"Oh Noel...I'm sorry to have upset you.

I have an issue with opening my mouth and a torrent of words just keep tumbling out and at times I just can't stop it.

It really wasn't my intention to vex you".

Noel opened her bedroom door a few feet so as to give Algernon a incredulous glare from the other side of the door.

"What are we in a Jane Austen novel?

You didn't vex me.

I know you have a tendency to run your mouth off incessantly and without thought but that's not what upset me.

I upset myself, you had nothing to do with it."

"Perhaps you'd like some warm milk.

I made some cookies to go along with them".

Algernon held a tray with a warm glass of milk and plate neatly arranged with chocolate chip cookies.

"What of the rest of the household?"

Noel glowered at him once more.

"Oh it's not as if I made them from scratch.

They're from Tollhouse.

If Sebastian or your uncle wants some they can bloody well make it themselves.

How hard can opening a package of cookie dough be?

Besides they're for you.

I made them just for you.

Heavens I can't eat them.

Well I can eat a few here and there but that's about it."

"I think I'll pass.

Feed them to the dog."

Noel's tone had darkened considerably and it had a almost angry edge to it.

"Oh come now.

I can't very well give these to the dog.

They could kill him not to mention that that dog is already dead."

"Oh just like my parents.

Hopefully they don't end up in the same place."

"Animals are usually better than people so I would think not.

That is to say people most likely people like your parents end up spending eternity in those fancy condos like the ones in Boca while animals run their own private sanctuary in the clouds.

Rainbow heaven they call it."

"I appreciate you trying to help me feel better but milk and cookies and a inspirational pep talk isn't going to help.

I'm not my aunt and I'm not you, so I don't eat when I'm upset."

"Oh well I suppose I'll have to eat these on my own, alone, while I ponder over why I'm still not married and why I'm still alone after all these years.

It's nothing I haven't done before".

"Okay, enough with the guilt trip, bring them inside.

You may enter my private living quarters".

"Oh goodie.

Where should I put them?"

Algernon took a bite from a cookie that had previously been on the plate.

"On the bedside table is fine.

I'll bring them down when I'm finished".

Noel waited for him to leave while she reclined back on the bed with her arms back behind her head but he just stood there in her room expectantly.

"Why are you still here?"

Noel didn't mean to say those words out loud let alone say them so harshly.

"Is there anything else you would like?

Anything else I can get you?"

Algernon hid his cookie in one of the pockets of his apron.

"No thank you.

I'm fine. You may leave now.

You know carry on with whatever else you were doing before you came in here".

"Have you been crying?"

"Yes if you must know but I'd rather not talk about it if you don't mind".

"Well actually I do mind.

I do think it would be best if you were talk about it.

It might make you feel better".

"Maybe I don't want to feel better.

Maybe all I want is to be left alone".

"You'll say that now but then you'll burst into tears the moment I leave.

Tell me do you really want to cry yourself to sleep again?"

"Okay you've crossed the line Algernon Lumeria.

I don't know if you've noticed but you are in my room, this is my territory, it's my space, my little bubble and you are invading it.

I've tried to be civil and respectful but I am in no mood to be questioned and pestered by your nosy curiosity.

If I want to cry myself to sleep then that's just what I'll do."

She crossed her arms to show display her anger.

This was the angriest that he'd ever seen her since it was a rare occasion for her to get upset at all in the first place.

However this didn't phase him the slightest especially since it was not uncommon for her uncle Stephen to blow his top.

It was all part of being a Butler never to reacting to people's outbursts and any other such emotional upheaval that were to occur in the family household.

"Well...in that case may I offer you a box of tissues or would you prefer me to change your pillow case after you're done soaking it?"

Noel wanted to glare at him again but her anger had faded by this point.

"If you want drama why don't you go find Sebastian's journal?"

Noel softly smiled.

"Why? Have you read it?"

"No but I thought for sure you had since you've been in there so often."

"Believe me I've read it.

There's nothing juicy in it I'm afraid.

It's nothing but morbid poetry in there.

Nothing in the least bit dramatic I can assure you.

It's sort of Sylvia Plath meets Allen Ginsberg.

Kind of a bore if you ask me not to mention a drag.

If you really want something scandalous you should read mine".

"I didn't know you had one."

"Oh I have had several over the years.

Writing is sort of a hobby of mine."

"Anything worth publishing?"

"Not unless somebody wants to discover the next Nicholas Sparks".

"Anything in the fantasy genre?"

"A few.

Why do you plan on reading them?'

"Oh I wouldn't mind unless you're not comfortable with sharing".

"No I wouldn't mind sharing some of my work with you.

Perhaps it would keep your mind off your sadness for the time being."

"I'm not sad...at least I'm not anymore...thanks to you."

"Well there's no need to thank me my dear. You know you shouldn't let all that sadness build up like that.

You should let it out somehow.

Talk about it.

Write it down.

I found that some of my worst moments in life are a great inspiration for me and my writing.

Once I write it down I can make sense of the whole thing and suddenly it doesn't seem so bad.

It might give you some clarity if you write what you feel down on paper or better yet you could tell me about it."

"Don't worry next time I will.

Maybe I should buy myself a journal the next time I'm out and about".

"I think I may have a spare you could use...in the meantime it is rather late and I should leave you to...your own devices.

Enjoy your snack.

Oh don't worry about the mess.

I'll tend to it later.

You've done enough around here already.

Goodnight dear".

"Goodnight".