>"That skinnie is coming over on the regular. I've half a mind to find out what sort of criminal the little rat really is." Rip snarls out.
>"He that bad?" I take a sip from my glass of alcohol, Rip clenching his hard enough to break it. Our little rendezvous in my back office turning to Anon, again.
>"Encouraging her habit of loud music, slutty clothing and disobedience. Same as her other shitty friends." He takes another swig, looking off into the distance.
>I huff "Rip you ever talked to the kid?"
>"Scared the shit out of him once, that count?" Rip grins toothily at me.
>"Rip what if he ends up as family." Ripley chokes on his drink.
>"Do. Not." he coughs a bit
>"Rip." I get serious with him.
>"Moe it ain't happening. Not as long as I draw breath."
>"Just like how Lucy ain't wearing those clothes, or ain't sneaking out at night." I eye him
>He closes his eyes and looks down.
>"Alright. What if." He look back at me, fire in him again.
>"You think Lu' will wanna hang around you if you're like this? What if you have a grandki-"
>"Moe. Stop." he's wounded by my insinuation. I continue
>"You can dislike him, whatever but if you antagonize like this? You ain't gonna have a family. Pick one, Rip. Your feelings or your family." I set my glass down, serious with him. Anon ain't that bad, Rip's just got some chip on his shoulder. My heart goes out to him but sometimes you need some tough love.
>Ripley clenches his entire body, going limp after a few seconds.
>"Fine but only if they're serious. He gets the cold shoulder until we're sure. Until they're sure. Give me time to work something out." he leans back after polishing off the rest of his drink. Sam'd kill him if she knew.
>"Why not take him out bowling with us? Still get to flex that muscle and suss him out." Rip gets a glint in his eye.
>"Now that's not too bad an idea, Moe. Sure, after graduation." Ripley relents the smallest bit.
cont, smallest bit more.