#1: despite everything he smiles broadly. markangie, past.
Angie Flynn has the right to be called world-weary. Single parent of a boy since eighteen, raising him on his own while working in the police force? She's been thrown into the riptide with cinder blocks tied around her ankle.
Here's the thing about Angie though; she's strong. She's certainly had tiring days, but in no sense of the word is she 'broken'. Nor is she 'passive' or 'reluctant' or even 'bitter'. She's swum out of those churning white waters with the weights dragging from her ankles with a smile like a shark's because she's one tough girl, Angie. She's not afraid to face him down when he's angry and even smacks him one right in the kisser with her fist when she feels it's necessary because that's just how she is.
Mark Cross rubs his sore jaw - it may or may not bruise come next morning - and then he can't help but smile broadly despite the pain, despite the odd looks he gets, despite the winks and definitely despite the one whistle from the dick in the corner.