A gentle rap-tap-tapping at his door drew him from his slumber. Lifting his head, he rubs the sleep out of his eyes as he sits up. A persistent metered knocking resumes. Wiping the back of his hand across his mouth, he espies a cigarette. Closing a book, he snatches up the cigarette as he removes himself from the desk.

Ambling down the hallway, his first thought is to shout, “Go away!”

Nearing the door, he fumbles with his lighter. Clearing away the fog in his mind, he ponders the time. Reaching the door and just to spite the rap-tap-tapping, he takes a moment to light his cigarette before opening.

Sighing, he takes another drag. His eyes drop to the lit cigarette in his hand, noting the burning ember. He then redirects his gaze to her. Slowly he begins to shake his head as he exhales the smoke through his nose.

“It’s been too long, cher…” he reaches for the tumbler on the stand by the door and looks with disappointment at its emptiness.

“I know… I wouldn’t be here if it could be helped.”

Looking back at her, he quirks a brow, “Is dat so, ti corbeau?” with a resigned look, he languidly turns from the door and begins to make his way to the kitchen, “C’mon in.”

She fidgets, hesitating a moment before crossing the threshold. She takes note of the state of the place as she hears him sifting through the pantry. She moves to the couch with his patchwork jacket draped over the back. Picking up a book from the coffee table, she slides down onto the couch.

“Still drink coffee, you?” he calls to her from the kitchen.

“Of course, not THAT much has changed.” She looks down at the book and notes its age as she traces her fingers along its spine. There is strange iconography adorning the cover. Obscure symbols that hit upon a subconscious recognition. “Where did you find this?” she muses as she begins to open the book. She examines the book, trying to identify the alien language. She notices the letters seemingly appear to vibrate. Perhaps it was a trick of her eyes.

“What have you dere?” his voice alarms her. She immediately slams shut the book and sets it back where she found it.

“Oh… nothing,” she takes a moment to clear her mind, “just being nosy.”

“Ha!” He joins her in the room, sitting on the chair, “Mais, jes don’t be nosy ‘round dat book, you.” He gestures at the book, “No good’ll come from even touching it.” He leans back in the chair, takes a long drag from the cigarette, “So…” he lets the word linger a moment, he can feel an angry energy rising within, he takes another drag to stifle it.

“First I want to apologize-“

“Oh dis’ll be good-” his reply came on the heels of her words.

“I’ve let you down-“

“Dat don’t even begin t’cover it.”

“Look-” her eyes narrow.

“I am” he smirks.

“The last time you saw me was a really shitty situation and-”

“You abandoned me!” he said, perhaps a little too angrily. He quickly collects himself and sighs, “When I needed you most-”

“Oh c’mon…” she leans forward, “you never needed anybody!”

“Says you-“

“Says everyone else.” she reaches towards him and snatches the cigarette from his hand and takes a drag before returning it to him, “I have a question though-“

“Shoot” he takes a drag.

“Why did you keep things from us?”