talking it over

"Well, you never talk about him." Halie's words stung Josie, who didn't even want to picture Derrick nor her past with him.

"I shouldn't have brought him up." They were chatting on her laptop, face to face.

"Well, he's getting married." Halie's smile looked as if she really did want to talk about weddings.

"I don't think I'll go." Josie was tight lipped. Maybe she didn't want to be happy right now.

"Oh, come on. Its at a diner. How interesting is that going to be?" Halie was on a kick about this sort of DIY stuff.

Josie only sighed.

"Henry's not doing well." Josie decided to change the subject.

"I don't know if I remember him." Halie went to pick up Alec who was complaining, but not for long. She held him so he could see Josie.

"He's Gage's cousin." Josie sounded as if how could Halie forget. Henry was a relative of Alec's.

"God, I'd hate for something like that to happen..especially, to Alec." Halie then said, about the epilepsy.

"Well, he's weighing his options. Even surgery. He's trying new diets. He thinks he's getting fat." Josie knew Henry wasn't. "God, I really never knew guys even worried about their weight." She thought of Sky. He was still being careful what he ate. No sugar. No glutton. Not even red meat.

"I haven't drank since having Alec." Halie added as if she was being careful too.

"Does Dustin drink?" Josie wanted to know.

"Well, he can't help it, when he's with his mates." She smiled. "But not that much. Not like mum and her bloke."

Josie didn't know why she let these things worry her. She remembered how Derrick could drink. He could be so mean, and never remembered what he'd even said. Oh, she hoped Dustin wasn't like that. But what if Halie had to deal with her mom and mom's boyfriend?

"I bet you can't wait to get away to the University." Josie felt sure that was what she needed to do, herself. Maybe, it was best if she went somewhere far from here. Do something for herself.

"Oh, I dunno. I guess." Halie didn't sound as if she were in any hurry.

Josie couldn't help but smile when she looked at Halie's baby. She so missed it. She didn't want herself thinking that way.