Fifth Floor Common Room [evening]

[justwantsquiet]

After Sookie had said goodbye to her grandmother, she was at a loss for what to do

Comments

[weetinyreese]

Kyle had only been on his way back to his room, but the sight of pie as he glanced into the common room made him change his mind. He went to investigate, and then saw Sookie. "Are these for sharing?"

[justwantsquiet]

She nodded mutely, then decided it would be polite to answer verbally. "They are. Apple and strawberry." She was keeping the pecan one for herself. "Help yourself."

[weetinyreese]

"Thanks." He cut himself a slice of apple and came to sit down. "Rough weekend." It was more a sympathetic statement than a question.

[justwantsquiet]

"Yes," she agreed, nodding a little. "Yes, it was."

"Anyone visit you?" she asked after a moment.

[weetinyreese]

Kyle shook his head. He was dealing with that a lot better today. It seemed that whether or not someone had come for them this week, almost everyone was having trouble dealing with it. "Someone did for you?"

[justwantsquiet]

"My grandmother," she said, picking at her pie. She felt bad for everyone who hadn't had someone show, she really did. Mostly it confused her as to why some showed, and some hadn't. "She died last month. She baked the pies, just so you know."

[weetinyreese]

He looked down at the remnants of his piece of pie, then back to Sookie. "It's a really good pie. Thanks for sharing it. I'm sorry she couldn't stay for you."

[justwantsquiet]

"Thank you." That got a little smile, followed by some sympathy. "Were you expecting someone to come?"

[weetinyreese]

"Hoping," he replied. "But it's okay." He thought for a moment, then explained. "I lost my brother a few years ago. As far as I knew, he was dead. I thought there was no way he could have survived. But he showed up last year, down here in town when all the parents were visiting." Kyle realized he'd been more lucky than anyone.

[justwantsquiet]

"I'm sorry," she said, immediately. "That he didn't come, and that he died in the first place." She picked out a pecan, studying it before asking, "How'd he come to the visitor's thing last year, though?"

[weetinyreese]

"Turns out he didn't die. I thought he was gone, all those years, and he was in a work camp." Which in itself was a horrible existence, but it was an existence. "I got him back, which is more than anyone ever gets. I really hoped my mom or dad had been here, but I got Derek back, so I don't really feel like I should feel too bad." Not that he didn't feel bad, just that he was coming to terms with it better.

[justwantsquiet]

Sookie smiled a little, considering that. "I understand still wanting to see your parents," she offered. "Mine died when I was seven. But I'm glad you have your brother. Do you get to see him often, now?"

[weetinyreese]

Kyle nodded and picked at his pie. He was definitely going back for seconds. "When I'm at home. I was assigned to his unit the last time I was back. Mom died when I was 2," along with billions of others, "and Dad died when I was 8. Then it was just me and him until I was 12. I don't need taking care of, but I forgot how much better everything was when I knew he was looking out for me."

[justwantsquiet]

Sookie nodded, smiling a little. "How much older is he?" she asked, tilting her head.

[weetinyreese]

"Seven years? Yeah. I think seven. He got old."

[justwantsquiet]

"He sounds ancient," Sookie said dryly. "You're lucky to have him, seems like. Sorry about your mom and daddy, though."