*James*

It was nice hanging out with Trisha last night. Still can't believe she knows about Joe. Though he IS a fixture in L.A. since we've all lived here forever. My Uncle went as far as to change his last name from Gallo to Sullivan, hence, Sullivan's Tap.  Sounds Irish even though we are Italian which I find funny.

I spent the day today in the pub watching a few soccer games. Mom is having another bad day which stinks for me because that means I can't see her. But the girls put her on speaker phone so we could talk for a while while eating dinner. Ma is good so long as she doesn't see my eyes. If she hears my voice she knows it's me. At least I have that much going for me. 

Tonight Julia will be heading back and I'm anxious to see her. I don't know why. She's with Hollan. I think. I actually don't even know anymore. She needs to figure that out. Either way I'll be here and I'll wait for her until she does. 

I'm sure she'll figure it out soon.

It's almost 8pm when I see the driver pull up and Julia get out of the car. He helps her with her luggage and drives away once she walks towards the entrance. Right in front of her is an elderly lady in need of checking in.  

While helping the old lady I watch Julia roll her suitcase in through the entrance and give her a nod. I watch Julia reach in to her back pocket. She doesn't have her key. I start laughing internally at that. God did I miss those days with Julia.

She stops short in the lobby and throws her hands up, looking at the ceiling in embarrassment before rolling her suitcase to wait in line behind the old lady.

It takes a few minutes with the lady but once she is gone Julia steps up to the front desk.

"You don't have to say it, I already know." I shake my head at Julia before turning around to grab another key card to register for her.

"Sorry, I know I'm a pain."

"How was Boston?" I look up Julia's name on the computer and scan the card while I talk. Then when I hand her the key I look up at her, studying her face. Shit. She's been crying. "You ok?"

"Yep." She holds her hand out waiting for me to give her the key but I don't. Not yet.

"I don't think you are. You're an awful liar, Miss Moretti." I put the key behind my back and raise my eyebrows at Julia. "I don't need to know.." I smile sympathetically. "But really, how was your trip home?"

"It wasn't an enjoyable one, but I knew it wasn't going to be. Can I have my key now?" 

"Why wasn't it enjoyable?? You got to go home and see your family, right?"

Julia shakes her head and gives me an agitated look ."You really know nothing about me, do you James." She snaps. "Sorry." 

"I only know what you tell me." I smile but feel the tension between us.

"I didn't go to visit my family. I went to my son's grave for his birthday."

I freeze for a second and let what she just said settle in. She lost her son. Now things are starting to make more sense. Especially with how she comes in looking like she's been crying. She's a grieving mom.

"Shit. I'm sorry Julia. God, that must have been hard to do." I stumble with my words and look away. Julia notices though.

"It's ok. I go every year."

"It doesn't get easier, does it...." I admit, now thinking about my own son.

"No. It doesn't?" She asks confusingly.

"I had a son too." I look away, almost hoping someone would come in to the lobby that needs my attention. I tap Julia's card on the counter nervously, then look down realizing I  still have it.

"Sorry," I hand Julia her card but instead of taking it, she holds my hand. 

"How old was he?" She pauses, "Actually, you don't have to answer that. I get it."

"It's ok. Carter was two and a half."

"God, James. I'm so sorry!! Really." Julia looks down and realizes she's still holding my hand, but only in a caring way. I look up at the ceiling for a second to maintain composure before looking back down at her.

"So yeah, anyways." I fake a smile. "Time doesn't make it get easier. That's a load of shit." 

"It really is. What happened?"

"Brain tumor. We found out when he was six months old. He was a fighter though. We did everything we could.." I pause. "Sometimes God just deals you a shitty hand, right?" 

"Yeah, He sure does. Danny was 17. Car accident." 

"17... wow." I bite the inside of my cheek, feeling my eyes start to water. I feel her pain. I can relate. "I'm sorry. Julia, if you ever need anything . I'm here. To talk I mean. Nothing more." I clarify, since I haven't a fucking clue what we have going on.

Julia pats my hand and I slide the card to her. "Thanks, and same. To talk." She heads towards the elevator.

"Hey!" I call out as she's half way down the hall. "Did you write on balloons and let them go?" 

"We did." She nods and smiles and I do the same, watching her enter the elevator.