Annie waited a week.
Out of respect for Troy and the hole he left behind. And for Abed's sake. He was quiet and distant- more distant than usual- and she wanted to let him get his equilibrium back before she confronted him. But eventually the time came when she had to ask, when the pressure of not asking was like a weight crushing all the other words out of her. If she didn't say them she wouldn't be able to say anything else and she couldn't stand the thought of losing him like they had lost Troy.
So, as they emptied the dish rack together and she handed him a plate to put away, she started, "If you wanted pancakes you just could have asked. You didn't have to lie."
He froze, the plate held between them for just a second before turning away to tuck it into the cabinet. His voice was muffled and his face hidden by the cabinet door, "I guess so."
Annie frowned. That was his answer?
There was something else she really needed to say but he seemed determined to keep his head in the cabinet. Annie gave a soundless sigh and spoke the words to his back. Maybe, it would be easier that way.
"I'm really sorry about medicating you. That wasn't okay. I shouldn't have done it and I'll never do it again," It didn't feel easier. Maybe, she shouldn't have reminded him. He was just standing there, staring at the plates and bowls, not looking at her. She pushed on, "I was really scared we would fail and-" Her voice was getting thin but she lifted her chin, "I push. I'm a pusher. It's not a good quality and sometimes I lose sight of it. Or maybe I let it get out of control. Anyway, I'm really sorry about the drugs and the money. I gave Troy his share before he left. I have yours, too."
He shut the cabinet door and nodded, "Okay."
"Okay? Is that all you have to say?"
"I forgive you."
She let out a short breath, "I'm glad you forgive me. But isn't there something you should say to me? About the emails?" She prompted.
He frowned a little, "I'm sorry?" He offered.
"Are you?" She demanded, "Are you sorry you deceived me for an entire month and made me think you lived in Iowa and loved dogs and romantic comedies and that you had a little sister in a wheelchair-" Her eyes filled with tears, "How could you lie to me like that? What were you thinking?"
His eyes went wide and his body was doing that thing it did- where he gave the impression he was moving as far away from you as possible while standing still. Somehow instead of feeling annoyed and sad for him, it made her feel rejected.
"I have to go." He announced abruptly and stepped around her. He picked his keys up from the table and was out the door a second later.
