LOREN
That insight didn’t feel like a step forward. It didn’t feel like anything except an acknowledgment that something within Loren was fundamentally wrong. And he didn’t much feel like fixing it, even if he knew where to start. ”I wouldn’t hold my breath.” Indeed, he couldn’t see himself willingly asking for help or working through it—especially with Phoebe—any time soon, unless he absolutely had to. Which wouldn’t be willingly, so that was defeating the purpose.
However, it seemed like he wasn’t the only one here who had trouble accepting assistance. As the healer jumped to reach the plates, he kept them tantalizingly out of reach as he scrubbed one without being phased by her actions or her words. ”I don’t need to. And you can. But you’ve cooked for me on several occasions, and I will be cleaning these dishes for you.” As before, there was pretty much nothing she could do to stop him. At least this time, his efforts were entirely intended to aid her. Her scandalized look surprised him: it was almost as if she'd never seen anyone else do housework before. Still, this cost him basically nothing, and seeing as she had a lot more work than she was used to (what with the three new kids), this felt like a small favor, all things considered. "I might even take the cobbler out of the oven." He was teasing her just a little bit.
However, it seemed like he wasn’t the only one here who had trouble accepting assistance. As the healer jumped to reach the plates, he kept them tantalizingly out of reach as he scrubbed one without being phased by her actions or her words. ”I don’t need to. And you can. But you’ve cooked for me on several occasions, and I will be cleaning these dishes for you.” As before, there was pretty much nothing she could do to stop him. At least this time, his efforts were entirely intended to aid her. Her scandalized look surprised him: it was almost as if she'd never seen anyone else do housework before. Still, this cost him basically nothing, and seeing as she had a lot more work than she was used to (what with the three new kids), this felt like a small favor, all things considered. "I might even take the cobbler out of the oven." He was teasing her just a little bit.
But don’t be weary if it’s broken
Families are like that—
they’re split up and always torn.
