Scotty's POV

"Scotty, what the HELL is up with your sister?" Ham squealed.

"Yeah, yeah, what's up?" Yeah-Yeah piped in.

"I suggest we just leave it," Benny said, "It's not our business."

"Yeah, guys, it's kind of personal to Jenny. Ask her, if you want a black eye," I said. This was not their business, and Jen would make sure they never spoke of it again. I learned that the hard way.

"Dudes, don't you think she overreacted to that mom comment?" Ham asked.

"Well, I don't know. Maybe she has mom issues," Timmy said.

"Maybe she has mom issues," Tommy repeated.

"Have you ever had some past event that was so terrible, you shoved it away and never want to pull it out again?" Benny asked. All of us nodded; a few mumbled, "Yeah."

"Then shut the hell up before I make you. Base up, you blockheads!"

I was grateful to Benny, but as much as I wanted to play baseball, I needed to go comfort my sister. I turned to Benny and explained that I had to go home. He smiled and nodded. "You gotta do whatcha gotta do, Man. See you later."

(*)*(*)*(*)

Third-Person POV

Scotty cautiously knocked on Jenny's door. When he heard her sobbing, he entered with a, "Jenny? You ok?"

"They don't understand ANYTHING!" she wailed into her pillow.

"Jenny…"

"No, Scotty, don't try it! I'm sick of this praying on my mind! I can't control myself anymore!" She began to flail her arms and legs, groaning with frustration.

"Listen." Scotty went over to her bed, grabbing her wrists and pulling her up so her tear-streaked face was level with his. "LISTEN! I know what your mom did—"

"She's not my mother."

"I know what that woman did to you, but don't you think you overreacted just a little bit? I mean, you just met Ham, and you made him run home with his tail between his legs, whimpering with embarrassment! Give him time, okay? For me?"

Jenny stopped dry heaving with sobs and wiped tears from her eyes. She looked into Scotty's pleading eyes and nodded. She would do this for her brother.

Scotty smiled and hugged Jenny with all his might. "THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!" he cried. He stood up and started jumping around the small room, whooping. Jenny laughed and joined him for a while.

(*)*(*)*(*)

After their parents went to bed, the half siblings crept out of their rooms into the kitchen to make chocolate milk, a favorite late-night beverage. They went to Jenny's room to discuss issues of the day, often done after stressful days. They spoke about their favorite part of the day (to focus on the positive), what made them pick out their outfits and pajamas for the night, and any news they might have that the other would not know of.

Scotty told Jenny that Ham had told him Goofy wasn't a dog, and Jenny swore she would make him correct his mistake in the morning. The two laughed at this, then hushed, fearing they had awakened their sleeping parents. When they realized they hadn't, Jenny sighed and saw her chocolate milk was gone. This was a sign that the meeting was over, and they hugged and went to bed with smiles on their faces.