"You know what Jess" Lois said as they continued their long drive back to Shattuck. By now, it was almost one o'clock in the morning, Jess feeling his eye dropping from sleep but Lois acting like she was on a permanent coffee buzz, which is what she usually acted like.

"Yes Lois?" he asked.

"That was very sweet what ya got fer Ennis and Jack" she said for the umpteenth time

"Thanks Lois" Jess replied, yawning slightly, the presents confined to the back seat.

Going to Oklahoma City was like visiting an old friend. Sure, he hardly saw the place when he first arrived, considering he had to catch his train but just being in a city again, after four months of emptiness and silence, with all the noise, traffic, people, it was the closest thing Jess felt to being home ever since he left New York.

"How much longer?" Jess asked.

"Bout another hour or so" she said.

"Jack and Ennis are going to kill me," Jess said in a slightly mocking voice.

"Well, you can just say it was fer a good purpose" she replied.

"Like they'll believe that," he replied.

"How do you know?" she said "I swear, you always have to jump to these conclusions when it comes to them".

"Ah, ya, cause I'm right" he said. She rolled her eyes at him.

Finally, after what seemed forever, they pulled up to the house. Thankfully, it appeared all the lights were off.

"Maybe they went to bed already" Jess said half to himself "well, see ya later Lois" he reached back and grabbed the stuff.

"Bye" she said as he got out.

He made his way up the porch, trying to remain as silent as possible. Hopefully, they haven't locked the doors on him. Thankfully, they didn't. He opened the door into the darkened area and made his way in, silently closing the door behind him. The moment he shut the door, the kitchen lights turned on. Fuck he thought.

Sitting at the kitchen table, both in their boxers and white shirts, were Jack and Ennis and they did not look happy.

"Two twenty" Ennis said in a dangerous voice "that's a new record, even fer you". Jess didn't answer; instead he silently slid the bags behind him.

"Where were you?" Jack said.

"Out with Lois" Jess said.

"Where did the two of ya go?" Ennis said.

"The movies" Jess replied.

"You've been at the movies fer nine hours?" he said.

"It was a long movie," Jess said coldly.

"Room" Ennis said "now. We'll talk of yer punishment tomorrow".

Shrugging, Jess grabbed the bag behind him and headed for the stairs.

"What's that in yer hand?" Jack said.

"Nothing" Jess said quickly, disappearing up the stairs before he could give them anything else.

Well, that went well he thought as he shut his bedroom door.

This blows he thought the next morning. As punishment for his late night excursion to Oklahoma City, Jack and Ennis made him pull double duty on the ranch. Not only was he expected to do his chores but also Bobby's as well and the worse part is, he had been at it since six o'clock in the morning.

He felt another sharp pain lance down his back. He propped the rake he was using to clean out the stales and lean against the barn side. I hope there's a break involved somewhere in this he thought.

After another hour of work, he was finished. He did not want to do any more work and needed a break. Looking around, the two men were nowhere to be found.

"Uh, I'm going to the bathroom" he said to the rancher in charge of looking after his work.

"Whatever" he replied, "be back in five". Jess nodded and headed out of the farm and when he was at a safe enough distance, he turned down the dirt road and began to run towards town.

Thirty minutes later, he stood panting on the outskirts of the abandoned soccer field where he spotted Lois sitting crossed legged on one of the tables.

"Hey Jess," she said as he sat next to her "you look tired".

"Had to do work on the ranch," he said.

"Sorry bout that" she said "ya know, its been awhile since we've been here together".

"Ya" he replied "guess what with school and stuff and things at home-"

"Ya, I hear ya," she said.

"Got any good sketches?"

"Nope, jus' the usual sunrises and still's" Jess shrugged, not speaking for a moment as he looked across the abandoned field.

"Does anyone ever come here?" he asked.

"Not really" she said, "lot o' people here don' like ta play soccer that much". He nodded and laid back on the table.

"Ya okay?" she asked.

"I'm just tired" he said, "Can we just rest for a moment?"

"Sure" she said "I can do with a few moments of silence" she then laid down next to him and the two went quiet.

Jess closed his eyes. It was an unusually warm day out, the sun high and shinning above, slightly warming his skin. The trees were gently waving in the breeze, a nice rhythmic motion that almost sounded like the gentle lapping of waves at the beach.

For the first time, Jess didn't mind the quiet. He didn't mind the openness around him, the calmness of it all. It was the first time since he'd been here that he could call this place home.

"Lois" he said.

"Ya?" she answered.

"You wanna go take a walk with?" he asked.

"That's sounds nice," she said simply.

They got off the bench and began to walk across the field. Jess looked over to see she was smiling.

"What?" he asked.

"Oh nothin" she said "I was just wonderin' how long it would take ya before ya came to call this place home".

He laughed, "How could ya tell?"

"I've jus' never seen ya so relaxed before" she said.

"Really?" he said.

"Ya. Its nice".

Jess smiled "ya, it does feel nice".

"God damn that kid" Ennis muttered for the hundredth time as he paced up and down the porch.

"Ennis, calm down" Jack said, who was leaning against one of the banisters.

"He's got ta make things so fuckin' difficult" Ennis kept going "why is he always fightin' me".

"Ennis, again, calm down" Jack said "he'll come back and believe me, he'll be punished for this but your not solvin' anythin' jus' pacin' up and down the porch like this".

He breathed out heavily "I know Jack" he said "but I am jus' so frustrated with him! Nothin' I do seems to be goin' through his head".

"I know Jess can be difficult at times" Jack said "but-"

"I know, I know" he said hastily "give him time".

Then Ennis spotted Jess walking up the driveway and he felt a wave of anger rush through him.

"Where the fuck have ya been?" Ennis demanded, walking up to him.

"I needed a break" Jess replied.

"You'll get a break when I say ya can get a break" Ennis growled.

"I'm back aren't I? I'll finish the work" Jess replied.

"I expect ya will" Ennis said "and for goin' off like that, you count on another day of work tomorrow".

"Fine" Jess said.

This caught Ennis off guard. He'd been expecting a smart-ass comment, not such an obedient manner.

"Good" Ennis said after a moment "now git ta work".

Without another word, Jess turned around and headed for the ranch.

"Wow" Jack said, "That was easy".

"Ya" Ennis replied, "kinda expectin' his usual".

"But this is good!" Jack exclaimed, wrapping an arm around him "this means he's listenin' ta us. I told ya! Its like I keep tellin' ya!"

"Yes cowboy, I know" Ennis said, smiling in spite of himself "give it time".

"Damn straight" then Jack gave him a kiss. Their eyes met and a silent message crossed between them. Without a second thought, they hurried off to the office and this time, Ennis made sure to lock the door behind them.

Bobby was bent over his math homework, Jess right behind him helping him through the equation.

"Come on Bobby" he said, "we've been through this before".

He thought for a moment, looking at the equation, thinking carefully through the steps. Finally, it seemed to click and he quickly scribbled down the answer.

"Very good" Jess said "and look at that, you now have no more homework for the rest of break".

"That's a relief," Bobby said, stuffing the paper back into his backpack.

"So" Jess said "how's Tammy after she and Macarthur danced their final duet?"

"Huh?" Bobby said.

"I mean, how is she after the breakup" Jess said.

"Okay I guess" he said, "We talked a bit about it. Said she'd known for awhile what Macarthur was up ta and she jus' couldn't take it no more".

"Simple enough" he said "so, anything else happen?"

"No" Bobby said "and I don' plan ta let anythin' happen".

"Well why hell not?" Jess asked, "I thought you would have been screaming to the heavens that Tammy is a free girl. Ya still like her, do ya?"

"Yes, of course I do!" Bobby exclaimed "its jus' that I wanna give her some time".

"Doesn't sound she needs time" Jess said flatly.

"And what? You're an expert?"

"Trust me Bobby" Jess said "to me, Tammy doesn't strike me as a girl who doesn't break down after a break up, especially one when it didn't really mean anything at all".

"Even so" he said, "I mean, I jus'…I'm not…I…I don't, know how a relationship works".

"Its like any other relation you have" Jess said "except both of you have the hots for one another. Just listen Bobby, you are a great guy and girls would love to be your girlfriend. It like I keep saying, you just have to be more confident in yourself. So tell ya what" Jess sat next to him.

"If you're not ready, don't force yourself" he continued, "just…wait for the right moment".

"And how will I know when it's the…right moment?" he asked.

"Trust me" Jess said, "you will know".

Bobby nodded "you seem ta know an awful lot bout this stuff".

"Ya" Jess said, "I'm very in touch with my feminine side. That and…I'm a genius".

Bobby laughed "funny"

"Anyway" Jess continued, "wait for the right moment and ya'll have nothing to fear". Bobby nodded again.

"Okay, come on" Jess said "might as well see what shit Jack's prepared tonight".

"Is that very nice?" Bobby asked but Jess was out the door before he could answer.

"You're leaving!" Jess exclaimed on Monday morning "who the hell am I gonna hang out with then? Earl?" he was referring to the ranch hand that supervised his work.

"I'm sorry Jess" Lois said over the phone "but I hardly ever see my aunt and she always gives me nice art stuff for Christmas". Jess mumbled something.

"Oh, don't be such a sour puss" Lois said, "I'll be back in a week".

"A week?" Jess said.

"Yes, a week" Lois said "you can survive without little ol' me".

"Ya well, its not exactly a theory we've tested before" he said sarcastically.

She laughed "oh don't worry, ya'll find somethin' ta do. If ya want, you can go and see that James fella". A flashbulb went off in Jess's head. That actually wasn't such a bad idea he thought.

"I guess I could" he said "but I don't know where he lives".

"Easy, he lives on Silver Street, residence 136".

"And you know this how?" Jess asked.

"I have my resources" she said "so drop in on him, at least ya'll have someone ta talk ta when I'm gone".

"Suppose" he replied.

"Well, I better git packin', we're leavin' very soon" she said, "Have a good Christmas! I expect to hear all about it when I get back".

"Bye Lois" he said "have fun".

"Can do" then the line went dead.

Hanging up the phone, he paced around the kitchen a bit, staring up at the clock that read ten twenty eight. He had nothing else to do, so he figured James's it was. He slipped on his shoes and through on his black zip up jacket and headed out to the ranch where Jack and Ennis were working.

"I'm going out," he said.

"Fine" Ennis replied, "don't be back late".

"Kay" he turned around and trekked back to the road. Jess remembered where Silver Street was; it was the same street they went to when they picked up Bobby on Halloween. Sure, it took him about twice as long to get their but he figured exercise wouldn't hurt. Following the numbered houses, he soon came upon 136. It was a decent enough, one story house with a decent lawn and porch.

He climbed up and knocked on the door, feeling slightly awkward at this. A woman answered, her graying brown hair tied in a bun wearing a pair of jeans and a red blouse.

"Hi" Jess said "uh, is James here?"

"He's in the garage" she said "you a friend or somethin?"

"You can say that" he said simply.

"Well, side door is unlocked, help yourself"

"Thanks" he turned around and headed around the house till he found the side door, where he could hear the sound of some sort of drill going off. Figuring it polite, he knocked on the door.

The drill stopped and a few moments later, James appeared, shirtless and grease smeared across his muscled body.

"Uh, sorry" Jess said "I didn't mean to interrupt".

"No big" he said "whaddya want?"

"Well" he said, "I was just in the neighborhood and figured I drop by".

"Ya know where I live?" he asked.

"I know my information," he said simply "if ya want me to leave-"

"No no" he said "its all right, come on in". He opened the door a bit more and Jess walked into the garage.

It reeked of oil and fuel; many assorted tools were lying around while the Firebird was parked in the middle, hood up and a lot of parts seemingly missing.

"So, what are ya doing?" Jess asked as he took a seat on one of the stools, instantly regretting it as he felt something wet underneath.

"Nothin' much" he said "jus' tinkerin' with a few things. I do this most of the time".

Jess pulled out the rag underneath him, seeing it was covered in oil. There go my jeans he thought, placing the rag down.

"Ya know" Jess said, the sight of James shirtless making him uncomfortable "ya could open a window".

"I don't mind" James said absently as he began to wipe off his hands.

"Right" Jess said under his breath.

"I don't mean ta sound rude" James said "but, why exactly are ya hear?"

"Well" Jess said "my friend has gone away for the week and since I don't like to stay at my home, I figured I come and see how yer doin".

"Problems with yer dad again?" James asked, taking a seat next to him.

"Guess you can say that" he said.

"Well, what kinda problems?"

He shrugged "nothing really, just…same old shit. Just don't like him that much, that's all".

There was a brief silence before Jess spoke again "that woman who answered the door, she your aunt?"

"Yep" he said.

"She seems nice".

"She is" James said "bout the only real sane person in my family".

"Right" Jess said "the whole father and mother issue. Not to be rude or anything".

"Don't be," he said.

Again, a brief silence "so, where did all this stuff come from?" Jess asked.

"Just stuff from auto shops" he said "I knew a lot of dealers back in Stillwater and they gave me all their old parts whenever they got new equipment".

Jess nodded once more and again, the silence entered. Boy, this is weird he thought. He was just so used to Lois's endless chatter that this silence bit seemed a bit out of place.

"You really not afraid of me?" James asked. This kind of caught Jess off guard and he was silent for a good few seconds.

"A little" Jess said "I mean, no offense but, you look like one of those men from the prison movies".

"Ya, I figured. But really, I ain't as bad as I look".

"That's good" Jess said.

James gave a low laugh and once again the silence entered. Then it happened, the unexplained urge and for some reason, Jess couldn't contain it.

"My dad left my mom for another man" he said bluntly.

"Sorry?" James said, obviously caught off guard by the question.

"My dad" he said "he left my mom for a man, a rancher he met when he was herding sheep up in Wyoming back in 63. That's why him and me have problems, cause I blame that man for taking him away and for him leaving in the first place".

A deep silence entered the room and for one fleeting moment, he thought James was going to tell him to get out. Other then Lois, he was the only other person who knew now about Jack and Ennis.

"That's rough," he said after a long minute.

"No shit" Jess said bluntly. The silence entered once more.

"So, wanna help me with this thing?" James asked.

Jess looked at him "what?"

He sighed "I'm askin' whether or not ya wanna help me out with the car".

He looked at him some more "ya mean…you don't care?"

"Not really" James said "if that's what makes yer daddy happy, so be it" Jess continued to stare at him, still unsure of what to say.

"So" James said "ya wanna help or not?"

After a few moments, Jess decided to let it go. He chuckled and said "ya, that be nice".

"Cool" James said "grab a pair of gloves and let's get started, you can tell me more as we work". Jess hopped off the stole and picked up the least greasy pair and slipped them on.

From that moment on, through forces even Jess couldn't explain, he and James became friends.

For the next two hours, they worked on the Firebird, sharing stories to each other as they worked. Jess told him all about his life in New York and his whole thing in Shattuck while James told him about his family and his old life in Stillwater.

Not only did he gain a friend but he also learned a lot about cars that day. All in all, Jess figured it was a day well spent.

Author's note: again, sorry about the delay, just been busy thats all. anyway, just bare with me cause i'm going to be really slow the next few months, so i apologize in advance. anyway, thanks for the reviews and keep them coming. once more, i apologize for grammer mistakes.