An Unfinished Conversation

Jacob tried to process it.

Rue with a new beau.

That was quick.

Unless there was something he hadn't known,

Perhaps Rue hadn't been alone,

After all when they'd met.

"Just who the hell are you?"

"Name's Jasper I'm a friend of Rue.

Can't see why that matters to you."

"And just how long

Have you been,

A friend of Rue?"

"Seems like forever,

But you know what they say,

"Time flies when you're

Having fun.

I really should be on the run.

You don't keep a woman

Like Rue waiting.

I think I'm going to enjoy

Us dating."

"So you and Rue?

Is this new?"

Jacob tried to keep

His temper in check.

Sallie in town.

Rue dating this clown.

What's next?

"New? Me and Rue?

I guess that's true.

Had to wait until

She knew

With the rest

She was through.

Opening the door

For you know who?"

"Like when you

Were foolish enough

To sleep with Mary Sue.

You broke Rue's heart

Just like Billy with Lou.

Ronan was my biggest fear

But he just couldn't seem

To get his butt in gear."

"But thanks to him pushing

Her away, I got a shot today.

So what can I say.

Thanks for making way

I'm sure Rue and I

Will thank you someday."

"I broke Rue's heart?

Where were you from the start?

If you cared about Rue,

Like you claim you do,

Then where the hell were you,

As all these men broke her heart?"

"You seem like a coward to me.

And as for me and Ruechari,

I hardly broke her heart.

She never gave us

A real chance to start.

I was apparently only

The in between."

"I don't like you,

You snake.

But I woke fight you here

And now for Petra's sake."

This gave Jasper a real laugh.

"You really are a gas.

Don't you know it doesn't

Matter what you think

When a woman is on the brink?

Just nudge here or there

And she would have been yours

But you didn't dare."

"You're the coward not I

As I got a real shot with Rue

And I plan to give it an honest try.

Rue is a rare and precious gem

I know she won't come this way again.

And if I don't treat that with respect

Whether on purpose or through neglect

I deserve to lose her, like you

But my plan is to give nothing

but love to Rue."

Jacob's fist clenched,

He was incensed.

But he needed the money to pay to the rent.

Here and now wasn't the place to fight.

But after his day, beating up this snake would feel good alright.

But this was Petra's forge and he wanted to show her some respect.

So he couldn't put Jasper in his place just yet.

As for Rue, she and Jake had some talking to do.

She'd made him feel guilty over Mary Sue.

When all this time, she was with another too.

"Then, by all means, don't let me stop you. 

Good luck with Rue.

She'll soon tire of you too."

Jacob laughed and turned his back on Jasper, 

the man was dismissed.

He grabbed some gloves and 

stuck a hot iron into the water with a hiss.