WT: Overcast

Chapter I

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"Thank you again for agreeing to do this —I know it's not easy for you."

"It's nothing," Krysta lied before taking a bite out of her Rodeo Burger.

"Don't lie," Rose, Krysta's mother, chided, green eyes sharp. "I was there when you refused to move with us."

Krysta's eyes dropped to the speckled laminate table of the Burger-Bell —or Taco-King, depending on who you asked. The Burger King/Taco Bell combo had once been part of a larger truck-stop food-court before some kids had burned down the rest in the 90's. Krysta, wearing flannel and jeans, looked right at home here. Her mother... not so much. Rose was wearing a tight white midi dress and matching heels. She'd accessorized with gold jewelry, diamond earrings, and a green Fit-bit. She looked so out of place eating a double whopper in the molded plastic booth.

"I'm sorry," Krysta said after swallowing.

"Don't be. I know it's been difficult for you, and Shepherd makes you feel safe." Rose sighed and took a quick drink of her sweet tea. "I want you to be safe. I want you to be happy. And I know this is going to be hard for you. You can lie to your siblings —to Greg, even— if you want, but please don't lie to me about this."

"Okay," Krysta whispered, sitting up straighter. She took a deep, steeling breath. "I won't."

"Thank you," Rose said, reaching across the table and squeezing one of Krysta's hands. "Money's going to be tight, I'm sure you know, but if there's anything you want or need, let me know, and I can try and work something out —I don't want you left lacking."

"Thanks, Mom," Krysta said, taking another bite.

"Of course. I know there's going to be a lot to adjust to, but I'm hoping we can work on this."

"What about Book Club?"

"You'll still be able to go; Greg is going to be off on Thursdays."

"Did he have to change his schedule?"

"I'm not sure."

But you live with him. Don't you know his schedule? "Okay."

"What do you mean, okay?"

"Okay. I just mean okay."

"No, that means something."

"I don't want to argue."

"We're not arguing."

"We're arguing about arguing?"

"No, we aren't."

"Mom."

"Okay, maybe we are," she reluctantly agreed with a sigh. "I wish we wouldn't. I promise, things are going to be different this time, Krysta. I'll make sure of it, I just need you to communicate with me."

So, everything is back to being my fault? That didn't take long. "Okay. I will." Try. I will try.

"Thank you." She quickly finished off another bite of whopper. "To answer your question... I honestly don't know if Greg had to change his schedule. They've been changing it a lot lately."

"Really?"

"Mhm. You'd think a sawmill would be 9 to 5 Monday thru Friday, but I guess not." She gave a shrug. "What do I know?"

"How's he liking it?" Krysta asked, taking a bite out of her burger, bbq sauce ending up on the corner of her mouth.

"He's... he's liking it better than he thought he would."