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Post by skybright on Jun 23, 2006 0:25:33 GMT -5
Daws half-smiled. "Sure. I know Caddy wouldn't mind."
She stood and retrieved her fedora, then glanced at Sid. "Y'know . . . whatever you decide, if -- if Tara needs somebody . . . If any of you do." She shrugged and smiled. "I'm always here."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 23, 2006 0:37:59 GMT -5
Sid gave Daws a grateful smile. "Thanks. Drop in anytime--ya know you're welcome with us."
He squeezed her shoulder lightly, then turned and began looking for Alex and Miriam.
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Post by skybright on Jun 23, 2006 0:56:34 GMT -5
Daws nodded and turned for the stairs. She could've sworn she felt Father Rick's disapproving stare follow her all the way to the street -- but that wasn't something she cared to deal with tonight.
Face it, Ace, she thought somewhat glumly, There just ain't a way to deal with this one that isn't gonna make everyone involved unhappy one way or another. She sighed and turned up her collar as she turned for home.
It wasn't that she wanted men like Huber alive; but letting them be killed somehow still went against her grain. Daws fished a cigarette out of her coat pocket and shook her head.
The moral details could wait. For now, she'd settle on taking Joey Falco down to the Millenium -- to see what they could find out about Huber's schedule.
Daws wondered briefly about the hushed conversation she'd observed between Alex, Miriam and Henry back at Our Lady -- and winced in sympathy.
Yet another affair that won't be pleasant for anyone . . .
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 23, 2006 1:40:48 GMT -5
While Sid was speaking with Daws, Henry had been having his own discussion with Alex and Miriam.
Discussion was really no word for it, in fact. There had been nothing to discuss, because Henry had seen it all coming. But he submitted to the charade, nevertheless.
Standing in the far corner of the basement as most of the other attendees filed out, Miriam took Henry's hand in hers and said gently, "I wanted you to know. While we were away this weekend, Alex and I... realized certain things."
Henry smiled ruefully. "I gathered that. What is it you want, Miriam--my blessing?"
"Oh, Henry--" Miriam began, but Alex put a hand on her arm.
"I think I'd like to talk to Henry alone for a minute," he said, and Miriam sighed, glancing back and forth between them.
"Don't kill each other," she finally admonished, and retreated to sit among the now-empty chairs.
When she was out of earshot, Alex turned to Henry. "Look, I don't know if Miriam really understands how you feel about her, but I do. And I'm... well..."
"Sorry?" Henry asked archly, raising an eyebrow. "No, I don't think you're sorry--and if you are, I don't want it." He chuckled humorlessly. "I'm neither a rival nor a disapproving father, Mister Malone; I'm simply Miriam's friend, and whatever else I may ever have felt is my own affair. What matters is her happiness... and if she feels she's found that in you, I can't question her judgment."
Alex sighed. "I never wanted you to get hurt, Henry."
The older man's expression finally softened a little, and he shook his head. "Do you think I ever expected Miriam to choose an old man who spends his days with the dead, rather than someone who could offer her youth and life? I wouldn't even have allowed her to." He eyed the entertainer wryly. "The fact is that what she needs is in you--I only have my doubts about the packaging."
Alex blushed slightly. "I'm going to take care of her. Believe that."
"I want to believe that. And you can rest assured that you'll have to answer to me if you don't." Henry waved a hand in dismissal. "That's all there is to be said."
With a small sigh and a shrug, Alex turned and made his way over to Miriam. They exchanged a few words, and with a backward glance at Henry, she allowed Alex to lead her away.
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