"Oh.. Umm I went back and found these.." Avary felt a little flushed changing the topic, pulling out his phone and wallet. Jackson took both with his left arm, he looked over his burner phone and sure enough it was damaged.. "I'll have to buy a new one, you didn't have to go back there.." Avary looked at him, "I felt like it was unreal.. I had to go back.." Jackson smiled very amused her nervously standing there beside him. "Speaking of going back I should head back to the station.. I just wanted to give those back to you and see you were okay. Libby will give me an earful if I don't let you rest." Avary turned to leave.
Jackson felt a feeling of sadness thinking about her leaving him. 'Why do I feel this way..?' He hadn't felt like this since he was a child first in the system.. He thought he had trained himself not to get attached, but here he was wanting this girl to keep him company. "I'll be fine, rest your mind Avary." He said watching her go, she paused at the door, glancing back at him. Those green eyes filled with a mix of emotions he couldn't really read, "Take care, Jackson." With that Avary left.
Libby came back to the room to see Jackson sitting staring at the window. Avary arrived back at the station, some travelers looking impatient standing by the door. "Why do you close if you are the only gas station heading out of town?" A woman asked angrily as Avary opened the door. "Lunch break, I had to run into town." Avary knew no matter what she said this woman was on one. Taking up her spot behind the counter, she watched the people in the store.
A large logging rig pulled in, a familiar older trucker and his son walked inside. "Afternoon Avary, how are things?" Mark asked if he'd driven though here many times on his deliveries. Stopping more often now since his son Danny had been learning the ropes. A guy a little older than herself, long blond hair, blue eyes, tall and well built. "I'm doing well," she hadn't seen them since before her Grandfather passed away. "Grandpa passed away last month.. I've been running things since then." Avary stated knowing he'd ask since the two went way back.
Danny stood to the side of his dad, both men surprised at the news, "Cancer..? Damn.. he never said anything about his health.. Are you doing okay?" Avary smiled nodding, "I got things handled, he passed peacefully." Mark sighed, "Stubborn man thought he'd out live myself.. Sorry for your loss Avary. If you ever need anything ask." Mark was holding back tears as Avary watched him head outside to smoke. Danny stepped up, "Can I help with anything in the store?" Danny offered Avary shook her head knowing they were trying to be nice and helpful. "I got this handled, thanks Danny." The rude woman from earlier cleared her throat standing behind Danny.
He stepped out of the way, Avary rang her up "Do we get a discount?" The lady asked, "Nope," Avary stated quickly, "You made us wait? Where is the customer service?" The woman asked astonishedly, Danny stepped in. "You aren't from around here, so let me make this clear. Places close. You gotta wait for them to open. Now take that rude tone and shove it.. or you are gonna have to have a word with me outside." Danny was tall and well built unlike his shorter father who was more rounded.
Avary smiled, he acted like this a few times in the past like an older brother. The woman paused, giving Avary a stink eye, before leaving. "Thanks Danny but you know I handle customers like that often." He huffed, "You shouldn't have to.." his bright blue eyes looking at her. Danny had been dragged along with his Dad a while back to learn the job; he hadn't become interested until they stopped here a year ago. He used every opportunity to have them stop here so he could try and build up the courage to ask her out. His Dad knew, and teased him relentlessly about it.
"You know it's dangerous, I could stay here and help you run the store. For a time. Till you hire someone to help." He managed to say hopefully she'd accept. "No, I'm okay. It's not like Grandpa never left me here alone before. Thanks for the offer Danny." Avary saw a merchandiser pulling up. Heading outside to greet them, and count the inventory being brought in. Danny watched from the door, he sighed frustrated walking out to join his Dad to smoke.
"How is she?" Mark asked if you could tell he had been silently crying, "I offered to stay and help her." Danny lit his cigarette, "She turned me down flat." His Dad shook his head, "She takes after the old man, Morris was a stubborn man. Raising a stubborn child." "We will swing back by after dropping off our delivery," Danny smiled nudging his Dad. "Thanks pops," "I ain't done shit.." After a bit they gassed up and took off.
Avary closed up for the night, heading to bed dead tired. Jackson waited to be alone before messing with the phone. It was definitely destroyed, he would need to get his hands on another one, and he needed to get the rental car. 'Maybe Avary could help..?' He pondered, thinking about her. He wasn't worried about people tracking him down but he didn't like staying in a place where he had done a job.
Morning came Avary went through work, her phone rang. "Marsh Station, how can I help you?" She answered there was a pause on the other end of the line. "Hello? Anyone there?" Then a man's general laughter filled the other side of the line. "Sorry Avary, it's Jackson." She smiled wondering why he was laughing, and why he was calling. "Jackson, how are you feeling?" "I'm doing good, still still under watchful eyes.. I had hoped you could help me with some things?" He asked.