Page 20 of Conflict Conclusion

The beeping rose in his ears again, except this time it was a familiar staccato beat. He heard it in some of his milder dreams, and sometimes, when his apartment was just a little too quiet, his tinnitus would take on the steady rhythm of Hailey’s heartbeat. He’d heard it in her hospital room, proving that she actually was okay. That she was alive and strong and healthy, despite what every one of Leon’s fears and bad dreams would have him believe.

“Knowing that you were there for her and will continue being there for her has made it all feel a little easier,” Hailey’s mom said, and Leon met her steady gaze. “I’m not saying I expect you to pull her out of car wrecks or save her from the multitude of horrors in the world, but even just knowing that you’re a phone call away from her…it helps. More than I could ever fully express. I think that’s all I or Hailey or anyone could ever ask for.”

A clump of the label came off, sticking to Leon’s fingers as he continued to stare up at her.

“If there’s anything I can do to make things a little easier for you,” she said, gaze steady and smile patient. “Please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Words bubbled to Leon’s lips, escaping before he could think to stop them. “Do you ever have nightmares? About the stuff you see?”

She inclined her head, as if bowing under an invisible weight. “I do, yes.”

Leon nodded, breaking his gaze away to look back out at their street. “Is there…anything you’ve found that works to get rid of them?”

She hummed softly. “Talking to someone about them often helps. I have a therapist who is used to working with people in the medical field and also works with parents.”

Leon nodded again, slower this time. “That’s good. Mine isn’t necessarily an expert in, uh…car accidents.”

“Do they have any experience with PTSD?”

Leon clutched the bottle to his chest, like a child would clutch a precious stuffed animal. He wished James was here, then Leon could grab his hand and hold it to his chest, the way he’d done on countless nights these past couple months.

“I don’t…I’m not sure. I think he might, but…I guess, I haven’t asked.”

“That might be a good place to start.”

The pigeon cooed again, and this time it was answered by a second pigeon.

It seemed like he wasn’t alone out here after all.

The sound of a door opening drew Leon’s attention back over his shoulder, and Hailey’s mom peered back inside her apartment.

“You should⁠—”

“I think that’s⁠—”

They both fell silent, a soft smile on Hailey’s mom’s lips. “I should probably go see if she needs any help. We’ll see you tomorrow?”

Leon pulled his knee up to his chest and placed the mostly empty bottle on the grate. “Yeah, James and I will be there.”

She hesitated, her body half turned towards the window.

Laughter filtered out to them, along with a few bangs and thumps.

“It was good catching up with you, Leon. We should talk again soon.”

“Yeah…I’d like that.”

Hailey’s mom turned to step back into the window, but paused once again. “Oh, I don’t know if Hailey mentioned this, but make sure to wear comfortable shoes,” she said, then she disappeared back inside.

“I did remind you to wear comfortable shoes,” Leon murmured, and James gave a soft huff.

They were both crouched, bodies barely hidden behind the trunk of a tree. James was wearing a short sleeve button-down, khakis, and dress shoes. Meanwhile, Leon wore his usual uniform: a black T-shirt, joggers, and boots.

When Hailey had announced that everyone under the age of forty was going to play a game of capture the flag, Leon had been a little surprised but unbothered. James, on the other hand, had turned a similar shade of green as the bush providing them minimal coverage to their right.

“I didn’t want to be late, and I figured you just meant comfortable for standing in. Which they are!” James whisper-hissed.

“How about for squatting in the dirt?” Leon asked, and James bumped their shoulders together.