terribly sorry, officer (baelfiery) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-09-16 21:01:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !complete, jesse mccree, neal cassidy (baelfire) |
Who: Neal & Jesse
What: Interviewing about a volunteer position~
When: This past week!
Where: Jean Grey Outreach Center
Rating/Warnings: Naaah, talk of criminal activity is all
Status: Complete
The first cut of hay happened in July, and went well into August - summer was generally haying season at the ranch, along with a lot of repairs made to the pipes and irrigation; the workday was from dawn to dusk, extended to accommodate longer hours of light, and with a shortage of actual ranch hands that meant Neal was busy digging in and doing a lot of the dirty stuff himself, all with the head administrative duties (hiring and budgeting, mostly) falling upon his shoulders too. Of course, with Nikolas having been born in July, he was hoping that in the fall he’d get to cut back a little on the ranch hand stuff and focus on the project he and Emma had discussed - accommodating teenage mothers, in addition to kids coming to the ranch for rehabilitation. He couldn’t devote time to those expansions if he had to worry about making sure the calves were eating from troughs, or even the extra fun job of testing the lady cows for pregnancy - another fun autumn task. Guh. He’d already been outside for a few hours, and was exhausted and in need of water - so he headed back to his office in the main building, which was a rambler-style house smack dab in the center of the property. A bottle of water had been procured from the mini-fridge when the secretary from up front buzzed him and said someone was here to see him. Not too atypical - Neal got visitors frequently, some scheduled and some not. “Let me just make myself somewhat presentable,” he told the secretary, with a laugh, before wiping sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, taking another swig of water and heading out in dusty blue jeans and a t-shirt to meet whomever had arrived. It was luck or chance or something that made the flier in the diner stand out enough to catch Jesse’s eye. It advertised a ranch for troubled kids looking for help. Made sense. Summer was a busy season for every ranch Jesse knew back home in Santa Fe. He studied the flier for a moment before he yanked it from the bulletin board and tucked it into his pocket. As soon as he could he drove out and asked to speak to the guy in charge. The guy looked like a ranch guy with his tan skin, dirty jeans, and sturdy work boots. He looked less like a cowboy than Jesse did. Still, everything about his said hard working ranch hand. It was nice to see the guy in charge was also working with everyone else. He hated it when the people in charge lorded over everyone. “Howdy,” he said as he took off his hat and held out a hand. His right because most people caught a look at the Deadlock gang symbol on his left forearm and had themselves a little fit. “Jesse McCree. Saw you were lookin’ for volunteers and thought I’d stop by to see if you’d take on a man who hasn’t been around horses in a couple years but know his stuff.” He could bring up his past but he didn’t like leading with that. Oh, by the way, I’m a former gang member who did a lot of horrible things before getting arrested, want to let me around the kids? Yeah, not the best opening line. He’d like to get the feel of the place, its owner and see how he felt about former felons before he opened his big mouth about it. Howdy. And with an authentic cowboy hat and all. Neal felt like he just stepped into a movie directed by Clint Eastwood. Safe to say, the typical volunteer was usually a bright-eyed, eager college student looking to put the experience on their resume or earn community service hours. Some really appreciated working with animals, like how Hazel did. But he couldn't recall meeting someone like Jesse here. "Neal Cassidy," he introduced himself, shaking the man's hand then motioning the way toward his office. "We're definitely looking for volunteers. Come on back and we'll talk - I can tell you more about the ranch, and then there's always the standard paperwork but I'll try to make it as painless as possible." Provided that there was a good fit, of course. But Neal was a good judge of character - some conversation could, generally, tell him what he needed to know. "Though you've got experience with horses, you say?" Of course, there was paperwork. Jesse almost sighed out loud but he stopped himself. That would give him away and he was really good at hiding his tells. Paperwork always had that little section about criminal records and most employers as soon as they saw that would go ‘nope’ and tell him to fuck off. Hopefully, this fella was more understanding. Jesse followed him back into his office and took a seat in front of his desk, rubbing his palms against his jeans for a moment before he propped his foot up on his knee and settled in for conversation. “Yeah, grew up around cattle ranches and sheep farms, things like that,” he explained with an easy smile. “Also learned to ride and a little ropin’, little rodeo. Nothin’ too excitin’ but enough that I was good with ‘em. Haven’t been around ‘em in a while but I imagine the basics have stayed the same.” Horses didn’t change much. Riding didn’t change much. He figured a few goes in the saddle again and he’d be right as rain there. Hell, he could always do simple farm work. It would give him something to do between bounties. He hadn’t done much farm hand work but it couldn’t be too hard to learn. Neal cracked a smile - the guy’s demeanor was easygoing and friendly, which was necessary on a ranch where you were surrounded by little hellions. Most of the kids had behavioral problems, and they didn’t trust adults easily - but spend enough time with them, have patience, and they always would begin to open up a little. “Rodeo’s something the kids would definitely like,” he nodded. “They work with the animals in a rehabilitative sense - it’s calming for them, to care for horses and even the cattle and donkeys. These are the kids who have been in and out of juvie, they’re often on probation and a stay at the ranch is a part of their sentence. So I should caution you that it’s not always easy to connect with them, but once they trust you then it’s - well, I find it rewarding. These kids remind me a lot of myself, when I was that age. I never went to juvie but I wasn’t raised in a good environment, or given a lot of options - sometimes you fall onto a criminal path and it’s hard to get off of it.” Rummaging through a file cabinet or two, he pulled out a couple of forms to fill out - the standard name, address, contact info, preferred hours, allergies, all that good stuff. Info needed to do a background check but mostly just administrative, to keep everything organized. “We also have programs for older kids to get their GED - and we hire tutors, as well as counselors to work with them. But I’m guessing you’d mainly want to stick to caring for the animals, that part of volunteer work?” He took the papers and started to look them over while he listened to Neal give a rundown of what the ranch did and the kids that came to the program. Sounded like the typical sort of kids that ended up in trouble. He remembered being that sort of kid, it was a long time ago but it was still in his mind. That sort of childhood didn’t fade from the mind easily. “I’m lookin’ to help,” he said with the same easy smile. Made sense that the guy had a rough past of his own to help kids with the same. Jesse liked the guy a little bit more because of that. He might actually appreciate Jesse’s background unlike other people. “Can teach the kids to rope if you’d like. Ain’t hard to pick up if you’ve got a rope. Can teach ‘em Spanish too, if you want. Grew up speaking that along with English. Ain’t my first time teachin’ either. Did it, uh, did it when I got locked up.” Jesse let out a sigh now and figured he couldn’t keep it hidden. Figured it was stupid to keep it hidden considering there was a nice little part in the paper about a background check. The guy would find it out when he did that. Best to get it out in the open. His smile got a little less easy but it didn’t fade completely. “Spent a couple years in the pen for some things I did. I’ll put it all on the paperwork, don’t you worry none. Ain’t gonna keep it from ya. If you’re lookin’ for volunteers who know these kids, who’ve been these kids, well, don’t gotta look much farther.” Jesse gestured to himself with his hand, like he was confident and totally okay with his criminal past. Neal understood - and he definitely wasn’t in any place to judge, fuck no. “We have a few things in common, sounds like,” he replied. There were some brochures and pamphlets about the ranch too, more detail than the fliers that were usually tacked up around and about - he added those to the package o’stuff. “I came here a couple years ago looking for work. I’d just moved to Orange County. The guy who used to run this place, Scott, he hired me as a ranch hand - I was pretty upfront that I’d been in some shit too. My stepfather was a Sicilian mafia head, and I spent a few years with him - so I’ve still got ‘family’ connections I can’t shake.” He didn’t feel uncomfortable about sharing that, it was what it was. Even with his stepfather’s passing, and Neal being left a large sum of money, that still didn’t erase everything. There were some angry about family money going to the kid who had cut ties with them - he’d donated it anyway, not wanting to spend it on himself. It seemed wrong. “Anyway,” Neal lifted a shoulder. “When Scott moved away, I took over. I wanted to run this place as well as he did because it means a lot to me. I’m all about second chances - for the kids who stay here, and for people like us. Besides, it’d be good for them to have someone else to relate to.” Jesse didn’t let it show how relieved he was but damn that was good to hear. He didn’t have to worry about his past and snap judgements about him because of it. He didn’t have the same history as the man across from him but it sounded similar enough that they could get along fairly easy. “Well, sounds like we’ve got ourselves a good thing here,” he drawled, that easy smile back on his face. He’d happily do that paperwork now that there was nothing to worry about. “I imagine y’all want to still take a look before ya welcome me aboard. What were ya thinkin’ about days you’d need me out here?” His schedule was pretty flexible given that he didn’t have many bounties right now. That could change but something to fill his empty hours would be good. He’d get to ride again which would be nice. He hadn’t done that in years. Some the kids might be better in the saddle than him but he imagined that would come back. “Taking a look is standard protocol, but really, I can’t see any reason why you wouldn’t be welcomed aboard - hell, even the unsavory parts show the kids that anyone can turn their life around, if they really want to and work hard,” Neal said, and he meant that. Having those positive examples and success stories for the kids to look up to was important - it helped them not feel so alone or that changing was impossible. Clicking a few buttons on the mouse, at his computer, he pulled up a calendar - there were a few, but this one had all the schedules of those who worked here and volunteered. Color-coded, naturally. He’d learned a few things about organization and making spreadsheets while employed part-time as Regina’s assistant. “In addition to the programs for kids, the ranch hands have fall tasks about to start - repairing the farming equipment and fences, weaning calves, vaccinations, firewood chopping. You’d think we won’t need it come winter, being that this is California, but - “ He lifted a brow, chuckling. “It snows every December. Last year we had snow for the whole month. But let’s see...” He made a couple adjustments to the schedule. “Maybe Monday, Wednesday, Friday? Or Tuesday and Thursday, longer hours. Whatever works for you - I’d be glad to get you a space for teaching kids the ropes, literally, and a space indoors for Spanish tutoring,” he suggested. Jesse made a face at the mention of snow. It didn’t snow in Santa Fe unless it was up in the mountains. He’d seen it once or twice in his life but never with any consistency. If there was going to be snow he was not looking forward to it. Hell, he might even have to buy gloves and something like a scarf when it got real cold. The desert got chilly but even in December it wasn’t too bad. This was going to be a big change. “Well, I bounty hunt for a livin’ so my schedule might change at the drop of a hat.” He grinned and raised his eyebrows to make his hat jump a bit. “Let’s go with Tuesdays and Thursdays for now. Ain’t that big a loss if I’ve gotta call and let you know I’m huntin’ someone and can’t come in that day. Though, I’d hate to let the kids down.” He rubbed his hand over his beard as he thought about it. Damn kids always ended up being a problem. He didn’t want to give them something to look forward to and then take it away. He had enough of that bullshit when he was growing up. “Alright, I take it back. Let’s do Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I’ll give ya six hours of my time. You can figure out how you wanna schedule that for the things you’ve got the kids doin’ already. I can always hunt around other times. To be honest, though, the only farm task I can probably do without any trainin’ is choppin’ wood.” Neal felt similarly about snow, to be honest. He’d experienced enough of it in Detroit, where he was originally from, and then again in New York City - where it was mostly slush and gross. But winter wonderland in the OC was one of the more benign things that could happen, so, he’d take it. His grin in response was accompanied by a gravelly laugh, as he tentatively ‘penciled’ the new guy in. “M, W, and F - fair enough. I’m sure we can come up with things for you to do, and you’ll learn other farm tasks in no time. Oh, and feel free to take those and bring them back whenever, in person or scan and email,” he added, tapping the various forms. “Unless you want to stay and do them now.” Neal didn’t have a preference either way. “If nothin’ else I make a good doorstop.” Jesse began to fold up the papers as soon as the offer was made that he could bring them back. He’d take the offer and fill them out when he was back in his apartment. “I’ll swing by when it’s done and hand it back to ya. Did ya wanna show me around or you gotta get back to work? I don’t wanna take up more of your time than ya got to offer.” Jesse could ramble his way back to his truck and get out of Neal’s hair just as easily as he could stay and get a feel of the place. He’d like to get outside for a smoke but that was partially nerves. He hadn’t done anything like this since his time inside and he still wasn’t sure he’d be good at it. Goddamn but he wanted to try though. They still wouldn’t take him as any sort of police but maybe he could start giving back, doing something right for once here at this ranch with the kids and the horses. A tour sounded good to Neal - he'd see what Jesse thought of the place, and would help him familiarize himself with the surroundings. Being that the outreach center was right in Trabuco Canyon, the views were pretty spectacular. "Come on, I'll show you around," he offered, standing up from behind the desk after locking his computer. There was a lot of ground to cover, here and a little beyond. "By the way, there's an awesome cafe just up the dirt road a ways - they serve breakfast all day and the burgers are amazing." It looked like the type of place cowboys went to, swinging off of horseback for a bite and then swinging back on. So in other words, Jesse would fit right in. But Neal thought that some time here would be good for him anyway - like it had been for him too, all that time ago. “Yeah, saw it when I drove here.” As soon as they were outside Jesse dug in his shirt pocket and pulled out a cigarillo. He reached for his lighter before he thought about manners and gestured at Neal with the unlit cigarillo. “Am I allowed to smoke here?” These days it was rare anyone said yes. Jesse could smoke on his apartment balcony and in his car without anyone turning up their nose or lecturing him. If one more person talked to him about the health dangers of smoking he would lose his mind. Yes, it was bad for his lungs but he was an adult and he could do what he wanted including smoke himself to death. Still, he had enough manners to be sensible and ask the guy who ran the place about it. Some of these places were healthy living types and preached a clean body and health foods. Jesse was not one of those people and never would be. Reyes had tried a little to get him to quit but given up in the end. He dragged his teeth over his lower lip as he thought about his former mentor then pushed it far, far down. “If I ain’t, I’ll save it. Just wanna know before I light up.” “Probably not a good idea. You might start a fire. And we have enough arsonists here,” Neal quipped as they headed outside (he’d make a circle, showing everything - the stables, where the cattle grazed, the dorms, the cafeteria, the administrative buildings, the various gyms; definitely a lot of ground to cover). But hey, it was kind of true - given how damn dry California was all the time, and this ranch was also dry and dusty enough as it is. He also wasn’t kidding about the mini-arsonists either, but hey. Things the newest recruit would learn, all in due time. He kept his grumbling in his head as he put the cigarillo back and his lighter away. Man had a point but the vaqueros he knew from home always smoked sometimes while riding their horses. He’d have to make sure to smoke before he started working for a day. “Well, damn, this is a proper ranch.” He honestly wasn’t expecting the cows. Santa Fe was a little better off with sheep, goats, and animals that lived in desert climates. He didn’t know much about cows besides how to rope one. “Ain’t seen one this big in awhile. How many kids ya got?” There didn’t seem to be so many people running around but the place was big. He could’ve just missed them or they could be in the buildings. Jesse would learn the schedule after a few days, he imagined. “It varies as they come and go, but we’ve got a few dozen in the dorms - some of the kids though, they don’t stay at the ranch to attend school or camps, it’s more like a day program depending on their situation,” Neal explained. “For those that have a bed, average stays for kids are about 150-180 days, as part of their rehabilitation.” They had a sizable staff too - counselors, tutors, administrators (who were generally in the offices back in the main building), cooks, ranch hands, cows, a partridge and a pear tree. Neal wasn’t running things on his own - he just helped make sure everything did run like a well-oiled machine. He motioned toward where a few donkeys were hanging around their fenced-in area, amusing themselves with hay. “My gi - “ Wow, he had to remember to call Emma his fiancee now; they’d been together so long that the new (yet awesome) label took some getting used to, “...my fiancee started a program to rescue donkeys from kill pens. She’s an animal carer here, so you might see her around. Probably our older son too, he’s thirteen. And likes to come by to help out sometimes.” When he wasn’t too cool for school, in a sense. It seemed like Neal had his life together. He was engaged and running an apparently successful rehabilitation program for kids. Jesse could admire that, especially since he appeared to be a good guy on top of everything. Not too preachy either which Jesse had encountered more than once in the programs he attended in prison. “What sort of crimes land these kids here?” he asked, “You mentioned arson so I’ll keep my lighter close as a tick but what else? They just drug kids? Violent kids? Mix of everythin’ under the sun a stupid kid can get involved in?” Jesse had dipped into a lot of ugly things when he was a kid. He’d like to know how much he should trust the kids, how to handle them. He imagined he couldn’t trust them much if they were shits like he was. He stole from his own mother at one point there. The good, the bad, the ugly. Neal was familiar with it all - and he was never one to give in to the notion that a kid couldn’t change. Even if he couldn’t connect with someone particularly unruly right away, he kept trying. And trying, and trying, until progress was made - Neal didn’t give up on them, because once upon a time, he’d been the kid that had been given up on. He knew what it was like to be tossed aside by adults who were supposed to give a shit about you, and how difficult it was to trust after that. “A fair mix,” he replied. “Arson, vandalism, drugs, theft, some have problems with anger and lashing out. Some have been in a lot of fights, and that’s all they know how to do to express themselves.” No straight up serial killers though, if that’s what Jesse was asking. “That’s why we encourage other activities to channel anger - like martial arts and sports.” They’d made a whole big circle - Neal took him on the best route to sort of get a glimpse of most everything - and the main ranch house on the property was up ahead. “Like I said, it just takes some time to reach them - they’re mostly just kids who need a friend, first and foremost. But, yeah, that’s what we got. You still in?” he asked, hand over his brow to shield his eyes from the sun. Jesse gestured to him with a hand. “A hat’ll solve that problem for ya.” He had one one and didn’t have a problem with the sun. People might make fun of him for that but he didn’t need any fancy sunglasses. It was a nice little justification of his look. “I’ve done most of things. Don’t think I’ll have a problem gettin’ on these kids level. Got more stories than they do about this sort of shit. I ain’t scared yet.” He had an easy confidence about this and later he’d get nervous. If he did he wouldn’t let it show either. He could do this. Well, he’d fake it if he couldn’t. “Sign me up.” |