Shelly Pomera is a character that has become a story of redemption for me, personally. Demonstrating interactions with the ugly part of humanity, visited by those who still believe in the good of others, this has become a personal favorite of mine, and one I intend to build over time. You can find the first part of this story in my gallery under "It's Okay, Little One."

=====

Shelly was clearly apprehensive about being in a complete stranger's house, and as I got settled in after shift, I made sure she had a towel and gave her free reign of the guest bathroom, where she must've spent an hour under the hot water. Her injuries from her earlier assault were superficial, at worst, and I told her I didn't think medical attention would be necessary, and might draw unwanted attention. While she was in cleaning up, I got her clothes washed and dried, leaving them on the guest bed, then went about my routine.

I started a kettle of hot water and left a few options on the counter for her.

"Where do you want the wet towel?" She said sheepishly from the hallway.

"Just leave it on the washer, i'll take care of it tomorrow."

Hugging herself and walking, a bit lost, into the kitchen, she settled on a mug of hot chocolate and came and sat on my ottoman, watching my cats sniff around her feet.

"Seems unreal." She said.

I sipped my tea and quirked an eyebrow. "Mm?"

"I...guess I never expected to end up in a stranger's living room after being thrown out into the cold by the last one I came across." She observed.

"I save the whips, chains, and insults for the ones I'm not particularly fond of." I smirked at her shocked expression. "Not all of us are in the habit of being cruel to those down on their luck, Shelly."

She seemed to shrink a bit at the comment and stared down into her cup.

"I have nothing to repay you, Grim." She seemed to tense at the realization.

"I didn't ask for compensation."

"I'll make sure to leave the guest room the way I found it when I leave tomorrow."

"Leave?"

"Yeah, I mean you're letting me stay for the night. I'll have to figure things out tomorrow when I leave."

I leaned forward and looked the girl in the eye.

"I had no intention of kicking you onto the street, Shelly."

She blinked. "...really?"

I sat back and sipped my tea again. "My father taught me the apparently archaic trait of basic kindness. I won't throw you on your ass if you have no place to go. What kind of Samaritan would I be to leave you on the corner I found you? Respect my home, and you are welcome to stay as long as you need."

There was a long silence as things continued to sink in.

"Breakfast?"

I looked at the pup, then to the clock.

"It's four in the morning, sweetheart."

"No no, I mean when we wake up. Can I make you breakfast?"

"...sure?"

"That'll repay you for the ride and the place to sleep! I'd be asleep next to a...well, I'd be sleeping on the side of the road if you hadn't helped me." She choked a bit on her own words, nearly crying again at her own commentary.

I spared her the notion that she'd have probably caught pneumonia sleeping out in the rain that had been falling steadily harder since we'd gotten home. I smiled at her idea of compensation.

"Everything you need will be in the fridge. We'll call it even."

The pup nodded and sipped her cocoa.

Finishing my tea, I returned the cup to the kitchen, then paused in the hallway.

"I'm going to catch some sleep. I'm off tomorrow, so I can help you with anything you might need." I said, nodding to the Sheltie.

"Grim?"

I had turned to walk into my bedroom, then paused and looked back. "Yeah?"

"...thanks for everything."

Art  Skidd
Concept  Grimblefuzz