milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

It's been a while.

But Angela is down in the bar again, with a journal and a pen, writing. She's very intent. She still can't see the door, but has been thinking of the long talk she's going to have to have with her parents when she does leave.

Dear Mom and Dad--

I'm afraid I have not been the daughter I should be. I haven't been honest with you and I have shut you out of my life. Things have happened that have made me afraid of losing your love, when I know that is the one thing that would never happen.

Despite everything, I know that.

I have three progress reports, in math, history and English. School is awful, and they tease me...

She's trying to get all these thoughts out on paper, so they are clear.

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Angie's grandfather is in the bar as well, sitting in a distant booth. He's spotted Angie, and though he doesn't really want to talk to anyone he feels that he probably should talk to her. He's pretty much decided to leave the bar, and she's the one person that he knows will feel hurt by his leaving, if he doesn't tell her in person.

He stands up, walking over to her.

"Hey, Angela," he says quietly, trying to look natural, "Can we talk for a minute?"

Angela closes her notebook and looks up. "Sure, Grampa. Sit down." She smiles at him.

"How're you doing?" he asks, pasting on a smile.

"I'm ok. Thinking a lot about leaving the bar, even though I can't see the door yet." She looks at him. "What's up?"

"Well, I was kinda thinking about the same thing," he says, glancing down for a moment. "Only...I can see the door."

Angela nods.

Then looks up. "...oh."

You can't leave, I've only just met you.

"When are you leaving?"

She's carefully not looking at him.

"Uh, probably tomorrow. Just for a little while. Not long."

"Okay."

Her brow furrows, unsure of what to do next.

"You'll...you'll be all right, won't you?"

You *have* to be all right, you can't *really* be dead...

Angie bends the cover of her notebook in her hands.

He reaches out, taking her hands in his. "I'll be okay, promise. I just have to find a place where I can lie low for a little while out there."

Angela bites her lip and nods. "Okay. Make sure you keep real low, then, okay?" Her voice is wavering a little.

Angela is trying to be Brave. Her trembling upper lip and the way she's not looking at her grampa might tell him that it's not quite succeeding.

"I will, sweetheart. I'll get back here as soon as I can. I love you, you know that, right?" he asks, softly.

Angela nods and her face crumples up. "Yeah, I know."

She stands up and comes around to give her grampa a hug, burying her face in his shirt. "I love you too," she says, her voice muffled.

She is still trying valiantly not to cry.

He's trying to do the same thing, but it's not working too well; his eyes are watering.

"I'm going to miss you," he says, his voice a little choked. He's no sure when he'll get back, but he prays it's soon. Outside...he won't get to watch her grow up, won't get to see her at all. Milliways is all they have.

Angela just nods. His shirt might be getting just a little wet.

Jack just rubs her back, trying not to lose his composure, though it's hanging by a thread.

"It'll be all right, sweetheart. You'll be okay," he murmurs into her hair.

Angela stands there for a while, just feeling safe. This is her grampa and she is his granddaughter, no matter what their blood may say.

She'll be all right. But she'll be watching that door for his return.

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