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 Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 5:45 pm
More processes, more procedures, more people to talk to, tasks to fulfill. Laurence was trying to get everything he needed together, because if he was working towards a goal, he could distract himself. If he was left alone with his thoughts, he knew what was going to happen.
He was going to crumble. He was going to lose himself, to these emotions, to everything. Already it felt like he was trapped in floodwaters, whisked away and hitting every obstacle on the way out to the ocean. No matter what he tried, he felt helpless.
He had four new business cards and an armful of packets the hospital and the police officers had provided him. Grief Counselling. Information on who was going to be looking into the case—which, he was promised more information on as soon as they had time to process what they’d found at the scene and go over the coroner’s report. Information on potential issues and privacy concerns regarding the eventual media attention this would reach. Funeral arrangements. Information on contacting their lawyers to manage their estate…
He clutched the packet to his chest; it might have only weighed a pound, but it felt like he was dragging around something at least equal to his body weight.
They’d told him to go home, but perhaps realizing that he was not in any particularly good state, they had asked if there was someone he could call.
‘A family member, or friend?’
The first few words were a stab to his heart, but he nodded all the same.
He had no family to contact. Gale was the closest thing he had, and…
…She was probably at work.
But, he relented and let them sit him down at one of the phones in a back room. It wasn’t anything particularly impressive—a boring little room with framed photographs of flowers, and ugly red chairs and scuffed tile floor. But, it was private. The door closed, and he had a moment alone. He dialed Gale’s phone number and held the phone too tightly in his hand. He closed his eyes and rested his head heavily against it.
A part of him was desperate for her to pick up, desperate to have someone in his life that was alive, and real. Someone to comfort him. A part of him dreaded having to lay this burden on her, dreaded having to explain it.
He was miserable. He was going to be miserable no matter what happened.
He held his breath and waited; he had given up all hope or wishful thinking.
He had given up.
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Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:59 am
Gale had just gotten off of work and was heading to her car, tired but pleased with how things had gone. She felt her phone ringing and answered it just as she opened her car door. “Hello? This is Gale speaking.” The number was unfamiliar, and normally she didn’t answer those.
But it was one of those times that she just felt the urge to…
Well. To not let it go to voicemail.
Quietly gale got into the car and was tugging the seatbelt across her body, working hard to figure out the easiest way to let down the telemarketer who was undoubtedly on the other end of the phone line. Though perhaps she could have some fun with it too…but then again she had already proved she could speak English perfectly well so…pretending she couldn’t was kind of out the window now.
With a sigh she closed the car door and rested against the back of the seat, turning the phone onto speaker and waiting. “What can I do for you?”
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2018 5:56 pm
For a few seconds, Laurence couldn't speak. It wasn't that he didn't want to (mostly), it was that he felt as if he'd forgotten how to. His throat closed up and his stomach flipped. He closed his eyes and, finally exhaled.
"Gale," he mumbled; he barely recognized his own voice.
He should have said more; he should have had something prepared, but there was no dialogue, no script. Just an awkward silence that seemed to stretch on until the pressure was suffocating.
"...I don't mean to bother you."
He knew what she'd say, that she'd insist this wasn't a bother. That she could always make time for him. He didn't want to waste her breath by making her assure him of this, because he knew this was a bother.
"I'm at the hospital." No, don't end there, she'll think he got hurt. He was fine.
Or, at least, alive.
"Had to pick up some papers. They told me to call someone. You're the only one I have."
It wasn't exactly an explanation. It wasn't exactly anything. He rubbed at his eyes, thoughts too muddled for him to make much sense of it. He was speaking in little more than riddles, but he wasn't prepared for this. He didn't know how to do this.
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 7:10 pm
When Laurence first spoke, Gale was on guard, her brows furrowing. He didn’t sound good. Quietly she started up her car and turned the phone onto speaker, freezing when he said he was at the hospital. “What’s going on, Laurence? What hospital?” Her mind was racing, trying to keep up with his words. He wasn’t being a bother. He was never a bother...after he had helped her through everything she had gone through...there was nothing that could bother her now.
“You’re never a bother...but…” She blew out a breath. “Where are you at…?” And what did he mean she was the only one he had…?
Her heart was racing faster than she thought was safe and she worked hard to calm herself, breathing slowly and sitting back against her car seat. “I can be there soon...you need a ride home? I am more than happy to give you one, you know that...you...I…”
...Whatever had happened, she had to stay with him, he sounded like a man who was close to death.
“...Laur...is this something to do with Tobias?”
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 7:18 pm
It hadn't really even occurred to him that he did need a ride home until she mentioned it, but the thought was so strange and foreign, like it was a concept he just couldn't grasp. He didn't have the energy to try to.
She had a more important question he needed to address, and he'd been wrestling with how to tell her since before he dialed her number.
"No," he answered, but there was no relief in his voice. "Not Tobias."
Tobias was fine, presumably. But she didn't need to know that. He couldn't tell her, she wouldn't understand.
Tear it off like a bandaid. Don't dance around it. Just say it and get it over with.
It took him a few long seconds; he tried to form the words, but he couldn't make any noise. He gripped the phone so tightly he thought he might crack it.
"My parents were in an accident."
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:51 am
Well good, at least there was still a chance that Tobias was okay...but...he didn’t sound the way she thought he would. There was something very wrong and she felt her anxiety beginning to climb, fingers digging into the fabric of her pants, holding it too tightly for comfort.
“An...an accident?”
Her heart sank and the worst possible thoughts began to fill her mind. Images of her own smiling parents, thoughts of the time after when it was just herself and Karone...it had been quite a long time ago but the thoughts of it were still fresh in her mind. Fifteen years old and suddenly an orphan but...but she was okay now. She had Laurence...and Karone...well. Karone was still there too. Sometimes.
Finally she let out a soft breath. “What hospital are you at, Laurence? I’ll be there soon. I won’t…I won’t leave your side.”
If they were alive...he wouldn’t be sounding so lost and confused. This...this was the worst possible outcome for any situation.
“I love you, Laurence.” Her voice was quiet and understanding. “Which hospital are you at?”
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:38 am
There was likely no real reassurance, no real comfort, but Laurence exhaled as if some weight had been lifted from his chest. He was burdened with too much disbelief, too much remorse, too much guilt.
...But he wasn't alone.
He had no expectation that he could divert some of the paperwork, some of the weight of this burden onto Gale, but just knowing that she was there for him gave him some stability, someone to lean on.
"Destiny City Memorial Hospital," he answered, relieved that she understood without him having to say it. "I don't have my phone. But I'm in an office right now. I can go down to the front lobby and wait for you. I just."
Don't say too much. Don't bother talking. His throat was closing up anyway. It was the last defense between the raging emotions churning in the pit of his stomach.
"...I appreciate it. I love you, too."
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 12:14 pm
As soon as he spoke the words Gale was on her way. She didn’t think about it, just drove.
“I get it, Laurence. Do you want to stay on the phone with me until I get there? I’m only about ten minutes away, and I’m sure that they won’t mind…but I don’t want you to have to be alone right now.”
She kept her voice gentle. “We don’t actually have to talk. I’ll be there so soon, and then we can talk. If you want.”
Though, Gale figured that he wouldn’t want to talk. He’d be afraid to. Afraid of breaking down and seeming weak to her…afraid of showing that he wasn’t worth having around. After all…that was how his parents treated things…
Her foot pressed a little heavier against the gas pedal.
“If you want…I can come stay with you at your place—or you could come to mine, whatever makes you happier. I’ll…meet you in the lobby, that sounds good…I…”
She was rambling, she knew it, but she wanted him to stay on the phone. Wanted to know that he was still there. He had called her so she should be worthy of his phone call…but then again…
A cold feeling began to grow in the pit of her stomach.
He had said that she was all he had so…she couldn’t let herself lose him because…the same was true for her. Mostly.
…Maybe not completely but she would work that out later.
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 12:35 pm
While Laurence didn't have much to say, the fact that he could stay on the phone, the fact that he could keep her as a lifeline, still meant more than he could articulate.
He just slumped in the seat and pressed the phone tightly to his ear, as if he might miss her saying something if he didn't.
"Please just drive safe," he said, reaching up to massage his eyes.
He didn't know what to say, not really. He usually had conversation to fill the silence, but now he was just tired. Too tired to sleep, though. Not when he had too much on his plate, still.
"There's going to be an investigation," he said, instead of asking how her day was, or how was the weather, or had she eaten. He cared, he really did, he just didn't have the energy. He was numb now, but he might not be in a few hours. He wanted to get it off his chest while he was too exhausted to let the words hurt him.
He'd already reached the breaking point for today, anyway.
"I don't know what I'm going to do. There's all this legal work, all this paperwork. I have to call a lawyer about getting their will," he said; his voice was just slightly slurred, too tired, too stressed. "...I don't know if I want to go home right now. I shouldn't go there, but I want to. Maybe there's been--"
A mistake? No. He cut himself short. He knew there was no mistake.
"...I don't know. Yeah, I'd like to stay with you, if that's all right. Maybe just for tonight. But I have a lot to do to start taking care of this. I'll have to go back to the family house and start getting things in order, I think."
The packet of papers he had felt so much heavier than they had when they'd first handed them to him. "...I'm just not sure where to start, it all seems so..."
He exhaled and confessed, "Overwhelming."
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 1:12 pm
An investigation? From an accident? Gale had assumed a car accident. It made the most sense. It made the most sense and she could relate the most with it. But…why would it need to be investigated?
Perhaps it had been a hit and run…oh, that would be…
Just too much.
“Then you’ll come to my place. You know there’s always room for you. I…maybe my sister can help. Karone was the one who had to deal with it all when our parents…”
She swallowed. “If you want, I could call her…or you could call her…I don’t know. But I’m sure she can help you sort through all of the…all of the hard stuff…”
In Gale’s mind there was nobody better…Karone had done what had been needed and…well. She had done it while helping to finish raising Gale so obviously she had to have known what she was doing.
“I’m here, Laurence. I’m just pulling in to the hospital now. I know it’s overwhelming…but I’m going to make sure that…you’re not alone. I can’t…do much else but you were my rock for everything before…you helped get me out of…of a really bad spot and now it’s my chance to help you…so…”
She parked the car as close to the entrance of the hospital as she could. “I’m heading inside now, let’s go home.”
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 1:57 pm
Karone, yes. He'd have to talk to her, anyway. He wasn't a stellar agent, not really by any means, but he tried to do what he could. He'd been lacking because of this whole thing with Tobias, but...
How could they expect him to do anything now?
He could only hope that if he made a plea to Karone she could give him some sort of leniency. He hadn't met quota in weeks, and now...
Eating, sleeping. They seemed like foreign concepts. Draining energy, pulling starseeds?
...Well. He'd still never pulled a starseed. But he didn't have the energy to drain someone else of theirs.
"I didn't call you because you were the only person I had," he said suddenly, already standing to go downstairs. "...I called you because I knew you'd be there for me. I called you because...Because I need you."
He hadn't said it before; he knew he liked her, he enjoyed his time with her. He loved her, he was pretty sure he was in love with her.
But today, he realized that he needed her.
"I'll be down in a minute, let me tell the officers what's going on. I'm going to give them your number and address if they need to reach me. But I'll be down in a minute. I love you," he said again, and though it sounded almost like something he was just repeating there was such sincerity in it. He waited on the phone, like he needed her permission to leave; he was holding his breath, torn between hanging up so he could get downstairs and see her sooner and staying on the line so he didn't have to say goodbye.
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 7:41 pm
Gale remained on the phone and drew in a slight breath when he said that he needed her…that…would have been so utterly romantic had this not been such a terrible situation…but…
“Stay on the phone with me. Tell the officers what you need. I’m not getting off this phone until I see your face, Laurence.” Her words were soft and she entered the waiting room, glancing at the receptionist desk. “Come on down now, okay? We can give the phone to the nice lady here at the front, I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to take it back up…or to give it to someone who can.”
There wouldn’t be any goodbyes. Laurence had said more than enough of those lately…and she wasn’t going to make him say one to her ever again if she could help it.
“…I need you too, Laurence…more than I think you’ll ever realize. You helped to save me…”
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:08 pm
Laurence didn't want to leave, but he wanted to see her. "Just a minute. It's attached to the wall. Can you believe?" he forced a laugh, but it was without real humor. "This day and age."
A few seconds of silence, and then he shook his head out of whatever path his mind was trying to take. "I'll be down in a moment."
He hung up before he could lose his nerve, before she could protest.
It took all of three minutes to collect his belongings, to leave the room, to speak with the officers. Three minutes, and it felt like a half a week. Maybe it was because every moment was exhausting, or maybe it was because he dreaded Gale actually seeing him like this, but...
At the end of the day, he didn't care. He couldn't care. He'd lost so much already, what did it matter if he lost his dignity, too? She didn't think he was weak.
She understood this.
He clutched the papers to his chest when he stepped out of the elevator; bringing his gaze up from the ground was an almost painful effort, but he needed to see her.
His eyes gravitated to her immediately; she was the first person he saw in the room. Gale, with her sweet smile, with her beautiful eyes, with her kind face. Gale, who had come for him.
Gale, who he loved more now in this moment than he had ever before, because she was here for him. She had dropped everything and come to be with him.
Who else had he ever had that was so willing to do such a thing for him?
He walked briskly, with a pace that indicated an obvious urgency. He walked to her and kept one arm wrapped around the papers pressed to his chest, but he wrapped the other arm around her and drew her close. She was too short to bury his face against her chest, but he rested his head against hers and closed his eyes immediately after placing a chaste kiss on her cheek.
It was so hard not to cry; it took him a few seconds to reel in his emotions and he just held her closely for a long moment before he managed to speak again. "I love you, Gale. Please, let's just get out of here. I want to go home. We can talk there. Just...not here. I can't stand this place any more."
He'd been here for too long.
The corpses weren't going to get any colder.
He shuddered and tried to push the image away.
He wanted to be far away from this place.
Far away from them.
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