0006.

[tinsoldiered]

[While Charlie is waiting at the bus stop during this. There are a few raindrops that cause the ink to smudge.]

Can anyo

Brad, if you're reading th

Oh, for God's sake! Bradley Knochen, could you be on time for once in your life?

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother.

Bradley, I'm leaving. You have the address to my apartment complex.

Comments

[bramblesgaveway]

Waiting on family?

Supposed to meet somebody later. Sleeping's probably a bad idea anyway.

[tinsoldiered]

Yeah. My cousin. He turned up, though.

Need someone to keep you company?

[...]

I mean. To help you stay awake.

[bramblesgaveway]

Staying with you?

Matty's here. Sleeps like a rock.

[tinsoldiered]

For a while.

[...]

Matty?

[bramblesgaveway]

Sound excited.

[Charlie]

[a pause, then]

My son.

[tinsoldiered]

Trying to contain myself.

[Jess.]

[The response comes without missing a beat. In fact, if someone didn't know any better, it'd seem like Charlie was excited.]

I didn't know you had a son, Jess. How old is he?

[bramblesgaveway]

That good, huh?

[Charlie]

He's three. Seems I only ever see him when he's sleeping.

[tinsoldiered]

Good isn't the word I would use.

[Jess.]

Because of work? That's horrible, Jess.

[...]

Do you think, next time I take you home, I could see him? Even if he's sleeping, that's okay.

Hope that doesn't make me a "creeper."

Charlie.

[bramblesgaveway]

Bad blood?

[...] Custody, mostly.

You want to come by? Don't think I'm going to sleep any time soon.

Jess.

[tinsoldiered]

Let's just say that most people don't believe he's my cousin.

[...]

Oh.

Yeah, that'd be great. Do you need anything? I mean, since I'm out.

Charlie.

[bramblesgaveway]

Got two heads or something?

Yeah.

I'm ok. [...] Nesquik. Been using a lot lately.

Jess.

[tinsoldiered]

Thank God he doesn't. Then he'd never shut up.

Nesquik? All right. I'll be over in just a minute.

Charlie.

[bramblesgaveway]

One of those.

Yeah. Long story.

Thanks, Charlie.