[CLOSED] picture this.

[asher tripp goldman]

Asher nodded at her comment. He had never had a problem with the heat. He was with a band for awhile playing out in a hundred degree or more weather. He thought about denying her offer of lunch, but knew it would be rude. "I guess. But I'm paying." He said quietly, following her gaze down to his ring. His face went pale as he expected her to say something. But he wasn't going to offer any answers unless she asked. He hated just telling people about his family without asking, felt like that was begging for sympathy he didn't need.

He followed her down the hall, pulling his wallet out of his back pocket. He checked how much money he had before he glanced at the picture of him and his son, no older than two with a bright smile on his face before he tucked it back into his pocket.

[aidan grace smith]

Aidan just smirked as she walked down the hall. Her eyes starring straight forward, only waving to the front desk to signal she was leaving for lunch. "Why'd you pick nursing?" Her voice trailed as they walked through the door and down the side walk to a few shops. Her eyes washed over the signs, a burger joint catching her eye. She looked back at Asher as she pulled the door open, following in behind him.

Standing away from the counter, Aidan bit her lip, trying to decide on what she wanted. "You can go ahead," she told someone who had just walked in. A smile once again graced her face, sometime she was told she would smile even if the worse happened to her.

[asher tripp goldman]

He followed her out, watching the people at the desk before he slipped through the door. "My band broke up.. And I like people so I decided I may as well help people.." He said quietly, chewing on his lip. He still missed his lip ring, wishing that he didn't have to take it out. He felt lost. He could remember the times Tripp would put his hooped lip rings on his little lip, telling Asher and Jourdan that he was now his daddy. Asher spent many days putting fake tattoos on the little kid.

He waited for her to order before he placed his, just getting a basic burger with a small order of fries. He would be lucky if he finished that. "Why did you decide to be a nurse?" He asked quietly, feeling like it was his responsibility to keep the conversation going.

[aidan grace smith]

"Good to know someone else cares about people in this town,"

Aidan placed her order. Cheese burger, fries, and a cola. She paid the cashier for her own meal before stepping aside for Asher. "Oh, I have the power to heal." A half smirk wiped across her face, and she stepped up to the counter, taking the trey. It was the truth, but most people thought she was kidding or arrogant. But it didn't matter to her. Eventually, she found herself a nice little table, soft sun rays peaking through the rain-stained glass. Pulling a chair, she sat down, looking over to Asher.

[asher tripp goldman]

He just nodded, grabbing his food from the counter. He followed her to her table, sitting down across from her. He couldn't deny she was pretty, but he had no interest in women after Jourdan. Had they actually broken up, it may have been different. But since her and his son died in a house fire, he had so many unanswered questions. He couldn't deny he wanted her back, both of them back. He missed them terribly, and visiting their grave did nothing for him.

"Yeah.. I just guess cause I like kids.." He said with a shrug, unwrapping his burger. He chewed on his lip, eyeing it warily before he finally bit into it. He chewed it slowly, looking out the window.

[aidan grace smith]

Aidan picked at the fries, watching him for a moment before turning her attention to her food. "I'm guessing you have a kid of your own?" She asked, referring back to the wedding ring. He seemed like a decent guy, no wonder he was married. Picking up her cheese burger, she took small bites, chewing them slowly. It had been her real first lunch all week, and she planned to enjoy it. Even if her company wanted to sit in silence.

Her eyes drifted out the window, up to the sky. The fluffy white clouds were like pillows, where she imagined her dad to be, but knew other wise. He wouldn't check on her, she was one of many. Who knew how many siblings she had? It was a one way conversation with him, but sometimes it was better than nothing.

[asher tripp goldman]

Asher finished his french fry before he answered her question. "Yeah. I mean, I did.." He said quietly, picking up his burger and taking another bite. He reached into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet again. He slid it across the table to her, showing her the picture of the little sandy haired boy in his arms, a smile on their faces. He chewed his bite slowly, thinking of all the malts him and Tripp had shared, Jourdan sitting across the table from them just smiling. Both of them had been happy to be married, even if they were young.

"Him and my wife died two years ago. He was always happy, though. He smiled at everyone. Even when he was sick he was the happiest little boy." He said with a smile, trying to remember the good things rather than dwell on the fact they were gone.

[aidan grace smith]

A frown flashed over her face for a split second, til' she saw the picture of the little boy. He was adorable. She looked up as Ashed spoke of the boy and his wife's death. It was a sad circumstance. But he still wanted to help, most people chose to shut everyone off after some tragic happened in this town. Aidan was lucky to have a blessed life. Her parents were still alive, but she had never had her own family. "I'm sorry," was all she managed to say

She didn't know how the pain felt. It wasn't any of her business to push further. Her hand reached out to the to the photo, picking it up lightly before handing it back to him. "He's adorable," Her smile was light, easy. It seemed to calm the room. "I haven't had the chance to start a family yet. Guess that's why I spend so much time with the kids rather than the adults who walk in,"

[asher tripp goldman]

"Thanks.." He breathed, looking at the picture for a second before he tucked his wallet back into his pocket. He nodded at her comment, thinking that she was pretty enough to get someone if she wanted them badly enough.

"We didn't really want a family.. And we were really young.. She was barely sixteen when he was born. It's amazing how much a little baby can change things, though.. You think they're just this big mess until you realize that they laugh and smile and talk and hug and then you really don't regret having a baby. It isn't like.. an 'accident' anymore. I'd do it all over again if I could. But I always loved babies." He shrugged, taking a bite out of his burger. He looked out the window again, turning his wedding band around on his finger.

[aidan grace smith]

"Babies are gifts, my mom always told me." She smiled, thinking back to her childhood. Living in a quiet little house on the outskirts of this old town. It was always peaceful, even the news of her real dad hadn't destroyed her relationship with her parents like they thought it would. Taking another bite from her burger, she watched as he played with his wedding band, thinking of how they must have been. It must have been a pretty strong bond, the baby making it stronger.

Sipping from her cola, she searched her mind for something else to say. 'Look at how loving he is,' Her mind mumbled to someone who would never answer. She knew he was there, even if he never responded or checked on her. A familiar one way street, and sometimes a joyous one to go down. No one to argue with, someone who seemed to listen, even if he didn't. "Your hours wont be too long. Sometimes you might just be working at the front desk, you can have your lip ring in then." Aidan mentioned, remembering how many times he had caught Asher chewing on his lip.