Gunner continued to stare at the paper on the wall as if not even hearing Hope. His body language, though, indicated that he did hear her, and her words did register. Though his eyes remained on the paper, his weight shifted nervously from one foot to the other, and his fingers strummed erratic beats on his leg.
"How can a man let someone in on his nightmare?" he questioned softly. "When you're asleep, how do you invite someone else in to see what you see, and feel what you feel?"
His eyes finally dropped, as did his shoulders. "I'm so tired."
Wandering back to where he'd started, he sank back down to the floor, leaning back against the wall. His gaze landed on nothingness. He didn't want to go back to Northside. He knew Hope was only trying to help. But he was so confused. His mind and body were exhausted, but the battle just wouldn't stop. He wasn't even sure why he was doing what he was doing anymore.
"I don't understand." His voice became passive and listless again. "It's over...it's all over. But I gotta keep looking." Unexpected tears pooled in his eyes. "My entire childhood was stolen from me...all of my memories of any family or friends...just...gone. And no one cares about finding the truth, except me."
If anyone suspected it, now it was known for sure - he was caught on the same merry-go-round he had been before. It was back to the accident all over again.
Straightening, he got onto his hands and knees, and started picking up some of the papers that were scattered around. "I'm sorry," he apologized clearly, as if none of this had just happened. "I'll get this cleaned up and go in to work this afternoon." He grabbed the box he'd emptied earlier and began throwing papers into it. "I appreciate you stopping by, but I'm okay now."
Though Jared was thrilled at Grace's acceptance of his invitation, his cheeks gained some color and he couldn't help a sheepish laugh. "Well, I, um...I just thought of asking you like two minutes ago, so...I haven't exactly thought yet about what to eat, let alone who's gonna cook it."
Glancing down at her, he gave her a silly look. "I suppose since you said yes, I better start thinking about it, huh?"
Kyle continued his slow walk to the house, but stopped before entering the back door. Hearing Katie's request, he immediately bristled. He'd known she was dating Hunter, and since the beginning could not believe Katie could be that stupid. He'd held his tongue though, never interfering and just hoping she would not be taken advantage of. And now she wanted to bring Hunter to his wedding...of all occasions.
Slowly entering the house, he sighed deeply as he wiped his feet on the rug. "I don't know, Katie..." Finding Alice near the kitchen, he threw her a glance that said he was not happy with whoever he was talking to.
He sank down in a kitchen chair and ran a hand over his face, trying to sort it through in his mind. He was torn between forgiveness and facts. "I'm not so sure that showing up at my wedding is a good place for him to prove whether he's actually changed or not." The last thing he wanted was for Hunter to show up and cause a scene at his wedding.
"I trust you, but I gotta be honest - I don't trust him or his motives." Another look was tossed at Alice as he talked. What was he supposed to say? He loved Katie to death, but why was she doing this to him?
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