That Which Shapes A Man 9/13
Monday, January 22, 2007
Jayne attempts to reconnect with his Ma as family members gather for Mattie’s burial. The solemn occasion forces him to confront early events that have shaped his life, in an effort to understand the true meaning of family and loyalty.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 2554 RATING: 9.0 (G) SERIES: FIREFLY
Title: That Which Shapes A Man
Chapter Nine: Just Don’t Fit
Author: mercsgoodgirl
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Jayne, ofc, omc
Pairing: Jayne/Kaylee some chapters
Timeline: About the time of “Those Left Behind”
Disclaimer: All belongs to Joss.
Word Count: 2,903; chapter nine of thirteen
A/N: : From the first time I watched Firefly, I wondered what circumstances might have shaped the character of Jayne Cobb, an exceptionally complex man. The given name "Jayne" was a common variant of "John" in Victorian England. This story emerged from the questions I asked.
Thanks to my excellent beta ArtemisPrime To read previous chapters, click on my name, above.
Your comments are sincerely appreciated. Thanks!
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Chapter Nine: Just Don’t Fit
Jayne settles his bulk into the old armchair at his mother’s bedside, listening as his sister gathers her things and leaves. He’s thought so often of what he’d say if he ever got to see his Ma again, and now that she sits smiling at him, his mind is a blank.
What he doesn’t want are questions. He remembers all too well his Ma’s knack for figuring out when he’d been up to something, and over the past twenty-six years, he’s been up to a whole lotta somethings he’d just as soon she doesn’t know about. Here he is, forty-one years old, a grown man, and he feels like he’s ten all over again. What is he to do?
Ask about her, you idgit. Git her to talk, then maybe she won’t start askin’ ya awkward questions.
He smiles sheepishly and fiddles with the doilies on the chair arms, his voice unnaturally cheery. “So, Ma, how are ya feelin’?”
“Well…”
“Bèn de hún dàn! He could have kicked himself. Why’d ya say that? She’s bound to be upset, with Mattie dyin’ an’ all.
“What I meant was… are ya… managin’ okay?” Then, without even giving his mother time to reply, he nervously blurts out, “Oh, and uh, thanks fer the hat you knit
I can sympathize. I go through the same thing every time I go home. :o)
I liked how things sort of came full circle, with Jayne getting up to get the fire going, the coffee on, etc. It was a really nice touch!
Still...beautiful work here, HGG! Definitely loving how you're having Jayne react and think on being home, especially the internal comments about keeping his work a secret from his Ma. Though I get the feeling you'll have that matter cleared up soon with a surprise revelation;D
BEB
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