Getting it together

 "When's the last time we all got together?" Minnie eyed the roast at the meat counter where Slater was busy putting meat away. naturally, she picked up the stew meat.

"Um, Omaha's birthday? The Fourth," Slater shrugged.

"You think it might be a blood bath if we all got together?" Minnie looked at him as if she was expecting an update about Jay. Slater only gave her a soft laugh.

"Oh, you'd think we might be savages?" He smirked. "Jay has been behaving. Just he and his girl Hope." He told her Misty was always over when company showed up.

"Misty?" Minnie winced as if Slater surprised her.

"Aw, just a friend." He smiled. "I did some painting for her, earlier this month. You know, she's kind of bossy."

"Oh, you do need a boss in your life," Minnie smiled back. "But what about Jay? What's he really up to, these days?"

"Just working hard." He shrugged. "Occasionally, a friend comes over. She lives close by. I think she just needs some friends too. Nothing romantic."

"How can you be sure?" Minnie tilted her head as if Jay had a way of twisting things around. 

"I trust him," Slater sighed. "I think he's changed."

"I think you've changed too," Minnie told him. "I remember how you used to be with Josh. You were always like a little brother. Whatever he said, you always took his cue."

Slater winced. He didn't exactly remember it that way. He'd had Jess back then too. Funny, that was all he remembered, but he followed Josh too. 

"You've grown up."

"Well, I'm trying." He and Misty were still friends and he knew that was a good start.