Hale:Okay, thought about it. Yeah it’s fine I guess
Elliot:You’re an ass.
They'd been texting ever since. Nothing too serious or personal. Just... contact. Proof they still existed to each other.
Now, as he lay in bed, Elliot opened their conversation.
Elliot: You awake?
He responded almost instantly.
Hale: Yeah. What's up?
He stared at the screen. Unsure what to say exactly.
Elliot: My mother died
Hale: What? When?
Elliot: Three weeks ago. Funeral was today
Hale: Jesus. Why didn't you tell me?
Hedidn’t know exactly. Maybe because he wanted to avoid all the mixed emotions talking to Hale would bring.
Elliot: I don't know
Hale: I'm calling you
Elliot: Please don't
Hale: Why not?
His hands were shaking again. He typed the truth before he could stop himself.
Elliot: Because I can’t hear your voice right now
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
Hale: Would that be so bad?
Elliot: Yes
He closed his eyes. There was a long pause.
Hale: I'm sorry about your mom.
Elliot: Yeah. Me too
Hale: Get some sleep, okay? Text me tomorrow?
His phone buzzed one more time.
Hale: I’m here if you need me
Elliot read the last message three times before he could breathe properly again.
He didn't respond. Didn't know how to. He just held the phone against his chest and let himself believe it might be true.
