#anywhere

Indeed, at mention that he MIGHT Indeed call the cops, the girl swallows

"What's your name?" He asks the girl

"Vanessi" She says "Go ahead and laugh, I didn't pick it."

"I'm not laughing, now put that against your nose, no, tilt your head forward or the blood will run into your throat"

She rubs the blood off on her jeans, frowning.

He's firm, and as she does so he goes on "Vanessi, you see that sign on the window? The one in orage paper?"

She looks over then sneers "For some church people?"

"It's not just church people, it's a place for help period... and they're not cops. It's a charity, and at the last they might get you a place to sleep and a real meal. You're not going to get any real nutritiion from this junk"

Sam shifts her weight, starting to look sheepish.

"Food is food" She says

"Not hardly" Jaymes says , moving over the the window and taking the small sign , really more like a paper thing mass produced off, and handing it to Vanessi, "Give them a try. Or don't take it, and one day you'll get worse than a bloody nose. And someone will call the cops."

She scuffs at the asphalt with her toe.

The girl takes it, but sneers "So easy for you two... family, a home, a job... you got everything... you don't know what it's like. You don't!"

She snorts. "Bullshit."

"I wasn't tryin' to narc, but you had to... you..." Hands into fists.

"What's your problem you psycho?" The girl says

"Easy, Sam. She doesn't know anything" Jaymes says with a shake of his head

She grits her teeth, glaring again.

Vanessi gets up, looks at the piece of paper, "Fuck you both" ANd tears it in half before walking off.

Jaymes shakes his head as she goes, but clearly is letting her go. To his daughter he says "You okay?"

"FUCK YOU TOO!" Stomp!

"She should have called you that."

"Sam.." Jaymes puts a hand on his daughter's shoulder "Dagmar" A softer whisper "It's okay... it's okay. She yelled that to either get a stranger's help or to startle me so she could get away... the second almost happened. You caught her. I just hope she goes to that place even if she tore the paper up. Right now, I'm worried about you"

"I just... I was so angry..."

"I know..." He motions "Come on, let's use the sink inside, wash your hands up a bit at least okay?"

"Uh-huh..." She hesitates. "Are you mad?"

"Mad? With you? Why would I be? I can get in trouble if too much merch gets stolen under my nose. I'm more embarrassed I didn't see her pinch the stuff "

"Just... dunno. Dagda?"

"If you kept hitting her while she was down, it might have been a problem. you stopped her.. and stopped yourself" he leads her to the sink and gets the soap and water going "Come on. I'm glad you're okay"

"I was really mad. Like... saw red mad."

"mm Gwydion thing or a you thing? I'm not sure... " Jaymes says "Might want to talk to the Chief.. I.. wish I knew myself, but I hear stories. "

"I dunno."

"I mean, I get mad pretty easy."

"yeah, well... you don't have to get mad on my behalf, okay? I can take care of myself." When her hands are washed, he makes sure her slushee isn't too melted, if it is, he gets her another

"I... yeah.."

"Tell you what though, when I'm like... 70... and getting feeble, you can maybe spoil me a bit. Deal?""

That gets a smile. "Okay."

A smile back "There we go. Slushie, your stuff... and I'll even call Jeff to see if he wants some extra hours so I can go home early with you okay?"

She slurps some slushie. "I was just gonna hang out. No school tomorrow."

"Yeah? Huh.. up to you.. oh, we got something else in the store, no big..." he gestures "Some used comic books... some of them pretty ratty but the box in the..." He points "I figured I'd let it be for reading you know?"

"Oh yeah?" She perks. "I should tell Symon!"

"Sure, he's welcome to look em over" She can tell from here they are POOR Condition... one's missing a cover, others are dog earred

"I think he'll like'm better that way."

"Well, they sure are cheaper" he nods

She nods, and snags a pair. "Hey, can I sit behind the counter?"

"yeah sure" he says

And so, Dagmar sets up by Jaymes - content to read comics and drink her slushie until the end of his shift.

And as the father keeps things clean, checks inventory, and helps the occasional customer buy a lotto ticket, he smiles towards his daughter now and then. Life isn't so bad.

(End scene)

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