④

[heart_ofitall]

[ reading an article in the news, jake's expression seems to darken with every word. why are his cities such failures? and why can't he go back to help? ]

"Ohio was the only state with multiple cities in the Top 10 for poverty rates last year. Cleveland was ranked second, with Cincinnati seventh. Detroit was No. 1."

[ ... but at least his cities

Comments

[devilwentdownto]

He glances over as he walks by his room, and Jake's expression causes him to pause.
Jake? Are ya alrigh'?

[heart_ofitall]

I'm -- alright. Mostly, I guess. Just a little down right now. [ he tries his best to smile. ]

[devilwentdownto]

He nods slowly.
Ya got somethin' bad in tha news didn' ya?

[heart_ofitall]

... [ he just shows will that chart. ]

Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo are all my cities.

[devilwentdownto]

He examines the chart for a time.
Darlin'... tha' ain't yer fault.

[heart_ofitall]

Then whose is it supposed to be? And who said I -- [ 'was blaming myself?' he manages to catch it, though, taking a deep breath before going on. ]

Sorry. I'm just kind of... ah, you know. Kind of on a short fuse right now.

[devilwentdownto]

He sighs.
Tha look on yer face darlin'... He shakes his head. I's best not ta dwell on it.

[heart_ofitall]

Yeah, you're right. Definitely, yeah -- ahaha, well, I'll try not to get too down over it.

[ where people can see it, at least. ]

[devilwentdownto]

He nods, offering him a small smile.
There ya go darlin'. Don' let poverty get ya down darlin'. 'sides... i's jus' three a' yer cites... it could be worse.

[heart_ofitall]

Haha, well -- I haven't quite hit rock bottom yet. So I can't complain, right? As long as we keep trying...

[devilwentdownto]

He nods.
Exactly darlin'... This is America after all. Yer fine.

[heart_ofitall]

Yeah, that's true. Thanks, Will.

[devilwentdownto]

He nods, offering him another smile.
Exactly. And it ain't nothin', ah jus' hate seein' ya upset.