Desperate Measures

Over the course of the next two hours, Guin and Jenny cleaned up the mess in the living room, repotted the plant, made sure there was lunch for tomorrow in the form of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and started their homework. They didn't make it particularly far by the time Jack had come home, and on seeing their progress, he was understandably cross until they explained to him what had happened. Except, they left out the part where the pot had been thrown across the room in an outburst. Now the story was that Guin really had to use the lavatory, and had rushed by the plant and knocked it over by accident. He couldn't be angry at them if it was an accident and they fixed it, right?

Well, actually, he could. But he wasn't. He did manage to deduce that it was a lie, based on where the mud stain was, but they'd cleaned it up, at the very least. With a nod, he went to see Kurt, and to hear a different story. And while Kurt did tell the truth, no retribution came to Guin or Jenny.

Just as Jack was about to start making dinner, as he was halfway through washing his hooves, there was a knock at the door. He quickly rinsed and dried, then made his way to the front of the house.

"Can I help you?"

A gryphon stood at the door, holding up a badge. "I have some things I felt the need to report to you," he said. "May I come in?"

"Of course, officer," said Jack, stepping aside. "What's this about?"

"A government snoop came by the office today. He wants you behind bars. Is Mrs. Genevieve here?"

"There's no one here by that name."

"Well, he also said your son's name was "Curtis," and that doesn't match our records, either. What's your wife's name?"

"Muriel," answered Jack. He paused for a moment, then shook his head. "Wait, no... I forgot, I just remarried a few days ago. Guinevere." He leaned back and poked his head into the kitchen. "Guin, would you come out here, please?"

Guin set down her pencil and moved out into the living room, standing slightly behind Jack.

The guard, who was only wearing his spaulders, closed his eyes and sighed. "Of course she is..."

"What's the problem?" asked Jack. "What am I being arrested for?"

"Right now? Nothing. I'm only here to warn you. I know you've had some issues in the past regarding neglect, and I'd like to think you've moved past that."

"I've been sober for nine years," answered Jack. "You know I've been out of trouble for a long time."

"Indeed." The gryphon sighed. "So, the charges suggest that you've been abusing a child in your care; that is, Mrs. Genevi-- I mean, Guinevere. Do you mind if I do a cursory examination?"

"I've not been abusing her," said Jack, stepping aside. "I also just arrived home half an hour ago."

The gryphon made quick work of the examination, determining no signs of bruising, only a few minor cuts that had mostly healed, and very few signs of neglected hygiene. "When's the last time you had a bath?" he asked.

"A few years ago," admitted Guin.

"She showered a few days ago," corrected Jack. "We've been having trouble adjusting, but we're trying."

The gryphon nodded, then released Guin. "See that she has a shower tonight. Don't leave town."

"I work at the mill," scowled Jack. "I leave town daily."

"I'll take that into account. The fact of the matter is, he has to be able to prove abuse. Having a wife as young as yours is isn't going to be doing you a lot of favours, nor is your history. I doubt he'll bring your history into it, but just in case, I suggest you talk to your AA sponsor tomorrow instead of Monday. Have him drop by, and we'll have him testify as to your state, and hopefully, we can have this all dropped. But I have the feeling that he really wants to bring down the hammer as hard as he can, so be on your guard."

"We will."

The gryphon reached behind him and grabbed his helmet from his back. "Do you have any questions for me?"

"No."

"Alright." he slid his helm over his head. "Have a good night."

Dinner was quiet. Jack had made some kind of casserole, but Guin hadn't been focusing on what was in it. Her mind was reeling from the shock of everything that had happened today. Jack had mentioned before putting his plate in the sink that he needed a shower, as he'd been sweating a lot over the past few days, and Kurt was after him. Guin followed after, and Jenny stepped in just as she was finishing up.

Once she was out of the shower, she noted how quiet the house was. She spent a lot of time with Jenny, but with Jenny in the shower, she was alone, and it was terrifying.

She walked up to Jack's door and rapped tentatively with her claw.

"Come in..."

She pushed the door open and stepped inside. "H-hi..."

"Hey, Guin," nodded Jack, turning his attention back to the closet. "Sorry about today. I know I said we'd start moving your stuff in, but there's just been... a lot."

"No, it's not... I understand, but..."

Jack turned to look at her, and seeing how nervous she was, sat down on the bed. "Come here," he urged, patting the mattress next to him.

Guin walked up and sat down, grabbing his hoof with her claw.

"What's troubling you the most?"

"I don't know," she answered. "There's so much, all at once, and I don't know how to make any of it better..."

"I know, sweetie." He wrapped his hoof around her shoulder. "There's a lot that has to be done, and I don't know if I'd be able to handle it if I were in your shoes."

"But you're a grown-up," she sniffled. "You're supposed to be able to handle things..."

"I know. Do you want to know what I do when I'm overwhelmed?"

"What?"

He looked her right in the eye. For a moment, she felt warm inside, almost safe. Just looking into his eyes made her feel like her gran was still there, looking out for her.

"Just focus on one problem at a time. And if there's nothing you can do about that one problem at that time, move to the next. When you come to a place where you can't do anything else to solve your problems, you'll find that half of them have been solved, and you can start to relax."

With tears welling in her eyes, she pressed her forehead against his crest, weeping softly. "I'm sorry," she repeated, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

"It's alright," he said, rubbing her back. "Why don't you sleep in here, tonight? It's more comfortable than the couch, anyway..."