Just Like Old Times

Saint Denis

This chapter is rated M for sexual content.

The gentleman crouched on the stool and stared at Lilly with wide, bloodshot eyes. Lilly smiled nicely. "Alright, I'll start. Mr. Gillis, why are you behavin' this way?"

Mr. Gillis scoffed. "In what way?"

"This...unbecomin' and horrible behavior, Mr. Gillis. The drinkin', the gamblin', the sleepin' around with women and such. What is drivin' you to do this?"

He blinked at her and chuckled angrily. "I don't have to explain myself to you!"

Lilly sighed and leaned back a little. "I agree wholeheartedly, sir. Indeed I do. But," Lilly looked back at Mary. She seemed worried. Lilly turned her attention back to Mr. Gillis. "Mary, your daughter, you could explain yourself to her. I would very much insist on it. If..." Lilly trailed off.

"If what?!"

Lilly shook her head. "If you could control your anger. Because I hear you have a hard time with that and I'd prefer if you did not yell and shout at your very concerned daughter. So..." Lilly scooted her stool a little closer. "If you're goin' to explain yourself to her, you're gonna have to explain it to me first."

"And why would I do that, um...what was your name?" he asked.

"Lillian Morgan," she mumbled. "Not sure you remember me, but-"

Recognition washed over the man's face. "Oh yes. Little Lilly O'Callaghan! Ha, last time I saw you, you were...hmm, 8, wasn't it?"

"Yes sir."

Mr. Gillis sighed heavily. "So, you married Arthur, did you?"

"That is correct."

"How is that workin' out for you?"

"Just fine, Mr. Gillis. Despite what you think of him, he is a good man."

"It was never about him bein' a good man or not. It was about the life he was leadin'."

"Understandable. You were thinkin' of Mary and how her life would be, and to compare outlaws with law abidin' citizens or decent folk is like comparin' nags to thoroughbreds," she said with a grin.

Mr. Gillis laughed. "That's a good way to put it."

"It is. But, if I may ask you a question?"

"Of course, Mrs. Morgan,"

"While my morals are questionable, bein' an outlaw myself, I do try not to throw stones because I myself have sins to atone for. I believe there are no absolutes. Only shades of gray," she said, quoting Herr Strauss. "As a testament to that, do you consider yourself a good man?"

Mr. Gillis gaped at her. "Of course I do!"

"And how does a good man act? Do you think your behavior falls into the column of goodness?"

"I..." Mr. Gillis started, but then he lowered his head. "No...no it does not."

"Uh huh. And if I may also ask, when did you stop actin' like a good man?"