Benjamin is asleep in his hospital bed, still battered but on the mend.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?”
Chris’ voice sounds unusually tense and insecure.
Alexander looks up from his book.
“Sure.”
“Outside?”
“Sure,” Alexander says again and gets up.
He follows Chris outside and to the park. Benjamin’s older brother sits down on a bench and Alexander joins him.
“What’s on your mind?”
“You’re a therapist, right?”
“Yes.”
“If I was in need of one, would you work with me?”
Alexander hesitates for a moment, but then he says:
“Yes, I would.”
When Chris stays silent Alexander turns to look at him.
“What do you want to talk about?”
“Right here?”
“Sure, why not?”
“I’m not sure I can.”
Chris scans the environment and Alexander understands.
“What do you need?”
Chris heaves a sigh.
“A hole to crawl into?”
Alexander nods.
“Come on.”
Both men enter Alexander’s apartment together and Alexander holds out the key to Chris.
“Stay as long as you want. I’ll be at the hospital a lot anyway. Make yourself at home. We could have dinner later if you want but don’t feel like you have to.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because you said it’s what you need. I reckon you don’t necessarily want to be at your father’s house right now. This is safe. You can talk to me if you need it or you can figure stuff out on your own. Whichever works best for you.”
Chris looks at him for a long moment, and then he pulls him into a hug.
“Thank you,” he says softly. “Dinner would be amazing.”