“You’re lucky our kid’s still up or else” Jodi signed after she put down the knife and faced her girlfriend.

“Or else what?”  Ben walked into the kitchen with perfect timing.

“Yeah” Monique walked behind Ben and said “or else what Momma?”

“Or else I’d never get them finely chopped because only Benny knows how to work that chopping machine” Jodi picked up Ben and placed him on the stool next to the counter.  “Chop away my little man.”  Jodi proudly watched her son place the peeled onions in the machine and start it like a pro.

“Hey” Monique grabbed her arm “I need to talk to you about Oliver.”

“Okay” Jodi nodded before taking another glance at Ben.

“He needs a place to stay” Monique signed.  Jodi only nodded in response.  “Just for a little while” Monique quickly added.

“I wanted to know if it was okay that he stayed here with us for a little bit until this whole thing is over.”  Monique watched Jodi’s facial expression change to that of concern.

“Isn’t he HIV positive?”  Jodi looked at her then over at Ben.

“Yes” Monique debated the issue internally.  The idea came to her when Duffy mentioned that Oliver was the link to whoever killed Les.  No one knew of his existence and she figured he would safer with them than in some strangers care.

“I don’t know” Jodi shook her head and looked at Ben.  “I’ve never lived with anyone who was HIV positive.”

“Neither have we but I’ve done research on it and we live pretty responsibly so there’d be no problem here.”  Monique provided.

“It’s us that I’m worried about” Jodi countered “it’s him.  Does he know how to live with people who aren’t HIV positive?”

“Molly” Shane called out as the blonde walked through the parking lot of the center.

“Hey Shane” Molly turned to the hairdresser.  “What’s up?”

“Do you have a second?”  Shane walked with her to her car.

“Actually a second is all I have.  I’m meeting Tracy and the girls for drinks.”  Molly smiled giddily.

“Wow you really like her don’t you?”  Shane was shocked.