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Post by Kip Quinn on Jul 20, 2008 13:45:38 GMT -5
*Kip soon had the coffee pot boiling on the stove and the three brothers sat at the tiny table that was too small for Jake, let alone two more young men about his size. They slurped their coffee in a reflective silence, not really needing or wanting to speak just yet.
Kip's stomach growled loudly in the quiet.*
"...I'm hungry."
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Post by Jake Quinn on Jul 20, 2008 13:46:15 GMT -5
"No shittin'?" *muttered Jake, grinning into his coffee cup.*
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Post by Lizzie on Jul 20, 2008 13:58:10 GMT -5
*Lizzie wandered into the room, rubbing her eyes groggily.*
"Wha'the'ell was all that ruckus, Jake?"
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Post by Kip Quinn on Jul 20, 2008 14:05:30 GMT -5
"He-ey, Lizard!" *chirped Kip, standing up with a grin and going to engulf his big sister in a hug.*
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Post by Lizzie on Jul 20, 2008 14:26:58 GMT -5
*Lizzie's eyes opened wide at the familiar voice.*
"Kip?" *She squeaked, looking around in surprise.*
"Jamie?"
*It took a moment for a full grin to cross her face as she embraced her brother.*
"Sheeiit! What'the two of 'ya doing here? Not that I mind or nuthin'..."
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Post by Kip Quinn on Jul 20, 2008 14:56:48 GMT -5
*Kip swung Lizzie in a circle as Jake and Jamie stared down into their cups, clearing their throats and avoiding each others' glances. Kip put an arm around Lizzie's waist and looked up at her with gentle sadness.*
"...it's Pa, Bethie," *he said quietly, using the lisping nickname he'd used since he first learned to talk.*
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Post by Lizzie on Jul 20, 2008 15:17:04 GMT -5
"Pa?" *Lizzie's brow crinkled, not understanding. Her smile started to melt at the edges.*
"What 'bout him? Is...everythin' a'right?"
*Her grip tightened on her brother as if bracing for an oncoming front.*
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Post by Kip Quinn on Jul 20, 2008 15:36:31 GMT -5
*Kip just shook his head, not wanting to say it out loud.*
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Post by Jake Quinn on Jul 20, 2008 15:37:51 GMT -5
"He's gone, Liz," *said Jake softly, his voice husky as he held back his emotions.*
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Post by Lizzie on Jul 20, 2008 15:53:39 GMT -5
"Gone?" *Lizzie's voice trembled as she squeezed harder on to steady herself.*
"Where?" *She whispered, some numb part of her praying that there was an actual answer to that she could bear.*
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Post by Kip Quinn on Jul 20, 2008 15:57:11 GMT -5
*Kip just hugged her harder.*
"Heaven," *he whispered.*
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Post by Lizzie on Jul 20, 2008 16:16:48 GMT -5
"No." *Lizzie whispered, tears prickling her eyes. She shook her head violently.*
"No." *She said more firmly.* "Pa's never been sick a day in his life."
*She looked at Jake desperately.*
"Tell me. Tell me he ain't..."
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Post by Jake Quinn on Jul 20, 2008 16:29:00 GMT -5
"His heart...he..."
*Jake cleared his throat and shook his head, unable to look at Lizzie just then. Jamie stood and moved nearer his little sister, but said nothing. The majority of the straggling remnants of the Quinn family presented a rather pathetic tableau in that moment. Jake--the oldest, only a half-brother by blood but somehow the one they all loved the most. Jamie, sensitive, but reserved, caught between duty and fervour. Elizabeth, the only sister, the girl who tempered and tamed them each when it suited. Kip, unabashed, vital, the expressive, fiery-tempered soul, the youngest of the clan and therefore the most petted and the tiniest bit spoiled of the lot. Each bore an expression which was not quite black, but a very dark gray.
A light had gone out in each of them, even as they longed to kindle one another back to life as it had been before. As it could never be again.*
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Post by Lizzie on Jul 20, 2008 16:41:15 GMT -5
((Aww.... *emo!tear*))
"No!" *Lizzie shouted indignantly, shoving Kip away and lunging at Jake. Her pain invoked a rage in her and she beat her fists against Jake's chest, trying desperately to make it not true.*
"Nonononono!"
*She choked on her sobs and fell against him.*
"No, Jake..." *She whimpered.* "Please..."
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Post by Jake Quinn on Jul 20, 2008 16:55:11 GMT -5
*Jake wrapped strong arms around his sister, stopping her with sheer brute force, gently, inexorably holding her quiet and still.*
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