The night is quiet and cool. Tari is sitting on top of a rectangular headstone reading Heart and wearing a loud red sweater tossed on over her tank top, she didn't bother to take off her pajama pants. She just sits quietly and listens as Isaac talks about the extravagant life he has imagined for the poor fellow beneath a rather large headstone reading Teddy Baker A Wonderful Husband and the Best Father.

"Does this bum you out? Working in a place where everyone is dead?" Tari asks after Isaac finishes his theory. He looks at her, thinking about his response. The cemetery had seemed more like home than his actual house since losing his mother. Sure, all the people were dead, but that just meant that they couldn't hurt him.

Of course, he doesn't tell Tari that. Instead of saying what he is thinking, Isaac shrugs, "Nah, not really. I like the quiet." He says softly, looking to some of his favorite markers before settling back on Tari. She wears a small smile as she watches him. After a moment, Isaac get uncomfortable with her intense gaze and puts his head down to continue raking. This only makes her smile wider.

An entire minute passes before Isaac can't keep his invasive questions to himself anymore, "Tari... Do you miss your family?" Her eyebrows raise to her hairline as she looks at Isaac to make sure his question isn't one he accidentally said out loud, but when she sees he means it, Tari smiles, "More than anything, actually. I try not to let it consume me, though, because then I would be of no assistance once they get back."

That comment catches Isaac off guard. When they get back?... Does... Oh my God, Tari still thinks her family is coming back. He thinks, looking at the girl as she smiles wistfully. Another thought dawns on him as he watches her, That's why she keeps the house spotless, and why she won't smoke in the house. She wants her family to come home to it just as they left it. It's at this very moment that Isaac realizes that Tari isn't as invincible as she seems to be, and for some reason he doesn't quite know yet, this makes him incredibly sad.

Dropping his rake, Isaac does the first thing on his mind and walks over to Tari. "What?" She asks as he walks to her, completely destroying his leaf pile. Isaac doesn't answer though, instead, he lifts Tari off of the marker and wraps her up in a hug. In that hug Isaac tries to squeeze all of the affection he can into her person.

"Hey hey, Isaac," Tari chuckles as she hugs him back, "What's the fuss, big guy?" She asks, rubbing circles into his back. It feels like he's trying to comfort her, in a way, but he just shakes his head against her, "I just really wanted to give you a hug." He says before setting her back on her feet.

Tossing Issac a questioning glance, Tari nods toward her truck, "Let's get outta here. I'll have you back home at a good time." The offer makes Isaac happier than he can express, but as he starts to walk, he feels the crunch of the dry scattered leaves beneath his sneakers, "I can't. My dad will lose it if he comes in tomorrow morning and I haven't raked. I'll um, I'll see you at school though."

He's hoping Tari will object or pull him along, but instead she nods and unhooks her keys from her belt loop and hops right into her pick-up. Her easy departure makes Isaac a little sad and he watches Tari drive off before picking his rake up.

Not even five minutes later, Tari's truck pulls back up and she steps out to pull a rake from the back. Walking near Isaac, Tari takes in his surprised gape, "What? I know you didn't have an extra rake." She starts raking and Isaac can't help the surge of emotions that run through his belly. This girl awakens emotions in him that he didn't even know existed before and he can't possibly hold it in any longer.

"Netari James, I have to kiss you." Isaac says blatantly. Tari smiles, looking up at the boy. She plans on making a remark about how he can cash in that bet at any time, but like earlier, Isaac pulls her to him. Unlike earlier, he meshes his lips with hers in an awkward dance.

When he releases her, Tari beams a smile at Isaac, "Was that your first kiss, Isaac?" His face grows even more red. He knows she isn't asking to be mean, but her knowledge of the fact embarrasses him a bit, "Well, Cary Randall kissed me in the first grade. But she really just -" Tari laughs before pulling his lips back down to hers, the awkwardness from the first kiss gone.

This time, when they separate, Isaac is beaming, "Yeah, Cary didn't kiss me like that." He quips. Tari laughs again, "Isaac Lahey, I have been waiting to do that since I first laid eyes on those cherub-esque locks of yours." Isaac's eyes widen, "Really? That was what, first grade?" He remembers with a chuckle. Tari nods, "Yes. And I hated Cary Randall for kissing you first. I knocked out her tooth on the playground a week later."

The two laugh at the memory, "You said she fell!" Isaac chuckles once their laughs settle a bit. "I never said she didn't fall because I punched her." Tari smirks, making Isaac laugh again. It's the most relaxed Tari has seen him in a long time, and all she wants is to keep him there now that she realizes it's possible.