by R.A. Neely
***
Shirley sighed in frustration. These people were impossible. Couldn't they just behave like adults and solve their own problems? If one more person came to her saying their blanket had been stolen, she'd scream. She glanced over at Jackson and saw that he seemed to really be in his element. He was directing people on where they could set up their tents and had a slight smile on his face. Shirley approached and waited until the person he was speaking to had walked away.
"I've dealt with the blanket crisis," she announced.
Jackson chuckled, "What would we do without you?"
"You wouldn't have any blankets."
"That would be terrible."
"I know," she said with a smile, "Almost done?"
Jackson nodded, "They've got the procedure down, just needed to be told where to go."
Shirley nodded and took a quick glance around. They were alone for the most part. "I've been wondering, how do you feel about all this?"
"We've got a good thing going here," Jackson replied. "Greg is trying to rebuild. Supporting him is the best way to keep you safe. And I don't want to go back to how we had to live before finding Greg. It was only a few days, but still."
Shirley nodded, "Good, I feel the same. I just wanted to make sure you were alright." A look flashed across her eye and Jackson smiled.
"Still feel guilty about the shelter?"
Shirley nodded, "If we had gone off on our own to begin with we'd have been better off. And I wouldn't have run into that jerk again."
Jackson shrugged, "We needed some rest after the t.v. station. It worked out."
"Thanks," she replied.