The outer door to the jail cells clanged a few feet from where Thomas and Aaron found themselves sharing a cell. Aaron sat on the only bed in the cell, leaned against the wall nursing his black eye that was forming under the cold, wet towel he had managed to grab at the bar. Thomas leaned up against the wall opposite Aaron with one foot propped on the wall and his arms crossed across his chest. Aaron stared at him with his one good eye.

                        “You know,” Aaron said. “You are the only reason I have ever been put in jail.”

                        “That’s hard to believe considering you started both fights.” Thomas retorted.

            Aaron forced himself to stay on the bed. Thomas had a way of pulling at Aaron’s anger. Seeing Aaron’s body flinch, Thomas said, “Careful there buddy. You’re already in jail, not sure what they would do to you from here if you start a fight in here. Like you, I’ve only been in jail twice in my life.”

                        “Why are you here, Thomas?” Aaron asked.

                        “You hit me remember,” Thomas said. “I had to defend myself.”

                        “That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

                        “I’ve always wanted to come back here.” Thomas answered. “I love this place. I always have. When I heard Mike got the job, that encouraged me to come back. Well, that and an interesting phone call from a friend of yours.”

            Aaron shifted forward on the bed.

                        “What? Who called you?” he asked.

                        “Will something or other.”

            Aaron was confused.

                        “Why the hell would he call you?” Aaron asked.

                        “I think he thought he would be helping everyone out by encouraging me to come back here and see Jen.” Thomas said, “but obviously, he doesn’t know Jen very well because she sure didn’t seem to care to talk to me tonight.”

                        “Do you blame me?” Jen asked outside the jail cell.

            Both men jumped up and went to the iron bars.

                        “Jen,” Aaron said. “When did you get here?”

                        “I’ve been in here for a few minutes listening to you two continue to act like children.” Jen told them.

                        “Jen,” Thomas started to say.

            Jen put her hand up to silence him.

                        “I really don’t want to hear it,” Jen took a breath. “I’m tired of everyone trying to figure out what Jen thinks or what Jen would say.” She looked at Aaron. “I’m tired of people doing what’s best for me without talking to me. So, I’m here to bail one of you out. I knew who it would be when I got here, but honestly hearing you two, I’m not sure I want to bail either of you out.”

            Both men looked at each other embarrassed by how they had acted.

                        “Jen,” Thomas tried again.

            Jen turned toward the main door and cut him off, “Billy, I’m ready to bail Aaron out now.”

            Billy came to the cell door and unlocked it. As Aaron walked out of the cell, Thomas spoke up.

                        “Jen, are you really going to ignore me the whole time I’m here?” Thomas asked. “We need to talk.”

                        “The talk you want to have, Thomas, should have happened twenty years ago. I’m sorry it took you so long to decide I was worth talking things out with. Enjoy the rest of your time here.” Jen said as she hooked her arm around Aaron’s and directed them out of the cell area.

            When they got out to Jen’s car, Aaron spun her into him and hugged her.

                        “I’m so proud of you, Jen,” he said into her ear.

            She pushed away from him slightly and looked up at him.

                        “I don’t like that you got into another fight with him,” she told him. “You shouldn’t have let that happen.”

                        “I know, but he just has a way of getting under my sking. He’s a cocky, arrogant son of a bitch. He always has been.”

            Jen moved to get into her car.

                        “Well, restrain yourself from hitting him the rest of the time he’s here. This is as small town, I’m sure we’ll see him again.”