Markus Alvaros, Or Just Alvaros

How Do I Know I'm Doing Right?

"He's shaky Angela, I can see it even when he's sleeping." McCree tapped his foot lightly as he sat on the couch. Markus fell asleep some time ago but it seemed like if he made too much noise, the kid would bolt out of the room itself. "Do you think I scared him?"

"Jesse, he's probably under a lot of stress given that a lot has gone on. I think you need to give him some time to adjust to what's going on." Angela yawned. It was late, but she was up anyway.

"Angela, this is a different kind of spook. I think he knows about me."

"It's hard not to know about you Jesse. You've made a name for yourself and it's not the best, but it's something."

Jesse sighed and ate another fry. "He's a gentleman though, knows all his manners, but it feels stiff. Like he's doing it to keep himself safe."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he calls me sir, hasn't told me his first name, asked to pay for water, asked if he could go to sleep, never quite looks me in the eye, but gives respectful contact. He's a real gentleman Angela, raised on a ranch." Jesse glanced at the bed to make sure that he was doing well. "He gets queasy Angela, he pretty much threw up whatever he ate earlier in the bathroom because I can still smell it although he cleaned it up really well. Angela..I don't think I'm cut out for this."

"Jesse, do you want kids?"
Silence pervades.

"I didn't think I wanted them till I sent in the test Angela. I can't help but think that if I do this right, then he could turn out to be someone great." Jesse was tempted to light a cigar and smoke it then and there.

"Jesse, it's going to take time to get it right. Just...hang in there. I know you're going to do your best."
McCree could practically hear her smile at the other end of the line. "He's a pretty handsome kid if I do say so myself."
"Oh hush McCree. How long till we see you?"

"A few more hours, then I'll be there."