Knock

James was startled awake by the sudden knocking. Fran must be about to leave him with Sally. He groaned out, "Just a second..."

It took a while to get his clothes on. He checked quickly on Aurora. Still asleep. That would make this smoother, at least. Maybe if this goes okay, she can relax too. Maybe.

Finally dressed, he opened his door. Sally stared back at him. She had bags under her eyes, wild hair, and an in general shameful and awkward expression. He felt his own awkwardness on his face. She silently led him to the living room, gesturing at the small table. "Franny made coffee before she left...she took my car."

James nodded. "Yeah...she said she would. She also said you'd yell."

"Too hungover. Maybe later."

"Should we wait until then to talk?"

She sat down and shook her head. "No...she thinks it'll be better if I can't get too emotional. Hangover's good for that..."

James sat down across from her. "She might be right..."

"Look...I tried to think it through but I don't have your whole...super logic thing. So help me talk through it?"

James nodded. "Yeah...I can see how that might help."

"We need to find the real problem..."