Conversation on a tree trunk (2)

Jason continued his story "Seeing as my parents have been away these past couple of days, I thought that someone had grabbed this chance to get me alone with their daughter. If it wasn't someone trying to get me to sleep with their daughter, it would be someone trying to get me to marry their daughter." He laughed bitterly. "These girls would be so shallow and would only be interested in what they could get by marrying me, than in me as a person. So when I saw you, I instantly relived all those other times and reacted the way I did. This is no excuse and does not make what I did right, but I hope it does allow you to see the situation from my perspective and maybe you can understand where my reaction came from." Finally Jason looked her in the eyes again and Jenny by now had gone from a hostile look to one with sympathy. How many bad people had he met for him to become the way he was. How much distrust did he have towards other people, for his first reaction to be "attack". Though Jason did not like to be pitied, because he believed these experiences had made him stronger, for the sake of this situation he allowed it. After all, sympathy was better than hatred.

"Thank you for telling me your story. It was more complex than I had thought. I am glad that you are not just some shallow rich boy who thinks the ground you walk on adores you. If we are going to give "getting to know each other" another go, I need to make two things clear. First, your story has given you understanding, not forgiveness. For me to forgive you, I need to see you are sorry through your actions. Saying sorry is one thing, but showing it another. If this kind of behavior, where you show me no respect whatsoever, repeats itself i will know. I will know that your words were just that, words. I will however give you the benefit of the doubt and try to get to know you without prejudice. Second, my mother is always off limits. Regardless of your mood, the severity of our fight or the circumstances we are in. If you can agree to this, then we can try and start over. What do you say?"

With this, Jason showed a smile on his face and wasted no time before saying, of course! And he let out a short amused laugh. "If I couldn't agree to that much, I would not have bothered coming after you and telling you this story. Well, now that we have come to an agreement, let us start where every other conversation would normally start. Hi, my name is Jason Westwood. Nice to meet you. And you are?" At this Jenny could not help but break her poker face and let out a laugh. This man was being silly already. Nonetheless she held out her hand and introduced herself. "Hello Jason, nice to meet you too. My name is Jenny Charlston. At least that is my name in England." Jason was mesmerized by her smile. What a difference in comparison to her angry and stoic expressions from before. She seem like a complete other person and what a lovely person she seemed. Though he must admit, her angry expression was very cute as well. Just like a little tiger. But he was wise enough not to hell her that. As he remembered her expression from before, Jason let out a snicker. Jenny was meanwhile focused on how to continue the conversation, when she suddenly remembered that she had yet to ask him a very important question. ''Tell me Jason, I have told you my ground rules for this second first impression, what are things you want me to take into account while getting to know you?"