Kipp trudged into the old trailer, ignoring the groaning of the screen door and the squeaks of the trailer as it shook upon his entry. He sighed. Home sweet home.
He noticed how much the place was in disarray and sighed again. He was no housekeeper, nor chef, that was for sure, idly pushing aside the old macaroni boxes and taking off his coat, placing it in the hole on the table he had just made for it.
He went to the shabby couch, narrowly missing the portruding spring and closed his eyes. He had to learn to sigh less, as each time he did it tugged on his injury and hurt.

He stared at the emptiness of the trailer, his home, and felt sorry for himself. So alone. So very alone. It was a miserable existance and he hated it. Why could he not have just died during the attack from the muggers? A flash of a face intruded into his thoughts and he grimaced at the beautiful Sadie's face as it smiled at him. He gathered a few old gospel tracks and tucked them into the pockets. Tonight he would go hand them out and hopefully bring hope to a few as he did. And he knew the neighborhood he would canvas near... it would bring him awfully close to that Burlisque house. The thought of possibly seeing the gorgeous woman again lifted his heart and he clamped down on it.
Forget her! She's bad news! But she had seemed so sweet, the other half of him argued. He sighed and curled up, preparing for a nap.

It was sort of her custom, on her days off to come visit an elderly man named Earl and his wife Ellen, who had once helped the young girl when her car ran out of gas. They gave her a lift to their home where she was able to call for help. But instead, she ended up staying, chatting with the married couple and how they had be in love so long.

It was such a romantic story and since Sadie was a dreamer type girl, she really enjoyed listening to their tales. They always had so much to tell and their love story just made her body tremble. In the few weeks she'd been spending time with them, she had cried and laughed.

Wearing a pair of skinny jeans, a clingy v-neck shirt and a pair of flip-flops, Sadie walked down the uneven sidewalk with a bag of groceries clutched to her chest. She always brought over something because reality was, although there was so much happiness in their home, they were very poor and she always wanted to do something generous for them.

"It is sad people live this way," she said softly, puffing at the cigarette which rested between her lips.

"NNng nNNNng Nnnnng!" Kipp's old alarm clock began to buzz and he slammed the worn button, groaning when he realized he had fallen asleep. Knowing he probably had needed it though, due to his injuries, he sighed and stretched, cutting it short when his side hitched and he winced in pain. He stumbled to the pseudo-kitchen and poured himself some water, drinking down the pain pills the doctors had given him. Feeling a little better, he glanced at the clock and realized he had promised his neighbor Earl that he would come over and help him paint the back of the trailer with him. He wasn't sure how much he could help with his injury, but felt he should go at least make an appearance and explain what had happened. He hoped Earl's wife wouldn't fuss over him like she sometimes did when he got in a bind. He hated the attention, wanting to keep to himself. He changed into some jeans and an old t-shirt and proceeded to make his way there.

Outside of the old, steel blue trailer was Ellen, sweeping garbage into a pile with her old corn broom. She was wearing a faded orange house dress and a pair of pink floral slippers. Her salt and pepper hair was just as messy, with fly-aways with a crumpled up bun.

Sadie giggled softly, as she always chided the elderly woman about her apperances. "Ms.Ellen, didn't I tell you not to come out the house that way?" she teased.

Ellen immediately straightened her hunched over position and gave her a bright smile. "Oh my," she said, brushing back her hair, which really did nothing to all the ones that stood high up. "If I knew you were on your way, I'd at least brush my hair."

Sadie approached the woman, who was much shorter than she and kissed her forehead.

"You smell like smoke. What did I tell ya about those cancer sticks?" said Ellen, wagging her finger at Sadie.

"I know. I know. I'll quit tomorrow," said Sadie casually, placing the grocery bag on one of the lawn chairs and returning to Ellen. She pulled her hair out of the disheveled hair style and began to brush it back softly with her fingers. "I brought over some stuff so you can cook for you since you're always cooking for me. Where's Mr.Earl?"

"Mmm, I have been wanting a big bowl of spaghetti ever since you promised me," said Ellen, licking her chapped lips. "I love Italian food but mines never comes out good. And Earl, I think he went to go buy some paint."

When Kipp rounded the corner, he was in for a surprise as his neighbor, Earl's wife Ellen was not alone. He staggered, stopping abruptly in surprise when he saw the girl from the Burlisque house - the one who had been at the hospital with him - standing with Ellen, fussing over the old woman's hair. What was her name... ah yes, Sadie.

"Well, hello Kipp." Ellen motioned him forward, out of the shadows of the trailer home.
"I want you to meet a friend of ours." The older woman turned to the younger. "Sadie, this is our neighbor Kipp. Kipp, this is sweet Sadie." Ellen patted her on her arm and smiled at them both.

"Hi, er..um, Sadie." Kipp shuffled a little closer, ducking his head in embarrassment for seeing the girl again when he was unprepared. He stared at her a little too long, taking in her beautiful face, strawberry top, pretty outfit, and then blushed, angry with himself for doing so. Flustered, he asked Ellen brusquely, "Where's Earl? I was going to help him today."

"He's gone to get some paint, young man. Thank you for keeping your promise to the old man." Ellen smiled at him and then had a thoughtful look on her face. She turned to Sadie. "Hey sweetie, what do you think about Kipp staying for dinner? Will there be enough?"

Sadie couldn't believe it. How likely was it that she would bump into Kipp again and that he happened to be friends/neighbors with these kind people? She couldn't stop thinking about what a coincidence, what a small world it was for them to meet again. Was it fate? Nah, it was chance, she thought, turning around to smile at Kipp charmingly.

"Well, we meet again," responded Sadie, giving his body a quick review before turning back to Ellen. "I'm sure I can cook a little extra for him."

"Wonderful," clapped Ellen, who cocked her head to the side and scratched. "But how do you know each other?"

"Oh, we bumped into each other not too long ago. By the way Kipp, how are your ribs healing?" Sadie began to ascend the stairs and opened the door to the trailer, allowing a slightly confused Ellen to enter first.

"Fine, just fine." Kipp mumbled back as a reply to the lovely lady. As she swooshed up the trailer's steps, Kipp's eyes were drawn to her hindquarters and so he quickly shifted his eyes towards the carport where Earl was just pulling up in his old pickup that Kipp helped him maintain. If it was one thing Kipp had a passion for, besides God, it was playing with, repairing, and admiring automobiles and he had spent plenty of hours invested in keeping the old truck running for the man.

"Hello Kipp! You kept your word as always." Earl smiled as he climbed out of the truck, walking over to the passenger's side to get two gallons of paint.
"Yeah, I am sorry I'm a little late. I overslept." Kipp returned the smile, dropping it quickly when he remembered the beauty inside of the trailer. He was drawn to her. It was only natural though - he was a man, she was a woman. But what a woman..

"Did you hear me?" Earl touched Kipps arm, breaking into his thought process. "I said, we should be done by dinner time."
"Okay." Kipp replied, dipping his roller in the paint. "Ellen invited me to dinner, so looks like I'll be staying." He began to roll on the side of the trailer, wincing each time he lifted his arm.
"That's good. Good to have the company." Earl commented as he began to paint too.
Kipp was determined to keep up with Earl and help him finish, so he blew past the pain and pushed himself to paint.

Ellen peeked out the window and waved her arm at her husband, that adored smile never leaving her face. She then blew him a kiss and cracked the window to tell him, "I love you Earl." Earl grinned happily and waved back to his wife, continuing to roll the paint brush up and down on the trailer walls.

"How long have you two been married?" asked Sadie, who preoccupied herself with chopping Roma tomatoes and tossing them into a tall pot.

"50 years last month," replied Ellen, leaning her arm against the counter. "We've been married since we were 16 years old and I could have never chosen a better man. I mean, of course we've had our ups and downs but we've always stuck by each others side. Till death do us part, right?"

"Sure thing Ellen but I would know nothing of that or relationships. I've had plenty of boyfriends, been on dates but never settled with one man. All the men I meet are no good and I know it," said Sadie, turning on the stove and begin to cook down the tomatoes. She pulled out a package of ground meat and sausage, preparing them for the homemade sauce.

"You? Why do I find that hard to believe?" began Ellen. "Look at you ... completely, drop-dead gorgeous. Your curves are so sensual and you have such a nice hiny." Sadie blushed a big and giggled at her comments. "Shoo, I'd love to have so lift to my body but gravity and age have taken over."

"Oh Ms.Ellen, you are very beautiful ... well, when you brush your hair." Both of the women laughed loudly.

Earl had a huge grin on his face when he returned to painting, which made Kipp wistful and bitter. He had wore that same expression once. But that was gone now..he sloshed some paint carelessly, anger taking over for a moment at his loss.
"Oh shoot." He cursed lightly, eyeing the huge glob of paint on his shirt. It was soaking through and Earl shook his head at the sight.
"Boy, you are making a mess. Take that off before it stains you." Earl didn't wait for him to comply but helped him pull it off and then started when he saw the tape wrapped securely around Kipp's ribs.
"What happened to you?" He studied the bandages curiously as he asked.

"I got mugged. Don't worry about it, Earl. Just a few busted ribs. I'm fine." Kipp knew the old man had a penchant for overreacting and so he tried to head him off before it could go that route.
"Well, that's not good, son. You could have gotten seriously injured or died."
Kipp only nodded. Yes, he could have. Too bad he hadn't.

"Oh Sadie, you are just the most darling girl I have ever met. I am so grateful to have met you," said Ellen, patting Sadie's back and finally settling down in her rocking chair a few feet away. "What is your ideal man?"

She stopped stirring the mixture in the pot and turned her head back to look at Ellen. It was one of those questions that there was no easy answer to. It was just too heavy for Sadie to even think about. She had never met any good men; didn't even know what one was like if it had appeared right in front of her.

Unable to answer, she simply shrugged. "I don't know."

All her life she had been surrounded by many men because of her mother who happened to be a shady character herself. She danced at a burlesque house, locals bars or wherever her talent was needed. And, although not confirmed by Sadie, it was said that her mother was a prostitute, which would explain why she never knew her birth father. She was raised by her mother and the men she'd bring home to play daddy. It was not an atmosphere appropriate for most children but she didn't have much of a choice.

"Oh dear," sighed Ellen. "We're going to have to find you a nice gentleman to show you what a good man is like."

"Well, I think we are done here for today, I'm beat." Earl commented, putting the rollers down and wiping his forehead in a display Kipp knew was for his benefit. "Sit in that there lawn chair and I'll go get you one of my old T shirts." The old man disappeared into the backdoor of the trailer and Kipp complied.

It didn't take long for Earl to return with an old t-shirt as promised and Kipp eased it on, leaning back to relax for a few moments.
"I don't like you wandering the bad parts of town, Kipp." Earl's voice sounded almost paternal.
"It's too dangerous as you've already found out." Kipp merely shrugged at his words. He had to do what he had to do. He felt it was his job to help spread the good word, but also, he knew he was no better than any of the dregs of society. It would only take a little to push him over the edge. That was why he enjoyed hanging out with Earl and Ellen - they were genuine and kind and made him feel no so bad about himself.

"I'm getting hungry." Earl shot Kipp a grin after they sat in amiable silence a while. "I wonder how dinner is comin'."

Sadie didn't want to continue this discussion with Ellen because she honestly didn't care about finding a good man or getting into a relationship with one. Maybe she was scarred by all the affairs she'd seen her mother have or abuse she had to deal with. Taking a deep breath to calm herself from getting emotional, Sadie dipped a spoon into the pot and brought it up to her lips.

"Mmm," she said, filling up the spoon again and motioning for Ellen to taste the sauce.

"Don't mind if I do," said Ellen, sipping slowly to not burn her tongue. "Wow. This is ... this is fantastic. How did you learn to cook like this?"

"My mother was great in the kitchen. She taught me," replied Sadie, having one thing to be proud of her mother for; her cooking skills. Despite it all, when her mother entered a kitchen, she could turn out the best meal ever. Sadie never understood why her mother never used that talent instead of doing risque work.

"Ahh, mothers do know their way around the kitchen. I know my children were fortunate. Oh, I miss them." Ellen's smile faded as she straightened her lips. "They're all grown up and have their own lives. All three of my children are married, with kids, living their life in suburbia somewhere."

"Let's go visit inisde, shall we?" Earl stood slowly, asking as he did, almost as if giving Kipp no choice. The younger man felt uncomfortable about being in such tight quarters with the young woman from the Burlisque house, but felt obligated as well to his friends and neighbors. They made their way inside to the small interior and sat on the dingy couch together, watching the women prepare the meal. While Sadie stirred the sauce and checked on the noodles, Ellen set the table.

"So, Sadie," Earl spoke up when it looked like a good time to cut in. "Tell me what you've been up to lately, young lady? Anything exciting?" He didn't mention her place of work, knowing he would be uncomfortable mentioning it in front of Kipp, not realizing they knew each other already.

Sadie bent over slowly, her shapely bottom showing firmly in her skinny jeans. She turned off the stove and tilted her body, her eyes first drifting to Kipp before going over to Earl. "Work is always eventful," she said smoothly, her attention going back to the pasta. She found a colander and laid it in the sink, draining the water from the pot.

"I want to tell you that I took your advice about feeling better about myself. The other day I actually helped someone and it actually felt good. You two are so right. Being a good Samaritan just makes you feel like you made a difference in someone's life."

"Amen," said Ellen, raising her hand in the air in praise.

Sadie tossed the pasta into the sauce mixture and swirled the spoon inside the pot.

"So after that I got thinking, what else could I do? So I decided that I want to volunteer at the Herman Community Center. I signed up to tutor children in school." Sadie tossed into the pot a handful of cheese and stirred again.

"Wow Sadie, you tutor children," said Earl, who was very surprised at the news. "Are you sure you can do that?" He was not trying to insult her but it shined through with his tone of voice. However, Sadie wasn't offended.

"Earl." Ellen elbowed her husband and shot him a very unpleased expression.

"Sorry Sadie." Earl mumbled under his breath, shooting his wife an apologetic look.
"Hmm, say..Kipp, don't you work at the Community Center?' Ellen questioned, tapping her chin after she put ice in the last glass. As she got out the iced tea, Kipp shifted uncomfortably.
"Yeah. Yeah, I do actually." He looked to the stained and rugged carpet beneath them, trying to keep his eyes off of Sadie's shapely figure. When he lifted his eyes to meet Earl's there was a grin on the old man's face that made him even more uncomfortable.
"I..I'll be glad to make sure you get a position with the age group you prefer, Sadie." He stated, almost grudgingly. "Just stop by some time and ask for me."

"Thank you but I already worked that out with the manager of the center. I forget his name," said Sadie, placing four bowls at the dinner table and serving out the spaghetti and meat sauce.

"But I have to respond to you Earl because that was kind of insulting," said Sadie with a slight attitude in her voice. "I did go to school and I was a straight A student. I'm quite intelligent despite my career choice."

A hush silence filled the room after Sadie's declaration. She hated people to think she was just some dumb burlesque entertainer. There was more to her than appeared.

Kipp felt his eyebrow raise at her attitude and words. She had some spunk, this girl.
She reminded him of his departed Janice in several ways, and struggled to get past the comparisons.

The room grew almost deathly silent at her words, and Earl had his head hung sheepishly. Finally, he glanced up at her and mumbled, "Sorry Sadie, didn't mean to offend or insult." He fidgeted nervously, glancing at the table. "Is dinner ready? I'm starved. Worked us up a good appetite painting, didn't we, Kipp?" He glanced at the younger man, looking to smooth out the temperment in the room.

Kipp nodded and smiled lightly at the three.
"I could use a good meal. Mac and cheese only goes so far."

Sadie reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a fancy salad. She placed it in the middle of the table, tossing a pair of spoons inside the bowl. She grabbed the garlic bread from the oven and after everything was set on the table sat down.

"Well I'm glad you worked up your appetite cause there is plenty of food. But before we eat, we have to pray."

Earl, Ellen and Sadie all reached out to each other and held hands. There was only one connection missing, Sadie and Kipp's hands. "Come on, I don't bite." She wrapped her fingers around his and bowed her head. "Can you do the honors Earl?"

Kipp felt strange when Sadie gently took his hand within her own, but struggled to ignore it as he bowed his head and waited on the old man to speak.

"Er um, yeah okay." Earl bowed his head, winking at his wife as he did. "Thank you for the food we're about to take. Bless our friends and family. Amen, dig in!" The older man grinned, reaching for the closest bowl, trying to ignore Ellen's sharp "EARL!" in his ear.
Kipp covered his mouth to hide his grin, and was a little slow on removing his hand from Sadie's.

Sadie looked down at their joined hands, her lips in an amused smirk. She slowly let her hands fall, her fingers trailing inside his palm. It was warm to the touch and Sadie got a burst of butterfly action in her stomach. She brought her hand over to her stomach and rubbed lightly.

"Phew, I must be really hungry," she uttered, poking her pasta with the fork and lifting it to her mouth. After chewing her mouthful of food, she turned to Kipp and wondered why he hadn't started eating. "Is there something wrong?" she asked him in a hushed sensual voice.

"Nah, just tacking on my own thoughts as an afterthought." Kipp replied to her, wondering why it had felt so nice to have her hand within his even for as short of a time as it were. He slowly reached for the fork, ignoring the bent tine, and scooped a mouthful of the pasta he had been dished by Ellen into his mouth. Chewing thoughtfully, he was amazed at the taste explosion and ate more, rapidly.
"This is really good." He could not help but remark, eating another big scoop, not realizing he had a glob of pasta sauce on his chin.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying the meal she prepared and it lightened Sadie's spirit even more. Regardless of where she was, smiling faces cheered the girl immensely. Happiness was one of those emotions she wished to have in her heart all the time because despite how difficult life had been for her, she tried to always keep her head high, have some pride.

"Kipp, Kipp," called Sadie, his name coming out in a giggly fashion. "You have sauce on your chin." She was sure he didn't hear her so she took the napkin that sat in her lap and carefully wiped it from his face.

At first, Kipp nearly smiled when Sadie brushed her napkin across his chin, but then he felt a sharp pain as if it opened like a blooming flower when he remembered how his wife used to do the same. The action caused the memories to flood his mind and he groaned, covering his face. He waved her hand away and pushed his chair back, mumbling, "I'm sorry" as he fled. He ran back to his own trailer, slamming the door behind him and threw himself onto the couch, not caring that the spring dug into his side.

Kipp pressed his hands to his face and held them there, frustrated at being weak and unhappy that he had overreacted without giving anyone a fair chance to understand. It took a few moments for the tears to come, and when they did, it was difficult for him to stop them. Why was he doing this? It had been years since Janelle's death and he knew he was over her by now. Why after so long did the strawberry-topped woman bring out such emotion inside?

Both Earl and Ellen nearly had their jaws to the floor. In a flash of a second their second guest, Kipp, had suddenly disappeared in a very dramatic emotional way.

"I'll just, uh, pack his food and take it to him later," said Ellen, rising from her chair but Sadie stopped her. She motioned for Ellen to sit down, as Sadie was done with her meal while her elderly companion wasn't.

"Is he always that strange?" asked Sadie, finding a Gladware container and shoving the pasta into it.

"I've never seen him act that way," said Earl, wondering why he acted so funny out of nowhere.

Sadie packaged the meal, the garlic bread and some salad, placing it into a plastic bag. "As much as I want to stay, I have work in a few hours and I need to get ready. Where does he live and I'll drop it off to him?"

"His trailer is the white one with the blue shutters. I don't know the number but you can't miss it."

Sadie hugged both Earl and Ellen goodbye and proceeded to leave, turning around to wave one last time and shutting the door.

Kipp was done in a short time, unable to continue the tearfest without feeling more and more ridculous as the moments ticked by so he slowly pulled himself off of the couch and got a spare tissue that hadn't been used to wipe his eyes. He grimaced as he looked at himself in the mirror - his eyes were bloodshot and his hair was in complete disarray. Not caring, he shrugged and went back to the living room to open up his bible. Perhaps that would ease his nerves and sooth his memories that had come back to haunt him.
It was at that point he heard a knock. Thinking it perhaps either Earl or Ellen, he grimaced at the disaster of his home, but opened the door anyway.

When she heard the door open, she spun around and was washed over with sympathy at Kipp's appearance. She could tell he was crying. It was obvious from the red eyes to his tear stained face.

"I packed up your food and even gave you a little extra for another meal." She held the bag out to him. "Are you feeling okay? Why'd you run off like that?"

Kipp became flustered when he realized it was Sadie and tried to block the view of his messy place with his body as he replied to her question.
"I'm sorry about running off... I just ... didn't feel well." He grimaced internally at the lie. Forgive me, Lord. That's not what I wanted to say, but I can't whine to a complete stranger - it's not fair to her. "Yeah. So I guess the medication from my broken rib is not helping. I should lay down." He tried to hurry her away. "I thank you for bringing the food to me."

It was just occurring to Sadie that maybe this guy wanted to do nothing with her because anytime they were together, she would feel so insignificant. He never gave her eye contact and his voice was always filled with tension.

"I guess I'll be going. I don't want to overstay my welcome especially since I'm not really wanted. And don't try to say otherwise cause your actions just prove that you think you're better than me." She turned around and jogged down the stairs, not even looking back.

Kipp sighed as he watched Sadie leave. That was twice now he had been completely rude to the woman, when she was being helpful. Totally and completely going against everything he had been taught how to be.
"Wait." Kipp decided before she got too far, once again, to stop her and apologize.
He jogged up to her, holding onto his injured side as he did. "Sadie, I'm sorry. That was rude. Would you come in for some coffee?"

"I'm sure you are sorry but that's on your conscience, not mine," spat Sadie, who slowed to a stop and starred at him with her charcoal eyes. "I tried to be nice to you and twice already you have been so freaking rude. Well it's too bad for you now cause the chance to know a really nice girl is gone. Now I'm going to be rude ... I don't want your coffee or your company."

Kipp felt his blood pressure rise at her words and snapped back, "Fine then. I was apologizing and trying to make it up. But I do want you to know before you storm away that I don't think I'm better than you. In fact, I'm worse. So let's just clear that up, shall we?" Unsure of what else to say that wouldn't make things worse, Kipp shrugged and backed up a few paces, intent on watching her leave. He didn't need her. She was just one more thing he would have had to care about. And all Kipp wanted to do was take care of Kipp. It was difficult enough a task to do.

Sadie stepped forward and just stood a few inches away from him. "I really don't want your apologies Kipp. That's the problem with people, always apologizing but if you never did it in the first place, you wouldn't have to apologize. Maybe you should learn how to be civil with people and maybe they'll like you."

She pulled back and crossed her arms over her chest but soon loosened them so they dropped to her waist. "I tried to like you but it seems you don't want anyone too close. So anyway, it's been interesting knowing you. Take care of yourself."

Kipp nodded at her, understanding her words. Words he deserved.
"It wouldn't work anyway, a friendship..." He ran his hand through his messy hair. "We're of two different worlds, you and I." Somewhere in the distance a dog began to bark and Kipp glanced that way, distracted. "You have taught me something, Sadie. Not to judge a person by their cover. Thanks for that. I needed my eyes opened." He tucked his hands in his pockets and began to turn back to his trailer. "See ya around."
As he began to walk back, he could not help but regret the way he had treated her when all she had been was kind to him. Maybe he would get another chance to change his attitude some day.

"Two different worlds, huh? Is that what it comes down to? Because I entertain men while dancing around half naked. I get it. I really do," responded Sadie, turning around, fingers brushing the ends of her hair. "See ya around and remember to stay out of Terminal Valley, so you don't get hurt anymore. Bye."

That was the end of what she had to say though. There was no use in discussing anything with him. And although she knew she'd bump into him at Earl and Ellen's or maybe even at the community center, she knew not to say anything besides hello to him.

Sadie stepped inside her car and started it, looking back at the pathway to Kipp's trailer.

Kipp moped for the next hour, after eating half of the food Sadie had brought him, wishing he had not been so rude and disrespecting to the girl. After all, she had been nothing but nice to him. He had to make it up, but was unsure of how. He couldn't visit the Burlisque house, it was just not his scene. And most people would frown on him walking through the place with his eyes scrunched shut anyway. He sighed when he looked at his battered alarm clock and saw it was time for him to visit the people along the poorest part of town, Ridgemont Four, and see if he couldn't help lift their spirits, although tonight he was not in very good spirits himself. Still, focusing on the sick and hopeless would bring him joy, so he brushed his teeth, straightened his hair and left.

Once Kipp had returned to his trailer, the sun was on its way to becoming a memory for the day and he went straight to the cabinet where he kept his bottle of vodka. He pulled it out, got a semi-clean glass and poured him his normal cup worth. But the pain was not dulling. So he drank another. This time, he began to feel it, in fact, he started to feel as if nothing could ever hurt him again! He felt so very very good. Grinning like a maniac, he unstoppered the bottle and took another swig. He lifted his bottle up into the air and called out, "To Sadie! For trying to give me a chance!"

Trying to calm herself but not successful, Sadie sped down the streets of the trailer park and braked quickly to the curb. She then stormed down the path to his trailer and ran up the stairs. She didn't even bother knocking this time. She twisted the door knob and barged in without any annoucement and glared at him viciously.

"You're the biggest a$$hole I've ever met, I swear," she started to spew in a sweet, pitchy voice, slamming the door behind her.

"Ish Shaydee!" Kipp cheered, immediately pouring more of the drink into the glass. He sat the bottle down beside it and stepped to her.
"Look, Shaydee." Kipp smiled a dopey grin at her and slurred, "I have to tell you, I was not really nice to you back at the center and for that I am shorry. I really am." His inhibitions almost nil, he stepped closely up to her. "My stars but you aren't the moshed beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on. You could be a model. Why do you dance in such a shady place when you could do whatever you want with your beauty and kind demeanor?" He leaned back against the wall, mostly to steady himself. "I can't believe a beauty like you would even talk to me, much less want to get to know me. Not after the way I treated you. But you still gave me chance after chance. I totally deserve you to shlap me." He pointed to his cheek. "Rightchere. Shlap me hard 'cuz I deserve it."

She lifted her hand and was about to slap him for acting foolish, thinking did he really deserve it. He did so her hand quickly swiped against his cheek, almost knocking him to the floor. All he did was stumble to his knees. But the instant that happened she was consumed with guilt and got down to his level, smoothing back his mess of hair.

"Why are you drinking?" she asked softly. "What's wrong with you? What can I help you with?"