#rivervale_lodge

A frown. "Wait. Really?"

"Actually, some of the things that have happened to her make sense to what I've seen yes. But It sounds cooler to say 'as was foretold in the prophecy' than 'Oh, I GET it now'"

Her frown persists "Is there anything you can tell me?"

"Yes, there are paths ahead, choices, that lead to some truly amazing futures for Eleanor, and that will be a source of great pride to you if it comes to pass. Be on the look out for a black diamond" a beat then "Only other thing I can suggest involves your possible future chance at romance but you may find that intrusive"

Jessica just manages to suppress an eye-roll "Intrusive, pointless, unimportant....."

"Disagree on that last" A brow

She makes a dismissive gesture.

Kerri gathers up some empty platters nearby.

"Look, I realize I'm a graybeard now, and thus yourr wilder instincts tell you to ignore my advice, but you're a role model for Ellie yes?"

"Yes." she sighs.

"Do you really want her growing up thinking romantic love is unimportant? " He tilts his head "Think about it" And he turns "My wife wants me, good to see you, Jessica"

Kerri waits until Vali is gone, then says quietly to Jessica, "Everything okay?"

"Hi, Aunt Kerri. Yes, everything's -fine.-" firmly "Vali's just trying to be helpful."

She grins. "Yeah, I know how much you love that."

She shrugs. "It feels like he's only the 547th person to try and help, when I don't want or need it. That's all."

"Well, sure." She picks up another tray. "Mind you...Vali's not often completely off-base."

"Do you need a hand?" Jess offers "Vali's a smart guy, and he means well."

"Sure, if you'd like," she nods toward another tray to be gathered up near Jessica. "And yes, he does. Apparently, so do 546 other people." A grin. "I wonder why so many of them are so interested?"

Jess gets the tray "I have no idea, but I wish they'd stop."

"Mm." Kerri nods. "I wonder how you could get them to stop."

"I'm ignoring them."

"An how's that working?"

"Vali just stuck his oar in." then she shrugs "But, I haven't been here to ignore him yet so that might not count."

"I mean, with your people...how's it working to ignore them about this?"

"Not badly. They're learning to just leave it alone."

She nods. "And ignoring Duff, too. Right?"

Jessica pauses, looks sideways at Kerri. "Pretty much, yes."

"And that's working about the same?"

"It is for me." she agrees.

Kerri nods and starts leading the way back to the kitchen. "He's a powerful ally, Jessica. An important resource when it comes to street connections."

Jessica follows. "I agree."

A glance. "It's hard to maintain alliances with people you're ignoring."

"Maybe ignoring is the wrong word. We're on a break. We've communicated since it started, but we're not seeing each other."

"Oh, no, that's fine! Romantic breaks make sense. But...that doesn't have to mean complete radio silence."

"We've communicated." she repeats.

"Okay," Kerri nods. "And Jessica, I agree that you have every right to decide who is or is not right for you." She pauses just outside the kitchen door to turn and face her. "But I need to tell you...I've seen your mother do what you're doing. Long ago. And it worked, for a while...a good long while, really. She was a good leader...but a lonely one."

"Well. Apple, tree."

A blink. "This was well before you knew her, Jessica. Before your father knew her."

"And," she admits. "after they had met, as well."

Another shrug; not dismissive, just non-committal.

"But...if you want to say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...true enough. And that's why I hope you don't shut yourself off from potential loving relationships for too much longer, Jessica. It wasn't good for her...and I doubt it's really good for you. Maybe it's not Duff, and that's fine. I'm sure your father would be relieved by that," she adds in a bit of a mutter. "But...you're a person who deserves to give and receive affection. And sometimes a bit of vulnerability actually makes us stronger in the long run."

Then she shakes her head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to preach." A rueful grin at herself.

"I'd have to do right by Duff if I met someone I wanted to spend time with that way." quietly "IF." firmly "And I haven't."

Kerri tilts her head to look at her. "What does that mean? Or rather, what do you mean when you say that? 'Do right'?"

"I'd have to talk to him, let him know that the break is more of a broke. That I'm not going to be seeing him any more, that there's someone else. In fact, I should break up with him and let some time pass before I see someone else."

"Honestly? Yes. I agree. This is one of those shit-or-get-off-the-pot situations, to put it bluntly, Jessica. He's got to know where you stand, and where he stands with you. Keeping things ambiguous is just going to be frustrating for both of you, and confusing for your people. If you make a clean break of it, then you can both get on with whatever's next. If that's what you want."

Jessica considers it for only a moment. "Ok. You're right. Thank you, Aunt Kerri."

"Hang on there, Jessica." Kerri puts a hand on her shoulder. "You've got to do this carefully. Don't burn bridges. You still need him as an ally, and perhaps even as a friend someday. Don't do anything that might jeopardize either of those. You need to be able to live together in Tijuana, and that doesn't mean each pretending the other doesn't exist. Or worse, one of you holding a potentially violent grudge against the other."

She nods. "I know. But, um, thank you for the reminder."

"Well...of course you do." A bit of a grin.