the sky has cleared

 

Slater wanted to break some bones when Minnie told him the story about Jay. But Minnie held him back and told him how ill Jay had been. She told him how he was going to be a father soon, only he hadn't even seen her since he got back.

Slater listened to Jay talk about how he might still be contagious and all. He kept saying he wasn't up to it. Besides, he left everyone alone staying in his little place above Minnie and Josh's garage.

Of course, Slater looked around Jay's apartment, thinking it was no place to raise a child. Of course, Minnie and Jay both said it was temporary. But Jay didn't have any plans in mind. 

Naturally, Slater vented to Omaha and not to Minnie. After all, they were friends because of Minnie and Omaha was glad he was back. But he didn't know what to do about Jay either.

"I don't like him. God knows why Minnie would put up with him." Omaha thought Jay should be kicked to the street.

"Well, I'm living in Josh's basement now, and I won't let anything happen to Minnie," Slater promised.

"So there's no chance that you and Jess will get back together?" Omaha didn't ask about her and he was glad he didn't. All Slater could do was shake his head, no, and leave it at that. He'd be in tears if he talked about Jess.

When Minnie got the call about Ivy having the baby, Slater was ready to move forward. The only thing on his mind was to get Jay to the hospital.

It was plain to see Slater thought he was useless, and he was probably right. Jay didn't think he could be that guy Ivy fell in love with. How had everything gone down the drain in a matter of months? 

Oh, he had good intentions. He was certain Ivy was everything he'd ever wanted, but he couldn't do the simplest things, like find a good job and be able to support a family. Of course, Slater gave him a big spill about the new affordable housing on the Reservation. The brand new apartments were great for young families.

"Then why aren't you there?" Jay gave him the eye. He wanted to talk about anything but the matter at hand. He might as well be shaking in his boots. He didn't know how to act around Ivy now. After all, he'd spent months in jail for a crime he didn't even do. He knew he was lucky to be here, but still, he knew he was nothing but trouble. He always had been.

Slater only grinned back at him. "One of these days, you'll figure it out, Bro."

"Don't call me bro." Jay wondered how Minnie could be friends with somebody like this guy who always thought he knew the answer to everything.

"Whatever, but I'm all you got at the moment." The way Slater tilted his head and looked at Jay it was as if he was right out of GREASE the Native American version.

They were at the hospital soon enough and Slater guided him down the halls till they found the unit she was in. The baby hadn't arrived. Jay winced as if he wasn't going unless Slater was coming too. Maybe he did need a friend after all.

Of course, the suite she was in might as well have been a hotel room with added machines and computers. And there was a guy with Ivy. Jay hadn't thought a guy would be with Ivy. But he tried his best to look cool. At least, Jay still had that.

Ivy looked so sullen as if it might be the worst day of her life, but the baby's heartbeat was strong and every moment recorded.

She looked up at him, and smiled as if finally Christmas arrived.