Scene - Lesson Learned: Part 2 - Ren

"I can't even imagine what that must be like." There was no small amount of compassion there.

He flipped pancakes. "It ain't easy for 'em. When they get upset I just send 'em out ta find a girl. Usually works."

There was a soft sound, a laugh that was a quiet as a sigh.

Henrietta chuckled.

"Well, there may not be many pretty girls at my Tavern, but I'm sure that they'll all find something there to amuse them. The older gentlemen who come in love to play cards for peanuts."

He laughed. "Have ya seen my boys? They don't typically have a problem findin' girls."

She laughed.

"Oui. But the pretty girls don't usually come to a place as old fashioned as mine."

She was playing with the grape stems, not quite picking them apart, but getting there.

He started dishing up food. Eggs and bacon, pancakes and potatoes. He looked over at the two of them. "Your place ain't a club where they can get their jollies dancin' an' shit."

She smiled and moved the box onto an unused part of the counter. Then she sat down, moving the plate of grape stems away from Ren to make room for the food.

"Non, it is not. But it is a great place for our dear retirees to come to relive the glory days."

Shefolded her hands in her lap, waiting for everyone to be served and seated.

He brought plates to the table. Along with fruit and syrup for pancakes. Salt and pepper for everything else. "Yeah. It's a nice place Henri." He sat plates down in front of both women before turning to get his own.

Henri waited for McKay to settle down in front of his own plate before she began eating.

It took a few more minutes. Because all three of them had a large glass of orange juice put in front of them. Along with a smaller glass of milk. And finally coffee. Then he sat and smiled. "I promise my cookin' ain't as bad as all that."

"It smells wonderful, Jim. Thank you." Once everyone was served and seated, and after both of the others had taken a bit, Ren dug in. Bacon first. Always.

He took a little longer to begin eating. He just sat and sipped his coffee in silence. He was staring out the sliding glass door. Watching the dogs in the back yard.

Henrietta finished her bacon, then looked up to see Jim staring, and inched her fork over to his plate to see if trying to steal his would get a reaction.

It didn't get a reaction. He stared at the dogs and sipped coffee.

Ren was quiet, focused on the food in front her.

Henri pouted and left his bacon alone, digging into her eggs.

He grinned. At nothing. Then turned to start with his pancakes. Sweets first. Always.

He looked over at her. Smiled. "Welcome sweetheart."