She's been quiet. Playing her role: Just an object. Just a mirror.
But she can't help but enjoy the time with Steven as he chatters at her. He's just so . . . happy, it's infectious, and he's talking to her -- her, as though he believes she's someone who can understand. It's silent delight every time he settles, and she absorbs everything.
"Dad," though . . . he seems almost wary of her? Or stays away.
She's not sure she can blame him. And . . . in the end, it's better that way. Isn't it?
. . . Right?
So she's surprised when he talks to her then, out of the blue -- when he stops talking to the two gems he refers to like they're one and shifts his eyes to her in the shadows of the interior.
"Hey, what about you? You think he's holding up okay? I know he's putting on a brave face for me, but... he talks to you. What do you think?"
He's worried?
About Steven?
She's silent, uncertain -- not sure what to do. With his eyes on her like that, she finds she wants to answer--
But as she hesitates, trying to decide, she's taken too long; he's turning . . . she's missed her chance . . .
On impulse she brings it up: Steven laughing in the front seat over a joke he told two days ago. It seems to genuinely tickle him; he's happy, drunk on his own humor. Greg's hand comes briefly into the frame to ruffle his hair.
no subject
But she can't help but enjoy the time with Steven as he chatters at her. He's just so . . . happy, it's infectious, and he's talking to her -- her, as though he believes she's someone who can understand. It's silent delight every time he settles, and she absorbs everything.
"Dad," though . . . he seems almost wary of her? Or stays away.
She's not sure she can blame him. And . . . in the end, it's better that way. Isn't it?
. . . Right?
So she's surprised when he talks to her then, out of the blue -- when he stops talking to the two gems he refers to like they're one and shifts his eyes to her in the shadows of the interior.
"Hey, what about you? You think he's holding up okay? I know he's putting on a brave face for me, but... he talks to you. What do you think?"
He's worried?
About Steven?
She's silent, uncertain -- not sure what to do. With his eyes on her like that, she finds she wants to answer--
But as she hesitates, trying to decide, she's taken too long; he's turning . . . she's missed her chance . . .
On impulse she brings it up: Steven laughing in the front seat over a joke he told two days ago. It seems to genuinely tickle him; he's happy, drunk on his own humor. Greg's hand comes briefly into the frame to ruffle his hair.
Uncertain, she repeats it, just in case.