26: Sick Joke

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David
June 9th

        Papers rustling was the only sound between the three of us. We waited as Sarah read over everything for the third time. The frustration and sorrow on her face made it hard to watch. There were times that I wanted to reach across the table and offer my hand, but I thought better of it.  

        Sarah bit down on her thumbnail as she reread the last line on the document. The signature staring back at her, did it feel like a betrayal?  

        Her hands trembled as she flipped back to the first page again. She started to read the terms for a fourth time. There was a glimmer of hope in her eyes. I had that glimmer as well. I too read through these papers three times, maybe even four. Maybe even five.   

        I tried to find some loophole, some error. There was none. I understood why, but I didn't want to.

        "Sarah- "

        "Shh." She shushed Pierce, snapping her fingers in his direction as she did so. He sighed, running his hand through his hair. It's grown out since I saw him last. It was almost unruly. He needed a shave as well. It was understandable why those things were not a priority right now.

        I didn't blame him nor did I envy him.

        "Sarah," Pierce tried again. This time she looked up from the papers. Her hands still shook, but not from fear. She was angry and holding back. I could see how she wanted to hit something. Or someone.

        "We're not staying here," she told him. Pierce said nothing as he nodded to her. This was expected. He reached for something, pulling it from his back pocket.

        "The Lexington has a suite available for those three days." He took out a black card and held it out for her to take. I stared at it, wondering how much money could possibly be on there. The card didn't even look plastic. It was some type of metal.

        "Wait, what?" Sarah asked. She took the card from him, clearly confused. Pierce nodded.

        "I called ahead and booked it in your name. They know you have my card and know to put any future purchases on it. If you buy food or need any services, it'll be taken care of." He lowered his head, almost as if waiting for a scolding. Sometimes I couldn't stand being around Pierce. I respected him for this, but it wouldn't change anything between us. This was, after all, his doing.

        I didn't want to blame him, I tried not to blame him, but-

        "Thank you," she whispered. She clutched the card to her chest as her eyes began to water. Pierce lifted his head, nodding to her.

        "It's the least I can do." His voice was full of remorse. Sarah wiped at her eyes, setting the card down in front of her.

        "I can't call off of work, but I'm not making Blair go to school while all of this is happening. So if it's not too much to ask... " She looked as if she didn't even want to ask. The way she bit her lip in hesitation reminded me so much of Blair.

        "What do you need?" I offered. Sarah sniffled, wiping at her eyes again.

        "She'll need her schoolwork- "

        "Done," Pierce said. Sarah tried to smile at him, but it was strained. "What else?"

        "Um... " She looked to me now. "She'll be alone... Could you check on her while she's there? If it isn't too much of an inconvenience?" I've never seen nor thought of Blair or her mother as an inconvenience. To think of themselves as such, especially now...

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