milliways_bar | (no subject)

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It's been a busy month. Maybe there's a couple people who need a chat tonight?

Fortunately, there's a circle of chairs, with drink and cake.

Life Support
Open To All

[ooc: Open until the next one in approx one month. All tags will be picked up by at least one of the LS team. Threadhopping encouraged]

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"Do you want to come stay with me a little while?"

"I don't want to intrude," Autor says, shaking his head. "I'd better stay here and get used to the place."

"Okay, well the offer stands." Bonnie says. "Ain't quiet fer a minute in my house these days."

Autor starts inhaling his cake. "Oh, that's right. How are Terry and the boys?"

"Terry's not doin' too bad, she's learnin' to read better and she's made a couple friends." Bonnie says. "Stuart's still tryin' to be valedictorian, and Ted wants to drop outta high school."

"Good for Terry," Autor says, setting his empty cake plate aside. "And Stuart. Sorry to hear about Ted, though. I hope he manages to finish high school."

"I hope so too. I see his point, but I wouldn't like him to quit without a career plan."

"Oh, yes," Autor says, nodding thoughtfully. "Otherwise he'd just be a drifter, taking up space in the house. What kinds of jobs would be available to him?"

"He's a good artist, but he's probably not ready to go pro. He'd need to put a lot more work in." Bonnie says. "If he's got no focus, he's best staying in school until he finds it, even if he doesn't do well."

"I'm sorry he doesn't like school," Autor says, baffled at the very thought. "I hope he can stay in it until he graduates."

"He has no friends, the teachers have given up on him." Bonnie sighs.

"No wonder he's discouraged," Autor says, laying a hand on her arm. "Can you talk to his teachers?"

"I have been... I think they think I'm seein' him with maternal bias." Bonnie smiles slightly.

"Aren't you?" Autor says, tilting his head. "I don't think that's such a bad thing."

"Sure I am." Bonnie says. "Same as I grin and tell folks that the most incorrigible rogue is a nice young man. I know full well they ain't, but don't mean I cain't say it."

"You've always had more faith in people than they've had in themselves," Autor says, fondness creeping into his tone. "It's a good trait."

"It sounds naïve, but you say it enough times, people believe it. That makes a difference." Bonnie says.

"And eventually the people you're saying it about will believe it, too, and try to actually live up to expectations," Autor says, nodding thoughtfully. "It's a good strategy."

Bonnie nods.

"Good, bad, they're mostly opinions. It's not a lie."

"Well, opinions can change the course of the world," Autor says, shaking his head. "If they're said at the right time."

Bonnie nods.

"Autor?" soft smile. "Yer gonna fit back in just fine."

Autor watches her for a long moment, working his mouth as if trying to fond the right words to say. "I hope so," he says quietly, his shoulders sagging. "Even if it doesn't feel like it right now."

She offers him a hug.

Autor takes it, wrapping his arms around her a little too tightly. He clings to her, burying his nose in her shoulder. "Thank you."

She wraps him close - even with the bump, she's able - and rubs his back gently.

He can take all the time he needs.