milliways_bar | (no subject)

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There is a Chase, in the bar, with a book that he is only pretending to read.

It's difficult to pay full attention to a book when one is keeping a wary eye and a half out for certain daughters and certain fathers-in-law-to-be that one has to make certain apologies to or risk certain...something.

If your name just happens to be Angela or Jack, you might want to just happen to stop by the booth.

And if your name isn't, you're certainly perfectly welcome to stop by anyway.

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He has picked up on little things to that effect, but knows absolutely none of the details.

"What kind of fight?"

"It was just a big misunderstanding. Because she was in her room, and I hadn't seen either of you for a while, and I wanted to help but she pushed me away and...I got mad."

Angela never speaks up at home. And she feels awful for starting to do that here.

He's had that exact same fight with Kim a lot of times. He knows where Angie's coming from.

"Sometimes I think Kim's afraid to let people help her," he says quietly. "Like...she thinks asking for help will prove she can't do everything on her own and then she won't feel good about herself. It...makes me mad sometimes too."

He rubs Angie's shoulder.

Angie sighs. "I said sorry a couple of days later. And I've been staying in her room ever since."

She chews on the inside of her mouth. "I've been thinking a lot about going home--but I can't see the door."

He remembers the last time Angie saw the door and left. He doesn't like to think about it.

"The bar's getting claustrophobic?"

He can't see anything that he and Kim would have been doing to make Angie's stay here at all happy. He's ashamed of himself.

"I just...I have things to do out there. Though I'd love to stay. It's nice not to have to deal with school or anything else."

She smiles slightly. "I hope I can always come back here, though. I hope that I never have to leave permanently."

"I know what you mean." He smiles sadly. "I don't think Bar makes people leave permanently unless they really want to, though. And...we'd miss you a lot."

"I'd miss you too."

It was nice meeting her Dad and Mom as younger people. It's helped her understand them a little.

He leans in and gives her another tight hug.

"But I'm not going anytime real soon, okay?" She laughs a little bit.

"Good." Pause. "I could ground you to keep you here longer, y'know."

Angela laughs. "Make me stay in my room and no television?"

"I'd let you keep the television." He smiles.

"You're a softy, Dad. I won't tell anyone, though."
She snuggles her cheek against his shoulder.

"Oh, my career would be over."

He is going to miss her like hell. Please let her be happier outside once she goes back, Bar.

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