Crooked Smile

Chapter 2: Skeletons

~It makes it somewhat less appealing to be feeling like you're stealing someone else's broken heart~

Holly woke up with a splitting headache. Everything hurt, and she felt like she might be sick. Hobbling her way to the bathroom, she bent over the sink and groaned. She didn't remember drinking that much at the bar. And then, suddenly, she recalled grabbing a bottle from her cabinet the moment she got home and chugging as much as she could before Rachel ripped it away from her. Holly splashed cold water on her face, dried it with a towel, and then made her way to the kitchen, where the scent of bacon flooded her nostrils.

"Oh good, I was worried you might've drank yourself to death," Rachel commented as she flipped an egg in the skillet.

"I wish I was dead," Holly mumbled, flopping into a chair at the table.

"Well, maybe this will help." Rachel set a plate of fried eggs, bacon, and toast with jam in front of her. The smell of the greasy food made her stomach rumble, and Holly quickly dove in, fork first.

Rachel made up her own plate and sat down across from Holly.

"So, when do you go back to work?"

"Tomorrow," Holly spoke through a mouth full of egg.

"You are so gorgeous when you talk with your mouth full," Rachel said sarcastically.

Holly took a big bite of her toast and smiled openly. "I know."

Both women chortled at Holly's antics. They finished their breakfast in silence, and when they were done, Rachel stood and began to clean up.

"You don't have to do that." Holly's voice was muffled by her arms as she laid her head on the table.

"Well I'm not about to let the dishes sit here and attract all manner of creatures," Rachel retorted.

"Rachel, I don't know what to do."

"Well, I'd say you should start with a shower, cuz you got alcohol coming out of your pores," Rachel teased gently.

"I mean about work. About Gail."

"Oooh," Rachel said in understanding as she dried her hands. Hanging up the towel, she turned to face Holly and rested her arms on the table. "You go to work. You do what you always do and just... keep going. It's gonna suck, that's for sure. But, I know you. And I know you can make it through this." Rachel smiled at her friend, even though Holly still had her head buried in her arms.

"Plus, aren't you like the boss now? Wasn't that part of the deal? You come back and they give you a promotion? So you can hand off cases you don't want, right?"

Holly finally looked up.

"Yeah. I suppose so," Holly said as she attempted to rub the sleep from her eyes. "Ok, I'm gonna go shower. If I'm not done in 30, I've died and I need to you begin planning my funeral."

The sound of Rachel's chuckles followed Holly as she trudged her way upstairs.

"So," Oliver said, plopping himself down on Gail's desk. "Holly's back."

"Yep," Gail said, popping the 'p'.

"Traci told me." Oliver began fiddling with his fingers. "How ya doin', darlin'?"

"I'm fine," Gail said flatly, leaning back in her chair.

Oliver looked her over. He could see right through that icy exterior. She wasn't fine, but he knew that if Gail Peck didn't want to talk about it, she wouldn't.