Hondo I. Sackett
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After Zoey's foot is re-bandaged Tonya helps Valentine for a bit. After everything is as taken cared of as possible Valentine starts cleaning up. Tonya asked if they could help but Valentine said that she had it. Tonya: OK. Well ifnyou need any help. Valentine: you just rest for now andnget that arm better. Tonya: but if you need help. Valentine: I know where to find you. Tonya and Zoey head out of the camper for a bit. They go introduce themselves yo Ruth and the others. Joanna, Easther, and Susanna we're very friendly and glad to meet another their age. Ruth was cordial but cool in her greeting and didn't engage and any conversation with them Tonya tried a couple times but Ruth ignored her though she did talk nice to Zoey. After a bit Ruth bluntly told Tonya that they had work to do and she was in the way. .Tonya wanted to tear her head off but was trying to be nicer like Valentine. She wished Valentine was hear now. She wanted to go off and hit something but she was already doennto one arm. Instead she sit out Hondo. Hondo and .Karl we're loading the motorcycle back up when she and Zoey approached. Tonya: Hondo? Can I talk ton you? Hondo: sure. Tonya: privately? Hondo raised an eyebrow: I reckon we can. Karl. Karl: what's up? hondo: Maybe Zoey would like yo meet Fernando's daughter, Wantnto go to Fernando and have him do introductions? You haven't got to really meet him yet either and he's more nor less head honcho here. Karl: I can donthat. Zoey, come on. Zoey: I want to stay with Hondo. Hondo: we'll hang out later, little lady. I promise. Zoey: OK. Karl: let's go. We can stop by and see how Ruthbis doing first. Zoey and Karl took off to where Fernando was last seen. Hondo and Tonya started walking away from camp. Hondo: what's wrong? Tonya: I don't know if it's just me, I mean, I am a . . . A. . Hondo: freak? Valentine told me you saidnyou we're. Tonya got nervous: did she tell you everything I said? Hondo: no. She saidnyou two had a good talk and she found a new friend to share things with and you in her. That tells me you an' her talked about things that will stay between you two. Tonya sighed: OK. Good. But why, I tried to talk with the other ladies. Joanna and the two younger ones we're very friendly but Ruth. . . She acted like I had wronged her somehow. I just don't. Hondo sighed: I have to ask you first, what are your feelings towards Karl? Tonya: Karl? Well, he is a good friend. Hondo: are you in love? Tonya: I. . I don't know. Not really, I guess. Why? Hondo: he and Ruth I thinknare smitten. Tonya: Smitten? Hondo: falling for each other. Tonya stopped as if someone hit her. She sunkndown to her knees almost dazed. Hondo knelt down beside her. Hondo: I didn't want to be the one who told you. Tonya: I can't say we we're in love but I guess I thought. . .I thought we would end up together as. . . Hondo: commonality? Tonya: I guess. Please don't tell.him about this. He is my friend and I want him happy I just. .just. Hondo: you will find the right guy. Tonya: how? I'm a freak. And ugly freak! Tonya started to cry. She wrapped her arms around Hondo leaving him somewhat unsure what to don't first. Her then held hernas she cried. Tonya: I hate crying. Only the weak cry. Hondo: no. The strong cry too. I don't think less ofnyou for it. You hurt, worn out, and feel alone. But you ate not a freak and you're not ugly by any means. Tonya: but look at me! Hondo: I have! Youbare a beautiful woman. Someone any man should be proud to have love him. Tonya looked at him for a.moment then Kissed him. It surprised him for a moment. When he regained his senses he pulled back. Hondo: whoa now! I have a woman already. Tonya studdered: I'm.. I'm.. sorry. I. . .I don't know . Know what camenover me. Id better go. Tonya started to get up to run away bit Hondo grabbed her good arm. Hondo: it's alright. I'm not offended. I'm flattered, honestly. If I didn't love VAL so much I would be honored to be with you. You are different but it's not a bad different. I find you quite stunning actually, but I love VAL and cannot hurt her like that. Understand? Tonya: I understand. Hondo: I want to be your friend, but unless something drastic changes friends with benefits or more I cannot do right now. Even if VAL said it was alright I would not feel right about it. But if you need another friend, a shoulder to cry on or just an ear to listen, I'm here. I just can't warm your bed, though part of me wants to. Tonya: I understand. Thank you. Hondo: just promise me you won't try to tempt me away from Val. Ill always love her but if temper enough I might cave in long enough to end up doing something we both may regret. Tonya: I promise. I didn't want to hurt her either. I don't know what came over me. Just a lot of stress and that final shocknto me. . . I just . . .lost it. Hondo stood up and helped Tonya up. About that time they heard Fernando yell for Macey. Hondo: Uhoh. We'd better get back in case there's trouble. He don't yell like that unless he is worried.
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