Situation Normal

Her cell phone rang, interrupting her never-ending task of filing paperwork.

"Sidle."

Sara, hey. I was thinking about you.

(Go away, brat. I don't have time for you. The Watsons/Jacksons/Thompsons/Greens will take care of you.)

"Sander." Pause. "How are you?"

(Sander, do you love me?)

Good. I'm now on the board of trustees for the company.

"Congratulations."

I heard you were hurt. Something to do with work? Are you all right?

Even breathing. "I was attacked by a serial killer. Obviously, I got away alive."

(Hearing Barry's voice, feeling Faith's worry, heeding Angel's concern.)

Oh my god. Do you need me to come out?

"It's almost a month after the fact. No. There's no need."

(Angel making her laugh. Guppy bringing her flowers. The steady hand of her father, the warm smile of her lady. The twins' fierce embrace on her return.)

What if I wanted to visit?

Another pause. "You couldn't make my high school or college graduations. Why would this matter?"

Sara...I explained the circumstances.

"There were always circumstances. And inconveniences. And...fuck it all. It's no longer convenient for me to talk to you."

Sara Cielo Sidle, don't you--

Click. Number blocked. Phone returned to pocket. Paperwork resumed with a somewhat shaky hand.

(I'm going home.)