Jay and Silent Bob escorted Bess home. The blonde stoner was still in minor pain from breathing in the flour. Bess was trying to fix her boom box. The tape was warped and tangled, making it impossible to remove the cassette without breaking it further. Looked like that was the end of that tape player.
"Man, I fucking told you, Silent Bob!" Jay said looking at the remains of his tape. "I fucking told you! We need CDs!"
Bess sighed, unable to help but agree. With her tape player out of commission, she was going to have to rely on CDs.
Silent Bob shrugged, giving her puppy dog eyes, trying to say he was sorry. He didn't think Jay's stunt was going to ruin her way of communication. Jay continued rubbing his temples, looking at the two mutes. Silent Bob and Bess really got along despite not saying a word to each other. Bess was able to put up with whatever bullshit he and Jay would go through. That was more than could be said about any other chick in town. Bess was cool as far as Jay knew.
Bess pointed to a house at the end of the block. Peach colored walls, truck in the driveway, an ideal-looking home.
"Not bad", Jay smiled. "Can we crash here tonight?"
After all, they couldn't live with Silent Bob's mom forever. Bess quickly shook her head. That wasn't going to be a good idea. The porch light turned on as the front door opened.
"Elizabeth!" a gruff voice called. "Get your ass inside!"
Jay and Silent bob looked to see a large man, overweight, balding, beer can clutched firmly in his hand. That had to be Bess' father. No wonder she was so quiet if that was what she grew up with.
"Yo, Silent Bb and me are going to the mall tomorrow" Jay said. "You want to come with?"
The silent girl nodded with a smile. It sounded like a much better idea than just standing outside the QuickStop.
"Elizabeth, don't make me come out there!" Bess' drunken father yelled.
Jay turned to leave. Normally, he would try and pick a fight, but given the size of this guy, it was a sure loss. Silent Bob gently held Bess' hand as he looked at her worried. A man that big and drunk to boot with a shy girl like her... Someting bad was bound to happen.
Bess laid her hand on Silent Bob's to reassure him. This as a normal thing in her life. Nothing she wasn't used to. Bess smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before running inside.
Silent Bob was stunned. She kissed him! She actually kissed him! He put his hand on his cheek, savoring the moment as he walked away, joining Jay.