Outside the MHA Complex- Late Monday Evening

[mother_love]

It was a decent evening, even if it was a bit on the chilly side of things. Nice enough that it just felt right being outside for a bit, restless night as it was likely going to be.

So Billy was enjoying the cooler night air, the fairly clear sky, and the sound of the waves on the shore in the distance as he sat outside the apartment complex. Beside him was a case of beer and his pack of smokes.

With a somewhat shaky hand, he pulled one out and lit it, taking a slow drag as he tried to calm down. No matter how many times they did this, the initial crash after giving a statement wouldn't likely ever be something he would 'get used to.

With a small silent nod, Billy held out the pack in case Jon wanted one.


(Gentle modding of Jon done with permission)
(Post is open- expecting one but they are outside the complex so anyone is welcome to see Billy and interact)

Comments

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

Jon took the cigarette with a nod. "Thank you. I don't think I can ever say that enough."

[mother_love]

Billy just nodded and sat silently for a few minutes.

"Just glad they still help," he said finally.

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

Jon nodded back. He wasn't sure how much longer they would; surely Billy had to be running out of statements soon. But that was his own problem. "I appreciate it anyway. I'll stay awake tonight." He was full of energy now, and Billy would need his sleep.

[mother_love]

Yeah, there were only so many statements to give about being hunted by zombies before they all started sounding like slightly different versions of the same basic story. But Billy WAS glad they had helped as much as they had.

"Thanks," Billy said gratefully as he reached over and cracked open one of the beers.

"So, it's been a bit... how did that fancy trip to France go?" he asked, definitely eager to shift the conversation to something a little less traumatic.

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"Oh. Um. Well, it was good, I suppose. An awful lot of walking and food. The weather was nice, and the scenery was lovely. I enjoyed it. I imagine it was quiet around here."

[mother_love]

"Was dead around here" Billy said with a small laugh. Probably a poor choice of words there, really. "But the food and drink are worth the effort from what I heard. Never made it there myself. Sounds like it was a good trip from what I've heard around town though."

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"There was quite a lot of cheese," Jon observed. "And wine. Which is to be expected, really. It's a long time since I was in France, and never anything like that, so it was a new experience."

[mother_love]

"Glad they make it worth your while teaching at the school. That's gotta be one heck of an incentive. Free trip like that." He gave a small chuckle. "Almost makes me consider trying to teach a class. Almost!"

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"I...I suppose?" Jon said, as if he'd never thought of it that way, which he hadn't. "I don't mind teaching the children. It's rather...nice." He huffed in laughter. "Certainly better than my last position."

[mother_love]

"Good point that" Billy said with a nod and a lift of his beer. "Don't think I will ever be cut out for the whole dealing with kids thing. I mean, the biggest shock with that whole random kids showing up thing was the fact I had a kid at all."

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"I didn't," Jon said. He shrugged. "Which was not a surprise at all."

[mother_love]

"Eh, enjoy the double benefits of the teaching gig- get to work with the kids, and also get to send them off to be someone else's problem at the end of the day" Billy said with a small grin.

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"I suppose," Jon answered. "I'm sure I would be a horrendous parent anyway."

[mother_love]

Billy couldn't argue that- if only because of the whole evil nightmare-causing entity in your head Jon. Billy wouldn't say it but if that wasn't an issue, ya might not be all that bad at the parent thing.

"I hear it's a bit overrated," Billy said with a dry laugh as he took a drink.

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

Jon shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I've never really known any parents."

[mother_love]

"Yeah not got the greatest points of reference myself," Billy said with a shrug. "Managed to stay alive, not be in jail, and not be a worthless drunk. I will consider that a win." (Despite all the other utter failures in his life thus far).

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"Well, by that standard, I'm doing...ha. I'm doing fairly well, I suppose."

It was a really low bar, granted.

[mother_love]

Low bars made life easy.... as long as you didn't think about it too much.

"See? Not such a disaster after all. There's hope for you yet," Billy said with a small teasing grin.

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"I suppose." Jon took a drag of his cigarette. "It's a rather low bar," he admitted, long after the narrative.

[mother_love]

"Just means more opportunity for growth and improvement right?" Billy offered as he finished his cigarette, snuffed it out in the small patch of dirt nearby, and pulled out another.

Yay for low-bar positivity!

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"Nowhere to go but up." Jon huffed in laughter.