conversation between Hodgins and Parker - this comes immediately after chapter 34, when Parker comes in from talking with Booth.
"Hey, Parker…"
Hodgins does see the anger on Parker's face. He has no good idea how to approach, but has a theory to confirm so he pushes on.
Uuuh, ..So, you remember the museum better than I knew…
Parker just looks at him, he's not being stubborn, he really doesn't know how to answer the question.
"Do you remember that summer camp you came to? I showed you guys Drosophila melanogaster life cycle examples under the microscope?"
Parker actually smiled and made eye contact. What he actually remembered was himself and the other kids torn between snickering and getting caught up in the bug guy's enthusiasm for flies.
"Actually I do remember. I've been reading about the medico-legal lab, it reminds me of things. "
His voice drifts off and he looks down as he says this, suddenly wanting out of the conversation and to just be alone. The house suddenly seems stiflingly full.
Hodgins ignores the boy's discomfort, hearing an opening to bring up his real question.
"So… You've been reading about us? Do you still have Dr. B's letter?"
"Do you know what it says?" Parker's answer is abrupt, coming before his surprise at the question registers. He looks down and almost stammers a retraction, so surprised is he at his own reply.
"Uh, No. I never read it...
What does it say?" Hodgins' somewhat tentative question.
"Just... Just stuff about my dad I guess..."
Parker doesn't want to answer, the question tickles anger at the back of his mind, at the question and at the fact that he answered. That letter is his. But Hodgins knew him as a child, so despite the feeling of inclusion he had earlier in the evening, and despite his self image being basically adult, he feels a child's compuslion to answer an adult's question.
He fights the compulsion, stepping back slightly.
Hodgins starts to step forward, body language matching his desire to know, but catches parker's change in demeanor and restrains himself.
"Well, is there anything you want to know?" Hodgins tries to balance curiosity with respect for the boy's privacy.
Parker is still overwhelmed, his mind wants to retreat, so he looks down after flickering eyecontact, shaking his head.
Hodgins nods. His face still curious, but mentally and physically backing off slightly.
"Okay then..."
Parker turns and starts to walk towards the stairs.
Suddenly he turns back, his expression open and bordering frighteningly on entreaty.
"Uh... who...
Who's Max?"
"Max?"
"Yeah, Max, the teacher from the museum."
It takes Hodgins a brief moment, then it clicks.
"Oh, Max. Brennon's Dad?"
They stare at each other, neither knowing where to go with this conversation. Then Parker grunts and makes a uncertain gesture, turns away and heads for the stairs.
Hodgins is saved from too much consideration of the conversation by the ringing of his phone behind him.
well ... i'm back.
I've got a rough outline of the last dozen or so scenes in this, and have stopped fighting with the plot.
Anybody want to Beta this, as much to keep me going as anything...?
And, of course, reviews (including flames) are welcome.