It was the early morning when Violet had thought she found a way to keep Beau happy even when she wasn't there. Some boys had been playing with a dodge ball and when it landed on the property their mothers wouldn't let them get it. Violet had retrieved it when no one was looking, thinking Beau would like a new, cooler ball. She cleaned it up and bounced it a few times to make sure it wasn't too flat before she went up into the attic.

Beau was first afraid of the noise it made when it hit the ground, but after watching Violet play with it he warmed up to the idea of using it. And when he bounced it he laughed so hard and clapped excitedly.

Violet and him were bouncing it back and forth when Beau noticed it went higher the hard you threw it down. He went up on his knees and slammed it down on the ground. Violet covered herself as it went over her head and into the back where all the boxes of junk stayed.

"Beau." she laughed, and stood up to go find it.

Violet moved many boxes, trying to find the ball in this maze.

"Here."

Violet looked up to see Tate holding the ball a few feet away from her. She looked over him, wondering what he was doing here. She didn't think he watched her play with Beau, but it made sense. She slowly reached out and took the ball from his large hands.

"Thanks." she whispered, turning away.

"Don't think I was creeping on you. I heard that banging and was worried about Beau." Tate stopped her.

"I understand." Violet nodded.

"Well, I guess I'm going to go now, okay?"

"That's fine." Violet shrugged, sitting back down and tossing the toy to Beau.

Tate nodded weakly and started to step towards the attic door, when Beau clapped, catching his attention. Beau smiled wide and took the ball and threw it to him. Tate smiled, with a little chuckle he tossed it back.

"I gotta go, you have to play with Violet." he told Beau, watching his brother's smile fall.

"Well," Violet look at Tate, "it would be more fun if you played too."

"Really?" Tate asked, wide eyed.

"Yeah, besides," Violet glanced at Beau, "I think he really wants you to."

Tate blinked, "Well, I can't say no to my bro."

Beau lit up as Tate took a seat on his bed so they were in a little triangle. He bounced the ball to his brother and then Tate passed it to Violet. They went around and around like that for two hours. They experimented what they could all do with the ball. Little bounces, big bounces, arch tosses, underhand rolls, and all kinds of stuff. Beau was laughing and clapping the whole time.

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Violet and Tate were walking the halls, talking and laughing about Beau and how happy he was. Both of them loved Beau with all their hearts and it over joyed them to see him so happy. They also felt good because they had shown Beau how the ball would come back if he bounced it against the wall. He was doing that when they left and probably still at it five minutes later.

"I'm glad he liked my gift." Violet smiled, as they reached her room.

"He adores you. You could give him dirt and it'd be like his most prized possession." Tate joked.

"Well, he misses you. You should hang around him more."

"I know, but when I look at him, it pisses me off that he had to die. He didn't deserve to."

"Well, at least he has us to keep him happy." Violet poked Tate in the ribs.

Tate paused. That was the first time in years that she had ever touched him. He stared at where he was poked and then back at Violet. She had a look in her eye that told him something more was there now. He was excited that now they were talking and not about all the shit he had done. It was a start for them.

"Do you want to play a game?" Tate asked.

Violet stared at him and thought. "I'm just going to listen to some music."

"Who?" Tate just wanted to keep talking.

Violet smiled, "Come on in, you can pick who I listen to."

Tate almost started hyperventilating. She hadn't invited him into her room in forever, it was exhilarating. He was so shocked that he hadn't moved and she was already to her CD player. He hurried in and stood directly behind her.

"Who do you think?"

"Papa Roach." Tate stated and handed her the disc.

"Good choice."

"Can I stay and listen, or do you want to be alone?"

"Whatever you want. I don't really care."

"Okay."

Violet laid in the center of her bed, telling Tate she didn't want him there. Tate took a seat in her big, brown, leather chair and waited for the music to blare. When it did he knew they wouldn't be talking much, just listening, but Tate was grateful to have been allowed in her room.

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When the CD was over they listened to others until it was dark outside. Violet's yawns told Tate it was about time to go. She was still used to sleeping like humans, even if her body didn't need it, it was a habit. He stood up and told her he was going to let her rest. She nodded lazily and turned off her player.

"Thanks for letting me listen." Tate mumbled.

"Thanks for not picking out shitty music." Violet joked.

Tate gave a slight smile before leaving. While he hated going, he thought if he didn't push to stay near her, she wouldn't feel pressured and that would mean she'd feel more comfortable and be willing to have him around more. It was a poor plan, but it was all he had.