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Elle and Conley stood on Emily’s doorstep as Elle rang the doorbell. It was the middle of the night, but Emily knew this process wasn’t going to be convenient. Emily came to the door and flung it open. The moment she saw Conley, she burst into tears. She threw her arms around him, hugging him as she sobbed. When she finally pulled away, her face was bright pink and her lips were quivering. She motioned for them to come into the house.

 

Once inside, Elle helped Conley get comfortable on the couch. He smiled at her gratefully when she covered him up with an electric blanket. Elle sat down beside him on the floor, the same as she had to Emily earlier that day. He turned on his side, pulling the blanket up to his chin; forcing a smile- he looked terribly exhausted.

 

“How do you feel? Do you need another dose of the anecdote?” She asked.

 

Conley thought about it for a minute, and then shook his head. “No, not now. I think Ill just sleep.” He said, closing his eyes. Elle nodded in understanding and pushed up from the floor, letting Conley sleep. She walked away into the other room where Emily sat, still crying. Elle sat down beside her, patting her back comfortingly.

 

“He looks awful- so drained and spent.” She said sorrowfully. Elle nodded in agreement.

 

“He’s tired. I’m sure some sleep will be just what he needs.” She said reassuringly.

 

Elle rose from the table and walked over to the stove where a pot of water sat. She turned on one of the burners and sifted through the cabinets for some packets of tea. She found a box and took out two packets and placed them beside the two cups and saucers that Emily had sitting on the counter.

 

Once the water came to a boil, Elle placed a packet in each cup and poured the hot water into each cup. She then brought the two cups to the table. Emily had calmed down a bit, and she took the cup of tea eagerly. She took two quick gulps, squinting at the burning feeling. Elle sipped cautiously at her own, watching Emily’s eyes begin to water once more.

 

Elle sighed, suddenly feeling awful that she had brought Emily into all of this. Obviously she wasn’t emotionally equipped to handle it.

 

As Elle rose from the table with her empty cup, she heard a crash in the living room, followed by a flop on the floor and the raining of glass on the wood floor. Elle dropped her cup and saucer into the sink, rushing out into the living room, Emily following.

 

What they found was most startling…