02 | Video; Morning of the 21st

[takeitslow]

I ended up getting a lot of stuff this time around.

[The video is trained on a box, Peter's using his other hand to pull out what looks like a bulletin board.]

And when I saw this, I thought it wasn't meant for me. Bad delivery, you know? Particularly when I saw all these old pictures of my friend on it.

[The video pans over a few of the photographs, all of the resident cafe barista, Allison. It stops on the one of Allison in her Sailor Moon costume.]

But then I saw this and knew someone out there was giving me the perfect thing to share with the rest of you. Really help your day get started before that first cup of coffee; give you something other than that girl behind the counter to smile at. God bless that stupid machine, right?

Comments

[allyisun]

[Her crying has petered off into mostly sniffles and a few stray tears as she stares at the kids. She accepts a bunch of napkins and noisily blows her nose, waiting for her throat to unclench again.

At least kids think I'm cool, a snide bit of her mind says, and it startles a choked laugh out of her, but... She is honestly touched. Enough so to have her eyes misting up enough to dab them with a clean napkin.]

Thanks, you guys, I just... I'm sorry for the ugly crying, it's just... Been a lot. For awhile.

And... [She takes in a deep breath, then reaches out to slap Peter lightly on the side of his head.] You don't post pictures of people without their permission you jerk!

[Scolding Peter is easier than talking about how much she hates herself.]

[takeitslow]

[He shoots the kid a stink eye. It's his kind of apology, the kind that he thinks, hopes Allison would understand and accept. His attempt at comfort.]

Nobody cries pretty. I've got two sisters, I'm kind of used to seeing it.

[He'd seen worse through breakups and playground bullies. From his mother when she indulged a little too much. This was par the course.]

And I'm sure the little one's seen worse.

[He glances to Robin just in time take the hit to the head. It doesn't hurt, not really. If anything, it takes his willpower not to laugh about it.]

Cross my heart. I won't do that to you again.