Title: More Dangerous Uncertainties.
Rating: M (Language & Situations)
A/N: Dick Wolf Owns LOCI characters, all others are mine. NO LINKS BETWEEN THIS CHAPTER & REALITY ARE INTENDED.
Four months later…
Convened around Sam's living room, her household's couples all hold hands. "Do any of you know, how legally change names?" Kurt asks. Shaking their heads, everyone around him, also smirks. "Ok. My reason for asking is, my baby and I both want to, because we believe keeping our current ones, gives the bastards who disowned us a sick backdoor honor. I didn't want to bother Tynie or her family, so close to their vacations, which is the other reason why I came to you guys." Kurt continues. "We respect it, man. I'll text them, to see if any of them can help." Derek elicits. Grabbing his phone, Derek uses it for twenty minutes, then informs "Bill and Tynie are on their way out here, guys. He found out, they can't start their vacations for a month, because several travel sites got shut down by the feds. Evidently, they were frauds, and their owners have to pay restitution out the ass. Tynie also learned, the fire marshal's staff is in deep shit with D.A.G. Al Bulnier for basically terrorising private land owners. As she understands it, they've been sending threatening mailers to people like us, without having the investigative grounds to back it. She got one an hour ago, immediately suspected it wasn't legit, and that the fire marshal would guard his staff. So, she discussed it with D.A.G. Bulnier, who told her everything I just told you. All we can do now is, run our houses like normal, and have a witness whenever we risk dealing with the fire marshal. Everything else is in D.A.G. Bulnier's hands, so we'll have to check the news for updates." "She's coming out here to be our witness. I didn't expect it, but you guys can expect me to keep her in White Zin or Jack Daniels for it." Sam warns. "That's my turf, mom. You've done enough, especially since most of it surrounded getting the guys safe and financially situated." Teri balks. Conceding with a nod, Sam reclines in her seat, and lets the area fall silent. Fifteen more minutes pass, before Tynie lets herself and Bill in.
Locking up, they head for the center of Sam's living room. "Sam, I figured the angles involving the feds and D.A.G. Bulnier justified my using my urgent access key. I'd have admitted it sooner, but Frank advised against that, on account of my family's luck with phone issues." Tynie confesses. "I agreed with that logic, but you may not like what it inspired. Sam, I need to meet with you, to discuss a rotation on the rest of you changing your names. I can get our family to let you take our last ones, so our lifelong orders on how the NYPD's encountered, cover you. You've seen why they're needed, but you may not have known: the FBI's investigation into the Religious Warriors and X-Hustlas outed the disavowers. By that I mean, those fuckers were flatly named as group enforcers. I don't know if they'll target you, but I'd rather have you all covered like my family is, just in case." Bill proclaims. "Her Honor Byersworth owes me a favor, for saving her life from a car fire. You may have forgotten, but it traced back to shitty repair work, and that dude's being nailed to the wall as I speak. If any of you guys want me to burn it for this, just flip me off, and I'll make the call." Tynie revises. Smirking, Derek gives Tynie the finger, causing her to enforce that promise. Mere moments later, she learns Her Honor Byersworth was about to call and advise the same thing, due to her learning Bill's hunch was accurate. "Your Honor, is there any way you can fax me copies of all the papers? If so, what do I have to sign, to swear, the ones that prove our theory will be guarded with my life?" Tynie interrogates. "You don't need to sign anything, Tynie. I intended on sending you that evidence, so it can be used for the rest. I'll just need to verify your consent to use any fax machines, you don't own." Her Honor Byersworth impedes. "Your Honor, if you're OK with holding for a few minutes: I'll get that cleared. Of course, it means you stand to be called back, if we have problems getting our end of this deal settled." Tynie forestalls. "That's fine, Tynie." Her Honor Byersworth acclaims.
Rushing her phone to Sam, Tynie witnesses her most recent word come true, before the call's ended with exchanged well wishes. Delivering the phone to its owner, Sam sees it get stashed, just prior to Bill and Tynie taking seats. Seconds later, Bill's text alert goes off, leading him to rush finding out why. Anita's messaged him, to say she got Liza, Frank and Ted's permission, to let Bill know, his plan for the last names can happen. She even sends over the proof, asking for it to be secured as evidence. Obliging her, Bill sends an update, which leads to Anita arranging for everyone else to shelter in place at home. Thanking her, Bill ends the conversation by family custom, and debriefs the people by him. "What do we owe Anita?" Karrigan worries. "I'll get that word, and get back to you." Tynie halts. Hustling to prove herself again, Tynie learns her sister doesn't want IOU's brought into this, since it links to the emergency moves. "Fair enough." Karrigan concedes.
Ensuring Anita got that message, Tynie reuses family trends for ending text chats. "So, what names are you guys considering?" Kendra probes. "Damian Eric for me, and Tyler Anthony for Kurt." Karrigan replies. "Sounds like Kurt's best fit is to become a Vantman. Unfortunately, the news I got, makes it too dangerous for the rest of you to keep your full names. You'll see how I can base goin' there in a bit, but you may as well reconfigure that while we wait." Tynie apprises. "I've suspected as much, from the second you crossed my living room like it was on fire. You didn't know yet, but you can leave getting that proof, to me." Sam repudiates. "Property owner's restrictions, ain't they a bitch?" Tynie vilifies. "Yep. I know you said that, so we heard how you'll defend it, if we have to call Her Honor back, too." Derek surmises. "Sis, you were right to brace us for that; but my new name's easy. I'm updating my first to Russ, my middle to Edward, and taking whatever last name Bill advises. He may be surprised by that, but since your plan's based on his, I believe it's fairest. If Her Honor asks, tell her my decision came down, so part this is simple on you both. After all, you did risk your ass, and call her at work, to make it possible." Russ conveys. "Sounds like there's another Fortnier in my midst." Bill insinuates. "Speaking of people being surprised, Tynie may be one, in a few minutes. After everything she's done for us, and her family, I believe it's only fitting, to become a namesake. By that I mean, I'm changing my first name to Leah, my middle to Renee, and asking for consent to take the Vantman last name." Kendra reexamines. "You'll get it, if you understand something else. I'd prefer a couple of you, take the Strickland last name, because of what Anita did to get it authorized." Tynie obstructs. "I planned on it, sis. You didn't know, but I didn't want to be rude. The rest of my name's being changed to: Angela Deanne, so my mom gets a namesake, too." Teri confesses. "Guys, you just learned why you'll need to adapt to calling me Jenni Marie Strickland." Sam cautions, with a smile. "I'm thinking about changing my name to Jeremy Thomas. I'm just not sure, what last name would be my best fit." Derek debates. "We've got two new Vantman's, two new Stricklands, but only one new Fortnier. Now, I'm seriously tempted to risk abusing Ted's consent, to level that out more." "There's another way, man. All you guys would have to do is, realize I'm willing to swear to Ted, Liza, Frank and Her Honor: you very strongly advised we only use the Vantman last name twice, because of how I got this started. Then, you can look Bill dead on in the eyes, and see if he'll help you figure out the remaining best fits." Tynie contradicts. "She doesn't have to vow that to Ted, guys. I'll tell him, if two of you agree to take my last name, and one of you takes Liza's." Bill contests. "Sounds like I'm about to become a Strickland." Damian assumes. "Jeremy Thomas Fortnier, has a nice ring to it. I just hope you guys are OK with calling me JT from now on." JT appeals. "We will be, after we find out how Justin's changing his name." Bill dares. "He needs me to hear it, so I know how to defend all this, if I end up calling Her Honor." Tynie discovers. "Terry Jacob Fortnier." Justin blurts. "He's continuing our namesake trend, with me." Bill reckons.
Snap-turning her head, Tynie theorizes "I'll bet my ass, his decision came out, to honor what you've done for him. Technically, how you flipped the script on my vow's part of it, too." "Correct me if I'm wrong, Tynie. Did you claim the technicality because we don't have the papers done yet?" Jennie queries. "Partly. I'm tying in a confession, I'm OK with owing Bill a couple bottles of Dom Perignon, for covering the fees involved in getting your name changes done. If he takes the deal, I'll pay for you guys's tankups, and a couple meals out, because I have no fucking clue when we'll be back. You may not like how I'm rigging this, but I'm doing it so you know how I'll explain it to Her Honor." Tynie amends. "I'm refusing her offer, because she didn't know I'd be more comfortable with us sharing those costs. It's fine, because now she can tell Her Honor, the surrounding circumstances made her latest plan cut too closely to extortion for my blood. Tynie knows how to get me to verify it, if that's needed, too." Bill declines. Approving it with short nods, Jenni kisses JT's cheek, and heads to check her fax machine. Discovering the papers just came through, she delivers them to Tynie, whom watches her reclaim her seat. Perusing the documents, Tynie educates "Guys, all we have to do is: list the new names on the top paper, get it notarized, and deal with Patrice on the rest. We'll get copies of the proof it went through, but then, we'll have to use them to update your bank and insurance accounts. Her Honor Byersworth doesn't want you updating everything in one shot, because Bill's hunch panned out. The FBI found out, an hour before I called her, and reported it to her because of our connection. Sadly, that's also why this case has to be overseen by His Honor Jason Poshane. He's already ordered for us to get future case updates sent by courier, for your safety. The thing is, Her Honor Byersworth had to give him my contact information, so I could arrange those meetings. I'm fine with it, because I wasn't directly named as a potential target, but it means something else. When we deal with the notary and Patrice, I have to use the third page, to justify doing most of the talking. It's my orders to be you guys's advocate, but Bill's my backup. He may hate it, but I don't know any other way, to segue in our last deal." "Sis, do those papers have His Honor Poshane's numbers on them?" Bill asks. "The fourth one does, but I'll need a couple minutes to get it to you." Tynie interferes. "It's fine, but you won't be main on the courier deal, long. I'm taking it over, and if either of them asks, it's part of my backing you on the advocacy post." Bill intends. "If you add in the fact I'm due in Dr. Perez's office Friday at one, for a cardioverter checkup, I'll take the new deal." Tynie falters. "It'll be done soon, sis." Bill assures. Flinching another nod, she delivers the cited form, and turns to stash the others in her purse. "You were absolutely right to make it so we fill the forms out, right in front of the notary, sis. Now, you can relax, until we get to that point. I'm driving, but you may be asked to switch me out, depending on traffic." Bill intervenes. "I'd rather split that, brother. You just explained why, too." Tynie deters. "How about this, guys. Bill drives until we leave Patrice's office, you cover the bank and our insurer, and let the rest depend on how long those systems take?" Tyler proposes.
Contorting to align her lips with Bill's left ear, Tynie covers them with her hand and whispers through her teeth "If you'll let me pay for our tankups: I'll go that route." "Guys, I just got word. Tynie wants to split paying for our meals with me, and cover our tankup, because of my intentions with the newest judicial orders. She may not have realized, I was loaned Ted's new Expedition for this, but it was so we didn't have to take more than one car. Of course, it means I need her to get consent to store her Harley in the garage until we're done." Bill proclaims. "If I can get those keys, I'll do it, man. Sorry, but I don't feel right, having her risk damages to her purse, given what's in it." JT hedges. Standing tall, Tynie gazes his way, and demurs "I don't blame you, man. You can take the keys on the endtable by Jenni, and move my ride, though." Obeying her consent, JT's out of the house, while Bill makes the referenced call. Awaiting it's finish, Jenni soon becomes one of several people, who hears her suitor reenter the house. Securing it, he walks up on Tynie, and leans so his lips are aligned with her right ear. Masking them with his hand, JT softly notifies "You'll get your keys back, when Bill's off the phone." "Bill, I just got word. JT thinks it'd be safer to have that stuff faxed over. You can blame it on how bad people were driving around when Clint retired, too. JT just didn't know, I'd take the last second nature of his advice as grounds to make a deal, so you get a new fax machine, on my dime, in exchange for having it sent over yours, yet." Tynie deceives. "Retired Judge Fortnier, was I meant to hear that?" His Honor Poshane worries. "Technically, yes. She told us, to brace ourselves for receiving that kind of information, five minutes before I called. You see, she's a former judicially afforded defender, who developed the habit of giving those warnings, so we know what we're authenticating. She calls it "how we defend obeying an active duty judge, or their orders." In this case, the fact my phone's speaker button is alarmingly sensitive, made it so you got an example of how she'd phrase her authentications. However, I'm not billing her, for not knowing JT merely beat me to arranging it that way, by a couple minutes. Neither of them did, so the debt prospect, doesn't feel right." Bill stipulates. "Your Honor, if you'll pardon my second intrusion on your chat in less than five minutes: he just found out, I'm not disputing his decision. On the flip side, I will give you full consent to call me Tynie, and tell you he had a similar one to invoke part of my past. You've already heard it, but I'd prefer we keep the use of credentials and personal history aspects down to a minimum. It may seem paranoid to you, but I'd rather risk you calling me that, than having someone connected to the case's defense hear those, and use them as another way to target us." Tynie intrudes. "I'm the same way with my credentials, Tynie. You couldn't have known, because we've never dealt with each other before. It's fine, but I'd like to thank you, for being more dignified with your intrusions, than I tend to get from a lot of people." His Honor Poshane rebuffs. "Your Honor, if you'll forgive the redundancy: it's an honor that's grounded in my ethics. If you'd like more specifics on that, Bill can give them, so I'm not hyper-extending the use of a known phone issue." Tynie dedicates. "Your Honor, she's old school. She believes veterans, elders and judges, are top tier. Should we need anything, day or night, even if it means she risks her life: all we have to do is call her. I doubt Tina knew, but when she yelled for help: Tynie originally interpreted it as an E.I.T. Just so you're clear, that stands for Elder In Trouble, and she based it on seeing a few greys in Tina's hair, when she was pulled from the burning car a few days ago." Bill simplifies. "Hang on. The Tynie I just spoke to, is the same one, who saved my superior judge's life?!" His Honor Poshane exclaims. "Yes, Your Honor. You already covered half of how it can be honored, too. The other half, involves you letting her know, you two having a cup of coffee or a beer for me during your next vacation will suffice. If she asks, tell her my restriction is meant to keep you two from risking DWI'S, and I'll vouch it if she calls my line." Tynie reaffirms. Scribing notes the entire time, His Honor Poshane adjourns "I'll be happy to, Tynie. Aside from it, we've settled all we can for now, so hopefully you guys have a good one." "We'd like the same for you, Your Honor." Bill retorts.
Communally hanging up, Bill stores his phone, and brings the paper he'd used to Tynie. Including it with the others, she resituates her purse, and gets escorted from her seat. Whirling to face her, JT hands over her Harley keys, which are pocketed. Deeming it a cue, Damian leads the group through their preparations to leave, and hangs back so the house can be locked up. Heading to Ted's Expedition, they load it so Bill and Tynie split the front seats, him waiting until it's secured to drive off. Ensnarled in traffic before long, he winds up using the windshield wipers, because of a storm. Obtaining her phone, Tynie calls Frank, to update him. "Sorry brother, but the best I'll be able to do is: Cut Jenni an IOU for a hundred bucks, to rent out where JT parked my Harley, until the weather breaks. After that, I'll have to cut Bill a different one, for being my ride home." Tynie concludes. "I hope Frank can hear me, sis. You don't owe me shit, because I know you wouldn't let us reverse the IOU if the tables were turned. As long as I'm texted an hour before you come by to pick up your Harley, or have it picked up, it'll be fine." Jenni denounces. "I'm with her on that, brother. Tynie didn't know I would be, so it's OK." Bill adds. "I'll let Ted know, guys. We'll have to wait until Monday for the weather to break, because I just saw the news. According to Channel 9's WeatherTrac Team, we're in for intermittent storms between now and Sunday. I'll have you texted if it changes, so we can rework the newest deal, too." Anita interrupts. "Sounds good, sis. I'll need Ted warned, I have no Godfuckin' clue how long it'll be, before he gets his car back, though." Tynie disqualifies. "I've got it covered, sis." Anita ensures. Finishing the call by family norms, Tynie leans back, and growls a breath. Allowing that to be the last sound in the car, nearly everyone secretly prays, this bad weather doesn't lead to a wreck. Bill's excluded, because he's busy navigating around assholes, who's driving barely makes it so that prayer's answered.
Periodically stopping off to resolve the name changes, Tynie delays the rest, by walking up on Bill. "You've done your time battling walking piles of expletives deleted in traffic, man. Now's my shot, but I need the keys, and for Patrice to note I put it that way, out of respect for our current location. The only bad part is, if Her Honor calls to get it vouched within the next few hours, she'll stand a ninety eight percent chance of landing in my voicemail. You know my views on cell phone driving, and that I refuse to pay over two hundred bucks for a Bluetooth device, that barely has a two star user rating. On top of it, Garrett told us never to trust the in dash versions, because TravMapz programs are suspected of storing people's information, without their consent. If I could find decent alternatives, it'd be different." Tynie persists. "Her Honor can call my line for the verification, Tynie. Worst case scenario, she gets my voicemail, because we weren't in the confines of Ted's car or Jenni's house at the time. Should that happen, I'll call her back once it's changed." Bill rebukes. "That works, too. Hopefully, Patrice realizes, my asking for those notes comes with a special consent. By it, she can plant the papers on me, and watch me stash them." Tynie divests. "I do now. You'll have to wait a few minutes, for it to be proven, though." Patrice remits. Craning her neck to the left, Tynie alters "That'll give Bill plenty of time to plant Ted's keys on me, under a different consent. He may not have known I'd give it, considering why we met up, so it's fine." "Are you always this slick, Tynie?" Patrice snarks. "Yeah. We know why your consent's set that way, too. She had to replace her purse and Padarean yesterday, and she doesn't want to risk damaging the new ones, unless it absolutely can't be avoided. I don't blame her, but I know her well enough to know, she'll stand by my advising you add that to your notes." Bill confirms. "I do, because it beats you risking your career over using my consent." Tynie vouches. "Guys, as I said, I'll have everything settled, soon." Patrice reclaims.
Simply nodding, Tynie feels Bill's consent get used, moments before receiving proof of half the other one. Demonstrating what she meant by it, Tynie waves to Patrice, which starts a trend in her group. Ending it, Bill wraps his left arm around Tynie's shoulders, and leads them back to his son's car. Loading it, so she drives, Bill gazes her way. Aligning stares with him, Tynie gratifies "Thanks for covering my ass back there, brother." "Anytime, sis. Now, I believe we should get something to eat and tank up, then finish the updates Her Honor advised." Bill instills. "I'm on it." Tynie asserts. Proving herself, Tynie's traffic battle, causes them to spending another three hours out. Closing that timeline by parking in Jenni's driveway, Tynie becomes one of several people, who hear Bill keep his word on the verifications. In the midst of it, Tynie interjects "Your Honor, we just encountered another reason why Bill restricted this part of the agenda. I know he didn't mean for it, but there's something else, I'm not clear on. Why can't you clear the latest case related order, by doubling up on the drinks I told His Honor Poshane about?" "The US District Court Judicial Licensing Bureau's learned of your tendency to risk life and limb for judges, Tynie. They've ordered I give you cash restitution, because your insistence went above and beyond the call of a civilian. If I don't, they'll pull my bench license for life, for dereliction of duty. So now, I need you to name a figure, how you want it made out, and how you want it delivered." Her Honor Byersworth answers. "Fuck. Pardon my language Your Honor, but now, I'm curious. Would you consider my asking you to triple your annual renewal fee, put it in a check to Bobby Vantman, and send it to my house by armed courier a form of privacy intrusion?" Tynie queries. "No. I'd consider it way too little, because I'm aware of your other medical constraints, Tynie. You may not have been certain, but those are why, the least you'll get is twenty grand." Her Honor Byersworth rescinds. "Your Honor, I'll take the deal, on a three part condition. One side, I need it noted, I've asked for the check to be made out to him, because he's due to deal with the courier. I don't feel right, leaving him to risk encountering one who causes problems, over him taking something in my name. Another, I need it noted, I'll defend this to anyone from that Bureau who calls my line and asks for me. The last one, I need the delivery timeframe, texted to my line, so I can warn Bobby." Tynie hesitates. "Tynie, your condition's one of the most reasonable ones I've ever heard. I'm not sure you knew, but I should have it resolved, within the next hour." Her Honor Byersworth commends. "Your Honor, there's no rush. If it can't be cleared today, just have me texted with why, and I'll defend it." Tynie reneges. "We have a new deal, Tynie." Her Honor Byersworth contends. "Ok. Hopefully, you have a good one from here on out, Your Honor." Tynie desires. Wishing the same for Tynie and her group, Her Honor Byersworth ends the call.
Storing his phone, Bill wonders "Sis, why'd you ask for such a low figure?" "I didn't want it misconstrued as a bribe. You know, I prefer to avoid that at all costs. She may have forgotten, but now, I need a favor. If she calls you, or has you called on it, I need you to repeat that. Then, tell whoever's on the other end of the line, it's covered by my offer to defend her." Tynie explicates. "Sis, it'll be my pleasure." Bill honors. "Thanks. Now, what do you say to us getting inside, having the papers in my purse privately secured, and going from there?" Tynie ponders. "Lead the way, sis." Bill coaxes. Obliging his wish, she soon learns the paper securing aspect, is on Damian. Assembled in Jenni's living room, nearly everyone reclines in their seats. She, Terry, JT and Bill are excluded, long enough to gather drinks, and update Bobby. Distributing the first part, Jenni, Terry and JT quietly retake their seats, while Bill finishes the second. Reholstering his phone, he hears Tynie's text alert go off, but doesn't see her check what caused it. "Guys, I have to forward this to Bobby; as an urgent text. Her Honor, was able to do as I asked, but it means he'll deal with an armed courier in about forty five minutes." Tynie discloses. Enacting her word, she learns her husband will text Jenni Monday, to set a pickup time for her Harley. Sharing texted love vows, Tynie forwards Bobby's plan to Jenni, whom saves it to her phone. Clipping hers to her side, Tynie rises to return Ted's keys to Bill. "I take it, that was the lone condition to your new deal." He guesses. "Half of it, brother. Frank doesn't want me driving again today, unless an emergency forces it, because he just got news of another pileup. It hit eight miles west of here; and is why I'm supposed to ask Jenni to let us hang out, until he sends me word it's cleared." Tynie corrects. "I'll let Frank know, that's not a problem, sis." Jenni promises. Flipping her bangs from her eyes, Tynie nods, and sits back. Waiting for that word to become real, everybody from Bill to Damian's delayed by a few minutes, yet no one minds it.
Drinking together, Terry, Angela, and Leah all get up to handle cleanup, and let it lead into a chat on their next meal. Arriving at a consensus, which encases brats with all the sides, they disperse to use the kitchen's appliances. While it happens, Tynie looks to Bill, whom arises to check her heart rate. "You're good." He murmurs, seeing her stand up. Loosely wrapping her arms around his neck, she kisses his left cheek twice. "I'll catch hell from Flo for this, but all that'll do is, give me perfect grounds to let her reverse it with Bobby." She mutters. "I'll let her know about your consent, later, sis." Bill assents. Shortly smiling, Tynie nods, and detours to prep the coffee table. Trailing her, Bill overhears JT, Jenni, and Damian plan to handle this round of cleanup. Reclaiming their seats, Tynie and Bill join most of the people in that house, in waiting to be served. Delayed by ten more minutes, Leah's household enjoys the meal, Damian's plan closing that out. Convening as they've been for the bulk of today, Leah notions "I know you guys aren't used to calling us by our new names, yet. It's fine, but it's also why, I want our deal on being called "sis" or "man" to stay in place, especially if we're in public." "No problem, sis. I'm claiming that on behalf of my entire family, who'll learn about it at our next meeting. Tynie may not like my decision, but we've encountered the phone issues, which justify it." Bill decrees. "You only beat me to making that move, by a couple minutes, brother. I know you weren't sure, so it's cool." Tynie disputes.
Adjourning that part of today's business with a nod, Bill gets diverted by his phone going off. Grabbing it, he learns Bobby's got their next family meeting set for tomorrow, at his house, at two. "Did the courier's meeting go OK?" Bill frets. "Yeah. I called our bank after it, and learned an ATM system issue's hit our area. They said it should be fixed by morning, but they'd prefer all major deposits that can be delayed, are until Wednesday. I also let Her Honor know, it's why we can't deal with my check, until Thursday. She was fine with it, because we share a bank. I didn't know, but she told me, the FBI's due to execute arrest warrants on the disavowers in the coming days. We've been ordered to avoid the Burman exit area, as best we can, because that's within a hundred yards of those fuckers, too." "Babe, Bill's speaker button's been jamming on all day. I just heard you, and although I agree with your logic, I'm curious. Would you let Ted know, it'll be at least three hours before he gets his car back?" Tynie propositions. "You just learned why, he's giving Bill until morning on that, love." Bobby recoils. Approving that, they mutually swear love, before Bill ends the call by kin customs. Devoting some time to relax, and randomly use the restroom, everybody in Jenni's house groups up, just before Tynie's text alert sounds. Intercepting why, she lets the others know, the all clear was just given. Nodding to accept it; they get up to meet by the coffee table, where that household starts Tynie's family norms for ending meetings. Heading out, Bill spends nearly an hour making it through their plan for getting home.
Closing it out by texting Tynie and Jenni, to let them know he's safe, he receives good night messages. Exchanging the regard, Bill continues his night, in relative peace. As for Tynie, and Jenni's household, the same is true, yet one concern nags them all. They're secretly afraid today's changes, won't truly stave off, the dangers that inspired them. Aware all they can do is wait and see, they infuse quietly praying, for the answer to be yes.