Call: Jasper to Miranda

[jasperwoods]

Date: January 13, 2012
Characters: Jasper Woods, Miranda Jackson
Location: Respective locations
Status: Private
Summary: After almost two weeks, Jasper finally decides to call Miranda.
Completion: Incomplete

Comments

[miranda_jackson]

Miranda set the bowl on the counter and started to put her salad together. “You aren’t interrupting anything, well, except my attempt to make myself a salad.” Which was much more difficult to do with a phone pressed to her ear than without one, “But I’ve already waited a few hours to eat, a few more minutes isn’t going to kill me.” She moved across the kitchen and into the living room, having decided that she’d rather just focus on the phone call than try to do two things at once; she was too tired to do both

[miranda_jackson]

Miranda laughed at the teasing. “She did.” She responded, trying for serious but not quite achieving it, “I prefer to attribute my skill at poker to subtlety rather than sneakiness.” And years of playing poker with Davis and his brothers, his brothers had always been scary good at picking out her tells.

“Both my sister and I competed. Mona was much better than me, though.” Miranda replied, amused by the way he’d covered for his first comment; it wasn’t like she would have been offended if he had been surprised that she’d won. “I only did them into my first year of middle school, it would be safe to say I didn’t enjoy them very much.” But she’d done them for her mother’s sake mostly, and she didn’t actively hate them enough protest it. “My mama has all the embarrassing photographs still.” She made a face and wondered why she’d even said that last bit.

[jasperwoods]

Jasper chuckled. “Oh yeah? Hmm, I guess it could be subtlety more than sneakiness,” he gave in, though his tone bordered on skeptical, more for effect than not believing her.

“Ah, I see,” he said, his tone just a little doubtful. He didn’t know her sister, but Miranda was beautiful and graceful, and he rather thought those two things should have worked in her favor during pageants. He wondered why she did them if she hadn’t enjoyed them, though if her sister had done them as well, it would imply that it was a family thing. “Does she?” he asked rhetorically, though he stopped himself before mentioning that he’d like to see them sometime. He would save that for another time. “So other than being academically inclined and participating in pageants, what did you like to do as a kid?” he asked, genuinely curious.

[miranda_jackson]

“Poker game notwithstanding, do I really strike you as a sneaky person, Jasper Woods?” Miranda retorted, hoping he wasn’t seriously as skeptical as he’d sounded.

Miranda’s brows furrowed together at the doubtfulness she thought she’d caught in his tone, but didn’t address it. She wasn’t going to start some sort of debate or discussion on something that just wasn’t that important. “I liked to read,” She began then laughed, “I know, big surprise there. I also liked to take pictures. My daddy gave me this little point and shoot 35mm when I was about eight that I think I slept with for at least a few months.” She would never consider herself very good, but she still enjoyed taking pictures. “And I was a swimmer.” As well as a cheerleader, but it wasn’t like she needed to give an entire list of her hobbies to him. “Your turn now, tell me a few things about yourself.”

[jasperwoods]

“No, you don’t,” Jasper answered right away, his voice soft and honest. Resourceful and stubborn, maybe, but not really sneaky.

Jasper smiled at her first response, not at all surprised that she’d liked to read. “So is that a little girl thing? Because Abby’s taken to stealing my camera,” he said, far more amused than annoyed. The question wasn’t serious, as he really didn’t think it was a gender thing at all. “Yeah? So was I. I mean, I wasn’t on the team except for Freshman year, but it was a favored pastime.” And he really needed to not try to imagine what kind of swimsuit she would prefer.

“Hmmm, so something about me.” Jasper was quiet for a moment as he thought about what he could tell her. “Childhood things or just anything in particular?” he asked, and he really wasn’t stalling.

[miranda_jackson]

"Didn't think so." Miranda said and fought down the fluttery feeling at the way he seemed so earnest with her answer. It wouldn't do her any good to develop a crush on a man she was trying to be friends with; even if she thought there was maybe interest there, it wasn't at all what she was looking for

[jasperwoods]

“Maybe,” Jasper agreed, amused. “But then Abby’s got her little fingers in so many pies, there’s no telling what hobbies and interests she’ll keep as she gets older.” He still felt so out of sorts at times when it came to raising her, but he didn’t think he was doing too bad with her. They’d manage to navigate some difficult times so far, at least.

“So you were Valedictorian and you took your swim team to state,” he commented, impressed even though he knew he’d twisted her words around a little. “And I have to ask, as you’re a self-described workaholic, when do you find the time to do laps?” Jasper was very surprised by the offer, but he thought he’d have to be an idiot to turn her down. “Well now, who says I’m rusty? I still do laps regularly. But I’d be happy to take you up on that.” Though there was a small voice in the back of his head telling him that getting all wet and nearly-naked with her wasn’t going to do anything to help keep his interest in her in check

[miranda_jackson]

“Mm, true.” Miranda said, “I think so long as you don’t stifle her curiosity it will sort itself out.” She shifted on the couch because she could feel one of her feet was going to sleep, “But then, I haven’t raised a little girl, so I don’t think mine is really an informed opinion.” The most interaction she’d had with a little girl was Star, and that certainly didn’t make her an expert on raising a kid

[jasperwoods]

“Well, it’s a good thing I’ve got no intention of stifling her curiosity,” Jasper replied, amused. He lifted a hand to rub against the back of his neck at her comment, and before he knew it, he was speaking again, “I’m pretty new at this, myself, so my opinion’s not so informed yet.” He wasn’t going to get into all of that unless she asked, but if she did, he would be honest with her

[miranda_jackson]

Miranda paused a minute, considering if it was fair to ask the question she'd been thinking. "Did Abby's mother have custody?" She finally asked, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but Abby said something about her mother not being around anymore when she was showing me her picture locket at Damien and Soli's." She wouldn't be offended if Jasper thought the question was too personal, she was curious though, both with his comment and what Abby had said to her on New Year's Eve

[jasperwoods]

Jasper sighed softly at her question, not at all surprised by it, but not entirely sure how to answer it. “Oh, no, I don’t mind,” he assured her. “It’s just that the question doesn’t have a simple answer. I suppose, though, that the short answer is yes.” He paused for only a moment before explaining. “Abby’s mother never told me she was pregnant. She moved out of state, and I didn’t find out about Abby until Jessica died last summer

[miranda_jackson]

Miranda was silent for a minute. That was much more complicated than she expected. “Oh, wow.” She breathed, “You really were thrown into parenthood quite recently.” Stupid comment. “But if it makes a difference, it sounds like you’re doing well with it.” Abby seemed well adjusted enough when Miranda had talked to her, and anyone that saw she and Jasper interacting would be able to tell how much Abby loved her father and vice versa