Meandering thoughts

 "I don't know what to think," Hope said about Tori as she and Frankie both watched Jewel sleep in her little crib. 

"I wish I could sleep like that," Frankie said ever so thoughtful. Nothing had changed all that much with Heather. They still text, maybe a little less, but he couldn't help it. Even if it felt as he was lying to her as much as she was lying to him.

"Oh, you..you mean Tori?" He looked at her as if he needed to pay attention more. He sighed. "Well, she might be suicidal." He kept his arms behind his back as if he could be a matter a fact about this.

Hope only nodded and went to find him a juice from the fridge.

"Surly, Dylan knows this," Hope said she felt so sad for Tori. "I'm just afraid..I made things worse. What was I thinking..going there with Jewel."

Frankie watched her. It was like watching someone else's dream. Not his. Perhaps this was what Tori felt too. Maybe he was suicidal, as well. 

"It's probably something, only she can fix. Only she can do when she decides, too." He stood there like a guardian of some kind as if maybe he needed to go off and be a watchful eye somewhere else, but it wouldn't be Tori. No. Not ever. Not after their last encounter. He'd made a graceful exit. He knew she didn't want to see him.

"So how are you and Heather?" Hope was all smiles as she handed him the drink. Of course, he spilled a little on his fingers. Suddenly, he felt a little shakey as if he wasn't the best compulsive liar in the world, after all.

"Oh, you know, good." He nodded. Hope really didn't care, did she? He pushed his dark hair back as it fell on his face. He did his best to smile. "You know, we all have our faults."

They went to sit on the cozy living room couch. As always, Hope filled her space with cheerful things like flowers and sweet little woodsy creatures. Naturally, his place which he owned was a minimalist just waiting to sell to the highest bidder. 

"What kind of faults?" Hope asked about Heather. "I haven't even met her."

"Oh, she works too hard. I never get to see her," This was kind of a truth. He didn't want to let on that he really didn't know her. "We'll probably break up." He felt as if the smile he wore was planted in cement. 

His phone dinged a message. He couldn't imagine Heather making the first move. He always had to start the conversation. He took a look.

"Where are you? Why aren't you here?" He winced hard. Was Heather actually at his place?