04-03-2025, 11:38 AM
Marta got up and started following Hayden’s instructions. At his first comment he saw Marta lean against him. ”Be nice. Ricky was teasing. He never tells me to do anything - always asks.” her voice was light and teasing with humor. She really was a good kid.
Marta began to work with a practiced ease. She actually enjoyed cooking and Ricky had taught her what he knew. Hayden’s next question wasn’t surprising, but it was always one that was hard to answer. It wasn’t regret. Ricky didn’t regret his decision to come to Moscow, but the decision hadn’t been made for him. Usually he answered this question with a simple ‘he needed a change.’ It wasn’t really a lie, but it certainly wasn’t the whole truth either. He had needed a change, but Marta had needed that more.
Ricky knew Hayden knew Marta’s backstory, and Ricky had told Nox himself in Mexico, but he wasn’t sure if Nox remembered. Ricky felt no reason to hide the truth from these two, but the actual story made people think him a hero. Ricky really wasn’t one. He had just done what he thought best, but he wouldn’t tell it without permission. He also knew that sometimes she felt guilty about that. He looked at Marta who met his gaze. An unspoken conversation passed between them, and Marta gave him a nod.
”There were too many ghosts for her there,” Ricky said finally. ”But we both needed the change.” Marta gave him a smile. Her guilt on that front was gone.
Marta began to work with a practiced ease. She actually enjoyed cooking and Ricky had taught her what he knew. Hayden’s next question wasn’t surprising, but it was always one that was hard to answer. It wasn’t regret. Ricky didn’t regret his decision to come to Moscow, but the decision hadn’t been made for him. Usually he answered this question with a simple ‘he needed a change.’ It wasn’t really a lie, but it certainly wasn’t the whole truth either. He had needed a change, but Marta had needed that more.
Ricky knew Hayden knew Marta’s backstory, and Ricky had told Nox himself in Mexico, but he wasn’t sure if Nox remembered. Ricky felt no reason to hide the truth from these two, but the actual story made people think him a hero. Ricky really wasn’t one. He had just done what he thought best, but he wouldn’t tell it without permission. He also knew that sometimes she felt guilty about that. He looked at Marta who met his gaze. An unspoken conversation passed between them, and Marta gave him a nod.
”There were too many ghosts for her there,” Ricky said finally. ”But we both needed the change.” Marta gave him a smile. Her guilt on that front was gone.