you do, but it is what it is.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: I wonder which one of them actually stole it, Vince, his brother, his agent or that screaming harpy that calls herself his girlfriend despite all the evidence to the contrary.
Sentinel: It doesn’t matter. Every last one of them are going to pay for it, from Vince on down. I’m not a man of God, but I’ll damned if I won’t judge them myself.
Bethany raises her mason jar.
Bethany Kenyon: May God bless your holy endeavor.
Raising his and tapping it to Bethany’s, they drink to that.
Sentinel: I won’t be doing it alone. My goal is putting Jones down like a dog. As for Reno, Jasmine and whoever else, the rest of the Unforgiven are more than capable of handling them.
Bethany glances around, taking the whole scene in.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s beautiful here and they sure look like they can handle whatever comes down the pike.
Looking around some more, she nods at the furniture and swing set.
Bethany Kenyon: Did you make all of this?
Sentinel: Most of it. Not the swing set unfortunately, and I only added to the deck. But the workshop and 90% of the furniture was made at my father’s old shop.
There’s a certain amount of pride as he says that, which is warranted all considered. Bethany nods, taking the time to really look at almost every piece.
Bethany Kenyon: It’s gorgeous.
Brody can’t but chuckle.
Brody Montgomery: I told you he was good at it.
Bethany nods.
Bethany Kenyon: You did, yes.
Sentinel: You guys let me know when you get a place. I’ll put together some stuff for you.
Bethany doesn’t miss a beat.
Bethany Kenyon: Can you imagine what he could do with the beach house? I mean, what Nik had done with the fire pit and all was nice but…
Brody ponders this for a second.
Brody Montgomery: You don’t think the color would be off-putting?
Bethany laughs so hard she almost drops her jar.
Bethany Kenyon: You mean he’d be afraid of a little pink?
Brody Montgomery: That’s not “a little” pink.
Bethany shrugs.
Bethany Kenyon: So we let Nikki and Jezzy get a little girly with it, what’s wrong with that? At the time there were only the four of us in Arsenal who were gonna be using it. You seem to like it well enough, Mister.
Sentinel: ...pink furniture?
A dark brow raises as he looks between the pair.
Bethany chuckles.
Bethany Kenyon: The outside of the house is pink so Nikki bought plastic chairs and painted them to match.
Sentinel: I guess as long as she didn’t put in for flamingos too…
Bethany laughs again.
Bethany Kenyon: Not yet anyway.
Brody shakes his head.
Brody Montgomery: It’s amazing, Man, you walk in and you’ve just seen pink all over the outside and on the dual staircases and all of a sudden, there’s pink plastic patio furniture everywhere!
Sentinel: I’d almost question my manhood just walking THROUGH something like that. Almost.
Bethany shakes her head, trying to stifle laughter again.
Bethany Kenyon: He tends to sleep on the back porch just so he doesn’t have to walk through it.
Brody Montgomery: I do not! I sleep back there so I can hear the water…
Bethany nods knowingly, tapping her jar to his shoulder.
Bethany Kenyon: Face it, Mister Montgomery, you hang out in Girly Town.
Sentinel: Good thing you brought him here, then. There’s enough testosterone out there in the yard to last him a few months at least...even in the Candy Land you got him staying in right now.
Bethany Kenyon: My house in New Orleans isn’t pink, it’s actually kinda small compared to some others but, it’s cozy and it’s home. The beach house, well ok, it’s Candy Land.
All four laugh at that with Talon reaching for a bottle of Coca-Cola from the cooler, taking a long drink.
Talon: We girls have to make a place our own, though, don’t we? We’re usually kind enough to leave the men-folk one room that’s all theirs to ruin…
Sentinel: ...so that’s what you call it?
Talon: What would YOU call it?
Sentinel: Wishful thinking.
Bethany Kenyon: So no big play room?
Brody Montgomery: Hey, you guys bought a whole house on the beach to be the playroom!
Bethany shrugs.
Bethany Kenyon: I did admit, it’s Candy Land, right? You guys should come down there sometime.
Talon: Been awhile since we’ve been to the beach. Might take you up on that.
Bethany smiles brightly.
Bethany Kenyon: If Nik’s there, her dog would spend the whole time following around your little girl like he was guarding her, while waiting to see if she’d play with him and drop any food. He’s funny that way, even if he is huge.
Brody shakes his head.
Brody Montgomery: Cain looks like Scooby-Dum on steroids.
Sentinel: She’d love that, I’m sure. Her birthday is coming up soon and we’re considering getting her a dog of her own to grow up with her.
Talon: A breed that’ll get big is my vote.
Bethany Kenyon: Cain’s a Great Dane, and a love bug. He started so small, you’d have never believed he’d grow up to be what he is.
Talon: They’re lovely creatures.
She turns after that, then slips away to head back to the grill. The meat needs turning apparently. Sentinel remains with the others for the time being, watching the Dead Men carousing down below about whether a point was scored on the recent toss with a chuckle.
Sentinel: I’m about to go down there and show them how it’s done…
Bethany Kenyon: The little one’ll be cheering on her daddy then?
Sentinel: If I know her, she’ll be wanting to try herself. She doesn’t believe in boundaries. She’ll help me work on the truck as quickly as she’ll play with dolls.
Bethany visibly melts.
Bethany Kenyon: Aw…
Brody, looking suddenly nervous, shakes his head.
Brody Montgomery: Here we go…
Bethany crosses her arms, playfully.
Bethany Kenyon: I do NOT have “baby rabies!”
Brody Montgomery: If you say so…
Lifting a brow at the mention of ‘baby rabies’, Sentinel shakes his head slowly.
Sentinel: Yeah, we’ll see about that when Eric gets here…
Brody Montgomery: Donavan?
Sentinel motions affirmatively.
Brody Montgomery: I heard about his brother, I’ll have to give my condolences.
As Sentinel nods his approval, Bethany frowns, the thought now driving her crazy.
Bethany Kenyon: Why will we see when he gets here?
Sentinel: He’s bringing his son with him...a little older than Cheyenne. I think I have a picture…
He digs out his wallet and sifts through a few things within before he comes up with a picture which he shows to Bethany.
Bethany Kenyon: Aaaw!
Brody nods knowingly.
Brody Montgomery: Uh-huh…
Bethany shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: So I like kids, sue me.
Sentinel: Baby rabies.
Bethany nods to Brody.
Bethany Kenyon: There are those who would argue I have one, he’s just not little.
Sentinel: Hey, to each their own. I don’t judge. But if I’m you, Brody, I’m planning NOW… not later.
Brody Montgomery: Don’t give her ideas…
Bethany smirks.
Bethany Kenyon: Too late!
They all share a laugh again knowing it won’t be the last of the evening.
An hour later, Bethany gets a text and excuses herself to a spot off to the side of the yard. She reads her message and then fires up her camera.
Bethany Kenyon: Hi, Ash…
She glances back behind her at the cookout going on.
Bethany Kenyon: I wish you were here…
Sighing heavily, Bethany looks at her feet.
Bethany Kenyon: I think that a lot lately. I wish you were here, I wish we were still…
She looks back at the group again.
Bethany Kenyon: I never better dealed you, Ash. Yes, I worked a couple of jobs that you didn’t,but...
Another sigh as she looks into the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: Why can’t that be us, Ash? Why do we have to go into a match where I know I can count on my partner and ask you if you can count on yours? I know i can, I trust mine…
She swallows and shakes her head.
Bethany Kenyon: It makes me sad to actually have to ask you, straight out, when was the last time you could say that?
She starts to say something else but stops herself. Taking a deep breath, she glances at her feet and then stares into the camera.
Bethany Kenyon: I love you, Ashley, please don’t make me…
Trailing off again, she just shakes her head and turns off the camera.
