The tender did as he asked, knowing who it was and cutting him some slack. Just because he no longer worked there, didn't mean he didn't have some loyalty. Ginnie saw him and frowned. It wasn't because he didn't notice her, it was because he looked sad and stressed. He gave Ginnie a look, knowing she kind of had a crush on Pony and that she probably needed to have that time without someone listening. She looked back, nodded and then moved to set a bowl of stew in front of him along with some bread. Then she sat on one of the stools closest to him, swiveled and gazed at him softly.

He'd probably feel her knees brushing against his leg as she did so, but that was the whole point. She waited silently then for him to start talking. She wasn't going to yell at him for disappearing on her, he never spoke of being more than friends and she would respect that no matter what she felt. Her hand moved to touch his arm gently regardless of when he looked up or not at all. It was a gesture of comfort.