It was over an hour before Ellie finally came back inside. However, instead of coming back into the waiting area, she stopped by the doors. Craig stood up slowly and made his way over to her.

"I was just about to come look for you," Craig told her. He put an arm around her waist and led her over to where he had been sitting.

"Why?" Ellie asked dully.

Craig paused, not expecting this response. "Well because you were gone for a while and I wanted to see if you were okay."

"Well I am. Obviously."

Craig slowly moved his arm from where it had been resting on the back of Ellie's chair to his lap. He told himself that she was only acting like this because she was upset but it still stung a little. "Okay. Um, so your dad came out while you were gone, just a few minutes ago. He went to go get us some coffee."

"Did he say anything about my mom?" Ellie asked, sitting up slightly straighter.

Craig shook his head. "No change."

Ellie slumped back in her seat.

Before Craig could say anything further, Mr. Nash came into the waiting area carrying a tray of steaming cups.

"Oh, Ellie you're back," he said, handing them each a cup. "I just spoke with the doctor again. He said that she's not expected to wake up until tomorrow morning. You two might as well head on home. I'll give you a call tomorrow morning."

"That sounds a like a good idea," said Craig, pulling out his car keys. "We can get some rest and come back refreshed tomorrow." He stood up but Ellie stayed put.

"Why don't you want me to stay?" Ellie asked her father accusingly. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

"Of course not, honey," replied Mr. Nash, sending a quick glance Craig's way. "I just don't see any reason why you should stay here tonight."

"Well if you're staying then I am too," Ellie said defiantly.

"I'm sure Craig wants to get home and get some sleep," Mr. Nash said hesitantly.

Ellie looked up at Craig. "You can go home if you want, that's fine." She stood up. "I'll be in my mother's room." She walked away and Mr. Nash and Craig looked at each other.

"Can't ever say she doesn't have a mind of her own," Mr. Nash said wryly.


Craig opened the door to the apartment and stood in the doorway for a second. It was dark but the shade was still wide open from when they hurriedly left that morning. The moonlight from the window on the boxes they still had yet to unpack cast eerie shadows everywhere.

Craig stepped inside, tossed his jacket onto a nearby crate then slammed the door angrily behind himself. He didn't care that it was late. He didn't care if their landlord would be upset. He just didn't care about anything at the moment. Besides Ellie.

Throwing himself onto the couch, Craig ran his hands through his hair, letting out a sigh of frustration. He didn't know what to say or do to make her feel better. He felt completely helpless, a feeling he couldn't stand yet felt way too often.

After a minute he got up and went over to the phone. He picked up the receiver and had gotten to the fourth number before pausing and hanging up. He didn't want to talk to Joey right now. The low he was feeling right now was made worse by how perfect his life had been just a few hours ago. Nothing anyone could say would be able to lift his spirits.

I want to be there for her so badly, he thought desperately. Why won't she let me? Why can't I be the strong one just this once? He clenched his hands into fists. Why am I so useless? He brought a fist down hard onto the nightstand. The lamp tottered and fell over with a crash. The sound brought a strange sense of satisfaction to Craig. He slowly bent over to pick it up. There was a long jagged crack down the side of the porcelain. He ran his finger down the length of it slowly before raising the lamp and hurling it against the floor. This time the blow was more effective. It broke into several pieces, the metal skittering across the floor and coming to rest a few feet away. Glass from the bulb was mingled with the white porcelain pieces. The base of the lamp was the only part that remained intact.

That was our only lamp. The thought occurred to Craig suddenly. He had to fix it before Ellie found out.

Fumbling in the dark, he picked up the base and set it on the table. Then he bent to pick up the pieces that were on the floor. It wasn't until he had placed them all on the nightstand that he saw the blood on his hands. He hadn't even realized the porcelain had been cutting into his skin until he saw it and then the pain kicked in.

"What am I doing?" he whispered out loud, standing up. He hurried to the bathroom and washed his hands then stared at himself in the mirror. How was he expecting to be able to be there for Ellie when he couldn't even keep himself together?