Page 47 of Come Apart
"I look like shit."
She isn't her usual polished self, but she looks fine. Samantha was never a knockout, but that never mattered. "You didn't deny it. It must be true."
"Don't be so vain."
She gives me a real look at that.
"Said the guy dating the hot actress."
"She has other traits."
"Like?"
I shake my head. "She's thoughtful. She's sweet. She's smart as all hell. Reads most English grad student stuff. And she's so passionate about what she does. You know how that gets me."
Samantha unfolds her arms, sighing. "I get it, Luke. She's hot and smart and puts up with shit like you being here. She's a catch no matter how you slice it"
"I don't care that she's hot."
"Uh-huh."
"Don't get me wrong. She's amazingly hot. But I'd be with her even if she was a hideous beast."
She smiles, humor glimmering in her eyes.
"That's what guys always say when they're dating hot women." The mood is finally starting to lighten a little, and the room feels a little brighter and more colorful.
She looks down at her blanket, entirely focused on pulling lint off it. "I thought you'd leave after yesterday."
"I did leave. Alyssa had a premiere party for her show. But I came back down when you texted because I care about you. You idiot."
She laughs at the soft jab. Then takes a moment to compose herself. This time when she looks at me, it's direct and no nonsense. "You shouldn't be here. I don't want to take you away from your life."
"I want to be here for you."
"Why?" Her voice is low.
I know she's thinking about what she did.
It's always in the back of my mind when I'm around her.
"You're my friend. This is what friends do." I scoot my chair closer to her. "Like you were there for me when I needed you."
She looks at me, her defenses stripped away for a moment. "Are you sure?"
"Positive."
She nods.
"Did you visit your mom?"
I think of the manicured cemetery, the crisply carved tombstone.
I push the image away.
I can't think of that right now.
Not while one of my oldest friends is lying in a hospital bed.
