Maybe?

At Ron's teasing, Brittney giggled. "Sorry, sorry. I only meant to make Kirk look bad, not you." 

Kirk's jaw dropped. "Oh man, you do know how to hurt a guy." 

Brittney just laughed all the more. For the first time this evening, she was actually starting to have a little fun. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all. She glanced at Adison. "I don't know about you, but I think we can take them." 

All of a sudden, a cue stick was right in front of her face and she looked up at Kirk, who was grinning. "Well come on then, hotshot." 

Her smile widened and she stood again to take the stick. "Don't say I didn't warn ya." 

Now that the three friends could play at the same time, in spite of an unexpected additional player, the fun increased. Brittney was able to relax a little, and her talkativeness turned into humor, revealing a quick wit for someone who had at first seemed to be rather scatterbrained. Her shoes were kicked off as she enjoyed herself, finally just letting the evening be what it was and not dwell on the bad. 

Kirk enjoyed his time too - which wasn't hard as long as Adison was nearby. Stealing a kiss every now and again, it was so nice just to be...them. Together. And as the night progressed, he couldn't be more glad that they were finally paying attention to each other like they'd wanted to for so long now.

A couple games were played - both won by the girls, which made teasing from both sides increase. It was all in good fun though, without any real hard feelings. By the time someone showed up from the towing company, Brittney was almost disappointed they were earlier than they'd said they would be. Getting her shoes back on and finding her purse, she said goodbye to Kirk and Adison, and lastly Ron, offering him a final handshake. "Thank you...Ron. You've been my knight in shining armor." 

Watching them interact, Kirk threw Adison a little glance and lifted an eyebrow. Sparks? Little ones? Maybe? 


It was early yet. The sun was barely up. But Garret had been unable to sleep any more. After his nightmare, he'd tossed and turned all night, and this morning, his misery was knocking at the door again. There was just so much...too much...going on around him. These people...this family...yesterday he'd stepped in too far. Gotten too close. They were treating him like he really was a part of this family and he couldn't do it. It was too foreign. Too risky. 

Sitting on the back porch, he leaned his head against the railing and just looked out at the back yard, silently watching the shadows shift as the sun revealed itself. Would he forever be seeking meaning? Would he forever feel trapped in his own shadows? 


Inside, Laura was just rising to prepare breakfast and get going on the day. She'd checked Garret's room, and finding him gone, had discovered him on the back porch but hadn't disturbed him. She also made a mental note to tell Maggie not to bother him this morning. Something had shifted again - she could feel it. He needed space before taking another step, and she sensed it was best to leave him be and see if he would pull himself out of it again.