Sam knew that he made the right choice by asking Shay to carrying out the task of looking after his sister. For once, a relieved smile appeared on his lips, a strange sight to see, that was certain. The war sapped out all of the joy from his life, it left him on edge, on the brink of constant paranoia, living in a world where every breath could be his last, every word, his last spoken. He felt that he had no time to waste, whereas Sam once took delight in lengthy, indulgent conversations with his schoolyard mates, he felt no need now to waste such valuable time shooting the breeze. No, he was a man of few words, a man of business, a man where the seconds ticking away on his pocket watch were seconds he would never have again. This is why he found such comfort in the Irishman that sat across from him, the first time when he had come to him, to find out why Vera acted the way she did, to find out where she was going at night, Shay had asked not a word about the situation, but simply asked what Sam wanted him to do. Even now, with his words, [i]1700 hours[/i], Sam recognized the black-haired man as retaining the teachings of war. So, Sam extended his hand for him to shake, the corner of his lips upturned in relief.

	While Vera sipped on her mint julep, she couldn't help but to smile at Shay's words, how he apologized for his humble accomodations. Surely, anything would be better than the stifling hot quarters of her attic room. Occasionally, as she listened to her brother and Shay talk, she would glance briefly at Shay, curious to know why her brother entrusted this man with her livelihood so steadfastly.

“On a soldier’s honor. Right?” When the handshake came, Shay would find one not overbearingly strong, or one that crushed his hand, but instead, a gentle grip, one the commended friendship. 

“Give me a second to finish my drink, and we can be on our way then. I know of a few stores that my boss, Mr. Harrison, goes for his suits. He’s an impeccably dressed man. As for me…” She stuck her pinky in the cool drink, and brushed away the mint leaves, drinking all of the contents within before setting it before her, “I hope I won’t be a trouble to shop for. I don’t have any patience with any of these fancy snobs.” Here, she rose to her feet, turning to her brother as she did so, and placed a tender peck upon his forehead. “I’m sure you will hear from Mr. Alden if any harm befalls me brother.”

“Whenever you’re ready, Mr. Alden. Will we be driving or walking?” Vera asked, she slipped her coat over her shoulders, and fastened the single boat, and proceeded to wrap her knitted scarf around her neck, the very same outfit Shay would have saw her in the night he took out the spiteful Jepson brother.