[center][color=teal][h2]Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey[/h2][/color][/center]

As the hours of awkward conversation passed, shadows lengthened and the temperature began to drop. That fear still emanated from Roxy, as relentless as a winter's chill. Jess knew she shouldn't ask, shouldn't pry, but she couldn't help wondering what the anchor was trying to hide.

[color=aqua]"Well,"[/color] Jess' mom said, eyes flicking from the empath to Roxy for a second, to make sure the other woman was listening too. [color=aqua]"I guess we'd better make a move, if you're both ok with that."[/color] There was something a little uncomfortable about her smile as it widened. [color=aqua]"Oh, Jess, it's been so good to spend a day out again! If only it could have been... under happier circumstances."[/color]

Jess nodded, the corners of her mouth quirking up. [color=teal]"Yeah... It has. Dad would have, uh..."[/color] She couldn't finish the sentence. No, her dad wouldn't have wanted this. Both she and her mom knew that... and the unease she took on wasn't just because of the visit to the grave. [color=teal]"Well, he'd have wanted us to see each other again."[/color]

If only things had been different. If only things had been easier for everyone involved.