The Pretty Girl

Hopeless

Whhooop

It was early. Probably ten minutes after opening at the shop.

Adeline stood in front of the desk anxiously tapping her credit card on the counter as Reggie started her quote. There was tension between the two of them now.

It was obvious and Adeline knew it was rightfully placed against her. She had been an absolute gnat here.

This was Adeline's 5th visit to the shop. It's been 3 weeks since she first came in and not much has changed.

It's clock work really. She sends the letter for the week, waits a couple of days and then comes in to see how things are going. John gives her pity eyes and tells her all is going well but then there is not much activity.

She sent him a new collar and toy for Jane and a cat perch for Poe. She had no idea if he received them. Or if he also just threw those away. It felt like all her effort was in vain. It was obvious there was no progress being made.

If Kai is out in front it's because there are other customers to be dealt with. She usually comes early when no one else is there so if he wanted to talk he had the time to. But alas he does not come out for her. He finds other things to busy himself with

It was clear to all members that Adeline was persistent. But they knew that about her in the beginning. She hadn't had the chance to actually talk to Reggie or Kai.

Kai absolutely refuses to talk to her unless his hand is being forced. And Reggie was disappointed in her. Hence why this tension was so palpable.

He just had this look of sheer disappointment every time he saw her. His eyes looked heavy and his mouth in a slight frown. Adeline felt awful that she was the reason he looked like that. Even right now when he wasn't looking directly at her she could feel the disappointment coming off of him in waves.

What she wouldn't do to take everything back. But life didn't work that way. Dr. Shyla has definitely helped her see that you can't erase mistakes. You need to hold yourself accountable and try to fix it or hold yourself accountable then move on.

And Adeline was heavily in the fix it state of mind. She wanted to fix everything so bad.

She just kept nervously tapping her card on the counter looking at the garage door he was behind. What would it take? What would one 2 minute conversation with Kai take? She just wanted to apologize. She wanted him to see how much she really cared for him. That she messed up and she knows it and is taking accountability. That she's getting better and changing.

What would it take for just 2 minutes?

"You know Adeline. I asked you one thing." Reggie spoke up as he typed on the computer interrupting her thoughts. Though not harsh Reggie definitely didn't sound too friendly. Adeline swallowed because she was in the wrong. "I know."

"Be good to him. That's all." He emphasized.

Adeline stopped tapping the card and looked down at her hands. Shame filling her spirit. "I know. I know I didn't do this right. I know I hurt him." She bit her bottom lip.

Reggie snorted. Hurt was an understatement.

"But Reggie. I promise I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry. I love him so much. I love him. I'm getting better and I've changed and I know that doesn't mean he owes me anything I just... I really really love him." Her voice cracked a little at the end. Reggie looked up at her. She looked devastated it pulled at his heart strings he couldn't lie. She looked serious. "I'm trying really hard. I don't know what to do to get him to talk to me." She wiped her eyes quickly.