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“Hi there,” I softly spoke

“Hello,” he replied

“Hoas your outing with Denise?”

He grimaced

Seeht

“I’et how they couldon with her toward the server”

“Denise is good atpeople think they are crazy,” I joked “It probably explains some of my issues”

“I hate her”

“Don’t Besides…she ht be your mother”

“Don’t care Still hate her” He glanced around, almost uncertain what to do or say next He cleared his throat and scratched at his neck “Are you all right? After your talk last night?”

“No”

“Did you get any sleep?”

I shook my head Tears burned at the back of my eyes “No”

“Don’t cry”

“Okay”

I cried

He stepped closer “You’re crying”

“Sorry”

“No apologies”

“Okay”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a tissue “Figured you ht cry, so I shoved these into my pocket”

“Thanks” I took it and wiped my eyes

“Do you only have mostly one-word replies today?”

I nodded “Yes” Anycompletely apart I didn’t want to talk about what happened because it hurt too much I didn’t want to face the fact thataround behindIf I spoke the words, I’d shatter

“I… I mean… They…” The words faltered off My brain was too exhausted and overwhelmed to even try to form a full sentence

“Words are overrated,” he said, looking down at the floor When he looked up, his lips sat in a heavy frown “It h”

“What does?”