it takes grace to be kind in a cruel situation

 "What are you gonna do?" Slater looked at Jay who was trying to figure out if he really wanted to buy ribs or pork chops. 

"I know you'd think it foolish if I just showed up without warning as my dad's parents."

"You don't even know for sure," Slater sounded as if he might get his heart broken.

"That's why I'm doing nothing," Jay fretted. 

"Have you seen Hope lately?" Slater wanted to know.

"Only at the daycare at work, I try not to bother Ivy these days," Jay yawned and looked back at the pork.

"How is she?"

"Fine as far as I know." He shrugged thinking it was best to be indifferent. 

"I think you should start keeping Hope again," Slater told him. He was in his white butcher's coat and he had his arms crossed as if he might be a doctor of something.

"Oh, I dunno." Jay squinted. He just wasn't up to it. He might cry the whole time he was with her. She would certainly remind him of all that had gone wrong. Maybe she was just a toddler, but she had that kind of impact on him these days. He wanted to tell Slater he hated being this way. He hated this empty feeling. If only he had the nerve to do himself in. He would. Yet, he felt that might be the easy way out and he didn't want to upset Hope, either.

Jay grabbed the bacon. It was settled. He could always fry up bacon.

"Hold on," Slater sighed. He reached for something wrapped in white paper. "Make yourself a burger. You can't have bacon alone."

Jay nodded and turned to go. There was Vanna standing there with someone who looked like a Super Vanna.

"Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to come over tonight," she smiled.

Jay remained mute.

"This is my friend Dixie," Vanna came closer. "Look, you gotta help me out. She came in from L.A. for Labor Day..and..and she's still here."

Jay did his best to hold a laugh under his breath.

"It's just dinner," Vanna promised.

Jay only sighed and said SURE.