Sometimes in the weeks since, Cash had wondered why he'd gone to Ford instead of to Theo or Angie — some of their reaction helped illuminate it for him. He was suspecting that a part of him, right or wrong, thought that Ford would be alright if Cash died. Angie, Theo — he could not pretend to think the same for them.

He'd never seen Theo cry before. Cash's motion, in response, was almost instant.

Cash left his post by the door, and sat next to Theo. He put an arm around his side, and tucked his head against Theo's arm. "I'm sorry," Cash said again, a whisper into the fabric of Theo's shirt. "I don't — I don't want to leave you like that."