"My dad isn't that bad… you know. I mean, he's just… well he's a cruel fucking drunk, but he wasn't always like that, at least I don't think he was. Mum said to me a long time ago that when daddy came back from the war, he was too fucked up to be any good for us. Somewhere out there he got tore up pretty badly. I guess… I guess dad was just too broken himself to set me straight at that point."

Audrey sighed.

A full minute, which felt like an hour, pass between you two in silence. Both of you remain standing, leaning against the front fender of her car, both of you staring at the sun going down.

Audrey turns to you sharply.

"Well, say something!"

"You're awfully introspective, Audrey."

"Hey I'm not always as aloof as I make myself out to be."

"I'm sorry about that," you say after a moment.

Audrey shakes her head.

"No. Stop, don't be. Besides, I've got myself pretty well sorted out. I'm not a glass doll, baby."

"I mean even so, your dad has no right to treat you as badly as he does."

"Just hush up…"

"Hey, why don't you show this side of you more often? Poignant, sensitive. I really like that about you."

Audrey shrugs.

"Golly gee, a single tear rolled down my cheek," she muttered sarcastically. "I mean, do you seriously expect me to open up just like that? What do you take me for, a chump? Fuck off."

You laugh at this. Audrey glances up at you, slowly smiling as well.

"But hey… I suppose I don't mind it. Opening up a little, I mean. Let's just keep this between us for now. Promise me that."

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