and then

Dusty didn't look well.

Halie looked up at him wondering what to do. She couldn't let him stand in the cold.

As it was it was just her and Alec. Her mom was meeting some friends to talk about some sort of fund raiser that had to do with work.

Yes, her mother did have a job and Halie had just e-mailed an essay to one of the online classes she was taking. Hopefully, her grades were up enough to get into the Uni. She guessed that was still the plan. Go to the Uni in the fall with Dusty.

Although, they hadn't talked about it much. As it was, she wasn't sure if everything was ON or OFF with him.

"Are you all right?" She asked, thinking that sweater was much too thin he was in.

"I dunno."

Well, she should have suspected it. But he didn't sound himself.

He looked back at her after he came in as if this must be the saddest time in his life.

"Are you seeing my brother?" He crossed his arms.

"Oh God, are you mad?" She laughed at him as if this was what the fuss was about? "I was nice to him..because..I..thought you would want me too."

"Well, didn't ask you to be a flirt."  He looked at her blankly.

"So now I'm a flirt?" She crossed her arms as he puffed a frown.

"You're..you're nice to everyone..but me." He informed her.

"That is totally ridiculous!" She eyed him back as it seemed they were going to be in a shouting match any moment in the TV room.

"But, it isn't." He hissed.

She wrinkled her forehead. She'd never seen this side of him. It was only seven in the morning and the baby was still asleep.

"What are you getting at? I spent Christmas with you." She'd even made that Harry Potter Scarf for him, just the way Josie instructed. Yes, it was a bit on the thin side, but it was nice and she'd found him the latest Game of Thrones DVD set. She wasn't exactly neglecting him. She winced more.

Perhaps their romance wasn't in full bloom, but she didn't want to chance it, just yet. She hadn't started birth control. She was still breast feeding. Was that what this was about?

Dustin pressed his lips tight. She thought he was going to say something, but the next thing she knew he was throwing up on her house slippers.

Halie tried not to make a face.

"Oh really?" She went to find the paper towels in the kitchen then. "You, said nothing about being sick."

"I wasn't." He promised. All teared up and helpless.

She hurried to clean the mess and pushed him toward the loo.

"What am I supposed to do?" He looked at her as if she had to take care of everything.

"Get in the shower! Just do it!" She showed him where the towels were. She guessed he'd have to wear her pajamas. Luckily, she found Jules' old jeans she'd worn when she was pregnant, but he'd be stuck with her HELLO KITTY night shirt.

Halie scurried about. She felt a little sick herself. Cleaning up baby spit-up and bottoms were one thing, but this was something spewed by a man boy.

But she didn't hesitate. She'd hate for her mother to come in and see the awful mess on the wooden floor.

By the time he got out, she had a brew ready for him and Alec's nappy changed. The baby was wide-eyed as if he didn't want to miss anything that might happen next.

"Why didn't you stay home?" She wanted to know.

"I couldn't." He was still in a mood. Sad face and all. A mood she'd never taken him for. "Mum's got this Frenchie." There went his look of disgust.

"Well.." Halie sighed. "Can't she have a boyfriend?"

"She was hiding it from me!" He was not taking it well. "God, he made this coffee." He winced hard. "I can't get the taste out of my mouth..how could she-"

"Dusty, she's always been there for you." Halie reminded him. "Just give it a chance. Give him a chance."

"It just hurts..OK." He managed to take a sip of the sweeten hot tea. "She's all I have. I know my Dad doesn't want to see me. I dunno why I listened to a thing Felix said. I don't need him. I really don't. He certainly doesn't need me."

Halie knew she didn't have any words of comfort, but she was here.. for him. She truly was. Maybe if he rested. things would look better.