Christian

Time moves slowly when you have no idea what to do. I haven't left Ana's side since the funeral. A new routine emerged from this though. Ana and I sleep in the same room. It doesn't matter if it was my room or hers we just find a room and go with it. I say my room and mean it because I have pretty much moved in here since the funeral. My father dropped by with my mother two days after the service to bring Ana some food.

My father brought a couple boxes of my stuff from my room and a folder of the information I will need to start work at his firm next week. Carrick is not a bad man by any means. He is a sensible guy, great lawyer but he just never quite got me. I don't blame him though for the way he had acted before all of this. I didn't know my own mind so I shouldn't expect him to know how to deal with me either. He is trying I know this.

"All these papers are self explanatory, really. Most of this information is just social security, insurance and such and I filled in the majority of it for you. You just have to sign in key places and then when you go to start they will send you to HR." My father flips through the small stack of papers to show me where to sign and what information is going to be needed.

"It doesn't seem that complicated. Can't wait to start work." I say with a smile. I will feel better when I can contribute to the household.

"Yeah it's good that you are taking some imitative." He sounds rather proud.

"I still don't think you working is necessary." My mother chimed in. "But this will allow you the independence that you need to help figure out what you need to."

Okay so slowly but surely she is moving to my side of things.

"Yeah Mother I am not making this decision to spite you. Yeah what you did hurt but I am trying to fix me first." I had to be honest.

She nods and continues to talk to Ana. They already had a rocky beginning, my mother being totally at fault, but Ana wants there to be peace. She has a different outlook on having your parents there. She wants me to reconcile with my parents because she in a much deeper sense doesn't have any. Her father is gone and her mother isn't there for her.

"Well you will get paid the minimum wage that all interns do. You will only work there for four days out of the week for a certain amount of time. Its all part time so it won't hinder your studies." My father explains how it will work.

"I do not have a problem with that." I say.

My parents eventually leave after some chatting and it is just Ana and I. It feels natural but I know I need to broach the subject of school.

We are at the dinner table and serve ourselves some of the food that my parents had brought over. I watch her slowly eat and decide now was the best time.

"So when do you think we should go back to school?" I eat and try to act as if this were a conversation about paint or the weather.

"I was actually thinking of going back tomorrow." She said is an tad bit sad tone.

"Okay we can do that." It was only mid week but I think that should be fine.

"You know if you had wanted to go to school, that it would have been fine with me right?" She looks up at me with the most sincere expression.

"Yeah I know but there really is no rush on my part. They think I am insane and sent off to a loony bin." I try to lighten the mood with a at my own expense.

"Ha that is very true." There goes her smile that I have been missing for days now.

"We will get through this." I grab her hand from across the table.

...

The next morning we wake up in silence. Again she came to my room and slept with me there. I couldn't be happier that she chooses to be close to me even though I a mentally a bit out there. We dress in the morning in relative silence.

We eat breakfast quietly and finally saw why I was a bit off about the whole action.

We never had breakfast here on school days. She would always pack and cook early and ride behind Mr. Steele. She wouldn't normally be here this late and taking her time to eat. I am struck at how she now has to change the way she lives her life.

Eventually we finish and we both walk to her car.

"Um Christian I think you should take your own car." she says

Does she want distance or time to herself?

"Oh if you want to spend some time by yourself I don't mind." I didn't want to crowd her even though every instinct in my body is telling me to be as close to her as possible.

All she did was smile and shaker her head. "You have to talk to HR today remember? And get your days for work?" She looks at me with her smile.

"Oh I forgot. Yeah I should take my car. I don't know how long it will take." I can't believe I forgot.

"Yeah your dad told you that yesterday. You forget things so easily." she shakes her head as she gets into her own car. I climb into mine and remember that I lost my train of thought because at one point yesterday I was just looking at her and not paying attention to what my father was saying.

When we eventually get to the school and there are stares as I get out of my car and quickly rush to her car and help her out. She isn't one for attention but today she and I have lots of gossip attached to ourselves. Me, the loon and her the grieving daughter. She doesn't look up to see the droves of people staring our way but instead leans into me and we walk to art class.

There isn't much talk but mid way though the period Mr. Molina asks to speak to Ana out in the hall. The door has a small window and I can't see what they are doing but when they do come back in the room her eyes are a bit red but with a smile on her face. Mr. Molina pats her on her back and she returns to the seat next to me.

"What was that about?" I asked

"Ill explain when you get home tonight." She says with a smile.

"Okay." That was all I could say without demanding information.

Class goes by quickly and eventually we are separated by our classes. Later on in the day I see her being hugged by my sister and Kate. It seems that they are giving her some much needed comfort. I keep going about my way so she can have other contact with others beside myself.

...

The end of the school day comes finally. I happily realize that no man has approached Ana. She waves at me from her car as she gets into it. It takes an effort for me to not follow her. I have to make this time with HR. I eventually get to my dads firm which is inside the city and follow the intern signs and sit in a little waiting room with other kids around my age.

I look to the side and see none other than...

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