Unload his baggage

Ethan decides, finally, to talk about what's been bothering him.

Taking a deep breath, he scarcely knows where to begin, but chooses the place that seems to fit best: the beginning.

So it starts with Heather and what she did to him. {if Heather Alt =true}He leaves out the most recent developments, however, thinking he can get to that later.{endif} He transitions into talking about losing his job, and the embarrassment he suffered. He follows that up with the sudden **** of his Grandmother, which the universe cruelly threw at him so soon after.

Nodding, Layla listens intently, her focus completely on Ethan.

"And then I got to town..." Ethan continues, taking a breath. He recounts the emotional struggle of living in his Grandparent's old home, going through their things and sleeping in their bed. Digging deeper, he gets into his complex feelings about the town and its newly revealed secrets. {if Alex Kiss 2 =true}About Alex.{endif}{if Ashley =true}About Ashley{endif} Hell, he spends a few minutes even talking about her.

Layla's face twitches a bit, her feelings on the topic difficult to properly understand.

"And then there's this weird shit going on with Charlie..." Ethan rubs the back of his head. "I don't know why, but it's like I have this mental block that's stopping me from thinking things through. Oh, which reminds me." Ethan lets out an annoyed groan. "I seem to be forgetting things."

"Forgetting things?" Layla speaks for the first time in many, many minutes.

"Yeah," Ethan shakes his head, futilely trying to knock something loose. "I don't know how to explain it, but like somethings about this place are just a weird haze to me."

Frowning, Layla shifts closer. "Ethan, you've been away from here for a long time... And given all you've been through, it's perfectly reasonable to let a few things slip."

Frowning, Ethan can't disagree with what she's saying, but he still feels like there is more to it than that. Signing, he leans back. Despite that reservation, he feels relieved.

After a short pause, Layla speaks again. "Well, that's certainly a lot..." she smiles, "Is there anything else?"