AT THE MALLOY'S HOUSE FOLLOWING THUNDER'S FUNERAL

"Well, well, well, look who it is. If it weren't what some would call the prodigal son coming home after all these years. But instead of returning to a feast given by his father, he's returned to bury him," Toni Malloy said with a hint of malice in her voice. She had been watching her twin brother Trent talk to Pastor Roscoe Jones and was waiting to make her presence known. The time finally came when Roscoe left and Trent was left alone.

"Toni, it's so glad to see you. I just wish we could see each other on better terms," Trent said as he went to hug his sister. He was in the shock of his life when Toni backed away from the hug. "What's wrong with you?" he asked.

"I'll tell you what's wrong with me. Everyone is making a big deal now that your back, but I know the truth. As soon as this is all over and everything is smoothed out some, your leaving. Plus why should I be nice to you when you all but forgotten me. Did you once send me a letter? No, you sent mom, dad and the kids plenty. Bet you didn't even know I was a Texas Ranger now. Got picked right after my first year with the force. Now that kind of thing doesn't happen that often, especially if you a woman. Plus, I am working with the man who taught you karate, Cordell Walker," Toni said with a hint of resentment in her voice. She did resent the fact that she and Trent weren't as close as they used to be. Granted they weren't as close as before she ran away, but they were still semi-close.

"For your information, I did know that you were a Texas Ranger. Mom told me as soon as you made it in. I am happy for you," Trent said as he leaned against the house. He had a feeling that this was going to take a while. Though he really didn't know why Toni was so mad at him. He didn't send her any letters because he thought that she would be too busy with her own life. He was about to say something else, but was interrupted by his sister.

"You're happy for me, yeah, okay I believe that one. Not. I know about the letter that you wrote to Walker when you found out that he was on the board to pick the new Texas Rangers. I know you told him that you thought he made a mistake. That you thought he picked me because I was your sister. I know you told him that you thought I was still inexperienced. I know all about it," Toni spat at her brother. When Walker let her read that letter she just wanted to go up to the base that Trent was stationed at and rip him a new one. "I'll have you know that I got picked to be a Ranger because of how good I was not because of who I am related to," Toni maliciously said.

"I guess Walker didn't tell you that he sent me a letter saying everything that you just said. Plus he sent me a tape of your Ranger test. You were really good. I know now why you were picked for the Rangers. I never knew you were that good," Trent said. He really felt bad for writing the letter he sent Walker, but that was how he felt at the time.

"Oh, another thing, just because dad kept a picture of you in his Bible doesn't make you special. You should look a couple of pages ahead of your picture," Toni said. Then before Trent could respond she walked back into the house. Trent just looked down at his right hand. He was still holding his dad's Bible. He sat down as he opened it to the page with the picture of him in his army uniform. He flipped the Bible a couple of pages and stared at what he saw in semi-shock. There were two pictures there; they were both of Toni. One was of her in a police uniform. The other one was of her in regular clothes, but as Trent studied the picture he noticed that Toni was wearing a Texas Ranger badge. Trent closed the Bible and went inside the house.