Stranger, Help Me

SAY MY NAME

"Hello?"

"Oh thank god. Thank you for answering. How's everything?"

"Good."

"Your voice is shaking again. What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry. It's not your fault. You did nothing wrong. I just had a system, and when you destroyed it I cracked. My father is in jail and I don't have any immediate family left. I feel lost."

"It's okay. Family isn't always by blood, you know."

"I know."

"Hey... Hey. It's going to be fine."

"..."

"Hang in there. How's Cooper? He hasn't been caught sneaking in, has he?"

"...no, not yet."

"You laughed. He must be amazing."

"He is. When you called that time, two weeks ago, he made me answer it. I'm..."

"No more crying now, Evangeline. You have to stay strong. You're also amazing, in your special way. You're kind and gentle. You're Evangeline."

"O...okay. Thank you so much. Gale, you help me so much."

"Say it again."

"What?"

"My name."

"Why?"

"I like your voice when you say my name."

"... And I like yours when you say mine."

"Evangeline."

"Gale."