Falling (repeatedly)

20- Sleep Deprived

Herb looks up at them. "Uh, Latte said she was looking for someone to help you?"

Espresso looks at Madeleine. "Maddie's sick."

"My name is Madeleine, not Maddie."

"I said Madeleine."

Herb shakes his head. "You said Maddie."

Espresso is very confused now. He shakes his head. "Nevermind. Would you like to come in?"

Herb nods. Espresso moves so he can come in.

Madeleine looks at Herb. "You have leaves on your head."

Espresso closes the door once Herb is inside. "That's his hair, Madeleine."

"I have hair too! It is long and beautiful."

Espresso looks at him. Madeleine smiles. "You like my hair!"

"I.. Yes. Your hair is very soft."

Herb is a bit confused. "Isn't his hair-"

Espresso whispers. "Don't tell him."

"Why?"

Madeleine looks up at Espresso. "What is it?"

Espresso sets Madeleine down. "I'll tell you when you aren't sick anymore."

"Alright!" He goes into the other room again.

Herb quietly asks "Why don't you want him to know his hair isn't long anymore?"

"He keeps forgetting. There's no point in repeating it." Espresso looks at the doorway.

"Did something happen when you told him the first time?"

"Nothing happened.. he just forgot again."

Herb decides to not ask about it. "Something happened. There's probably a reason he won't tell me."

Espresso looks lost in thought.

Probably because he is.

"I only told him about his hair once.. I'm not telling him again. He cried in the closet for an hour..."

Herb looks up at him. "Espresso?"

"Huh?"

"You were staring into space."

"Oh. Sorry a-"

There's a loud thud. Espresso runs into the other room.

Madeleine is laying on the floor. He looks at Espresso. "I cannot fly."

"Did you jump off the dresser AGAIN?!"

"Yes." He gets up and walks over to Espresso. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm not crying."