A rare cool summer breeze made its way through south Las Pegasus, rustling bushes, trees, and helping tumbleweeds continue on their wind-powered journey across the desert. Jet Stream took in the mountain ranges that surrounded the valley that could truly be appreciated on a clear morning like today. But he only let his eyes wander for a few moments before they were brought back to the sign above the entrance to the fenced property in front of him.
Vee's Junkyard and Pressure Washing Service
Same Day Service Available
Ever since it had been stripped and repainted, Jet had never seen so much as a spec of dirt or rust on it, like Delta had allowed to happen over the years after she had first gotten the place. It wasn't just the sign either; the fences, the workshop, her trailer; they had all been immaculately sprayed down and looked brand new. The piles of junk were also sorted and cleaned.
It was all too apparent that Apogee had done absolute wonders.
His teenage daughter was the light of his life, and now she had managed to do something similar to Delta's life. Since working out joint custody three months ago, she had managed to convince his ex to get a new outlook on life. It was helped in large part to the new glasses she had ordered. It reminded him of their college days. Every Monday, Apogee came home with a small bag of bits, from helping her mom out with pressure washing. He wasn't sure if she was saving it or spending it on things, but her room didn't seem to fill up with any new things.
Another positive note was her schoolwork. For the last quarter of her sophomore year, her grades had skyrocketed ever since she was spending two to three days a week with her mother. She was going to be a junior in the fall, and Jet could honestly see her on the honor roll if she continued putting in the effort.
But for as much as Delta's life seemed to improve with Apogee's involvement, the resentment she harbored towards him seemed as obvious as ever. But he respected whatever boundaries she set, which was why he was standing out here, off of her property, patiently waiting for his daughter. He figured if he respected her wishes, she might let her guard down sooner or later, and stop being so cold. For now, Apogee seemed happy, and that's all that mattered.
Still, it would be nice having the whole family under one roof again...
His train of thought was interrupted when he heard the trailer door open and Apogee exited and descended the stairs, just ahead of her mother.
"I had a great weekend, mom." Apogee said, looking back at her.
"Same here, Apogee. Oh, and don't think I forgot..." Delta replied, tossing her a small bag of bits, tied with twine.
"Mom, you know you don't have to do this every week." Apogee replied, before putting the bag in her small saddlebag.
"If I didn't do it every week, all you'd get is a heavier bag of bits every other week. You do a job, a great one at that, and you get paid for it." Delta replied, popping a piece of nicotine gum into her mouth, as the two of them walked to the front entrance together, where Jet was waiting.
"Hey, kiddo. You can go ahead and start home, I'll catch up. I need to have a quick word with your mom." Jet Stream said after he greeted her with a hug.
"Sure, dad. See you next week mom!" Apogee bid Delta goodbye with a hug, then took to the sky with a few flaps of her wings. Delta looked to Jet, an eyebrow raised expectantly.
"Well, I'll be quick, so she doesn't get too far ahead of me. I'd like to invite you over for drinks tonight. Apogee's going over to a friend's house for a sleepover tonight, so I was wondering if we could talk." Jet explained.
"Talk about what?" Delta asked, adjusting her glasses on her snout.
"Well, I guess you could say it's about Apogee's future. I figured you should have a part in that, with how we've been shared custody for the past few months."
Delta fought back the urge to roll her eyes.
"Fine. What time?" She asked.
"Anytime around 7 would be great." Her ex replied.
"Yeah, I'll be there." Delta answered, before walking back into the junkyard, and Jet turned and trailed after his daughter.
As she went and closed the sliding door to the workshop, she wondered what Apogee's future had to do with inviting her downtown. She hadn't been to Jet's top-floor penthouse since Apogee's 16th birthday party almost a year ago. It had gone, well, like most of her other visits had gone; her not really hiding the fact that she didn't want to be there, sneaking sips of booze when she could, and being a minimal level of cordial for Apogee's sake.
But now things had changed. Her relationship with her daughter had blossomed, and because of that, nearly every other aspect of her life had improved almost immeasurably. This junkyard had turned from a place she kept barely functional just enough to make enough bits for her next drinking binge or high, and it had become a living space and business she was proud of. Her income had more than quintupled, even more so on the days that Apogee was here to help, and she was more than happy to pay her daughter for her time.
She came up to her trailer and opened the door, and stepped inside. It was much more of a home now. Gone was the near constant smell of cigarette smoke. Repeated passes with a steam cleaner had erased all the beer and whiskey stains on the carpets. In fact, the only improvement left she figured she could make to this place was if she tore up the worn brown carpet and replaced it with a color that was a little more lively. It was pretty much the last thing she could do to tear this trailer out of the 70's permanently.
Her mind lingered on what Jet wanted her to fly downtown for tonight, but there were also things to take care of between now and then. Even without Apogee, there were five appointments set for today; she'd get done with the last one around 5, and she'd have just enough time to get cleaned up and presentable enough for her ex.
Then she could finally find out what his angle was.
With Jet Stream, there was always an angle.