"Evan said you live in Shaker Heights?"

"Yeah, but you can just take me to-"

"Shaker Heights it is." She said shortly, unlocking the doors. Connor ducked into the passenger seat. "You walked all the way here?"

"Um, yeah. I just… needed the, uh, fresh air."

"Mhm. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the joint butt I found on my doorstep," she replied, coyly, and reached to switch the radio on, turning the volume so low, Connor can barely hear it over the sound of the engine turning over.

"Sorry." Heidi was quiet for a moment, pulling slowly out of the driveway, and Connor glanced over at her nervously. Her eyebrows were furrowed, lips pursed.

"Connor, hun, is everything okay at home? Are you… safe?"

"What?"

"I know these kinds of things can be difficult to open up about, but I'd like to think that we've gotten to know each other decently well, and I want you to know that you can talk to me about anything. If you're in danger, or you need help in any way-"

"No, I'm fine. Really. Home is… It's nothing like that. I'm safe. It's me, I'm the… problem."

"Connor, you're a child, you are not the problem." Heidi asserted forcefully. The car was quiet for a moment, as her words sunk into Connor's mind. She thought his parents were abusing him, clearly oblivious to the fact that the only person in his family who had ever been physically violent was him. He felt somehow guilty, like he had lied to her. Misleading her into feeling like his parents were monsters from which he needed to be rescued, instead of the other way around.

"Look, my parents… they aren't the greatest. My mom tries, but they just don't get it. But they would never do anything like what you're thinking." Connor had never quite understood why he trusted Heidi so much. Maybe it was because she was so young, or maybe because her own son faced struggles similar to his own. She just seemed to relate to him in a way no other adult ever had. He didn't want to lie to her.

"It really is my fault. I'm not… nice. I don't know why. I mean, I kind of know why, at least part of it, but it's not… I don't know how to describe it." He sighed, running his hand through his hair.

"Try your best," Heidi replied gently, as the old car rumbled down the highway. The drive felt so long, Connor almost couldn't believe he had made the trek on foot.

"I just… I'm always angry. Like, nothing is ever just annoying, it's always, like, infuriating. And I try to make myself relax, but I can't. The only thing that helps is weed and-" he had to stop himself short of revealing his truest vice. Weed was one thing, but he was sure that if Heidi knew what he did to himself when he was alone in the bathroom, in the dark, she would be obligated to intervene in a way he could never come back from. "But, then that leads to fights with my parents and I get angry again," he continued warily. "And then when the anger dies down, I feel… I don't know, nothing. But that sucks, too, so I smoke to feel better." Heidi nodded slightly.

"Vicious cycle," she offered, and Connor chuckled darkly.

"Yeah," he breathed.

"Have you talked about any of this with your parents?"

"Kind of. Not really," he admitted. "My mom, sort of, but she just doesn't get it. And my dad is an asshole, so he doesn't give a shit. Sorry." Heidi let out a soft laugh before continuing.

"What about your sister? Does she experience anything like this?"

"No, she's… good, I'm pretty sure. We don't talk a whole lot. More now than we were, but I don't think she would tell me that kind of thing, anyway." Heidi just nodded again. He recognized a song emanating softly from the speakers as one he had listened to with Evan countless times. He didn't remember the name, but the familiar sound of the woman's deep, lilting voice comforted him.

"Connor, what makes you happy?" The seemingly random question stunned him slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"You know, what kinds of things make you smile, or laugh? What do you like to do when you're home alone? Or high?"

They were approaching his neighborhood, and he could tell that Mrs. Hansen was driving significantly below the speed limit, as the other cars on the road flew past.

"Uhh… I guess I like reading. And being outside. I like hanging out with Evan, obviously." He turned his face away to hide the blush creeping over his face. "Um, I draw, too— or, sketch, I guess."

"What kinds of things do you like to draw?" It seemed Heidi had perked up at that bit of information.

"I don't know, all sorts of things. Animals, trees, people, too, but they're harder. I like to draw things that I read about, sometimes."

"You know, I was a pretty big painter when I was in high school." Heidi's voice was light. Connor was grateful for the change of topic.

"Yeah?"

"Oh, yeah. I loved it more than anything, and I was pretty good, if I do say so myself. I had a piece chosen to show in a local gallery, actually," she elaborated, pride evident in her voice.

"Woah, really?" Connor looked back at her, his eyes wide.

"Mhm," she affirmed, smirking. "It's actually in our living room now, over by the closet."

"The field, with the dirt road?"

"That's the one," Heidi laughed.

"That's so cool! Do you still do it? Paint, I mean?" Her expression softened to a sad smile.

"Not so much. Things got so busy after having Evan, and then splitting with his dad, and now doing night classes… it's hard to find the time. But I still have all my old supplies, if you ever want to give another medium a try." She glanced over and shot him a wink.

"I might take you up on that some time."

"I hope you do."

Connor pointed out which house was his, Heidi pulled the car into the driveway slowly, put it in park, and turned to face Connor as he reached for the handle.

"Connor, listen. I know I'm not your parent, and it's not my place to intrude, but I am more than happy to come with you and explain to your-"

"No, that's— thanks, but I'll be okay." She looked skeptical, but didn't press the issue.

"Well, I would like to meet your parents sometime- soon." He nodded, reluctantly. "And you know that you're welcome in our house anytime. Just leave the weed at home."

"Thanks, Heidi," He replied, sheepishly, opening the door to climb out onto the pavement.

"Connor?" Heidi called after him. He hesitated before turning back toward her. "Please, talk to your parents about how you've been feeling. You know that Evan sees a psychiatrist, and he doesn't always like it, but it's helped him so much. I think you might find it helpful, too. Ease the burden, y'know?"

"I know. I'll… try. Thanks for the ride."

"Any time, kid. I mean that." Connor just nodded as he pushed the passenger door shut. He waved at her and started up the driveway to the porch. He fought the urge to look back, but he didn't hear the car shift into reverse until he twisted the front door knob and stepped inside.