The two if them sat in silence for a bit, processing what had happened. Morning kept coming, and soon the day staff would be in. What do we do about him?
"So, um." Gar began, collecting his scattered thoughts. "I know you're going through a lot... And I know you're avoiding talking about-"
"I know. Just, let me pretend everything is fine for a little while longer...Let me pretend I don't have to... I... I don't want to... I just..." He sat there and brought his hands to his face. His right eye, which was still human, screwed up as the tears began to form.
"I know...".
"I shouldn't have touched it!"
The silence continued. Gar didn't know what to say; nothing seemed important enough. He played with the empty skittles packet, tearing small pieces off from the zig-zag ends. His mind was still full of thoughts and feeling, some of which didn't feel like his own, and others that were so deep he only had an idea of what they might be from. It was easier to avoid the truth, sometimes. The pieces were all there though, he couldn't keep pretending. Slowly, the words formed on the tip of his tongue and he had to let them out.
"You... You're Victor Stone... aren't you..."
He nodded. "Yeah..."
"And... you're parents... Silas and Elinore..."
"You don't have to say it... I know. ...From what I can gather, I touched something I wasn't supposed to..." Vic focused on the patterns in the floor tiles. One eyes was murky with tears, but the other saw clearly. He didn't know how to say what he knew out loud. It didn't matter if he said it or not, the truth was still the same. But somehow, maybe, if he didn't say it... if it wasn't spoken... maybe it could be untrue.
He thought of a news story from December. Oh my God, he's everywhere. It was a horrible thought he then had, a slight feeling of relief as he played the news story in his mind. He wanted desperately to talk about it, but the last story hadn't gone over so well. It's not like you have anything left to loose.
So he want for it. "I saw... I mean, I know... Or rather... um... I'm sorry about what happened to your family..." Said Vic, trying to find the best words. "I get it must be annoying having people know so much about you... But... right now, somehow knowing you know what I'm going through is making me feeling less... alone. ...I gotta know... Does it get easier?"
Gar's mind was now overwhelmed.
He sat in the tub chair looking at Craig. There was no more strength left in him.
"I think you should... take over now..." Gar said, choosing to sit on the floor next to David.
"You've been doing so well, Gar."
"Thanks... I don't want to go back stage, though. I still want to be here for Vic... And I'm not, like, giving up or anything. I'm just... I'm just letting Craig do his job..."
Craig took up his position in the spotlight. He wasn't used to Gar sticking around when he did this, but he and David had agreed it was about time Garfield got to know what was going on, and it was going well.
"No."
Vic had been hoping for a yes, but kept quiet as Gar continued talking.
"It's like... When something sad happens, a button forms for it in your mind in the area about that topic. And your train of thought is a ball, bouncing around in all these topics... But, sometimes our thoughts focus in on one area, so there's less room for the ball to bounce around. So it's more likely to land on the sad button... And then... you're cleaning under the couch cushions... and you come across an earring... and you go to shout 'MOM- I FOUND IT!' and then... It all comes back... And you think about that other earring that is now sat in a box in the attic, and how you never knew the last time she wore them would be ... the last time she wore them..."
He looked over and saw Garfield holding onto his knees with his chin resting on the left one. When he stopped talking he took a shaky break and pressed his mouth into his knee, causing the snot from his nose to make a weird noise as he inhaled. The tears dripped from his cheeks and down his leg, and he occasionally took in a slight gasp.
Man, you made the kid cry! Victor thought. He had no idea what to do.
Gar's hand was still gripping onto half a sweet wrapper, just because he had been holding it before switching. It crinkled, disturbing the sorrowful silence.
Craig wasn't exactly up for helping Vic. All he wanted to do was process the loss and let Garfield be happy. It's such a strange coping method.
...
So no one told you life was gonna be this was? ... Your jobs a joke, you're broke, your love life's DOA...Sang David, slowly and quietly. Gar decided to join in, It's like you're always stuck in second gear... when it hasn't been your day, your week, your month... or even your year...
Craig chucked at the futility of it all, but appreciated the gesture.
"I'll be there for you..." He muttered.
When you're lost in thought, time passes in strange ways. How long had they sat there? It couldn't be past 8am; no one had turned up to get coffee before their shift. Out of curiosity, Vic held Gar's phone and pushed the on button. 6:38. It didn't help much since he had no idea when he woke up. He put the phone back down, and sighed.
I guess the ball came off my sad button... Either that or I'm out energy to be sad...
There was so much to be emotional about, but all he felt was a numb emptiness. No matter how many times he lay his palm on the tiles, he couldn't feel their coldness. Was this his life now? His eyes wondered over the boy next to him. Had he always looked like that? How long did it take him to accept it? How desperately he wanted to talk to Garfield, but he didn't know what to say. Maybe he should find some cookies as a peace offering?
The silence continued. Victor tapped his finger on the floor and contemplated getting up. As he got to his feet, the phone chimed.
Gar jumped and rushed to answer it, only to remember he had bandages on his hands. He quickly pulled a pair of small scissors from his jacket, but couldn't get his fingers through the handle.
"Hay, um, you think you could give me a hand?" He asked Vic, who sat back down.
Vic took the scissors and held one half in each hand. Very carefully, he then snipped away at the surgical tape and through the bandage.
"The nurse who did this would be mad if they knew we were removing their work." Gar chuckled.
"If you don't mind me asking... What happened to you?"
"Oh... um, I don't really feel like talking about that. Just cut my hand free so I can pick up!"
"Who is it?"
Gar looked at the screen. "It's Dick!" He exclaimed, the lop sided grin returning to his face. "Oh, we were supposed to meet for breakfast." Once his left hand was free he picked up the phone and unlocked it to read the text. Vic put the scissors down. "He saw what happened and is bringing breakfast here, instead! Wants to know what I want."
"...So... This Dick's guy, like, your boyfriend, or sommet?"
"Hah!" Gar laughed. "Nope. Just the only friend who's stuck around...Um, you want anything from Morning Groove? A smoothie? Doughnuts?"
"Oh, um, sure. The blue one. And a honey waffle stack..."
