Jim, I've been puttin' up with you for the past four years. If I've earned anything, it'd have to be a commendation or something. [ Though truthfully he'd admit that Jim's friendship was enough of a reward in and of itself. He's never had anything like it, a person who believes in him just as much as he believes in them. Someone that's seen the worst of him, seen him at his lowest, and but still chooses to stick around.

He honestly doesn't know what he'd do without him. And he's glad he didn't have to find out. His lips curl into a soft, barely-there smile at the comment about the pool and the question. ]

Yeah. Last night, before she went to bed. 'Bout talked my ear off when I asked her how her field trip went the other day. Never thought a hike through the state park could be so damn excitin', but she was just beside herself. [ He chuckles a little bit at that, his smile widening fondly at the memory before he leans in to blow on the broth again. Then he adds, ]

She asked about you, too, you know. How things were goin'.