Let it rain until it floodsSam found me on the way upstairs, maybe looking for a little redemption of his own. He put his arms up to embrace me and I put my hands up to block my face, suddenly completely unwilling for the first time in my life to accept another moment of affection in a way that isn't me. I backed up until I hit the wall and slid down until I was on the floor.
Let the sun breathe life once more
Reborn
Who were you with. It's an order. The longer Sam lives here the more his anger comes out sounding exactly like Caleb.
Because apparently it's never my fault. But I'm not outing anyone today and PJ didn't do anything wrong.
I shake my head. I'm just really tired and I can't do this right now.
Come with me, I'll get you to your room.
I know the way, Samuel. Please. I'll see you later. Look, I've been up all night and I'm just really touchy. I need some sleep and then I'll be human again but I'm at that barf-stage of being tired and it's the least-pretty and I don't need you to see it. Please.
Can we talk later?
Of course.
Love you, Bridge.
Me, too. He watches as I get up and head upstairs. Once I close the door I let out a huge long sigh and burst into fresh tears. Oh my God why am I so tired? Why did that whole exchange go so wrong so quickly?
What's wrong?
Lochlan's sitting on the bed. Jeans and a rumpled flannel shirt he was wearing when I last saw him show me he didn't sleep yet either.
Sam just left?
He slept here. I just booted him. I worked all night on the camper. No point sleeping alone. But when I came back here he was. He laughs but it's bitter. I figured you'd come back eventually but you never did.
Sorry.
Well, that's a singular excuse I didn't really expect.
PJ didn't pay attention to the time.
You were pretending you were Nukes?
No-
It's fine, Bridge. I used to do that to. When I was with Keira. We actually were a nuclear family for a heartbeat. I'm not upset about it. I didn't think you'd be gone for so long, that's all. Where is he?
Sleeping.
He nods. We should do the same. What happened with Sam?
He made a move and then got oddly quiet-ragey.
Sam's having a rough go. Just treat him gently.
He should do the same for me!
He does, Peanut. Don't cry. Come get some sleep. You'll feel better in a couple hours.
I sure hope so. Remind me not to do this anymore.
I have been for a while now. But he said it so softly it took my brain a while to piece the sounds together, discern the meaning and deliver it to me as I fell off the edge of my consciousness, and I didn't get to respond.