but oh what a year

[patrols]

Comments

[enate]

At least Dean warned us it would be crazier than he had anticipated. Forty instead of twenty.

( And extended people extended from them. )

Thank you. For coming with us. And for being there for him. And his friends. How did I get so lucky?

[nextproject]

Right place, right time. I like to think I'm the lucky one.

[Because Lisa is great and Ben is also great.]

And I'm just glad that Dean is making the effort. It does seem like he wants to do better this time.

[enate]

Let's go with, equally.

( All around. )

Were you worried he was all talk?

[nextproject]

I was worried he would get too into his own head.

[Intentions are all well and good but when someone thinks they do more harm than good, it can do actual harm.]

He seems like the type.

[enate]

Elena also seems like the type not to let him. Also, I feel like too much has happened to keep him there, if he was.

( One thing after another, definitely. )

He loved Ben. He always has. I know he only let us go because he believed he had no other choice. That doesn't make it okay, but, that... is what it is.

[nextproject]

It definitely sounds like things were complicated.

[He glances over to where Ben is chatting.]

And I do think Ben is warming up, which is a good sign.

[enate]

It doesn't take much.

( Which is an exaggeration. Or, a lie? It used to take less. But overtime, he closed off. More than he had been when he was younger. )

[nextproject]

No, it doesn't. I think him getting back into therapy is helping though.

[Having a safe space to process your feelings is always helpful, in Rudy's heavily biased opinion.]

But it's hard to put trust again in someone who's disappointed you.

[enate]

He hasn't mentioned it, besides keeping up with it, but I'm taking that as a good sign.

( Biased, but right opinion. )

He's trying. And so am I.

( She gives him a quick peck on the lips and then lays her head on his shoulder. )