True Justice

Terence motioned to Shay. "Kenneth, this is Shay. I've recently allowed her to work at the yard."

~~~

Elle shook her head. "No, I am not. I'm merely unhappy with being alone..."

True Justice

Shay limped down the stairs, biting her lip against the pain. "Hello. I'm Shay."

Kenneth grunted. "Pleasure."

"Likewise..." Shay sent a helpless look to Terence.

"A woman, eh?" Kenneth frowned. "That's unusual for you, Terence."

True Justice

Jinna studied Elle for a moment. "If you do not want to be alone, why do you behave in such a way as to be hard to get along with?" Jinna tucked some of the fallen hair back into her bun and watched the girl, wondering how to help someone who she didn't fully understand- yet. Jinna hoped to learn much more about Elle, but only time would tell whether or not the girl would let her.

True Justice

Terence rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah...well, she needed a job and I had a few chores that needed to be done...She's a good worker. I don't regret my decision."

"However, I have some business that I need to attend to and I need to leave today. I want Shay to stay here, as an employee, while I'm gone."

~~~

"I don't know any other way of life...I've been alone for so long." Elle said, sinking her toes into the silty sand that made up the river's bed.

True Justice

Kenneth grunted. "Eh. You want me to take care of her?" Kenneth scowled. "I'm not a babysitter."

Shay's eyes widened. "Excuse me, sir... you won't have to take care of anything." She folded her arms. "I'm here to work. I'm as good as any man, and you can treat me as such."

Kenneth sighed in frustration. "Terence, do you really expect me to put up with... that?" He waved a meaty hand in the direction of Shay.

Shay scowled. "It's obvious he doesn't like me."

True Justice

"You won't be taking care of her...She can handle herself, trust me." Terence said to Kenneth.

He looked at Shay. "You are not a man, and you won't be treated like one. You'll be treated with respect and honor, as a woman should be."

Looking back to Kenneth, he said, "I would give her a list of chores to do. All you have to do is pay her at the end of the day."

True Justice

"And yet you are not happy." Jinna pointed out, wading back into the water once more and standing a small distance from Elle. She studied the girl's green eyes for a minute before turning away and splashing through the water a ways. Turning back with a smile, she said "You might think it silly, as I am thirty-four years old, but I still like to have fun sometimes." Jinna waded over and smiled wider. "Do you like the water, Elle? My brother and I used to have what we called 'splash-fights', when we were younger." Jinna smirked mischievously and gently splashed Elle's legs with a giggle, being careful not to get the girls clothing wet.

True Justice

"If you really want to go through with this, I respect that, Terence. But I've told you; women are bad luck. First Elle, and now this?" Kenneth shook his head. "How long do you expect me to put up with it?"

True Justice

Terence rubbed his stubbled jaw. He looked at Shay. "I knew this would be hopeless..."

~~~

Elle flinched as Jinna splashed her. However, a small smile lifted her lips. There was no return splashing from her; she only dug her toes deeper into the sand as she said, "This used to be my favorite place...but mostly I stay near the shipyard now."

True Justice

Jinna smiled at Elle, truly having fun. When the girl spoke about how this place had used to be her favorite, she nodded and looked around herself in appreciation. "It surely is beautiful, Elle. I am sure that those who live near it enjoy the scenery, the sounds, the smells..." Jinna looked at Elle and smiled. "I don't think I told you this yet, but my full name is Rejinna, although I've gone by Jinna since I was just a little girl. Is Elle short for anything?" Jinna waded back to shore and opened the picnic basket, beginning to set things out on the creek edge. "If you are not opposed to the idea, I would love to take lunch here." Jinna smiled and held up a bundle. "Perhaps now you would feel like some gingerbread, after this walking and wading about under the warm sun."

True Justice

"Like I said, Terence, I'll let her stay. But that doesn't mean I agree with your decision," Kenneth said gruffly.

"Listen, Mr. Rowland." Shay was visibly irritated, glaring at Kenneth at the same time. "I don't have to stay on here. I can tell when I'm not wanted." She crossed her arms with a frown. "I'm used to traveling. I'll just look for work elsewhere."

True Justice

Terence turned to Shay. "Why don't you come with Adrian and I, then? If you don't find a job at the capitol, you can always return here and pick up where you left off."

~~~

Elle brushed her bangs out of her eyes. "No, my name is just Elle."

She slowly came to sit by Jinna. "I suppose I could eat a bite..."

True Justice

Jinna smiled and finished setting up the lunch. When it was all ready, she prayed and then began eating, suddenly realizing how famished she was. Being pregnant was enough, but now this- the emotions, the walking, the sunshine...she did not speak much at all while she ate, other than to offer Elle some of this and more of that. When she had finished eating she was tired, which wasn't very surprising. Yawning, she asked Elle "Are you sleepy? I declare, I could take a nap right under this tree here, if we didn't have so much else to do." Yawning again, she leaned back with a contented sigh. "I never would have imagined all these things happening today that did." she said, contemplatively. With a smile she studied the undersides of the leaves above and added "I feel almost like Gracie will either be there or she won't, and I just have to come and get her, or not, in time, and everything will be okay." Stifling a third yawn she looked again at Elle; the girl was pretty, and she would be prettier still if she ever learned to smile.

True Justice

Shay stared at Terence in disbelief. "You really want me to go with you to... wherever you're going." It wasn't a question. "Are you sure you can put up with me that long?" She blinked in surprise.

True Justice

Terence looked at her and exhaled. "I want you to have a job, Miss O'Teale. Honestly, it's not that I want you to come with me. I offered you a job, but it has been so quickly taken away, that I must find you a replacement, at least until I return."

~~~

Elle took the food items with a nod, but no 'thank you'. She ate slowly and barely took more than five bites. Her eyes were focused on the river as Jinna spoke.

Finally, she turned to look at Jinna. "My sister was very sick while she was pregnant with Gracie. She said it was a miracle that she was even born..."