deadly_ned | 042

[Sitting in his self-made pillow fort is the Piemaker, with a hand on his dog, Digby, and a rucksack over one shoulder. His room behind him is made up and neat]

I ought to have done this...maybe four or five months ago but change was never something I was particularly attuned to. Change and me were on different wavelengths.

I graduated two inmates and I'm...heading home. To Chuck.

And I just wanted to, to, um...

Thank you. Everyone, all of you. For..making the changing easier and for letting me stay as long as I have and for making this place harder and harder to leave.

It's hard to leave. It's one of the hardest things I've ever done even though I know it's time. Past time. That...probably says more about my time spent here than anything else I could say.

...Yeah. I know I'm stalling now, so I'll just...

Thank you. For the memories.

[Private to Bleu]

I'm sorry I wasn't so much here for you as I should have been. Is there anything I can do for you? Before I go.

[Private to Hannibal]

I'll be checking in, periodically. When I can. Your graduation was the one I wanted to see most.

[Private to Abigail]

I left the rest of the records in a box by your door. I'm hoping that wasn't too forward.

[Private to Esther]

You're better than you give yourself credit for. I really...really do hope you find your way.

[Private to Dean]

Dean, I...

I know you don't really know who I am. You don't owe me anything. At all.

But if I could just...see you. To say goodbye. It would mean everything.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

versusnurture

You'd have to pick one of the new records. I don't know them. What they feel like.

It should be a happy dance.

deadly_ned

I think I could manage that.

Give me a few minutes to say goodbye to everyone and I'll come down.

I can wait.

On my way.

[And he is, coming down to Abigail's room with everything he's taking with him on his back.

Or by his side, in the case of Digby.]

Abigail?

[She opens the door a crack, looks out to see who it is. She has been crying, it's clear, but not much, and she's smiling now. When she pushes the door open all the way, she reveals the record player set out on a table in the middle of the room, a place of more prominence than its usual location on the desk.]

Hi, Ned.

What do you call a pepper that won't leave you alone?

[His heart sinks a little deeper when he sees the tears on his face, but the Piemaker swallows it down. Getting upset won't change things.

He enters the room shyly, arms tucked behind his back]

I don't know. What do you call a pepper that won't leave you alone?

[A deliberate, pregnant pause.]

Jalapeño business.

[He pauses, before letting a slight grin cross his face]

That was terrible.

That was the point.

[He's smiling. She's happy to see him smile.]

Can I hug you?

[Without a word, the Piemaker scoops his arms around Abigail, lifting her gently off her feet]

No.

[Squeaking, she buries her face in his shoulder and wraps her arms tight around him, too.]

Ned!

[But she's not even remotely upset. Any trace of lingering tears are gone now - she laughs brightly, reaching out her toes to touch the floor.]

[He sets her back down carefully so that she can reach the floor, but the Piemaker keeps one arm wrapped around Abigail's back, holding her steady]

You're going to need to find new waltz partners after I'm gone.