The car sped down the highway. Gail - sunk low in her seat, her head resting sideways against the seatbelt - watched the night sky. It was a calm sight - so black and still in contrast to the events of the night and the movement of the car on the road. Looking deep into that darkness and distance, she felt then like nothing on earth mattered. So vast was the world around them, she felt - perhaps for the first time in her life - like time and space could contain her.
Was this what it felt like to feel safe?
She didn't know.
"Will you come in?" Gail asked softly, her eyes half closed with exhaustion.
"Yeah", Holly nodded, a sad kind of smile on her lips, "Yeah, of course."
It was dark inside, just the sound of a tap dripping and the ticking clock. Dov was still at the hospital and Chris was with him.
Gail opened the door to her room and went straight inside, switching on a small lamp by her bed. Holly followed, dropping the coat she was holding on a chair by the entrance. She observed Gail, her arms folded, a furrowed face of concern.
Gail sat down hard on the bed and breathed out deeply. She turned to look at Holly.
"I'm so glad you're here", she said again.
Holly walked over to the bed and sat down next to her, placing her right hand behind Gail as she turned to look at her.
"You should get some rest".
"Will you stay?". Gail took Holly's left hand from her lap, running her thumb and finger up and down her index finger. Deep blue eyes were turned on Holly. Gail looked hopeful. "I mean, if you want to" she finished, half-heartedly, almost trying to sound jovial.
A sadness was felt in the room. Holly knew she could not not stay. Not that she wanted to leave. It's just that, after what had happened between them at the station, this seemed like a desired future step that was happening outside the desired context.
Perhaps in an attempt to bring things back into the right context, Gail leant forwards towards Holly. Without moving, Holly let Gail kiss her briefly. It was soft and it was sweet. For some reason, it helped break the awkwardness that Holly was feeling about being there, on Gail's bed, not knowing whether her movements might break her.
Gail's phone rang. It was Chris. Gail pulled away to answer it.