jackie knows steven almost as well as she knows her perfect, petite self. her hands are set firmly on his shoulders; an anchor, a reminder: i’m here and i’m not going anywhere. thumbs circle soothingly-- she’ll worry about the mess later.
❝ my dad called the other day, too-- for PRISON MONEY, or whatever, ❞ she throws out, nonchalant. maybe she can ease her way onto the topic of edna if she’s careful enough. this is hurting him. even with his glasses secure, shield up, she can tell. ❝ hey, you know you can tell me ANYTHING, right? i’m gonna’ be your wife eventually. and because i love you, i’ll keep my big mouth shut. i can just listen. ❞ -- it’ll prove a challenge, but for steven, jackie’s willing to try. ❝ keeping it inside’s just gonna’ make it worse, ❞ she adds softly, gentler, as if to coax.