>>5782701The answer doesn’t sway you, but it makes a little sense. Something about your posture prompts Jake to stare you in the eye.
“I’m not trying to excuse my actions, Diesel…” He begins in a firm tone, “I’m providing context. She changed after that incident, and after my father left us to fend for ourselves I was certain it would be permanent: the bitter silences at the dinner table… the constant phone calls from angry business owners and strangers… the nights spent lying awake wondering if my sister would creep in through the window past midnight… or never come home again…”
Slowly shaking his head, the Vice President takes a steadying breath. “Then <span class="mu-i">you</span> showed up.”
Look, you begin, you didn’t <span class="mu-i">fix</span> anyone–you just-
“But you <span class="mu-i">did</span>.” Jake interrupts, “Pepper hasn’t acted like this in years. She…” The VP pauses to swallow a lump in his throat as emotion builds in his voice. “She just <span class="mu-i">hugged</span> me for the first time in ages… and said she <span class="mu-i">loved</span> me, Diesel… And… and you didn’t owe us <span class="mu-i">ANYTHING</span>! You’re a total stranger to the school, you had nothing to gain by indulging my sister’s manic compulsions, you charged into certain death multiple times…”
Pausing mid-rant, the VP’s head droops. “... you’ve made a bigger impact on everyone I know and love in one night than I have in <span class="mu-i">years</span>.” Wiping his sleeve across his eyes again, Jake looks at you with regret plastered across his face before falling to his knees!
“You’re a better man than I could ever hope to be, Diesel… and if you won’t accept my apology, please… <span class="mu-i">please</span> accept my thanks for succeeding where I failed tonight… and for saving us all.”
Looking up at you through tear-streaked eyes, Jake sniffs before continuing in a hushed voice.
“I see now why they like you so much…”
Uh… well, <span class="mu-i">shit</span>... how do you respond here?
>HE’S DONE A LOT TOO!>I ACCEPT YOUR APOLOGY, JAKE.>IS SHE… WILL SHE BE COOL WITHOUT ME?>DOES HE KNOW WHAT HE PLANS TO DO AFTER ALL THIS?>JUST STAY SILENT. LET THE GUY VENT.>HIT HIM!>WRITE-IN! 