phone: rachel & jesse
[ Rachel is still sitting out by the fire when Quinn returns from the shower, but no additional words are exchanged between them then. Or over breakfast. Or by mid-morning. The stubborn streak within Rachel is strong, but she knows they can't go another twenty-three days like this. Tugging her phone from her pocket, Rachel excuses herself from the group. She grabs the laundry she's accumulated so far and heads toward the coin-operated machines the campground provides and dials a familiar number. Jesse answers on the third ring. ]
JESSE: [teasing] I told you we don't need multiple check-ins a day, Mother. [a beat] We're making you proud, Rachel. Actually just finished pick-ups. Talked up the bakery to some potential new customers, too.
[ Ignoring the teasing remark, Rachel tries to be enthusiastic, but her tone belies her intention. ]
RACHEL: That's great.
JESSE: [noticeable pause] So, how're things going?
RACHEL: [a sigh] Well the bus broke down yesterday, but--
JESSE: Rach, c'mon. You know I don't mean another itinerary update. You haven't mentioned you know who once, and considering she was the reason you weren't planning on going at all, and considering I'm the one who convinced you to suck it up and go, I do believe I deserve an update.
RACHEL: You don't deserve anything. [a huff] Just like Quinn doesn't deserve my forgiveness just because she offered a half-assed apology.
[ And then the floodgates open, Rachel rattling off and rehashing the minute details of the encounter outside the shower and then at the fire pit that morning. She talks herself into one conclusion before another train of thought has her overanalyzing and reprocessing. All Jesse can do is offer a few affirmative grunts here and there when Rachel's rantings pause just long enough for her to suck in a renewed breath. ]
RACHEL: I just don't know what to do.
[ Jesse waits for a few moments, wanting to be sure that Rachel's actually providing him an opening to get more than two words in before he replies. ]
JESSE: Of course you do. The problem is that you're scared to actually do it. And don't. [Jesse stops Rachel before she can squawk out her protest.] Just like you were scared to take the leap and go on the trip in the first place. But you're there now and you're...dealing.
RACHEL: [quiet] She really hurt me, Jesse.
JESSE: I know, Rach. [He knows all too well, having had a helping hand in mending bits of Rachel's heart after struggling for months to earn her full trust.] But you're still hurting, and you'll continue to hurt if you're just in this limbo. So you either need to forgive her and move forward, or not, /but/ still move forward. You need that closure one way or another. And you know, whatever you decide, I'll be here. [a beat] I'm your guy, Rach.
RACHEL: [smiling] My right hand man. I... [There are too many thoughts still swirling through her mind, but the tension that initially settled along Rachel's spine seems to have eased.] I appreciate everything you and Mike continue to do, and we'll talk again soon, okay? Love you.
