Chapter 121
"I can't help if you won't let me."
"You can't help at all." He looks at me for what feels like forever, then sighs.
"Fine." He says, standing up. "If you're not going to let me help, there's nothing I can do." I look at him, confused. "I won't try to help if you don't want me to." He goes over to Howard and leans down to whisper something in his ear. He leaves, not looking at me.
I go to get up but Howard speaks. "Stay there." That's all he says.
"Why? I'm not ill." He gives a tired sigh.
"Just stay there."
"Leave me alone, Howard."
"No. When will you get it into your head that I care? That I want to help?"
"You don't."
"I do."
"You don't. You keep saying that you care, but you don't none of you do."
"We do, we all do. You know that, Vince."
"Back to calling me Vince now, then?" I say angrily.
"What?" He looks confused.
"Earlier, when you were telling me to get in the van, you called me Vincent." I say, ducking my head.
"So?"
"That's what Naboo calls me when he's annoyed with me. I hate it." I look up at him.
"I'm sorry." He says. "I just wanted you to get in. I was worried about you. I didn't mean to upset you, I just wanted to get you home so I knew you were safe. I wasn't annoyed, I just wanted you safe, alright?" After several tense minutes, I speak.
"Alright."