Ripped out of my hands

Eli stops his scrounging and raises his eyebrows. "Your dresser? How on earth....?" Shaking his head, he rolls his eyes. "Last week I found my wallet in the bathroom. One of these days, you'll find my brain in the refrigerator."

Closing the gap, he accepts his keys, but lingers a moment, looking down into his sister's eyes. Yesterday had been a tough day between them. He knew he'd broken some trust and though maybe not willing to say he would have done things differently, he felt bad for the rift. "You wanna do lunch with your brother today? Or... you got plans?"


Scott looks up dimly as Hope comes into his room. He wanted to be glad to see her... he wanted to feel the warm, happy feelings he usually got when looking into her eyes. But after yesterday... those feelings just didn't want to surface. Or maybe it really was him... maybe he really didn't want to feel them, so he kept them at bay.

Having her take his hand, he didn't know whether to return the gesture or not. Last week, they would have leaned back and kissed, enjoying a tender moment together. Today, a dark cloud loomed over them.

How was he? It felt like a silly question. And lunch? He'd rather not, let alone socialize.

Lowering his legs, he slides off the bed and walks away to look out one of the windows. "My whole life just got ripped out of my hands, Hope." His voice was quiet, but there was an underlying tone that was hurt and upset. "How do you think I am? I was doing my best and you and Reese just took my livelihood into your own hands and decided you knew better than me. I've been uprooted and taken away from my only comfort zone. And you ask how I am?"

Turning around, he folds his arms. "I don't really feel like eating right now," he concludes numbly. "I'm supposed to have some stupid evaluation session later and I don't fancy the idea of throwing up all over the doctor when he works me up with questions I'd rather not think about."

Shifting back to the window, one hand falls to the little table, his fingers running over the empty space where his camera had been yesterday. It just wasn't worth it anymore. Leaning an elbow up on the window frame, he stands just looking down at the ground below.


Ty gives a groan of frustration and slams the book shut, planting his face in his hands, his elbows resting on the diner table. After lunch, another reading session had begun, and he was getting nowhere. Libby was being so patient, but he was just growing more frustrated.

"I can't do it," he mumbles. "I just can't make any sense of those stupid letters. They don't even look like they're anything that could be sounded out."

Sighing, he looks back up at Libby, resting his chin on his hands. "I can't tell if I'm reading about Jane, June or Joan anymore." He didn't want to give up... he really didn't. But he wasn't getting anywhere. Every time they got together, it was like they were right back at the beginning again. He knew the alphabet. He knew the sounds. But once he tried to read, nothing made sense.

Glancing over to the little specials ad on the table, it was held in a rust colored transparent sleeve to show off drinks and desserts. "Now that - " He points to the list of items. "I see... iced tea... and a list of pop and... lemon pie. But this..." He opens the book again and puts his finger on the page that held a few simple sentences. "It just doesn't look the same! Was it a hill or a hall? Or maybe it's a bell." He shuts the book again and sighs. "I don't think I can do this."