(no subject)

[geeky_agent]

March 27, 2006

It had been a long day by the time Chris reached Michelle's house. The night before she had barely slept and was beginning to forget what it was like to sleep for more than four or five hours a night.

She stalled at the bottom of the front steps, debating whether to stay or leave. I didn't call. It's not like they had been expecting me. After a long day at work, she barely the energy to go through with this.

But if she didn't do it now, then when?

With a sigh, Chris heads up the stairs and rings the door bell.

Comments

[chelleuncurled]

She nods, "I'm not really hungry, but mom's been making food for days."

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

There's a ghost of a smile at that, she remembered her relatives sending her food and care packages after her parents died.

Chris turns back to Linda. "I'll stay."

[theredshirts.livejournal.com]

Linda's smile in return's a bit forced, but if it makes her daughter eat, she'll accept it.

"Good. Chelle, dear, I got through to your father. He and Amy are still in Europe but he'll be back in time for the funeral." She says Amy like she's a form of bacteria. "Dinner will be ready in ten minutes."

[chelleuncurled]

Her dad and Amy had gone on a backpacking trip across Europe, chosing now because they weren't getting any younger. Amy had gushed that they weren't even bringing cell phones.

"Thanks mom," Michelle says and then her mom leaves to finish dinner.

She looks back over at Chris, "You don't have to stay."

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

"I want to." That was the truth. She hadn't seen her friend in a long time and she missed her. Any uneasy was more her fault than Michelle's and she wouldn't feel right not staying when she didn't have anywhere else to be.

[chelleuncurled]

"I'm glad you're here," she says and means it, looking up at her bruised face.

[geeky-agent.livejournal.com]

She smiles at this, those words almost dispelling her earlier anxiety. "I wish there was more I could do."

[chelleuncurled]

"So do I," she whispers, not smiling in return, but her tears have stopped. They sit in silence for a few more moments and then Michelle's mom yells up that dinner's ready.

For the first time in days, Michelle leaves her room, reluctantly accepting Chris's help.

We all need somebody to lean on.