Tact was a wonderful thing sometimes. Leah was still working on the whole tact thing, but she was grateful that Zach didn’t say much more about the matter than he did. The medics knew her condition for necessary reasons and she trusted them to handle that information confidentially. It was good to know that, even while drunk, Zach hadn’t said anything.
“Doesn’t mean I don’t have my own way of coping with things. Everyone does. You do what you have to do; whatever helps.” She shrugged. That was all there was to it. If people didn’t have an outlet for dealing with all the death around them, they’d go insane. Too many people were insane these days.
It wasn’t the first time someone thought they could get in good with Leah’s smarter sister. Probably wouldn’t be the last, either. “I sincerely doubt either of my sisters are interested right now. Lilah’s in love with science.” And Kori. Well, Kori seemed to be doing an excellent job of shutting Leah out, despite the cheerful act. The family was together, but felt like it was falling apart at the same time. “You might want to inform your ‘sources’ of that.”
“Must be nice not caring how other people see you.” A simple statement, neither positive nor negative, but also subtly revealing about herself. She didn’t notice the connection until after she said it, but she didn’t expect Dr. Drunk Ego to question it. “Five times. Well, that’s an accomplishment right there. That you can keep track of that number, that is.”
“Walking,” she repeated, watching him as he prepared to take a step. “It’s one of those things you learn when you’re really little. Hard to forget how to do it.” Making she was poking fun at him now, but she’d sort of earned it. Smirking, she gave a slow, brief applause when he made it a few steps. “Breaking all kinds of records tonight.”
Leah inclined her head when he said he could make it on his own. “Good. Wasn’t really in the mood to carry you.” Another joke, spoken with a straight face. “Good luck on the trip back to your room.”