Twenty One

The silence that enveloped the car persisted into the house. Hazel wobbled into the living room, collapsing in an arm chair were her head laid. Her hands gripped around her middle even as blood from her palm trickled unnoticed into her blouse.

The weather was changing from its abnormal hot to a flaky cool. Van shrugged off his coat, feeling a heat wave run through him despite the changes. His body sank onto a stool whilst his raging head flopped onto his arms on the breakfast bar. He didn't understand Hazel. That, perhaps, was his biggest pet peeve; not knowing or understanding. The reassurance of knowing had always kept him sane, now with the rocket science personality Hazel George-Steel, he was going absolutely mad.

He hated her; he was sure of that. Yet, his temperament softened around her. He had put it down to her soulful eyes, but after gazing at her slouched figure in the car, he was sure it was something else.

Hazel appealed to Van on a primitive level where he wanted to guard her down cast eyes; even if those eyes were looking down on him.

Lifting his head, Van murmured,"Why. Why, Hazel." It was more of a statement than a question.

Her body shook with silent sobs but Van wasn't looking at her. Instead, he was focused on the tiny hole on the breakfast bar. He remembered it well, for he was the one who put it there the day his father told him about the marriage. His fist was still brusied were the, ironically enough, ring he had been wearing broke into splinters upon it's contact with the efficient counter/table.

The door bell rang. Van got up instinctively, answering it. Outside, both looking apprehensive, Zash stood with China.

"How is she? " China questioned.

"I...I don't know."

It was the truth. Van just didn't know. She, much like his mother, was a mystery he was yet to solve.

"Can we come in? " Van nodded at Zash, stepping back so they could enter.

China made a beeline for Hazel, dropping to her knees in front of her. She wrapped the red head in her arms, whispering reassurances that Van was sure he could not utter even for himself.

"Have either of you eaten yet?"

"No... but I'm not hungry."

Zash nodded,"I'll make you some coffee and cook something for Hazel."

Hours later, after China got Hazel to the bedroom, Van and Zash sat opposite each other at the breakfast bar. They had been quiet,.mostly listening to Hazel's muffled sobs and China shushing her. Then the sounds died down to them hearing the shower running and China cajoling Hazel to stop crying. The apartment was eerily quiet.

"I know this must be a two way sword for you... happy cuz you're gonna get a kid but upset with all the shit going on with Hazel." he paused, unsure how to continue.

"But?" Van supplied, sensing the question hanging in the air.

"But..." Zash continued,"As your friend, I've got to ask... Is the baby yours?"

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