like real people do

vi

"What were you thinking?!" Leanna was sitting in the passenger's seat, William on the wheel, and Ryan half-awake in the backseat. They had picked Ryan up from Brandon's place, and though it's been fifteen minutes since the phone call, her anger had not dissipated in the least.

Will placed a hand on hers, squeezing it gently and nonverbally, asking her to calm down.

He was right; her lecture would prove useless because he wouldn't remember anything tomorrow, or if Ryan would, he wouldn't take it to heart anyway. Still, it sent her blood boiling that Ryan did what he did, and she couldn't help her outburst.

"No," she said to Will. And then she turned around just enough to see Ryan in the backseat. "Your father just gave you a car, Ryan! Now, how could you expect us to trust you with that responsibility when you've already done this on the first day? Unless it isn't obvious, you're grounded. Starting tomorrow, it's home, school, training, home, nothing else. And I swear if—"

"Lei," Will tried again, intent on keeping her head level. He rubbed his thumb across the palm resting on her thigh-like how he used to do. His gentle call and his thumb tracing circles on her hand made her close her eyes, questioning why the gesture still felt so... comforting.

He had always been her solace. There were a handful of times when her emotions got the better of her, and he pulled her back in without fail. She didn't know why, exactly; no big event prompted the feeling. She was no damsel in distress, he never saved her, but when they had met, it was as if they found what had been lost all their lives. Perhaps, that was why the separation hit her harder than most because even when he was the reason for her pain, nothing could make her feel more at ease than his hand on hers. He was her peace, her assurance that everything would be alright.

It's funny how things change.

Despite all that's changed, she kept mum for most of the ride and allowed the gesture to ease her without putting too much meaning into it. His hand stayed on top of hers, leaving only to shift gears and make turns, but otherwise, coming back to find her.

It was very telling of the situation they were in. He'd come and go, left when he was needed elsewhere, but came back home to her whenever he could. And for a minute, she deluded herself into thinking that it was enough, that him leaving with the stipulation that he came back was enough.

But when they pulled up to her front yard and had to leave the car, she knew it was a fantasy at best. Hands couldn't stay clasped forever, just as they couldn't fight for the love they used to share so fondly.

He turned to her, taking her out of her reverie, "do you want me to pick up Val or stay with Ryan?"

"Ryan," she mumbled. "I'll go get Valerie."

He was quick to agree to her request, and he got out of the driver's seat to retrieve Ryan from the backseat, half-dragging him up to the house. She placed the keys on his hand, knowing that he'd given up his own the day he walked out on her.

Before she could get inside the car, he turned around. "Lea, take care, okay?"

"Maddie's place is just around the block." She was confused why he seemed so concerned about her short drive when it was not dangerous in the least bit; she's driven there a thousand times... at least.

"I know, but you're tired and emotional, and I just want you to be safe."

She nodded. Leaving him and her son on the front porch before she drove off.

Valerie was still fast asleep when she got to Maddie's place. Her best friend's husband was kind enough to carry the little girl into her car seat. It was odd, but seeing Valerie prompted thoughts of Aga to resurface.